Vale. Peter O'Rourke OAM, JP

[fulmar]

I write with great sadness to inform you of the passing of Peter O'Rourke, OAM, JP, who died tragically in a car accident near Ballarat yesterday.

Peter was a farmer, a country pilot(Cessna 182), a proud promoter of Ararat and country Australia, and one of the best supporters of aviation in Victoria. He was until his death the VIC Divisional Director of the Australian Airports Association, representing Lake Bolac "International" airport, as he so delightfully described himself.

For well over thirty years Peter was a passionate defender of Essendon Airport and he fought off the many and various attempts to close it, taking his case without fear or favour to the highest offices of the land. He believed strongly that Essendon was essential to regional Victoria, not only for the critical air ambulance services it supported, but as an essential support mechanism for the countryside. It is quite true to say that without Peter there would almost certainly not be an Essendon airport today.

On behalf of his Victorian airport colleagues and friends, I offer my sympathies to his family


Phil McConnell
Airport Manager
Moorabbin Airport

[Capt Casper]

Sad news.

Lake Bolac mourns Carngham crash victim - Local News - News - General - The Courier (http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/lake-bolac-mourns-carngham-crash-victim/1842708.aspx)

[msharp]

Yes a sad day indeed. The AAA and RAAA boards both had meetings in Darwin just last weekend and Peter was in his element. We had a cruise on Darwin Harbour Monday night just gone and all of us shared a few beers with Peter as he recited with much enthusiasm his tour of the B52 that day in Darwin. Who would have thought just a few days later that this tragedy would occur.

He loved aviation and was a larger than life character who devoted his life to serving the community. Sharp Airlines is running a special charter for Peter's funeral next Thursday FOC from Essendon please e-mail me as seats are limited.

Mal Sharp.