Peter West - Newman

I was born on Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia.

My father was a Marine engineer. Being a senior officer in the First World War, he was immediately called up for service at the outbreak of the Second World War.

My mother and we three boys were evacuated from there to the Sunshine Coast when the bombs were dropped on Darwin and Broome. High school education; was as a boarder at the Anglican College in Brisbane (Churchie). Subsequent to the completion of a diploma in Agricultural Science at the Gatton Agricultural College, in Queensland, I spent some 17 years in Papua New Guinea.

Initially I was carrying out pioneering patrol work on behalf of the Department of Agriculture Stock and Fisheries. Over time I progressed to become officer in charge of sub districts, districts and eventually became the senior training officer for the department, based in Port Moresby.

I won a post graduate scholarship in “Rural Extension” at the Hawkesbury University. On my return to Papua New Guinea I was invited to join the Policy Secretariat. The Policy Secretariat was a “think tank” of four that worked closely with the Public Services Commission to assist in the establishment of Provincial Governments and the nationalisation of the Public Service.

On my return to Australia, I got married and brought up four beautiful children on a farm. I was involved in many agricultural research programs and was instrumental in establishing the non astringent persimmon industry “kaki” in Australia. I was foundation director of the Sunshine Coast Fruit Marketing Co-Op, one of the largest marketing and packing organisation in Queensland.

Other than my four children trading is my biggest passion. (Yes I survived the experience, and have 3 girls and a boy, all highly successful, who love their Dad) My passion for trading was launched at University and it is the winning and losing that has honed my skills.

I have attended trading courses in Australia, Los Angeles, Sacramento and the Caribbean. It was my experiences both in the Public Service and business that installed in me the importance of knowing one’s subject.