Born in Wales, the son of a coal miner, Peter Brooks commenced his medical studies at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge and Guys Hospital, London. 

Peter and his Australian wife Alison, also a doctor, and their two young boys migrated to Australia as “ten pound Poms” in 1966, moving to Wonthaggi in 1967 and joining the Wonthaggi Medical Group.  This was the start of a remarkable 50 year contribution to our community.

In addition to his 32 years as a medical practitioner Peter was heavily involved in the management of the Wonthaggi Hospital, and many community organisations including the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group, the Bass Coast Chorale, the Wonthaggi & District Historical Society, and in the foundation of the Bass Coast Community Foundation in 2002.

It was entirely fitting that it was standing room only at the celebration of his life at the Wonthaggi Town Hall on the 3rd of April 2017 as the community commemorated this remarkable contribution.

Peter came to every Foundation Board meeting that he was well enough to attend, attending his final meeting only a few days before his death, always making well considered and constructive contributions to the Board’s discussions.  Given his own story of leaving a Welsh mining town to take up medical studies at Cambridge University at the age of only 16 in the grim  post war years in Britain, followed by creating a new life for his young family in a new country, Peter understood better than most the power of education and aspiration to transform lives  and futures.

Dr Peter Brooks made an incalculable contribution to the social and cultural fabric of this area, including leaving a bequest to the Foundation to further enable us to continue our work. Peter is greatly missed and his legacy will always live on.

Pictured here is Dr. Peter Brooks and his adorable wife Alison, both of whom we are eternally grateful for.