Peter commenced his career in the Australian Cold Chain Industry in 1974, when he was appointed CFO of Associated Freezers of Australia Pty. Ltd. (who established the first 1.5 million cubic foot single room freezer in Australia) From 1974 Peter has been a member of the Cold Storage Industry Association of the time – from the CSAA to the RWTA of today.
Peter’s extensive career in the Australian Cold Chain has included the following:
Joined CSAA Cold Storage Association of Australia (predecessor of RWTA) in 1974.
Appointed General Manager of Associated Freezers of Australia in 1977.
Associated Freezers of Australia was then taken over by Clelands in 1978.
Peter left Clelands, and purchased Flemington Cold Stores, taking on the role of Managing Director, after purchasing the business from Mayne Nickless in 1980.
Elected Chairman of CSAA (Victorian Division) in 1983, and worked with colleagues throughout Australia to eventually establish the RWTA.
Peter sold Flemington Cold Stores in 1988, and purchased Footscray Cold Stores.
Sold Footscray Cold Stores 1991 and purchased Port Melbourne Cold Stores in a joint venture with Montague Group.
Appointed General Manager of Montague Cold Storage in 1994 and made a Director soon after, serving on the Board until 2012.
Peter has had a long and illustrious involvement with the RWTA serving as a National Board Member for 11 years in the role of Corporate Representative for Montague Cold Storage, and was on the RWTA Victorian Division Committee for over 5 years. Peter also served as Vice-Chairman of the RWTA from 2005-2007, as National Chairman for 4 years from 2007-2011, and has been serving as Immediate Past Chairman since 2011.
During this time, Peter steered the RWTA through a difficult period where the national body assumed the financial and administration tasks previously undertaken by the state committees. Peter was instrumental in the creation of sub-committees to address key issues, leading to the creation of the Pallet Management Task Force/Pallet Controllers Sub-committee, the Transport Issues Sub-committee and the Energy Efficiency Sub-committee.
In 2009, Peter instigated the Greg Montague Award in memory of Greg Montague, Director of Montague Cold Storage who was a pioneer in the Australian Cold Chain. The Greg Montague Award aimed to fill a gap to recognize RWTA members who had made an exceptional contribution to the RWTA and the Australian Cold Chain Industry, but were not eligible for Life Membership. In the same year, Peter initiated an arrangement whereby Montague committed to sponsoring the Gala Dinner at the Annual National Conference on a long-term basis.
Peter has also been most supportive of the RWTA's affiliation with the Global Cold Chain Alliance, and served as a Director of the IARW for 2 years from 2009-2011, attending IARW-WFLO Conventions in 2009 and 2011.
Peter is a qualified Accountant who has also held Board positions with the following organisations:
- Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club (President)
- Tennis Victoria
- Kooyong Foundation (Chairman) - current
- Applied Logic IT Pty. Ltd. (Chairman) - current
Peter is married to Elizabeth, has three children and four grand-children, and enjoys playing tennis and fishing
