22/04/1931 – 11/07/2023
Peter was born in Prahran, the only child of Dr Francis and Lily Coombs, who hailed from Tasmania. He grew up in his father’s first practice in Katamatite until they moved to Numurkah in 1938, forming life-long friendships with families with strong connections to Wesley - the McKenzies, Sellecks and Bitcons.
Peter joined the Wesley College Junior School in 1943, aged 11, as a boarder. The whole Wesley College property in St Kilda Road had been taken over by the army in 1942 during World War II and urgent arrangements were made for the 450 senior schoolboys to share half days at Scotch College, while 200 junior schoolboys were relocated to Mayfield, a school in Malvern. The 40 boarders lived at Bromley in Toorak and later, at Kooringa in Malvern. These were seminal years for Peter, instilling strong values of mateship, his love of sport and a deep devotion for the school. The end of a term resulted in steam train journeys back home to Numurkah, eating the ‘best ever’ meat pies at Seymour Station and sharing the train with girls from MLC and PLC, a highlight.
Peter’s friend from Numurkah, Bob Bitcon (OW1948), became a Wesley boarder in 1946, sharing a dormitory of six boys which included Peter.
Like his father Frank, who had been ‘Champion of Tasmania’ in the 100-yard sprint, Peter was a gifted sportsman, a good all-rounder in Junior School cricket, football, swimming, tennis and athletics. Peter was appointed Captain of the Junior cricket and football teams and Head of the Junior School Boarding House. He completed Years 7 and 8 before graduating in 1945 to Senior School after the military had completed its wartime use of the College.
In August 1946, Headmaster Neil MacNeil died suddenly in his home, part of the College in those days. Hundreds of students formed a double line of honour as the coffin was carried from the Chapel along the Punt Road footpath to the hearse waiting in Moubray Street (pictured). Twelve days later, the unbelievable happened with the sudden death of Acting Headmaster, Arthur Gwillim. Gerry Hattam took over as Acting Headmaster until the end of the year when the new Headmaster, Wilfrid Frederick, was appointed, bringing a new era of change and ideas. They were amazing days, never forgotten by those who were there.
In Senior School, Peter was in every Athletic Team from 1945-1949, captaining the 1949 team. The 1945 and 1947 teams were APS champions. Peter’s furthest long jump of 21ft 2.5in at the House Sports stood unbeaten for decades. He also represented Wesley in the First XVIII Football team from 1947-1949 and First XI Cricket team in 1948 and 1949 playing in the team with Barry Stevens (OW1948). Peter was awarded Colours for Athletics in 1946, Football in 1947 and Cricket in 1948 which qualified him for the much-coveted trifecta, his name added to the Triple Colour Honour Board.
Peter was also a champion swimmer, winning many events both at school and in State Scout events. In 1948, he was appointed a Probationer and in 1949, his final year, made a Prefect, Captain of Adamson House, Head of Boarding House and Community Service organiser.
At Wesley, Peter earned the nickname ‘Crusher’ due to his muscular physique and impressive form on the football field, and ‘Doc’ in reference to his father who sadly died in October 1949 in the Alfred Hospital during Peter’s final year.
Twelve days later he ran the race of his life, winning the 100-yard athletic championship race at Wesley in 10.3 seconds for his father and Adamson House.
On leaving Wesley in 1949, with a glowing reference from Headmaster Frederick, he began his career as an Executive Trainee for Vacuum Oil (now Mobil). He became area manager based in Ararat, playing for the local football and tennis clubs. It was while playing tennis in Ararat that he met his wife, Leonie McMillan. They married in 1958 with Bob Bitcon as best man and Peter Norman (OW1949) as groomsman.
Peter and Leonie were married for 65 years, during which time they moved to Bacchus Marsh, becoming involved with the life and people, buying and running their own drycleaning and laundrette business and opening branches in the growing suburb of Melton. Peter became involved in the local community, becoming a Bacchus Marsh Shire Councillor, member of Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.
Peter’s family ended up learning his school songs thanks to a lifetime of renditions of 'The Boating Song', 'The Best School of All' and 'Grey Towers', to name a few. Those from Wesley fortunate enough to share part of their lives with him will remember Peter for his kind, giving nature, and love for the best school of all.
Peter is survived by his wife Leonie, daughters Fiona and Tina, grandsons Simon Kerwin (OW2013) and Oliver Kerwin (OW2015), granddaughters Rahni and Asha, and great-grandchildren Jada, Meela and Jai.
Contributed by Bob Bitcon (OW1948), Tina Coombs and Simon Kerwin (OW2013)