Peter Kaal
Born: 26 February 1945
Died: 26 October 2005
PETER Kaal, at 60, may have been heading towards retirement, but he had no plans of growing old gracefully.
On the contrary, passionate about motor bikes all his life, Peter bought a Kawasaki VN 800 seven years ago and with his partner and soul-mate, Joy Murphy-Wandin, joined the Ulysses Motorbike Club.
Together they looked forward to the opportunity to fully live up to the club motto of ‘Growing Old Disgracefully’!
Peter moved to Healesville 33 years ago and worked with Yarra Valley Water for the past 20 years. Many of his work colleagues were among the hundreds of people who gathered in the open air on the Healesville Football Club oval to farewell their workmate.
Both Peter and Joy had young children when they met as neighbours 30 years ago and he was a proud dad to his three children and to Joy’s four children and their partners.
The next generation were every bit as captivated with his boyish humour and gentle nature. He was a favourite with all the grand-children.
Black and white balloons at the service left no doubt that he was a passionate Collingwood supporter but his love of sport was also seen at a local level as a supporter of Healesville and Croydon junior and senior football clubs and the netball and basketball clubs when the children and grandchildren were playing.
As Joy’s profile as an advocate for Aboriginal rights and culture grew over the years she says Peter, an indigenous Estonian, was her confidant and her strength.
“He had great values for people, no matter what their culture or beliefs,” Joy said.
“I could not have done the things I have done without Peter.
“He was so greatly accepted into our (Aboriginal) community as was shown by the boys playing the didgeridoo at the service.”
She said while Peter was not a political person, he had strong views on many issues and looked at things with an informed perspective.
The annual motorcycle toy run was something Peter and Joy took great pride and enjoyment in being part of.
It is just one of many events and just one group of people who will miss Peter’s presence.
Ulysses members, bikes rumbling, formed a cortege as the funeral service left the football oval in a final, fitting farewell for a man who engaged people with his honesty, bright eyes, lovely smile and great sense of humour.
Through donations at the service, more than $1500 will go the Wegener’s Granulomatosis Research Fund.
