Page 2 - CR

Absent Friends

His stories of London theatre life Peter combined his cinema and
in the fifties, where he seemed to see railway interests by filming, firstly
every show and film, were often on 9.5mm then later 16mm, many
unbelievable, but knowing Wally’s local events and now historic rail
charm, were probably true. trips including the last narrow gauge
To give you the flavour: Wally Colac to Beech Forest train.
goes backstage after one show We rode our motorcycles many
determined to meet the star. He finds kilometers together, including an
her in conversation. Seeing Wally, extended trip to Cairns in 1987.
she comes straight to him, throws From time to time Peter would
her arms around him with a loud lead motorcycle club rides, often
“Darling” and, hugging him tight
Walter (Wally) with the destination being some
whispers, “You’ve saved me from a obscure railway siding or long
Francis James Perkins
crashing bore.” forgotten disused railway easement.
(1928 - July 2010)
On one occasion, after listening Peter had trained as a Pharmacist
Memories by Brian Miller (again) to the details of an early and upon completion commenced
encounter with an actress, I training as a Radiographer but soon
first met Wally in 1963 when I admonished him by saying, “You’re changed his vocation to hospital
I joined RACV Travel Service, just living in the fifties.” administration, eventually becoming
Queen Street Melbourne as a Unperturbed, he shot back, “Only the CEO of the Altona Memorial and
consultant and tour escort. Wally place to be.” District Hospital. He remained there
was one of three QANTAS Airways
Wally had run away from home until he retired, when the hospital
representatives who called regularly
as a youth, and his parents only was closed under the Kennett
to ensure we were booking our club
caught up with him because he government’s rationalization of the
members on their airline.
forgot that his letter of explanation 1990s.
Wally supported the Melbourne would have a postmark. He didn’t Just prior to this Peter had moved
Film Festival for many years and run away to join a circus, the classic to Daylesford where his interest in
joined CATHS in 1994 at my ‘poor boy makes good’ story, but he trains saw him become a volunteer
suggestion. He was the original bon might just as well have, because that guard and later Director of the
vivant and his big personality soon was the spirit in which he lived his Central Highlands Tourist Railway.
became a regular part of our club life.
functions, especially Christmas In recent years as his health
A lover of good food, red wine continued to deteriorate, Peter was
parties, where he could be relied
and a ripe joke, we have all lost a no longer able to attend CATHS
upon for a Broadway song or two.
character. meetings at the Sun and also
Some members here today
Cheers Wally. relinquished his active and dedicated
enjoyed his company on our recent
role with the Tourist Railway.
trip to New Zealand, and are grateful Peter Gerard Dwyer
for that memory. Following a funeral service at
(28-2-1938 - 16-7-2010) Cowwarr, Peter was interred at the
Wally’s passions were
Heyfield cemetery.
entertaining, the theatre, and films. Memories by Ross King
A life of community service well
When Wally was a guest in your
fter a long illness, Peter passed lived.
home he would come with presents
Aaway at the St John of God
for host and hostess. Generous to a
Hospital, Ballarat.
fault, with that wonderful chuckle, he
could also be aggravating and I first came to know Peter around
irritating on bad days, but entertaining 1980 when he was a member and
and effervescent at his best. secretary of the Motorcycle Touring
Club of Victoria. We also shared
Wally once admitted to a CATHS’
common interests in cinema and trains.
friend that he lived a totally
undisciplined life. For those of us Peter had grown up in Cowwarr,
who find it easier to live a somewhat Gippsland and as a young man had
organised life, this difference was conducted the picture show in the
part of his charm. Cowwarr Hall using a16mm outfit.