Vale
Sadly, as we have searched for our old schoolmates, we have found that some have passed away. You might want to post a favourite story or obituary about them on the Forum page. Or send them to website administrator Kath McKay (Semmel) [email protected]
Annie Ketch
Colin Barnard
David Albiston
David Reid
Don Wilson
Elizabeth Craig
Eugene Eckart Schmetzer
Gerd Kratzer (2 December 2012)
Graham Howitt
Jim Verginis
John Fricsons
John Willis
Lynton Rosenthal
Malcolm Ronan (teacher 1962, see 2019 obituary under 'a 1962 Teacher's story')
Neil Lister
Peter Cullen
Ralph Dalton
Richard Nancarrow
Russell Parsons
Terry Worth
Warren Pill
Annie Ketch
Colin Barnard
David Albiston
David Reid
Don Wilson
Elizabeth Craig
Eugene Eckart Schmetzer
Gerd Kratzer (2 December 2012)
Graham Howitt
Jim Verginis
John Fricsons
John Willis
Lynton Rosenthal
Malcolm Ronan (teacher 1962, see 2019 obituary under 'a 1962 Teacher's story')
Neil Lister
Peter Cullen
Ralph Dalton
Richard Nancarrow
Russell Parsons
Terry Worth
Warren Pill
Obituary for Eugene Eckart Schmetzer, by Alf Sumner
I first met Eugene Eckart Schmetzer – (this is the correct spelling of his full name) Gene, as he later preferred to be called, on his first day, in the new ‘cooking’ room in year 9. Seeing this confident, fine physical specimen of a man and being House Captain I managed to snare him for Strathmore which at the time was lagging in sporting prowess. Little did I know that this meeting would develop into a lifelong friendship and that I would eventually marry his younger sister Uta.
Gene was a champion athlete and swimmer and a fierce competitor in any of the other sports he played but, his true love was surfing and I always remember him as being deeply tanned, magnificent physique, sun bleached hair, and face masked with white zinc cream. He showed absolutely no fear in plunging into the most treacherous of surfs day or night as we anxiously waited for him to reappear from the raging swells.
After Balwyn High Gene went to Melbourne Uni and received his B.A. (Hon.), did Law under Sir Zelman Cowen for 12 months but switched to, and completed his Teaching Degree, doing it tough as his mother and father had returned to Germany to live. During his Uni days Gene figured prominently in the anti hanging movement, the anti-Vietnam movement, and retained his keen sense of social justice throughout his life.
Gene traveled the world following his surfing dream. In South Africa he was an activist in the anti-apartheid movement and was eventually expelled by the government for his activism and political views.
He married the lovely Kathy and they/we enjoyed many happy times together but unfortunately the marriage didn’t last and they parted as friends, without children.
After much travel including living in Paris for three years where he learned to speak fluent French Gene returned to Queensland with his French partner Cecile and he returned to teaching where he enjoyed taking his students swimming and surfing, often after lessons or on weekends.
Tragically Gene passed away in Queensland on the 14th October 1978 when the motorbike he was riding collided with a car on a winding mountainous road and he died at the scene. He was just 36.
Gene will be remembered for his absolute zest for life, his devil may care life style, his sheer physicality, his love of philosophy, his poetry and his social and moral conscience.
Gene is survived by his older brother Uli and his younger sister Uta.
By Alf Sumner, Brother-in-law
28 November 2012
Gene was a champion athlete and swimmer and a fierce competitor in any of the other sports he played but, his true love was surfing and I always remember him as being deeply tanned, magnificent physique, sun bleached hair, and face masked with white zinc cream. He showed absolutely no fear in plunging into the most treacherous of surfs day or night as we anxiously waited for him to reappear from the raging swells.
After Balwyn High Gene went to Melbourne Uni and received his B.A. (Hon.), did Law under Sir Zelman Cowen for 12 months but switched to, and completed his Teaching Degree, doing it tough as his mother and father had returned to Germany to live. During his Uni days Gene figured prominently in the anti hanging movement, the anti-Vietnam movement, and retained his keen sense of social justice throughout his life.
Gene traveled the world following his surfing dream. In South Africa he was an activist in the anti-apartheid movement and was eventually expelled by the government for his activism and political views.
He married the lovely Kathy and they/we enjoyed many happy times together but unfortunately the marriage didn’t last and they parted as friends, without children.
