Obituary
The Rt Rev The Hon Dr P. J. Peter AC OBE
We honour the life and service of Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE — priest, advocate, teacher, Governor-General, Rotarian, and above all, a man deeply committed to the dignity and well being of others.
Born in Adelaide 90 years ago and educated at Scotch College in Melbourne, Peter Hollingworth found his calling early in life through service to both faith and community. Following National Service, he studied at the University of Melbourne and entered the priesthood, beginning a vocation that would span more than six decades and touch countless lives across Australia.
Peter devoted 25 years to the Brotherhood of St Laurence, ultimately serving as Executive Director and becoming one of Australia’s most respected and outspoken voices for social justice. Long before these issues occupied the national conscience, he advocated tirelessly for Indigenous Australians, disadvantaged children, refugees, the homeless, the unemployed, and those living in poverty. He challenged Australians to look beyond comfort and privilege, and to recognise our shared responsibility to care for one another.
His Church leadership continued as Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Bishop in the Inner City, and later Archbishop of Brisbane, where he became known for both compassion and courage — including his support for the ordination of women and his determined advocacy for those too often unheard.
Recognition followed, though Peter never appeared motivated by honours themselves. He was named Australian of the Year in 1992, recognised as an Australian National Living Treasure in 1997, and in 2001 was appointed Governor-General of Australia. Yet those who knew him personally often spoke less of titles and more of his humanity — his gentleness, intellect, pastoral care, and genuine interest in people.
For Rotary Melbourne, Peter was not merely a distinguished public figure who held membership in our Club for 28 years; he was an active and engaged Rotarian. He contributed across committees and community initiatives, supported youth recognition programs, helped foster important partnerships, and played a significant role in the PACE initiative — a collaboration between Rotary, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and the Victorian Government. In quieter ways, too, he gave generously of himself: mentoring, facilitating introductions, supporting welfare activities, and strengthening the fellowship of the Club.
It is fitting that Rotary recognised his contribution through a Paul Harris Fellow awarded by the Rotary Club of Carlton in 1989, and later with a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire in 2014 in recognition of his lifelong commitment to making the world a better place.
Yet perhaps one of the most important lessons we can draw from Peter Hollingworth’s life is not simply about achievement, but about humanity itself.
Public leadership is carried out not by flawless people, but by human beings — each capable of wisdom, compassion and service, yet also vulnerable to error, limitation, and the burden of decisions made in difficult and imperfect circumstances. Peter’s life reminds us that accountability matters, but so too do humility, grace, learning, and perspective.
Rotarians understand this deeply. “Service Above Self” is not a claim of perfection. It is an aspiration — a commitment to strive, imperfectly but sincerely, to leave our communities better than we found them.
Peter Hollingworth lived that aspiration for more than sixty years.
We remember with gratitude a man who dedicated his life to serving others and challenging Australia to become a more compassionate society. We honour his extraordinary contributions.
