GERRY Peacocke said what he thought and plenty of people loved him for it.
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They include president of the Orana Law Society Andrew Boog who is among the crowd remembering the solicitor, politician and family man who didn’t mince his words.
In 1976 a 17-year Mr Boog rolled up for a meeting with Mr Peacocke that has become a treasured memory.
“I was interested in becoming a solicitor and my father organised for me to go to his office to speak to him about that,” Mr Boog said.
“Gerry told me ‘Don’t be a silly bugger, there are better ways to make a living’.”
Mr Boog ignored the advice but not the impressive man who delivered it.
“Gerry had an amazing voice consistent with his character,” Mr Boog said.
“He was extra forthright, had no airs and graces and was as he appeared.”
The death of almost 82-year-old Gerald Beresford Ponsonby Peacocke in the early hours of yesterday (thursday) morning knocked the wind out of Mr Boog and a community that woke to the news that a champion of Dubbo and NSW had gone to his maker.
In a public career spanning four decades he served on Bathurst and Dubbo councils before being elected State Member for Dubbo in 1981.
By the time he retired from state politics in 1999, Mr Peacocke had made his mark as the minister for business and consumer affairs, and then local government (see story page seven).
Mr Peacocke returned to life in Dubbo where he was promptly re-elected to Dubbo City Council and served as mayor for one year.
Eldest and devoted son Sam confirmed yesterday that his father had died in his sleep about 3.30am yesterday (thursday) at John Whittle House, part of the Orana Gardens aged care facility.
Dubbo’s regard for the man who pushed successfully for rate pegging in NSW had always been reciprocated, his son said.
“He really loved Dubbo, really really loved Dubbo,” Sam Peacocke said.
“What made dad tick was being an advocate for individual freedom, for country people but especially the people of Dubbo and surrounds.”
Sam Peacocke called his father a man’s man who loved football, telling jokes and the Goon Show.
“We spent hours with him listening to old records of the Goon Show and laughing,” the eldest son said.
“He was just a wonderful dad.”
Just about everyone over a certain age had a story to tell about Gerry Peacocke yesterday, including Dubbo City Council general manager Mark Riley.
“Gerry had a very recognisable voice,” Mr Riley said
“Coupled with that, he had a passion for rugby union and enjoyed watching many games, having reputedly been somewhat of a handy player in his early years.
“ A very amusing incident that I remember was during a very tense game involving the Dubbo Kangaroos at Number 1 Oval when the referee made, in Gerry’s opinion, a very poor decision.
“Gerry, in his gravelly tone, yelled out ‘You don’t have to have a long neck to be a goose’.
“ There was much laughter on the sideline, however the referee took quite an exception and Gerry got his marching orders... one of the few spectators to be sent from the sideline.”
Mr Riley said the death of Mr Peacocke was a “tremendous loss” to Dubbo.
His words were echoed yesterday by chairman of the NSW Nationals Niall Blair, senior partner at Dubbo’s Peacockes Solicitors Andrew Graham, Dubbo MP Troy Grant, Parkes MP Mark Coulton and Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson.
Mr Blair said Gerry Peacocke was “a lion of the party”.
“He was one of the great characters of the Nationals’ party room and will be missed by a great many,” the chairman said.
Mr Graham joined Peacockes Solicitors just after Gerry Peacocke was elected to the state parliament.
“I particularly remember Gerry for his general knowledge, sincerity, at all times friendly manner and his ability to discuss virtually any subject,” the solicitor said.
“I am saddened by his passing and am proud to be a partner in the firm Peacockes which carries the goodwill of his name.”
Mr Grant said Gerry Peacocke was “one of a kind”.
“His determination to get things done in this electorate is legendary. I was honoured to have his support during the last state election and I know how thrilled he was to see the electorate of Dubbo represented by the Nationals again,” the MP said.
Mr Coulton said the late Mr Peacocke was a true son of Dubbo” who dedicated his life to a community that would sorely miss him.
Cr Dickerson acknowledged Gerry Peacocke’s contribution to the state through the Local Government Act (1993).
“It is a tribute to Gerry’s knowledge and passion for local communities that this Act has served the community so well,” the mayor said.
Gerry Peacocke is survived by his wife Nancy, six children, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity in Brisbane Street on Tuesday from 11am.