After much travel including living in Paris for three years where he learned to speak fluent French Gene returned to Queensland with his French partner Cecile and he returned to teaching where he enjoyed taking his students swimming and surfing, often after lessons or on weekends.
Tragically Gene passed away in Queensland on the 14th October 1978 when the motorbike he was riding collided with a car on a winding mountainous road and he died at the scene. He was just 36.
Gene will be remembered for his absolute zest for life, his devil may care life style, his sheer physicality, his love of philosophy, his poetry and his social and moral conscience.
Gene is survived by his older brother Uli and his younger sister Uta.
By Alf Sumner, Brother-in-law
28 November 2012
Gerd Kratzer Obituary
Obituary, The Age, Melbourne, 29 January 2013
Migrant grateful to fortune
GERD DIETER KRATZER
CO-FOUNDER OF CHAUCER’S RECEPTION AND CONVENTION CENTRE 29-5-1944 – 2-12-2012
By ALEX NJOO
GERD Dieter Kratzer, who coestablished Chaucer’s Reception and Convention Centre, a Melbourne hospitality landmark of the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s, has died.
Gerd was born in Oberaudorf,a small village in the Bavarian Alps, the night the Allies unleashed its massive bombing raid on Munich, some 80 kilometres away. His father, who was an officer in the German tank corps, returned to the frontlines and was later captured and imprisoned in Yugoslavia. In the maelstrom of Germany’s defeat and an advancing Allied force, Gerd was fostered in an orphanage. It was his foster mother, Gertrude Baumgarten, who gave him the care and love that every child needs. He would often talk about his love for Gertrude.
Life after the war in Europe was harsh and for many the future was uncertain. Gerd’s birth mother found a sponsor in Australia and, without the help of any assisted passage scheme, paid the princely sum of £440 to emigrate to Australia. They boarded the Lloyd Triestino’s SS Toscana in November 1957 and arrived in Melbourne on December 23, after seven weeks at sea. Gerd, who was 13, attended Balwyn High School where he eventually matriculated.
It was not until July 1976 that he was reunited with his father.
Although he had been interested in chemical engineering, Gerd decided to forgo further studies and embarked on setting up a business of some kind. He formed a partnership with his lifetime friend and fellow Austrian Oskar Hucherig, whom he met in Melbourne, and operateda service station and motor repair business in Templestowe.
The business flourished, but a burgeoning interest in hospitality and catering led Gerd to establish Abound Catering, a relatively modest addition to the hospitality industry, with another friend, Rudy Unger.
In April 1971 the service station and motor repair business was sold, and on August 12 Gerd co-founded Chaucer’s with Oskar and Rudy as partners. Chaucer’s was Melbourne’s first purpose-built reception and convention centre. The venue became well known to a cross-section of the population including politicians and celebrities.
In 1977 Gerd was made life governor of Prince Henry Hospital. Two years later he also became president of the Restaurant and Catering Association of Victoria, a position he held until 1989, and was appointed an honorary life member in 1990.
After operating for 28 years, Chaucer’s was sold on September 1, 1999– ademise mourned by many who remembered its ‘‘golden years’’.
Gerd had an unbridled thirst for knowledge and new ideas. His collection of rare books and manuscripts led him to open a small antiquarian bookshop in Camberwell called the Canterbury Tales. He also started Wine Export Australia in 1980. In April of that year he was madea life member of the Austrian Club. His constant interest in cars led him to become an honorary life member of the Buick Car Club (April 1992). In March last year Gerd was made an honorary life member of the Australian Philatelic Traders Association.
A quiet and unassuming person, Gerd’s interests extended beyond wine, food, books, antiques and travel to classical music. He was an accomplished classical pianist, his favourite composer being Mozart. His musical soirees were familiar occasions to a small group of friends. Not only would he meticulously prepare background notes on the featured composer but also make sure that everyone present was suitably catered for.
“I can’t help it,” he would say, “it’s my Teutonic upbringing. Everything has to be right and precise.” It was only relatively recently that he revealed to some of his friends that he was the direct descendent of Nicholas Kratzer, a mathematician, astronomer and horologist who became astronomer to Henry VIII.
For someone who, through hard work, imagination and sheer determination, led a fortunate and successful life, Gerd had his share of tragedy. His son, Shaun, a champion skier and photographer, died in a skiing accident while holidaying with friends in the Himalayas. Gerd never recovered from the loss of his son.
