20.04.1961 – 18.09.2026
Peter spent his life saving lives, and living life to the fullest.
He had so many passions like, medicine, wine, food, music and recently, watches.
Peter and I were always playful, turning even the mundane task of filling the dishwasher into a game. We laughed every day, at each other and together.
Peter was full of life, larger than life and loved life. This last week has been comforting to know that people knew that, and that he was immensely loved. He loved thinking outside the box and changing the rules. He had a wicked sense of humour.
He also loved his work, and training the next generation. The dinner conversations that we had were not normal, but normal for the life of a paramedic, and those conversations made this last week just a little bit easier to get through.
Pete, you had such an impact on so many people, and for that we can’t thank you enough. As you always said, there is always more, and we are your more, Belinda. x
. . .
A private cremation is being arranged and all the details of Peter’s celebration of life will be included below, in due course.
Date:
TBC
Location:
TBC
Notes:
Please share your messages & memories of Peter in the Guestbook below
In lieu of flowers you could make a donation to either St John’s Ambulance or the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service
Please RSVP HERE (Link to come)
Sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He always had a smile at the start of the day when supporting our events. My condolences to the family. We will miss you mate. RIP
It’s a shock to hear of Peter’s passing. My sincere condolences to Belinda and all of Peter’s family. I have known him since our cadet days and the activities of the interlink movement connecting cadets with adults in St John. Peter was also interested in Communications where we crossed paths from time to time. I will remember him, and his sense of humour, fondly. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. 🙏🏻
Condolences to Belinda and family. Saddened to hear of Pete’s passing, such an amazing human with the most amazing interests and experiences to share.
I only learned of Peter’s death a few days ago as we’d dropped out of contact. I’m still shocked.
But he was an excellent teacher and his legacy in prehospital education will live on a long, long time. There are many first aiders and paramedics practicing now thanks to his knowledge and enthusiasm. That, and his own time on the frontline has touched so many lives. He and his family should be proud.
Thank you, Pete, and rest easy.
Belinda and families, Peter was an integral part of training many of our work first aiders and regaling them with entertaining experiences that made training engaging.
This sadly stopped when he focussed on Event management.
I thought he was a supporter of red wine being good for heart health!🤣 so might rethink that advice! Sincerely from those “oldies” who were trained by him, we are very sad at his passing.
Pete, the stories you told were the best, and you always knew how to get the best out of people.
From sharing travel stories and recommendations to some interesting on-the-job experiences over the years. The photos of remote parts of Australia and the incredible dishes you and Belinda had come across always inspired me.
You taught me how to be a good leader and the value of different types of support. (You also tried to teach me a little about wine; that didn’t stick as well)
So, a glass of wine will be raised soon (Penfolds something – no Aldi wine) to celebrate the memories properly.
Peter your sense of humour and keeping us all on track during COVID was instrumental in keeping all Victorians safe. I loved hearing about your adventures and enthusiasm in everything you did especially your love of wine . You will be sadly missed love and thoughts to your family during this time
I am deeply saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. I will always remember Pete’s love of food, fine dining and the joy he brought to those around him. His passion for keeping people safe and his lasting impact on others will not be forgotten. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I new Peter from his First Intervention days. We quickly formed a freindship. Peter was a genuinely lovely soul. He was always positive and smiling. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
I was privileged to get to know Pete from many drive days and finding out we shared so much in common, food, wine, music and being of similar age we were both singing of the same hymn sheet. We would often share recipes so different from most of the conversation on driving events. I will miss that smile, calmness, and knowledge I was so lucky to have from this kind gentle-man RIP Pete
Always smiling, always happy to see you and always so lovely to catch up with. Thank you Pete, for looking out for everyone. We’re so grateful for your friendship, the chats and memories.
Pete always had a sparkle in his eye whenever he spoke about you Belinda. Meeting you and the adventures you were up to. Take care and hugs from us x
A few years ago when we were looking for an event medic, someone said ‘Do you know Pete Bailey? He’ll sort you out’. From then on we always had top-notch support from a single email or call. Thanks Pete for all your support and for making our lives easier and safer. Gone too soon, we’ll miss you Pete.
My deepest condolences to you, Belinda, and the whole family. Such a huge loss, both personally and to the industry.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to look back on so many happy, funny and genuinely career-changing memories with Peter.
