Peter & Judy.

Rotarian John Scott describes friend and fellow Rotarian Peter Mead as a force of nature and an influential member of both Rotary and the community.

“Apart from being a successful businessman, Peter’s commitment to the community through Rotary exemplifies the spirit of Rotary, ‘Service Above Self’.

“Over the years, he (Peter) has been the inspiration of so many Rotary projects, such as the landscaping of the Glenmore Park Early Child Care Centre for the Royal N.S.W. Institute for Deaf and Blind Children; the establishment of “Hope Cottage” at Nepean Hospital; an accommodation facility for family members of patients in the Cancer Care Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; and was also one of a number of Rotarians responsible for the conversion of the old power house to become the home of the ‘Museum of Fire’.

“His fingerprints have been on so many Rotary projects, both big and small, that have benefited so many people and organisations in our community. Peter is always first to roll up his sleeves and get involved. He had a purpose-built garage erected on his property, and at his own expense, to accommodate Penrith Rotary’s catering van, plus two barbecue trailers.

“In 1995, on the 50th anniversary on the formation of Penrith Rotary, it was the vision of Peter to plant an avenue of trees along Jamison Road, west of Mulgoa Road, to commemorate the achievement of Rotary in Penrith. As in business, Peter has been an innovator coming up with new ideas about fundraising or helping some less fortunate person in the community.

“He truly is a ‘local hero’ in the community.”

Posh Indoor Plant Hire in Regentville was the last of a great number of successful business enterprises bought and conducted by Peter over his lifetime, beginning with a milk run in St Marys in 1963.

Peter and wife Judy (now deceased) started Posh Indoor Plant Hire approximately 25 years ago, and the family business is still going strong today, run by his son Paul and daughter-in-law Arlene.

As the son of a famous Western Suburbs and Australian Rugby League representative, Peter also took to the game with great success, although he did mix in a year of Rugby Union at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond, where he studied General Agriculture.

Peter played C Grade rugby league for Blacktown as an Under 18, winning Most Improved Player, then moved into B Grade as an 18-year old, leading his team to victory in a knockout tournament in Penrith, where he was spotted by selectors from Parramatta.

During his short stay at Parramatta, Peter played 3rd grade and was vice-captain of the Under 21 President’s Cup team.

An invitation to Glenn Innes would prove to be a pivotal moment in his life, where he would meet local girl Judy and subsequently marry her just three months later. Judy would quickly learn how dedicated Peter was to work and friends, with the pair heading out on their wedding night to complete a friend’s milk run.

Son Paul was born in 1964 and the family moved to Leonay, where daughter Kym would be born in 1965 and Danielle in 1970.

Peter began his Rotary journey in 1967, joining the St Marys branch (4 years), then returning to Rotary at Penrith in 1973, where he would later serve in the role as President (1980-81).

When he and Judy moved to Salamander Bay, he joined the local Rotary club and would also serve a term as President in 2010.

“I’ve had a great time with Rotary and have done many projects throughout the years, and made many good friends, which continues to this day,” Peter said.

John Scott added “The secret to Peter’s success is, he has never been frightened to take on a new venture. Whilst he was highly successful in his own businesses, he was outstanding in his commitment to both the community and to Rotary. His contribution to the community through Rotary has been absolutely immense – he has been a visionary.”