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Obituaries
Peter Alleyne Cook (OW1953)
18/05/1935 - 28/02/2019
Peter Cook (OW1953) attended Wesley College from 1947 to 1953 and later returned as a senior staff member from 1979 to 1983. With four family generations of OWs, Peter was very proud of his Wesley association. Peter’s father was
a student in 1915, an avid rower and cox of the Second crew, which won the Head of the River in 1918. The rudder of the 1918 boat is still proudly on display in Peter’s home.
Peter loved sport, receiving the Sports Award in 1952. In his final year, he was on the Wesley College APS KE Tyson Cup and Wesley College Championships Athletic Team. He received sporting cups in 440 yards for Athletics and Gymnastics, and Colours for Athletics.
He coxed the Sixth crew in 1951 and Second crew in 1953 and was Captain of Rowing for Corrigan House, while winning the 880 yards for Corrigan the same year.
Peter graduated from the University of Melbourne in Agricultural Science, finding a strong passion for farming. Upon graduating, Peter and his wife, Janet, moved to Coldstream to run a large property with sheep and cattle for four years, and then to a larger property near Shepparton, where he became a dedicated member of the Shire Committee and eventually Shire President, all while working in agricultural research for Bayer Pharmaceutcals, lecturing at Dookie College and setting up the Agricultural Department at the Shepparton Technical College. In 1979 Peter and Janet returned to Melbourne to raise their two children, Louise and Michael. Peter joined Wesley College as a teacher in Environmental Science and Master of Rowing. After his stint of teaching, he joined the Victorian Farming Federation in the role of CEO of the Grains Group. Peter did all this whilst renovating houses and restoring boats, adding to his ever-growing list of hobbies.
Peter was a very keen sailor from a young age and continued this passion throughout his life, from racing to restoring and building boats for himself and his family. He sailed many types of boats and his eagerness to race them kept him sailing well into his 80s. Peter raced at Waranga Basin and later Blairgowrie, winning many trophies and also participating in events such as the Melbourne to Devonport Ocean Yacht Race.
Following in the Wesley tradition was his son Michael Cook (OW1981) who earned Swimming Colours, as well as grandsons Jack Burmeister (OW2013) with Football Colours, and Harry Burmeister (OW2016). He was very proud of the generations that studied at Wesley and always
proudly wore his Wesley Life Membership badge and scarf to events such as Grandparents Day, sporting matches, celebrations and ceremonies.
Peter will always be remembered for many things – his dedication to and passion for his work, the importance he placed on family, his sense of humour and his love of sailing, skiing and sport. Above all, Peter will be forever remembered for his ability to make the most of every moment.
Peter is survived by his wife, Janet, two children, and four grandchildren.