There were many talented artists in Noosa in the 1970s and 1980s, and one who was admired, respected, and generally cherished, was Peter Campbell.
For all his many friends and admirers, the sad news is that wonderful Pete died in Hervey Bay on Thursday 16 November after a long illness.
Pete’s widow Peggy, the one-time day manager of Tingirana resort on Hastings Street (circa 1980), remains a resident of Ozcare, having been beautifully cared for by Pete before he became ill. Living close by, their daughter Leanne Collins and her family became super-carers for them both.
Apart from producing hundreds of superb paintings which still adorn many a Noosa wall, Pete was a gifted cartoonist. In collaboration with this local writer, he produced hundreds of illustrations for newspaper ads for Noosa businesses. When Rod and Jan Evans owned the Frockers dress shop in Noosa Junction, their motto of “when you haven’t a thing to wear” was illustrated in one Christmas advertisement as an unclad lady sitting in Santa’s lap. Its publication resulted in irate complaints to Lindsay Bock, then editor of the late lamented Noosa Citizen.
Local butcher Allan Gitsham loved his cartoon-recipe ads so much he had them translated to recycle for a new clientele when he worked in Malaysia.
The Peli column for Pine Trees Resort landed in the Saturday editions of Melbourne’s Age newspaper, generating sad letters from readers when it ceased. With pelicans on the brain, Pete illustrated my paper-doll style invitation for a weekend at Pine Trees. Notable Noosan Josie Ansett claims the look of that invitation was the reason she and Bob discovered Noosa and eventually settled here.
Pete and Peggy eventually left Noosa to live closer to daughter Leanne, son-in-law Roger and grandchildren Laura and Josh, where Leanne helped him put together an exhibition of his paintings.
Ever humble, Pete went off for a snooze and missed the whole show, awaking to ask if anyone had bothered to turn up. His devoted daughter told him there were no paintings left.
Pete was a star, a generous, honourable, loveable and talented fellow. If there are indeed Pearly Gates awaiting us, I’m sure they were wide open on his arrival.
