14 December 1941 – 3 August 2025
The club has lost one of its most dedicated members with the passing of Peter O’Clery on August 3, 2025, at the age of 83. A charter member of the Rotary Club of Hall, Peter served continuously for 36 years with the club, embodying the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” in every aspect of his remarkable life.
Born in Ireland on December 18, 1941, Peter arrived in Australia in 1966 with his wife Caroline, initially settling in Brisbane before making their home in the Canberra region. What began as a young couple’s adventure would evolve into a lifetime of transformative community service that would touch thousands of lives.
Peter’s professional journey through the federal public service, including his work with the National Capital Authority, demonstrated his commitment to building better communities. His proudest achievement was replanning Ginninderra Drive’s location to preserve the historic Old Canberra Inn, which he delightfully described as “an Irishman saving an historic pub built by another Irishman in 1857.”
As Executive Director of the Canberra Development Board (1979-1984) and later, Chief Executive of the Australian Tourism Industry Association (1984-1995), Peter became the architect of several groundbreaking campaigns that significantly increased tourism to Australia. Working alongside radio baron Sir Frank Moore, he promoted Australia as a premier destination to Japan and America, fundamentally changing how the world viewed our nation.
His exceptional service to the tourism industry, combined with decades of community work, earned him membership in the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 – a recognition of his unwavering commitment to building a better Australia.
Rotary Club of Hall: A Legacy
Peter’s Rotary journey began as a charter member of the Rotary Club of Hall, where he served as president (1994-1995) and chaired numerous committees, particularly those focused on youth and education. His dedication was extraordinary – mentoring both new and existing members while maintaining an active role in club leadership for nearly four decades.
Peter was the recipient of six Paul Harris Fellow recognitions, a remarkable achievement that speaks to his service and his ability to inspire others.
Rotary Club of Hall President Peter O’Clery 1994-1995
The Capital Region Farmers Market: Vision Realised
Perhaps Peter’s most visible legacy to the broader community began with a club project that is the envy of clubs around the world for its enormous and far-reaching impact.
Working alongside fellow Rotarian David Pentony, Peter spent countless hours researching and building a business case that convinced both the club and government officials that such a venture was not just viable, but essential for supporting local producers and building community connections.
When Peter and his fellow Hall Rotarians pitched the idea of a farmers’ market to then-ACT Treasurer Ted Quinlan, they were challenged to secure 50 stalls by Christmas, and the Capital Region Farmers Market was born.
Founded in March 2004, the Capital Region Farmers’ Market has become a thriving community institution that serves as a blueprint for sustainable farmers’ markets across Australia. The market’s success has even caught international attention, with Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture currently considering it as a model for their own small grower initiatives.
An Agricultural Success
In retirement, Peter and Caroline transformed their Wallaroo property into Homeleigh Grove, an award-winning olive farm featuring 2,000 trees. When Peter first mentioned his olive-growing plans to friend and fellow Rotarian John Kenworthy, John’s response was frank: “You’ve got rocks in your head – the soil, the climate, everything’s against you.”
Peter’s quiet reply revealed his thoughtful optimism: “Wherever you can grow grapes, you can grow olives.” True to form, this Irishman in Australia proceeded to win international prizes for his olive products, competing successfully against traditional European producers with millennia of experience. He served as President of the Southern Olive Growers Association of NSW, bringing the same collaborative spirit that defined his Rotary service.
Peter and Caroline on the 20th anniversary of the Capital Region Farmers Market.
The Ultimate Gentleman
Those who knew Peter describe him as “the ultimate gentleman” – intelligent, kind, and someone who thought outside the box. His sister Ann captured his special quality:
“Peter was a person who attracted people, and they to him, especially with his memory of names and places. Peter had a way of calming people and arguments and quieting horses and dogs, which was wonderful.”
Fellow Hall Rotarian John Kenworthy, a friend of 33 years, remembered Peter’s considerate, softly spoken nature and his positive approach to life’s complexities. Son-in-law Mark McConnell perhaps best summarised Peter’s philosophy: “For me, he was a model citizen who genuinely put service over self. Community first, family second, and self last.”
A Legacy That Lives On
Peter’s influence extends far beyond any single project or achievement. He co-led the successful bid for the Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism in 1995 and spent the next 12 years helping create business enterprises, becoming managing director of multiple companies within the sector.
Every Saturday at the Capital Region Farmers Market, Peter’s legacy is visible in the bustling community of producers and customers, in the sustainable business model that supports local agriculture, and in the connections forged between urban and rural communities. The market stands as a testament to what Rotarians can achieve when vision meets dedication.
Continuing the Mission
Peter leaves behind his wife Caroline, five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, along with a Rotary family that spans decades of shared service. Caroline has announced that Homeleigh Grove will continue, ensuring that Peter’s agricultural passion and the family’s commitment to the farmers’ market will endure.
As Rotarians, we can honour Peter’s memory by embracing his approach to service – thoughtful, persistent, collaborative, and always focused on building something larger than ourselves. He showed us that true leadership often means working quietly behind the scenes, building consensus, and creating lasting institutions that serve communities for generations.
Peter O’Clery was indeed “one of the good ones,” a Rotarian who understood that our greatest achievements come not from what we accomplish for ourselves, but from what we build for others. His life reminds us why we gather each week, why we serve, and why the work of Rotary matters.
Service Above Self was Peter’s way of life.