A generous man and a true bon vivant, he was known to describe himself as an optimist who had led a charmed life and who was happy to know he had also been loved by many. Gerd’s generosity was often balanced by his thriftiness. He admitted to me that he abhorred paying the so-called recommended retail price on some commodities; he expected to negotiate with sellers. He was very good at determining the true worth of something.
“Serendipity has shone upon me numerous times,’’ he once said. ‘‘I was lucky many times, but often you have to make your own luck. Life is a huge game of chance where timing is everything.”
There are many more things about Gerd that I remember. Among some of his favourite sayings were “De gustibus non est disputandum” (You can’t argue about taste); “Per ardua ad astra” (Through hardship to the stars); “There is a solution to every problem, you just have to find it.”
His business associates would describe him as astute, those who were the recipients of his charity would acknowledge his generosity. But to most who had the opportunity to be close to him, he wasa gentle, familyloving and highly civilised person. He was one of the few remarkable people in my life.
His daughters Athena, Natasha, his wife Sally and her daughter Rebecca survive him.
Auf wiedersehen, mein Freund.
Migrant grateful to fortune
GERD DIETER KRATZER
CO-FOUNDER OF CHAUCER’S RECEPTION AND CONVENTION CENTRE 29-5-1944 – 2-12-2012
By ALEX NJOO
GERD Dieter Kratzer, who coestablished Chaucer’s Reception and Convention Centre, a Melbourne hospitality landmark of the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s, has died.
Gerd was born in Oberaudorf,a small village in the Bavarian Alps, the night the Allies unleashed its massive bombing raid on Munich, some 80 kilometres away. His father, who was an officer in the German tank corps, returned to the frontlines and was later captured and imprisoned in Yugoslavia. In the maelstrom of Germany’s defeat and an advancing Allied force, Gerd was fostered in an orphanage. It was his foster mother, Gertrude Baumgarten, who gave him the care and love that every child needs. He would often talk about his love for Gertrude.
Life after the war in Europe was harsh and for many the future was uncertain. Gerd’s birth mother found a sponsor in Australia and, without the help of any assisted passage scheme, paid the princely sum of £440 to emigrate to Australia. They boarded the Lloyd Triestino’s SS Toscana in November 1957 and arrived in Melbourne on December 23, after seven weeks at sea. Gerd, who was 13, attended Balwyn High School where he eventually matriculated.
It was not until July 1976 that he was reunited with his father.
Although he had been interested in chemical engineering, Gerd decided to forgo further studies and embarked on setting up a business of some kind. He formed a partnership with his lifetime friend and fellow Austrian Oskar Hucherig, whom he met in Melbourne, and operateda service station and motor repair business in Templestowe.
The business flourished, but a burgeoning interest in hospitality and catering led Gerd to establish Abound Catering, a relatively modest addition to the hospitality industry, with another friend, Rudy Unger.
In April 1971 the service station and motor repair business was sold, and on August 12 Gerd co-founded Chaucer’s with Oskar and Rudy as partners. Chaucer’s was Melbourne’s first purpose-built reception and convention centre. The venue became well known to a cross-section of the population including politicians and celebrities.
In 1977 Gerd was made life governor of Prince Henry Hospital. Two years later he also became president of the Restaurant and Catering Association of Victoria, a position he held until 1989, and was appointed an honorary life member in 1990.
After operating for 28 years, Chaucer’s was sold on September 1, 1999– ademise mourned by many who remembered its ‘‘golden years’’.
Gerd had an unbridled thirst for knowledge and new ideas. His collection of rare books and manuscripts led him to open a small antiquarian bookshop in Camberwell called the Canterbury Tales. He also started Wine Export Australia in 1980. In April of that year he was madea life member of the Austrian Club. His constant interest in cars led him to become an honorary life member of the Buick Car Club (April 1992). In March last year Gerd was made an honorary life member of the Australian Philatelic Traders Association.
A quiet and unassuming person, Gerd’s interests extended beyond wine, food, books, antiques and travel to classical music. He was an accomplished classical pianist, his favourite composer being Mozart. His musical soirees were familiar occasions to a small group of friends. Not only would he meticulously prepare background notes on the featured composer but also make sure that everyone present was suitably catered for.