Peter, you took a chance on me early in my career, and I will always be grateful for the opportunities, guidance, knowledge and support you gave me along the way. You had such a significant impact on the paramedic and educator I am today. I hope you knew just how highly respected you were, not only for your incredible knowledge and experience, but for the way you shared it so generously with others. I learned so much from you, and I will continue to carry that with me.
I feel so privileged to have known you, Peter, and even more privileged to have had so many memories, laughs and moments with you that I’ll always look back on with such fondness. Your impact on the profession, and on so many of the people within it, will be felt for many years to come.
Rest easy, Peter. You will be very deeply missed.
I knew Peter from our early St John Ambulance days in South Melbourne Division. We attended duties and taught many a First Aid course together, and chatted about Lawn Bowls, his ‘Chef work’ at the time and his entry into and subsequent employment in the profession of Ambulance/Paramedicine. He certainly was forward thinking. He often dropped by for a catchup when Jeff and l lived in our home in East St Kilda. I loved reading his occasional posts on Facebook showing the glorious outback sunsets in his various workplaces at the time. It’s so hard to imagine he has gone. Condolences to all for whom Peter was incredibly special xx
Pete,
It was always a pleasure to work with you, we shared many good laughs on and off the track, and it was always reassuring to know you and your team were there and had our backs. My condolences to Belinda and family.
You will be missed mate.
Ben.
So very sorry Belinda…I can’t believe that Pete is gone.
I met him and his pool playing mates, many years ago in Fitzroy. They used to come in for a meal after pool…he was always smiling! He will be missed!
Barbara
Dear Peter, what a joy it was to work with you as a young paramedic in the 1990s. You always had a warm heard and a steady head in any job we went to. I wish you well on your soul journey – please go with peace and the delight of knowing the legacy you have left. And to Belinda and the rest of your family – my warmest wishes and heartfelt sentiments during this profound time.
Peter was amazing. As a pregnancy gift he taught us how to look after a new born. Our new born survived to turn 25 next month. He was a wonderful teacher, a wonderful friend, a marvellous cook (apart from the failed experiment with a cracked egg on rice). He was also funny. Really funny.
Belinda. I am devastated to hear this news. Pete always talked so fondly about you. I am so sorry to hear this news. Please reach out at some time in the future He has left this world way too early. Such a visionary and a true friend, my regret I could not be as good a friend as he deserved.
What sad news to hear, condolances to family and friends.
An amazing man to learn from, so patient and kind hearted.
Occasionally we would bump into each other, of the most unusual places, and chat for ever.
SJA, MICA, Offshore Para, Remote Para, Uni Professor and more.
Rest easy mate
Pete would always smile & say hi, followed by what have you been up to and always a chat about how we were “living the dream”. One thing is for sure I always felt better knowing Pete was at the track, a true professional & a ripper bloke.
God Speed 💙
I first met Pete 17 years ago. Ross said, “You have to meet my best mate.” So off to pool I went.
Soon after, I joined the pool group for a long weekend at the wineries. Pete drove, and I was impressed not only by his fast but very skilled driving, but also by his vast knowledge of wine and fine food. So began a long introduction to great Durif and the wonderful world of Port!
Whenever Ross and I were at a wine festival overseas, we would always raise a glass to Pete. I imagine we always will.
Pete always had a smile on his face, a great sense of humour and a big heart. He was always helping others. I admired his successful career changes, his sense of adventure and his love of travel. I loved seeing all the Facebook posts of his travels and work in different places.
My last memory is of a fit, healthy and happy Pete after a visit to the Big Apple with Belinda. He was looking resplendent in his new attire from NYC — a swish new top, cool striped pants, smart shoes and an amazing watch. Most of all, he was very happy.
You left this world far too early and will be sorely missed, Pete.
Deepest condolences and love to Belinda, family and all his friends.
I’m so glad that Peter came to play pool with us 2 weeks ago as I hadn’t seen him for over 3 months. He made the effort to come out even though he had just landed from a long flight. As usual, neither of us played that well, despite practising for more than 30 years. Pool was just an excuse to catch up with the gang and have a beer after, with some friendly sledging thrown in. Except he didn’t go to the bar that night, bowing out with a broad smile that I don’t think I’ll forget. Peter has been a long and loyal friend since we met in a share house in Collingwood, his humour greatly appreciated. Now missed. Hugs to Belinda and all who loved him.
Thanks Pete for over 30 years of memories.
