Family and friends will farewell former Oxley MP and alderman Peter King at a service of thanksgiving on September 28.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He will be remembered as a man of integrity and a loved member of the community.
Peter Maurice King was born and raised in the Sawtell/Coffs Harbour district.
The then cadet surveyor at age 22 met Saima Aavik and he freely acknowledged that meeting and marrying Saima was one the luckiest things to happen to him.
The couple had an enduring relationship of love, laughter and commitment.
They welcomed three children – Linda, Randal and Ingrid. The family grew to include six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The Kings moved to Port Macquarie in 1966 and Peter worked as a council surveyor. A Rotary group study exchange to California in 1967 became the catalyst for change in Peter’s professional life as it inspired him to set up a practice as a surveyor and civil engineer in 1968.
The business grew, Andrew Campbell came on board as a partner, and King and Campbell was formed in 1973.
Peter, who loved his profession, was enthusiastic about creating a quality environment in which to live.
The year 1977 marked Peter’s first foray into politics when he ran for council. He remained an alderman until 1991.
Peter stepped up to the state political arena in 1981 when he became the Oxley MP. He retired from state politics later that year.
He was instrumental in forming the North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils and lobbying successive governments to upgrade the Pacific Highway.
Peter regarded the highway improvements as one of his significant achievements in public life.
His community involvement ranged from the Sea Scouts to Rotary and Apex.
He had a passion for fishing in his boat “Kingfisher” and spearfishing. Windsurfing and body surfing were among Peter’s hobbies, he enjoyed learning to speak Spanish, loved art and was much more interested in spending money on paintings and travel than cars.
Peter retired in 1998 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003.
He became an advocate for research and a key member of the Port Macquarie Parkinson's Support Group.
Peter was elated when funding came through for a Parkinson’s nurse in the area.
Peter’s family is grateful for the loving care he received at Emmaus.
A service of thanksgiving for Peter’s life begins at 11am on September 28 at the Uniting Church in Sherwood Road.
Donations to Parkinson’s NSW in Peter’s memory would be appreciated.