“I can’t help it,” he would say, “it’s my Teutonic upbringing. Everything has to be right and precise.” It was only relatively recently that he revealed to some of his friends that he was the direct descendent of Nicholas Kratzer, a mathematician, astronomer and horologist who became astronomer to Henry VIII.
For someone who, through hard work, imagination and sheer determination, led a fortunate and successful life, Gerd had his share of tragedy. His son, Shaun, a champion skier and photographer, died in a skiing accident while holidaying with friends in the Himalayas. Gerd never recovered from the loss of his son.
A generous man and a true bon vivant, he was known to describe himself as an optimist who had led a charmed life and who was happy to know he had also been loved by many. Gerd’s generosity was often balanced by his thriftiness. He admitted to me that he abhorred paying the so-called recommended retail price on some commodities; he expected to negotiate with sellers. He was very good at determining the true worth of something.
“Serendipity has shone upon me numerous times,’’ he once said. ‘‘I was lucky many times, but often you have to make your own luck. Life is a huge game of chance where timing is everything.”
There are many more things about Gerd that I remember. Among some of his favourite sayings were “De gustibus non est disputandum” (You can’t argue about taste); “Per ardua ad astra” (Through hardship to the stars); “There is a solution to every problem, you just have to find it.”
His business associates would describe him as astute, those who were the recipients of his charity would acknowledge his generosity. But to most who had the opportunity to be close to him, he wasa gentle, familyloving and highly civilised person. He was one of the few remarkable people in my life.
His daughters Athena, Natasha, his wife Sally and her daughter Rebecca survive him.
Auf wiedersehen, mein Freund.
Warren Pill 1945 to 2015
Warren Pill, Form 5, 1961
Warren Pill (left) chatting with Geoff Camm at the 2012 reunion at Kew Golf Club. In the rear can be glimpsed (from left) Jim Verginis, Lindsay Cook, David Albiston and Kelvin Margetts.
The Age 23 June 2015
Some of the thoughts of people who were at Balwyn High School with Warren:
- Sad to hear the news. A great bloke full of integrity. Have some great memories of the concert at The MacLeay Park Scout Hall.Our condolences to the family. David and Dorothy Slater
- Warren's passing is very sad news. He and his family lived in our street, so I knew him from our primary school days. Condolences to his family and friends. Bev Ash (Harrop)
- Deeply saddening news. I counted Warren among the finest people I knew. I regret not making the last reunion to see him again.My condolences to Judy and to Warren's extended family.Trev Merton
- My condolences to Warren's family and friends. A fine gentleman taken far too soon.
Anne Jubb (Hawker) - Dear everyone, it is that time of our lives.Warren was someone who bought us all together, and I am moved by everyone's comments.I remember him fondlly, a fine fellow. Brian Stagoll
- Very sad news. He was a fine man and it was good to reconnect at the reunion. Peter Thomas
- Sad news of a fine person. He was outstanding amongst the many of you who were warm and welcoming when I arrived at BHS for "leaving" and "matric"
Stuart Ashburner - Very sad news.I remember well his return to B H S with an American accent. Well respected and good fun. John Braddy
- Yes, Warren was a real charmer,wasn't he. He must have been a fantastic Headmaster in Tasmania! Sad news. Andy Blunden
- Sad news but thank you for passing it on. I remember Warren with great affection and was pleased to see that photograph of the two of us in earnest conversation at the reunion. We had a good talk that night about some of the factors that were important in shaping the directions of our lives. Geoff Camm
- Thank you Kath for the sharing this sad news...It has come as quite a shock to me as I had the good fortune of sitting next to Warren at the reunion dinner. I had not seen him since the last day at Balwyn High and found him to be a very interesting gentleman and charming table companion. Gis Olbrich
- In my memories of Warren at school he stood out as a thorough gentleman and a friend to all. In my memories of Warren at school he stood out as a thorough gentleman and a friend to all. Robert McMullen
- Thinking of Warren, his family and friends, at this deeply emotional time. Greg Canterford
- Thanks for keeping us all informed with sad and happy news. John Braddy
- Thanks Kath for letting us all know. Warren was a really good bloke. I can remember being green with envy when he won that AFS scholarship to spend a year at school in America. I’d never heard of AFS before then mind you, and I never applied for one, but it didn’t stop me feeling pretty envious. Then he came home, as someone else said, with an American accent, and I think we tried very hard to knock it out of him. No doubt he will leave a very large hole in his extended family. Lindsay Cook
- Sad to see Warren go but so glad we met up again at the reunion and at an organising mob meeting before that. He was fun, decent and generous, at school and in later life. I bet he was a wonderful principal who made a great difference to many students. Kath McKay
A message from Warren's mates in the U.S.
