QA &
with John de Rooy APP . L Hon . FAIPP Project Manager of Reflections – Honouring our WWII Veterans
PART 2 Continued from the April issue of What ' s On . Is there a veteran whose story really moved you ?
While at the RSL in Townsville on ANZAC Day 2015 , Joan Peterson aged 97 years heard of the AIPP Reflections Project . Joan was last in Townsville in 1944 towards the end of WWII where she served as a WAAAF ( Women ' s Auxiliary Australian Airforce ). Joan recalls , “ I was one of the first four girls posted north from Victoria to be sent overseas , ( 5 days on the troop train with men and women in separate carriages ). But upon reaching Townsville the Minister for AIR said no WAAAF ' s would be allowed to leave Australian shores . I stayed in Townsville and then met my husband , Flight Sergeant Stanley Charles Peterson . We met in late November and were married in January 1944 .” While in Townsville the hospital in Garbutt was transferred to a house ( in Francis St ) because of the bombings in Townsville . Joan took a drive down Francis Street and after 70 years was able to instantly identify the home that was once the make shift hospital where she worked during WWII .
Joan proudly cites , “ The legacy continues with my son , Noel Peterson OAM , serving 49 years in the RAAF and Grandson , Jason Peterson ( aged 35 ), currently serving in the army in Townsville .” This is Joan ' s first trip to Townsville since leaving in March 1944 and a wonderful opportunity to commemorate 70 years since the end of WWII , and join in the ANZAC tradition with her son and grandson . Joan turned 100 years of age last month .
What has been the most interesting aspect of working on the project ?
Receiving many moving letters of thanks from the veterans and their families .
Dear Mr de Rooy
On behalf of my Father , Kenneth ( Jack ) Marks , I would like to sincerely thank the AIPP for undertaking such a significant project .
We have just received the official photograph taken recently and I cannot begin to say how much we , as a family , greatly appreciate the enormous amount of effort and time it has taken by all of those involved .
Dad at 94 has always been a very humble and gentle soul ; however I could see by the smile on his face , he too was greatly touched . As a family , we have a very proud Australian Army history with both Mum and Dad serving in WWII and my two nephews , also in the Australian Army , the youngest serving on the Kanimbla in Iraq , Aceh and Nias .
I would also like to acknowledge Wendy Chung who was Dad ' s photographer and her warmth , care and genuine interest in Dad ' s story was amazing .
Once again , thank you so much from our family and to everyone who has given so much of their time .
Yours sincerely
Rhonda Craven ( Daughter of Jack Marks ) How long have you been a photographer ?
I began photographing when I was 15 years old , and was a full time professional by age 22 years as a Crimes Scene photographer with Queensland Police , then another 20 years working in the world of commercial photography – so that is almost 40 years now . It has been a wonderful career so far and I would not change a thing .
What ' s your favourite subject to photograph ?
I have photographed every conceivable event , people from the Prime Minister to one day old babies , all sorts of places , buildings , disasters and triumphs . Now that I am finding more time to photograph for myself I am enjoying landscape and wildlife photography .
What ’ s a memorable highlight of your career ?
In 2013 the Australian Institute of Professional Photography bestowed one of its highest awards upon me and Pam , as Honourable Fellow of the AIPP and the Claude McCarthy Award for services to professional photography in Australia .
What do you love most about the Tablelands ?
We love the friendliness of the locals making us feel very welcome . The landscape is a photographer ’ s nirvana and the markets , fresh produce , the Malanda Theatre and the historic buildings and hotels all make up for a great relaxed lifestyle .
What ’ s your favourite place on the Tablelands ?
We really enjoy visiting Lamins Hill lookout , but our favourite place is the 4 acres we live on at Sharlynn by the River , right on the Johnstone River .
Noel Peterson OAM , Joan Peterson and grandson WO2 Jason Peterson . Photo by © John de Rooy APP . L Hon . FAIPP
May 2018 What ’ s On & Where To Go 15