Many great meals and wines, the occasional pool night with close friends that I was always included in when visiting, the blended family Christmas celebrations from Horsham, Halls Gap, Northcote and Williamstown with Ken, Dawn, Deb and Gerry, hanging with Jindi and Oscar even when they did gross things – which was often, working at the racetrack, and the little thoughtful things like always being available to remind me which chocolate was Sal’s favourite, even when you were out working remotely and I was standing in Haigh’s and needed an answer asap.
Your kindness and generosity was appreciated, and your laugh will be fondly remembered.
Even though our family dynamics changed over the years I always still considered you my brother in law, and I know that both your family and friends will be devastated to have lost you.
To say this is a shock is an understatement! Belinda I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ll always have great memories of the fun times Pete and I worked together at the soccer amongst other events. Thinking of you xx
Belinda
I’m so very sad to read this news.
Peter was always so full of life, sharing his loves with everyone around him.
I hope all the messages you receive give you some comfort.
I was deeply saddened to hear of your passing.
Peter will always hold a very special place in my memories, as you were my first boss when I came to Australia. Starting a new life in a new country was such an important chapter for me, and I will always be grateful that you were part of those early years and gave me an opportunity when everything was new.
I will always remember your kindness and the impact you had on my journey. Some people come into our lives at a particular moment and, without perhaps realising it, become part of our story forever. You are one of those people for me.
My heartfelt condolences to your family and everyone who loved you. May you rest in peace, and may your family find comfort in all the wonderful memories you leave behind.
You will always be remembered with gratitude and affection. 🤍
My deepest sympathy to you Belinda and Peter’s family. I like many others grew up with him in St. John cadets and later within Ambulance.
He had a great sense of humour, always laughing and fun to be around.
It is a shock to hear of his passing, and my thoughts are with you and the family.
Take care.
Thank you everyone for amazing stories of Peter
The longevity of friendships are so important.
I will miss you forever little brother love you lots Deb and Gerry
So so sorry to hear this Belinda, I can’t begin to comprehend he isn’t with you.
Pete, thanks for everything.
I always felt reassured when I knew you were on the job. In you I knew a calm and confident professional that got the job done with no fuss, a kind heart and a warm smile.
Rest in peace mate.
I have known Pete from my time with St John’s and motorbike racing, before I started at AV. That’s more than 30 years. Will always remember Pete with a smile on his face and a joke and laugh. Rest easy Pete.
Belinda, my heartfelt & deepest sympathies on the loss of dear Peter. Like others, we went back a long way – St John Cadets, etc. We had such wonderful times at camps, festivals events etc & “Pedro” was always the life of the party. I’m thinking of you & all his family & close friends at this devastatingly sad time.
Pete, we had some great time all over the world, I learnt so much from you and it was reassuring to know that if the day turned bad, we had you to save us.
Rest easy mate, you will be missed.
When I think of Peter, I see that gentle smile and nod he would give you in acknowledgement when we came across each other, always happy to see you, I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me in a different type of driver training, which I was part of for 16 years, I met a lot of good people and was able to contribute in the safety of patients in transport, all while improving who I was in my journey in life… Thanks Peter.
Pete we will miss you dearly at every event we’ve done. It won’t be the same without you 💔
RIP
Belinda and family. It’s such a shock to learn of Peter’s passing. I have known Peter from our St John Cadet days, we grew in parallel both becoming paramedics. We grew the first University degree for paramedics in Australia, internet based learning and international paramedic studies both locally and internationally. Peter was an innovator and a nice fellow. Thanks for being a good person. You will be missed
The smiling face in the morning as we head into the unknown.
The resounding source of comfort when the shit hit or was hitting the fan.
The voice of reason when everything seemed helpless.
A shadow of complete comfort and calm across everyone at all times.
And a bloody good mate.
See ya Pete.
💙💙💙
Peter, thank you for taking a chance on a young student. Your ability to train me and share your knowledge has helped me get to where I am today, and I will never forget it. The quirky calls with new equipment or an upcoming job were always fun and a learning opportunity. Your ability to stay calm in any situation was calming for everyone around you. In the past few days, I have seen many memes and new medical devices that I would usually send to you to discuss, and I could hear your experience shine through. I even went to give you a call today for some advice, something that you were great with. Belinda and family, my condolences to you.
Belinda & the whole family, sending our deepest condolences at this very sad time. We hope to be able to help you celebrate Peter’s life in a really personal way. Kate Morgan & the team at Tomorrow Funerals