Our patron, Peter Wilson, passed away on 19 May 2023.  A service for Peter was held in the Chapel at King’s College on 25 May.  There was a very large turnout as was fitting for someone who had contributed so much to so many organisations including the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club.

It was a moving service on a rare fine day.

Peter joined Parnell as a junior direct from King’s College at a time when the Club offered free membership to good tennis players from the top schools.  Peter followed Jon Olsen who joined the Club the year before in 1953 and was followed by a number of school friends who joined the Club at about the same time or afterwards including Robert Lawford, Richard Rathbone, John Jaffray (the cobbler) and years later, Bill Jack.

Peter joined at a time when the Club was overrun with juniors with senior members leaving in droves to the point where at one stage the Club had less than 30 senior members.  

Peter got involved in the administration side of things at the Club at a very early stage and became the President in 1966 with a mandate to turn things around and save the Club from extinction.  Peter and his committees did turn things around in a most dramatic way to the point where leading up to the centennial the Club had over 250 senior members and was thriving.  It is more likely than not that but for Peter’s efforts, the Club would not have survived to the centenary.

What Peter did was to essentially bring things back into balance by focusing on the need of the senior members and the social aspects of club life, while reducing the number and influence of its junior members who had joined from all parts of Auckland in the hope of making it to the big time.

Peter was honoured for his services to the Club in the centenary year by being made a life member, the first of many honours in tennis.

From the centenary year onwards Peter became heavily involved in tennis administration at a local level and then the New Zealand level, and ultimately international tennis resulting in many achievements and accolades and his appointment as a life member of both Auckland Tennis and Tennis NZ.

Notwithstanding his extensive involvement in tennis administration outside the Club and in other worthy ventures, Peter remained a passionate and supportive member of Parnell giving generously of his time and experience.  He was throughout a most generous benefactor.

Peter was always very proud of the history and traditions associated with the Club and was a personal supporter of the centenary celebration and the 125^th and then the 150^th celebration attending all events.  Notwithstanding his deteriorating health in recent times, Peter attended all the important events at the Club and attended the black tie dinner for the L’Ermitage Tournament not long before his death.

It was perhaps fitting that having joined the Club from the College, that he returned to the College for us to say goodbye.  Peter would have been amused to note that among the many Parnell members who attended the service were a number of unruly juniors who took over the Club so long ago including Rob Howe and life member, Julie Turner.

While this is a sad time for all who knew Peter and for the Club, the Club exists today as a result of Peter’s significant contributions and thrives as a result of Peter’s ongoing support and contributions.

Rest in Peace Peter.

June 2023