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PETER RICHARDS |
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Born at Hawera, Taranaki Province, North Island, New Zealand on 14th December, 1948. The eldest of six children who grew up on a family dairy farm near the small country village of Kakaramea. Primary education at village school. Secondary schooling as boarder at Francis Douglas College, New Plymouth - with Aussle teachers from De La Salle Brothers. Peter grew up in a multi racial/cultural environment with the local Maori people and he cherishes this experience. Parents encouraged family to pursue whatever career they liked - Peter made the choice of the Horticultural Industry, He completed an apprenticeship in the Industry with trade studies at NZ Technical Correspondence Institute and in 1969 a diploma in Horticulture (Nursery Management) at Massey University - followed in 1971 by studies in Orchard, Nursery and Vegetable Production, Amenity Horticulture and Landscape Design. He came to Sydney in 1972 and worked in the Castle Hill area for 4 years. Peter transferred to the Gold Coast in 1976. Apart from six months as a butcher and two years with a Convenience Store at Paradise Point, Peter has continued in the Horticultural Industry. He has endeavoured to give something back to the community through service in Apex (1981/89), St Vincent de Paul, Rotary and similar bodies. In 1993 he was a Charter Member of the Club and served as President in 1996/97 and again for 2000/2001. His hobbies include travel, music, ostrich farming, the Hindi language, food and charity work. |
