Mr Peter Charles Taylor (Fr 1955)
1937 – 2022

Peter, left, with his son Charlie Taylor, Kelley McDonald and Rev Dr Gareth Clayton at St Andrew's in 2021. 

The Principal, Council and St Andrew’s College community honour the life of Mr Peter Charles Taylor (Fr 1955) who passed away peacefully at his farm at Nimmitabel on Sunday 24th April, aged 84.

Peter completed his Leaving Certificate at The King’s School, Parramatta and commenced at St Andrew’s College, enrolled in Agricultural Science at Sydney University in 1955. He transferred to Veterinary Science from which faculty he graduated B.V.Sc with Honours.

Peter was a member of the College Rifle Shooting Team for four years from 1956 to 1959. He captained the team in 1958 and 1959, leading it to Rawson Cup victory in 1958. He was also a member of the University Rifle Shooting Team in 1957, 1958 and 1959, and received a University Blue in 1957.

Peter applied for a Rhodes Scholarship in 1959 and again in 1960, and for a Rotary fellowship in 1959 and on each occasion Rev Alan Dougan acted as a referee in support of his application. In support of his 1959 Rhodes Scholarship application, Rev Dougan wrote of Peter that he “has commended himself in the College as a pleasant, industrious College man”. Rev Dougan also noted that while Peter was successful in his chosen sport of Rifle Shooting “in so far as life within the College is concerned, he has shown a general interest in College matters...”

In his 1960 reference in support of Peter’s application for a Rotary Fellowship, Rev Dougan wrote:

“[Peter] commended himself during the whole of his course as a very able student academically…

Peter Taylor not only won respect generally in this College but was looked up to as a leader. He is not a person who makes his presence obvious but gives the impression of quiet, dignified respectability – a person whom one comes to trust. He is well endowed with common sense. Peter Taylor possesses considerable organising ability and was entrusted with important tasks by the Students’ Club of this College.

While he did not participate actively in societies concerned with artistic and cultural matters, Peter Taylor has a wide general interest and has particular interest as a citizen and a countryman in the Australian community. It is my belief, as one who has had twenty-five years’ experience as a parish minister in western New South Wales, that Peter Taylor will become the kind of citizen that rural Australian Community so badly needs.”

Upon completion of his studies, Peter returned to “Bellevue” Holt’s Flat and established a veterinary practice. He married Anne at St John’s Wahroonga, 2 November 1961, the Rev Alan Dougan (Principal of St Andrew’s College) officiating.

Peter had a high profile in agricultural politics during the 1980s, serving as NSW Farmers Association President and Vice-President of the National Farmers’ Federation. He was the patriarch of one of the great Snowy-Monaro families and has left a decades-long legacy of activism against unfair treatment in the farming industry.

Peter was also generous supporter of the College throughout his life, and was a Governor of the St Andrew's College Foundation and Highlander Club Member. He recently funded a bedroom in the new Thyne Reid Link Building, which he named 'Happy Days' as a reflection of his happy time at College. 

Peter is survived by his family, including his four sons Charlie, Angus, Duncan and Richard and his 14 grandchildren, many of whom also attended St Andrew's College. The Taylor family is held strongly in our thoughts and our dearest sympathy is extended to all who knew Peter. 

Peter Taylor pictured in 1955, front row, eight from the left. 

The 1959 College Shooting Team

The 1957 College Shooting Team