As many will be aware, Warren spent a year in the United States on exchange during his high school years. Peter Thomas was recently contacted by one of Warren's classmates who was trying to find him. On hearing of the Warren's death, he sent the following message:
Hello Peter. I did receive your earlier mail regarding Warren’s passing. I was saddened by that news. I was able to find the same obituary that you sent me, by searching Google. I have sent out to all of my Hubbard HS classmates that copy of the obituary. I have received back many condolences from those classmates that were very close to Warren, by sharing school activities and events. He is sadly missed. If at all possible, maybe you can send a “special sympathy message” to Warren’s family and let them know that we share their sorrow with his passing. Dale Baker
(Unfortunately we do not have a contact address for Warren's family but perhaps they may find this and the other messages one day, such are the wonders of the internet - Kath)
As many will be aware, Warren spent a year in the United States on exchange during his high school years. Peter Thomas was recently contacted by one of Warren's classmates who was trying to find him. On hearing of the Warren's death, he sent the following message:
Hello Peter. I did receive your earlier mail regarding Warren’s passing. I was saddened by that news. I was able to find the same obituary that you sent me, by searching Google. I have sent out to all of my Hubbard HS classmates that copy of the obituary. I have received back many condolences from those classmates that were very close to Warren, by sharing school activities and events. He is sadly missed. If at all possible, maybe you can send a “special sympathy message” to Warren’s family and let them know that we share their sorrow with his passing. Dale Baker
(Unfortunately we do not have a contact address for Warren's family but perhaps they may find this and the other messages one day, such are the wonders of the internet - Kath)
NEIL LISTER
Hi All,
I just want to pass on the sad news that my brother in law, Neil Lister, who many of you may have known and remembered, died recently from pancreatic cancer. Neil & my sister Helen were 2 classes below us at Balwyn High School, met at age 16 and were married for over 45 years. His brothers Bob and Grantley also attended Balwyn High.
Neil was highly respected and revered by his family, friends and business colleagues. He was a prefect at BHS and like many of us played footy with Kew. He won a best and fairest in his first year and went on to play in the seconds at Hawthorn.
He started out in his career as a teacher but soon after left to join Uncle Toby’s as a marketing cadet. He played a big part in the growth and success of that company and ultimately became a Director of the publicly listed company, Goodman Fielder.
His two sons, Ben and Peter also attended Balwyn High School.
He will be sadly missed.
Ray Walker
19 November 2015
COMMENTS:
Hi Ray (& All),
Thanks for passing on the sad news. I, together with Kelvin and Warwick, knew the Listers through Scouts as well as through BHS. A fine family. Many good memories come back of times spent with Neil, Bob and Grant. Please pass on my condolences.
Robert McMullen
Dear Ray,
Sorry to hear about the passing of your brother-in-law. I have just recently lost my brother-in-law.
Deepest sympathy, also, to Helen and her family at this trying time.
Regards,
Greg Canterford
Sorry to hear sad news I have told Evan chesterfield. He is shocked please pass on my sympathy to Helen and family
Ann Klopfer (Chesterfield)
COLIN BARNARD
Just another sad news.
My brother Colin, who was three years below me at Balwyn High, I was one of the original Form 1 students when the school started, died of bowel cancer recently. He only spent 4 years there (1957-1960), and then went on to work for the State Savings Bank of Victoria until it was amalgamated into the CBA. He then worked for Middys until his retirement. He was married for 46 years.
Regards
Paul Barnard
(from the group of 1954)
Dear Paul,
Sorry to hear about your brother. Even though I never new him, judging by your fine character, he sounds like a true gentleman.
Please pass on my sympathy to his wife and family.
Regards,
Greg Canterford
Just another sad news.
My brother Colin, who was three years below me at Balwyn High, I was one of the original Form 1 students when the school started, died of bowel cancer recently. He only spent 4 years there (1957-1960), and then went on to work for the State Savings Bank of Victoria until it was amalgamated into the CBA. He then worked for Middys until his retirement. He was married for 46 years.
