By Bridie Byrne
KNOWN as the “singing leprechaun” Peter Jackson has, with his Irish blarney, helped various charities find their pots of gold.
And having raised $200,000 his dedication has not gone unnoticed.
Wyndham councillor Henry Barlow has nominated the 76-year-old for a Pride of Australia Medal in the community spirit category.
“This is something he deserves because he has a great community spirit,” Cr Barlow said.
“Very few people dedicate themselves to a range of different charities. His character is something you never forget.”
Mr Jackson has helped raise money for The Alfred hospital fairs, Anti-Cancer Appeal, Werribee Hospital Community fetes, Country Music Guide of Australia, Pentridge Prison Christmas shows, South Werribee Primary School fair, Dandenong Country Music Association, Portland Country Club Charity work and the Papua New Guinea Kids appeal.
His charitable nature was influenced by his upbringing in the Irish city of Waterford.
“My dad owned a fish and chip shop and we would give away food to the poor children,” he said.
“But in 1938 because of the depression we ended up losing our own home.”
He eventually moved to London for 22 years and worked as an assistant engineer at EMI Records in London’s Abbey Road from 1960 until 1970.
With a twinkle in his eye he vividly recalls how he personally knew the Beatles.
Mr Jackson was asked to attend their final public appearance on the roof of Apple Records headquarters in London in 1969.
But he was a musician in his own right, performing on the London Club scene.
Playing the drums, piano, accordion, organ and flute were all second nature to him.
At radio station 3DB, between 1971 and 1976, he sang on a program titled Country Music Radio Show.
After moving to Werribee in 1978 he worked at the Werribee Hospital and nursing home and became a life governor of the Royal Children’s Hospital, The Alfred hospital and the Wyndham Lodge Nursing Home.
With six grandchildren to dote on he still finds time on his vacations to entertain others.
“In 2000 I went to Hobart for a holiday and ended up playing at St Mary’s Nursing Home,” he said.
Pride of Australia Medal winners will be announced on 22 October.
