7/01/1946 – 26/07/2024
Peter joined Wesley College in Year 6A in 1957 in the Junior School, and soon proved to be a remarkable all-round sportsman with Football, in particular, his passion. By Year 12, given his exceptional academic ability (he was named the Alexander Warne Scholar), he gained entry to Law at the University of Melbourne.
In 1964, Peter moved to Queen’s College, as so many of his peers did in the 1960s, to pursue his law degree. He was actively involved in the life of the College and, as was the case throughout his life, he was a well-liked and much respected member of the College community.
After completing articles, Peter chose not to pursue a career in the law but rather, joined the family clothing company, J Boag (Clothing) Pty Ltd, founded by Jean Boag in 1926. A milestone for the company occurred in 1956 when J Boag was woven into Melbourne’s Olympic history by winning the bid to craft the Australian men’s Olympic uniform.
Peter eventually became the third-generation manager of the company which specialised in the manufacture of shirts and pyjamas in factories in Brunswick and Rosebud. Later, the company founded the wholesale City Collection brand of sustainable clothing for corporate work and healthcare. The brand continues to this day.
In addition to his corporate commitments, Peter had time to pursue, with passion, a diverse range of interests. He was an avid outdoorsman, accomplished skier, passionate fisherman, nature lover, twitcher and bibliophile. He went out of his way to introduce and involve many of his friends in these pursuits.
One entity never far from his heart was Collegians Football Club. He was a prominent player in the 1960s and 1970s, a long serving committee man, a consistent and substantial financial supporter and, until very recently, a regular and enthusiastic supporter on game days.
In a quiet but most effective way, Peter was a consistent and generous philanthropic supporter of his various passions, not least of which being Wesley and Queen’s Colleges. Both institutions benefited from his generosity and only with some reluctance, did he allow them to honour his name on the buildings he helped fund. Not least of these were the Jack Clarke Building at Queen’s, remembering the outstanding Vice Master during Peter’s time there, and the History Gallery at the Wesley St Kilda Rd Campus, illustrating his lifelong fascination with history. In each of these cases, along with many others, only reluctantly did Peter permit his generosity to be publicly recognised. Eventually, he allowed himself to be swayed by the argument that his gesture would be an incentive for others to follow his example. His amplified legacy therefore remains.
Beyond this philanthropic passion, Peter will be remembered by all he came into contact with as a kind, modest, interested and gracious man, ever a gentleman and a compassionate citizen.
He was proud to have supported members of his extended family to attend Wesley College. Hannah Wolf (OW2020) and Harrison Wolf (OW2023) attended the Glen Waverley Campus, Isabel is currently in Year 8 at the St Kilda Road Campus and her brother, Theo, will begin Year 7 there in 2026.
His final days, supported by his wife Jennie and a broad array of family and friends, were spent at Arcare Malvern East, where the insidious onset of dementia eventually took its toll. However, his cheeky grin was there until the finish. He will be deeply missed.
Contributed by Frank Opray (OW1963)
At the College Council Meeting on Wednesday 31 July, Principal Nick Evans tabled a condolence motion on the passing of Peter Boag (OW1963). ‘Wesley College Council expresses its deep regret at the death of Peter Boag (OW1963), member of The Nicholas Circle and places on record its appreciation it for his long service to Wesley College and tenders our profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.’ Moved: Nick Evans (OW1985) |
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