Peter O’Clery, with his wife Caroline, at their Homeleigh Grove market stand in 2021. Photo: Canberra Regional Farmers Market.
The community has been asked to have an Irish Whiskey or Guinness 0 per cent to remember Peter O’Clery, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Canberra businessman, tourism great, and Homeleigh Grove farmer.
Peter died on Sunday, 3 August, after a short battle with an illness at 83 years of age.
He was born in Ireland in 1941 and moved to Australia with his wife Caroline in 1966.
They were initially based in Brisbane before moving to the Canberra region, and then bought land in Wallaroo to raise five children more than 40 years ago.
Peter worked his way up through the public service, serving in several agencies, including the National Capital Authority (in its various forms).
“For me, he was a model citizen who genuinely put service over self,” his son-in-law Mark McConnell said.
“Community first, family second and self last.”
It’s thanks to Peter’s work that the Duntroon Dairy site was protected, and he was the Canberra Development Board’s executive director from 1979 to 1984.
During the 80s, he was the Australian Tourism Industry Association’s chief executive (1984 to 1995). He worked with radio baron Sir Frank Moore to promote Australia as a tourist destination to Japan and America.
“Peter is credited with being the architect of several campaigns that substantially increased tourism into Australia,” Mark said.
“And without him and his fellow Rotarians at Hall, there wouldn’t have been a Canberra Region Farmers Market.”
Peter and his wife Caroline were one of the original producers for the first Capital Region Farmers Market (CRFM) in 2004.
A remembrance statement from the markets showed their ties to the event went much deeper.
“What you might not know is that Peter was one of the core founders of the Market as you know it today,” it stated.
“Alongside Mr David Pentony and others, Peter helped shape the very idea of what the Market could be, working countless hours on research and building the very first business case.
“From the earliest days in March 2004, he poured his energy, wisdom and determination into building something that has grown far beyond a weekly event – a thriving community for producers and Canberra residents.”
Peter O’Clery (far left) with fellow CRFM founders celebrating its 20th anniversary. Photo: Capital Region Farmers Market.
It was Peter’s idea to convince the National Capital Authority to save the rose bushes from when the original Old Parliament House gardens were restored. The Rotary Club of Hall (of which he was a charter member) then sold the bushes and used the money to fund the CRFM.
Mark said when Peter and the Hall Rotarians pitched the market idea to the then-ACT Treasurer Ted Quinlan, he was told to have 50 stalls signed up by Christmas.
“He had 120, and it’s been an amazing success ever since,” he said.
“It became a blueprint … to set up sustainable farmer’s markets across Canberra and the country.”
Products from Peter and Caroline’s Wallaroo olive farm, Homeleigh Grove, have been a staple at the market ever since.
“Many of our customers … will remember Peter’s warm smile behind the stall, always ready for a chat about the harvest or the weather,” the CRFM statement read.
“Thank you, Peter. You were one of the good ones. And you will be deeply missed.”
Friend of 33 years, fellow Hall Rotary club member and former CRFM director John Kenworthy described Peter as “the ultimate gentleman”.
“He was intelligent, kind. He’d think outside of the square. He was considerate and softly spoken,” he said.
John also remembered when Peter first brought up the idea of growing olive trees in Canberra as an idea for his retirement.
“I said, ‘You’ve got rocks in your head, the soil, the climate … everything’s against you’,” he said.
“[But Peter] replied, ‘Wherever you can grow grapes, you can grow olives.'”
His products went on to win national and international awards.
“So you’ve got an Irishman in Australia, growing olives, and winning prizes against the Europeans,” John said.
Peter was made a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for his service to the Australian tourism industry, particularly through the establishment and development of research and education centres, and to the community.
He co-led a successful bid for the creation of a Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism in 1995, and for the next 12 years helped create business enterprises, including becoming the managing director of many of the companies.
He’s survived by his wife Caroline and their five children, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Homeleigh Grove’s stall won’t be open for the markets this Saturday, 9 August, but a condolences book will be at the stand for those wishing to share their memories and show their support for Peter’s family. The family hope to resume their olive stall at the markets on 30 August.