Regards
Paul Barnard
(from the group of 1954)
Dear Paul,
Sorry to hear about your brother. Even though I never new him, judging by your fine character, he sounds like a true gentleman.
Please pass on my sympathy to his wife and family.
Regards,
Greg Canterford
Elizabeth (Libby) Craig 2015
David Albiston
A famous student- Peter Cullen
The Age
Took the water war to the wallies
ByTim Flannery
March 18, 2008 — 11.00am
Peter Wray Cullen, AO - Scientist
28-5-1943 - 13-3-2008
INSISTING that Australia's water problem was basically a moral one, Professor Peter Cullen, who has died in Canberra, coined two "Water Commandments" that he believed Australians needed to live by to solve the country's water crisis: do not covet thy neighbour's water, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
It's a simple message that he delivered again and again, yet few have taken it to heart. Perhaps now, with his passing, it will start to resonate because his is a compelling legacy that's hard to ignore.
Born in Melbourne and educated at Balwyn High School and Melbourne and Canberra universities, Cullen filled to capacity a career in ecology as a scientist and adviser to governments. A member of both the National Water Commission and the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, he was someone to whom prime ministers looked for leadership.
Possibly the bravest thing a scientist can do is to tell an unpleasant truth to those in power — something Cullen did consistently, and with such good grace and common sense that it earned him respect at all levels. The ultimate jolly hangman, with an ocean of compassion thrown in, he compelled Australians to think deeply about water.
Perhaps in no other country could a water expert attain such national stature. But in the flattest, driest and one of the hottest of continents, water is life. It was the realisation of this fact that drove Cullen to work tirelessly until he collapsed last week, and it was not easy for him.
Struggling to maintain good health in a physical frame that seemed perversely determined to thwart its owner, even a car trip or air travel was an effort.
And yet Cullen seemed omnipresent: the great water expert on tap, so to speak, to respond to media with a balanced overview; the man who listened patiently and gave back sensibly at rural forums; the professional colleague who never failed to return a phone call or email. History might record Cullen's greatest triumph as convincing the former prime minister, John Howard, that a comprehensive plan was required to deal with the country's water crisis. "With $10 billion to invest," he said, "we have great opportunities to build irrigation communities that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. Is this possible in a Western democracy, or will we spend this money pandering to special interests?"
As his physical activity became increasingly circumscribed, he determined to defy it. Asked by his colleagues to drive to a meeting at parched-dry Parachilna, in northern South Australia, to inspect by boat the state of the Hawkesbury-Nepean, and to fly inland to meet a documentary film crew on the Murray-Darling, he graciously assented — while adding with typical humour: "Only keep in mind the funeral. I'll want a lot of fuss."
In the summer of 2006, while filming at Wentworth, where the Darling and Murray rivers meet, he described the simple pleasure of sitting in a canvas chair in the grassy shade, and the memories it recalled of earlier days spent in the bush.
Millions of Australians are familiar with Cullen talking about water at various places throughout the country, yet few could know the supreme effort he made to go to those places.
His recent admonition that "By now we should have learned that praying for rain is no substitute for good planning" resonated as cities sweltered in unprecedented autumn temperatures. "OK," he would say. "Raise a glass, but for heaven's sake let's roll up our sleeves and get on, there's too much work to do and no time to waste." His many awards include the 2001 Prime Minister's Prize for Environmentalist of the Year, for his work on the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
Cullen, who loved Gunning, the NSW town where he settled, is survived by Vicky, his wife and companion of 37 years, and their daughters, Belinda and Michelle.
Professor Peter Cullen AO FTSE, MAgrSc, DipEd (Melb), Hon DUniv (Canb) was one of Australia’s most renowned scientists, particularly in the field of water and natural resource management, notably nutrient dynamics, freshwater and lake ecology, environmental flows and catchment management.
Professor Peter Cullen AO FTSE, MAgrSc, DipEd (Melb), Hon DUniv (Canb) was one of Australia’s most renowned scientists, particularly in the field of water and natural resource management, notably nutrient dynamics, freshwater and lake ecology, environmental flows and catchment management.
PS from Editor, Kath McKay. It is believed that Peter was one of the original students at Balwyn High, starting in 1954 or 1955.
