Building on strong foundations laid by the previous President Dr Donald Sinclair OAM, Peter’s time in office has been exemplified by improvement in communication, co-operation and shared endeavour between Foundations and Support Groups. Ryder-Cheshire continued to mature from a collection of like minded but separate groups into a cohesive organisation with strong networks and shared aspirations for the overseas and Australian homes.
In 2000 while President of RCF Victoria, Peter wrote a paper entitled ‘The Way Ahead’ which made the case for extending the work of Ryder-Cheshire into Timor-Leste, our close neighbour in dire need of assistance. This move was embraced by the organisation as a pathway to renewal. Our supporter base increased, Raphael benefited accordingly, and from rugged beginnings Klibur Domin (KD) has flourished.
As President of RCA Peter led from the front and nurtured the ideals of our Founders. We thank him for his vision and leadership.
Peter continues to serve in the role of National Project Officer (Timor-Leste) with responsibility for Klibur Domin. He is on both the Board of Directors of RCA and the Board of Management of Klibur Domin, and maintains a close advisory relationship with the Director of Klibur Domin, Joaquim Soares.
The following thanks to Peter on his retirement as National President, are just a few from individual Ryder-Cheshire supporters and groups across Australia and overseas
“On behalf of the Board of Management, staff, patients and their families please accept our thanks and appreciation for your excellent commitment and dedication to Ryder Cheshire and Klibur Domin. We thank you for your great leadership and dedication and in particular during the last six years as National President of Ryder Cheshire Joaquim Soares, Klibur Domin
“Luckily for all of us Peter is going nowhere, rather he has chosen to share the load a bit and focus more of his time on Klibur Domin as it goes from strength to strength. He is a wonderful asset to RCA”
Rory McEwen, RCA National President
“Since assuming presidency of the Homes at Ivanhoe I’ve come to know Peter quite well and have been most impressed with his loyalty to Ryder-Cheshire and particularly to RCA’s Klibur Domin commitment. It is my privilege to know him and I wish him all the very best in his continued association with Ryder-Cheshire Australia and Klibur Domin”
Don Hamilton, Ivanhoe, Victoria
“I first met when he came to Bendigo to solicit donations from Rotary Clubs for Klibur Domin. It has been a privilege to support Ryder-Cheshire Australia with Peter at the helm. Peter and Helen are always kind and caring and I am proud to call them my friends”.
Hugh Elphinstone, Bendigo Support Group, Victoria
“On behalf of the NSW Committee, I would like to extend our warmest thanks to Peter for his untiring leadership of RCA, wholehearted commitment to the work of the Foundation and wonderful devotion to our Timor-Leste project. On a personal note, I offer my deep appreciation for his guidance, patience and support offered to me during the time of his Presidency. We are very fortunate that he has agreed to continue to play a role in the Foundation’s future”.
Chris Hannan, President RCF NSW
“Peter, when I first met you at the Sydney Biennial Conference, some few years back, it was your encouragement to become involved that gave me the motivation to really get in and do work for the relief of suffering. At that Conference, I spoke about Ryder-Cheshire becoming more involved in our schools with the young people and you responded by saying, “Dianne that is a job for you, go ahead and do it.” I was amazed at your trust and belief that a new comer to the organization was given immediate permission to get going. And that is what I did with the Ballarat Support Group”.
Dianne McGrath, President Ballarat Support Group, Victoria
….. And Father Ted Burns refers to ‘Peter’s Dream’
“To visit Klibur Domin is to see a dream realized…Peter’s dream…and like all Ryder-Cheshire people, I’m proud to be part of it, as it continues to grow and flourish. It was no surprise to me that Peter’s dream worked, his administrative skills were highly respected in the RAAF. But there was much more than that…as a Commanding Officer Peter had what every Chaplain (literally) prays for in a leader, a genuine concern for the people under his command. This is what Peter Newton brought to broken Timor- Leste in 2000…and the benefits for the people of Klibur Domin region are incalculable.”
(Father) Ted Burns, Victoria