Thread: Peter Wherrett, RIP.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Vale Peter

I drove Peter for one of, if not his first, rides in a Series Land Rover back in 1974.

Diana

In high heels?

Vale Peter Wherret.
I vaguely remember Torque but knew of Peter Wherret through motor sports, television, books etc. He wrote an excellent book in 2005 on Francis Birtles, an early 20th century Australian adventurer who, amongst many things, rode a bike around Australia twice as well as being the first person to drive from England to Australia in 1927. Even if you are not a big reader this book, titled Grit: An Epic Journey Across the World - the story of Francis Birtles epic 1927 journey. (ISBN 978-1-920923-62-4) is a great read recounting Birtles' many adventures with many fantastic period b&W photos about a lesser known larrikin.

Taken from Wikipedia:

Peter Wherrett was married and divorced three times. His first marriage was to Denise Wirth. They had a son, Steven and a daughter, Jane and now have six grandchildren; Angus, Connor, Brittany, Emily, Jackson and Nicholas. His second marriage was to Lesley Brydon, former Executive Director of the Advertising Federation of Australia. His third marriage was to Kim Mathers. When Kim obtained employment in Europe as a chef, Wherrett remained in Australia. Because of their physical separation, they decided to divorce amicably in 2006. Following that divorce, Peter sold the house that they had shared in Queensland and moved to Lake Macquarie in New South Wales.[6]

Peter Wherrett wrote a memoir entitled Desirelines with his brother Richard who died in 2001.[7] The book recounted Peter's interest in cross-dressing.[7] As a child he discovered his mother being abused by his father which led to an "empathy for his mother as an abused wife, and passion for women generally".[8] He later discovered his father was also a cross-dresser and consulted a psychiatrist who said that his behaviour was obsessive but harmless.[8] Wherrett went on to write The Gender Trap which examined the "compulsive nature of cross-dressing".[8] After Wherrett and Mathers separated in 2006, he went to live as a woman at Lake Macquarie.[8]

Rob W

Originally Posted by V8Ian

In high heels? <snip>

No not in high heels, neither of us.

And I am getting a bit tired about the vilification of this man over one aspect of his life that was outed not by his (or her) own choice.

Remember Peter Wherrett for his public motoring achievements, don't degrade, defile and vilify parts of his private life to which you have no right.

Now can we let him rest in peace.

I wonder whether many people consider what they write here on aulro generally comes up in google over time. I'm no expert on this but if I were one of his grieving grandchildren and searched the net for reminders of the mans achievements & found poor taste jokes a day or two after his passing I'd be hurt & angry. I may be well off the mark.
Kudos to a man who achieved so much while living with his inner turmoil.

I think some of you need to take a chill pill.

Pete was a great guy and will be missed - I don't think anyone here disagrees.

The jokes about his extra curricular activities are just that - good natured jokes (well mine was anyway).

I am sure Pete would be (is?) laughing along...

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I think some of you need to take a chill pill.

Pete was a great guy and will be missed - I don't think anyone here disagrees.

The jokes about his extra curricular activities are just that - good natured jokes (well mine was anyway).

I am sure Pete would be (is?) laughing along...

And not intended to deride the man or his achievements.

But what is "funny" to some is not funny to others.

Originally Posted by garrycol

But what is "funny" to some is not funny to others.

Indeed - I feel sorry for those who have no sense of humour...

It was Pete himself who told the world about his cross dressing. I'm sure he wouldn't have done that if he couldn't laugh along with the jokes.