Meet our Volunteers: Peter Martin

“I went to about 6 different schools” Peter explained. No, not because he was one of those impossible kids who always get expelled!  His father’s work as an earthmoving contractor simply demanded that they live where the big contracts were.  Born in Thornton, North-East of Melbourne near Lake Eildon, the family ultimately settled in Shepparton and then, in 1958, on the Gold Coast, where he studied to Year 9 at TSS, The Southport School.

At the tender young age of 16, Peter joined the Navy, working in catering, “mostly on shore, looking after Wine and Beer Storage for the officers” he quipped. But then followed postings on numerous ships, from Carriers to Troop Ships, Frigates and Escorts. He served on a Frigate during the Vietnam war. Peter’s Navy career concluded in 1981, after 20 service culminating with the rank of ‘Senior NCO’ (aka Petty Officer).

His training on how to work effectively with people served him well in the ongoing years. “I would buy catering businesses, coffee shops, build them up and sell them again” he said.

These days, besides regularly working at our Project Shed, he enjoys playing Golf (current handicap is 16, but “when I was younger” it was as low as 8), Pistol Shooting, gardening, watching Action Movies and spending time with his Grandkids. No, not pushing them on a swing: one of his grandsons is at Duntroon in officer training with the Army…