by Greg Martin

Cry no tears for Peter O ’ Donnell who left this place in the early hours on Tuesday morning , October 4 .

Peter passed in Kurrajong and District Community Nursing Home after a long illness and his loss has impacted greatly on our community .

Peter was in this place for 68 years and didn ’ t waste a minute of it .

When you met Peter O ’ Donnell , you were not making a new acquaintance - you were beginning a lasting friendship .

From the moment he left the womb , Peter grabbed life by the throat and wrung everything from it .

Throughout his working life , Peter gained a reputation as a revered schoolteacher .

He was a renowned sportsman who excelled at every sport which took his fancy , especially cricket , lawn bowls and in more recent years , fishing .

He didn ’ t mind a day at Hawkesbury racetrack – finishing in front of the bookies was a plus , but for Peter , enjoying a day at the races with mates was the big winner .

For Peter , perhaps his greatest achievement in life was earning the respect of the many hundreds of students whom he taught during his 35 years in the teaching profession .

In researching this article on Peter a while ago , I had the opportunity to chat with a handful of former students who were taught by Peter , primarily at Riverstone , North Richmond and Grose View primary schools .

I was gobsmacked by the respect , affection , and indeed , reverence , of those young people for their former mentor .

I gained the impression that Peter was the kind of inspirational teacher featured on the silver screen by Robert Donat in Goodbye , Mr Chips , Robin Williams as John Keating in Dead Poets Society and Richard Dreyfuss who portrayed the beloved music teacher , Glen Holland in Mr Holland ’ s Opus .

In 2005 Peter decided to end all his sporting interests – except fishing – so he could devote his time away from teaching to tend to the needs of his ailing mother , Stella .

Peter retired from teaching in 2009 as Stella ’ s health deteriorated and he nursed her until she passed away in 2011 , aged 89 , and went to join her beloved husband , Jack .

Jack and Stella , two true legends of

not only Tennyson but the Hawkesbury , moved into their home at 245 Tennyson Road in 1948 – accompanied by their yearold twins , Margaret and Ross . Peter was born five years later and has lived all his life in the family home . He attended Richmond Primary where he was school captain and later Richmond High where he was vice-captain in his final year .

Peter completed a Diploma of Education at Bathurst ’ s Mitchell College , graduating in 1974 and landing a job as relief teacher

Peter O ’ Donnell had many passions .

His friends and former students , a host of sports , primarily fishing and lawn bowls , smoking his pipe and animals , especially our feline friends . Peter ’ s passing has impacted greatly on a multitude of Hawkesbury residents .

in the Hawkesbury Inspectorate which stretched from Bilpin to Central McDonald , Quakers Hill and Londonderry .

In late ’ 75 Peter was appointed to Riverstone Public School and spent four years there before joining the staff at North Richmond Public School ( 1979-95 ) and then ending his teaching career at Grose View ( 1996-2009 ).

As well as imparting knowledge to pupils ranging from kindergarten through to Year 6 , Peter also became heavily involved in the Primary Schools Sporting Association ( PSSA ) across a number of sports as coach , administrator , manager and convenor .

While at North Richmond , he conducted St Johns Ambulance courses as part of the school ’ s personal development program and was always proud of the fact that 1500 children completed the course .

During his career as a chalkie , Peter organised 25 fitness and development camps and chuffed that he tended to the needs of over 5000 happy campers .

The last time I spoke to Peter I asked why he was so highly regarded by former students .

“ I was a very motivational and positive teacher ,” he said .

“ I always – always – concentrated on the positives and not the negatives in dealing with my students .

“ I always strove to make the kids feel good about themselves and ensure their time at school - as students and citizens - was an enjoyable learning experience .”

Peter is survived by sister Margaret , brother Ross , and nieces and nephews .