Thread: Peter Gargett - A Great Man - RIP

I wasn't sure whether to post this on here or not. I imagine quite a few people have met him over the years as he was involved in many different areas. This was published in the courier mail and online, however not everyone reads it. On a side note he did have one of the first Range Rovers in SE Qld in the early 70's.

Memorial Service:

A Memorial Service to commemorate the Life of Peter Robertson Gargett will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday, 10th June, 2014 at Morris Hall, ACGS, "Churchie", Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane. Onsite parking available on North Field.
All welcome

Obituary:

Peter Robertson Gargett (Born October 10,1932, Died May 19,2014)

Born in Brisbane, and after completing his school education at Church of England Grammar School “Churchie”, Peter Gargett studied architecture at the University of Queensland from 1951, graduating in 1956. There were only three students in the course that year with the other twobeing women, Anne Greenfield and Margaret Mayers (Kerr). They were joined, after the first three years of full time study,by students from the Central Technical Collegefor the final three years. While at university he advanced to the rank of Captain in the Queensland University Regiment.

Peter’s father, Bren Gargett, was a partner in AH Conrad and TBF Gargett Architects, who were very prominent as the largest architectural practice in Brisbane at that time. Peter had always wanted to be an architect however his father would never have insisted on it if he had not been so committed.

The last part of his course was part-time and after working at Job, Collin and Fulton for three years, Peter joined the family firm in 1957 where, in his father’s words, he would ‘learn what architecture is all about.’ The first project he worked on was the Royal Globe Insurance building (1957) and later, the Commonwealth Bank Building at King George Square (1961-64), under the guidance of Lou Hailey.

In 1960, Peter travelled to the UK and Europe on board the ‘Oronsay’, on a tour that lasted almost a year. His father, then National President of the Institute of Architects, asked him to visit cathedrals and hospitals that would provide valuable information for ongoing office projects. Among their clients at the time was the Brisbane Hospitals Board together with the commission for the completion of St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Ann Street. Peter was most impressed by both Durham Cathedral, and the modern rebuilding of Coventry Cathedral, then underway and designed by Basil Spence. He travelled extensively throughout Britain, driving a Morris Minor, and toured Europe from Norway to Capri stopping to admire cathedrals rather than the Modernist works of Le Corbusier.

Peter married Christine (Chris) Jennings in 1965 and they made their family home in Indooroopilly. Because of Peter’s involvement with St John’s Cathedral,they were married there. Subsequently Chris became secretary of The Lady’s Building Fund Committee which as well as fundraising, produced the Cathedral Cookbook. Soon after, the firm designed the SGIO Building (now Suncorp Plaza) 1967-71, then Brisbane’s tallest office building. Upon completion in 1972, the office relocated from its Spring Hill premises to occupy the 21st floor of the SGIO Building.The Executive Building,100 George St for the Queensland Government was also designed at this time.

Following his father’s death in 1975, Peter, with Bill Conrad as chairman, took control of the firm as Managing Director with Keith Frost, Lou Hailey, Joe Orange and Ian Charlton as fellow partners.
During this period, projects included the Royal Brisbane Hospital (Blocks 7&8); National Bank House, Adelaide St; the conservation of Parliament House, together with much of the George St heritage precinct; the Sheraton Hotel (now Sofitel), above Central Station; and the Commonwealth Bank Headquarters(Queen &Edward Streets). Conrad & Gargett also designed the Queensland Newspapers (publishers of the Courier Mail) Printing and Administration facilities at Bowen Hills (1962) and Murarrie (1992).

With Bill Conrad’s retirement in 1994, Peter became Chairman and continued as Managing Director of the office. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was elected as National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects for 1996/97 and made a Life Fellow.This role demonstrated his commitment and contribution to raising the profile of the Australian architectural profession. Peter retired from practice in 1998 and passed control of the firm to Bruce Wolfe. Currently known as Conrad Gargett Riddel AncherMortlock Woolley, and originally founded in 1890, it is one of Queensland’s oldest continuous architectural practices. Two generations of Conrads and Gargetts, Arnold &Bren and their respective sons, Bill & Peter served the office for a combined total of over 200 years that spanned an 86 year time period (1912 – 1998).

Peter was devoted to the care of his wife Christine and was rarely at rest, thinking up & putting into practice ideas to make her life more comfortable. Notably, he spent hours refining the design and manufacturing prototypes, of a hoist incorporated into a roof rack to enable quick & easy transfer of a person between a wheelchair and the front seat of a vehicle.

Throughout his life, Peter had a love of old things. His home at Indooroopilly was built in 1915 and his prized vintage cars (Rolls Royces & Bentleys) were regularly seen at car club events. They were also brought into service for his daughter’s wedding; made available for staff joyrides at the annual office picnicand more recently presentations at his grandchildren’s primary school to everyone’s delight. To acknowledge his work in setting up Queensland’s Concessional Vehicle Registration, he was issued with the first number plate ‘001’. One of his other passions was fishing where, at least once a year, he ventured totheFraser Island beach shack,that he shared with Lou Hailey and other friends amid much convivial camaraderie. Peter took his family on many great holidays, from camping/canoeing onthe Bellinger River for the Easter weekends to Christmas Holidays originally at Scotts Point on the Redcliffe Peninsula and in later years on the Gold Coast.

Peter was involved with many clubs over the years including Rotary; United Service Club; Vintage Car Club Qld; Brisbane Golf and Cricket Clubs; Brisbane and Queensland Clubs; Bentley Drivers Club; Rolls Royce Owners Club and more recently the 20/Ghost Club.

Peter is survived by his wife Chris, daughter Anthea, son Guy, Anthea’s husband Paul and their children Dominic, Jessie, Niamh and Ciara.

(Obituary written by Robert Riddel from Conrad and Gargett.)

Sorry to hear of your loss Guy, my thoughts are with you and your family.