We were saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Peter Davey (SPC 1945-49) on 2 June 2026, aged 94.
A Requiem Mass was held for Peter at St Columba’s Catholic Church on 16 June.
Peter was the son of Michael and Martha Davey (both dec) and grew up in Ballarat surrounded by his siblings Margaret, William (Bill) (SPC 1943-46), (Fr) Brendan (SPC 1946-53), Michael (all dec) and Marie.
He attended St Columba’s Primary School where he won the Aquinas Scholarship before moving on to St Patrick’s College in 1945. He had also won the Railway Scholarship and at the end of his first year won a Government Scholarship which was valuable for the rest of his secondary education.
Peter, a day student, made a name for himself with excellence in French, boxing, athletics, cricket and football.
He received multiple awards for his French in Academie Francaise throughout his schooling, as well as a scholastic prize in Intermediate B class.
He was named Bantamweight champion in Boxing in 1946, and the Mile (Open) champion in 1947.
In team sports, Peter was part of the McCarthy House cricket premiership team and McCarthy House champion athletic team in 1947. He was also a member of the NCO group.
After finishing school, he studied at the Victorian College of Pharmacy in Melbourne, working full-time as an apprentice pharmacist at Taylor and Taylor Pharmacy in Bridge St while completing the first two years of his studies by correspondence at night. He then returned to Melbourne for the final two years of training working with Vin Archdeacon in Clifton Hill.
It was a remarkable effort that reflected the determination and work ethic that would define his life.
During his final year at St Patrick’s and the following two years, he ran with the YCW Harriers during winter and played tennis in summer. While studying pharmacy he even tried his hand at boxing, training under Joe Carrucan.
After completing his training, he returned to Ballarat and was employed for a number of years at Walter Cornells Pharmacy on the corner of Sturt and Doveton st.
He left Ballarat in July 1957 to commence working as pharmacy manager in Rainbow, a small town in the Southern Mallee. After just 12 months, he was offered a partnership, and seven years later became the sole owner.
In 1973, he purchased the Jeparit Pharmacy as a depot and successfully operated both businesses until retiring in 1997.
Despite running both businesses five and a half days a week, he always found time to give back to others. He was involved with the local hospital, integral in establishing the ambulance service in Rainbow, served on the High School Advisory Council, joined the Jaycees, was Captain, keen member, handicapper and Life Member at the golf club, and served as a Justice of the Peace for 53 years where he was also a Life Member.
When retirement approached, he refused to leave Rainbow without a pharmacist to replace him to ensure that the critical service was not lost to the Rainbow/Jeparit community.
After 40-plus years in Rainbow, he and his wife Jan moved to Echuca, where the golf courses beckoned.
His Catholic faith and church were the cornerstones of his life. It sustained him through life’s many challenges, but more importantly, he lived his faith every day.
He quietly helped those less fortunate, welcomed everyone equally, and devoted countless hours to charitable causes. This continued well into his retirement where he volunteered for over a decade as Tax Help at the Neighbourhood House, collecting excess bread from the local bakeries for distribution by Vinnies, Probus, church and more.
His fond memories and stories of his great schooling and friendships made at St Patrick’s College lead to his grandsons Chris Davey and Scott Vanderkley and great grandson Tex Davey following in his footsteps. His extraordinary ability in tying a Windsor knot is legendary amongst them.
We extend our deepest condolences to Peter’s wife Jan and children, Judy, Trish, Michael, Bob and Helen (dec). Peter was also a grandfather of 13 and great-grandfather of 19, including grandson Chris Davey (SPC 1992-97) and great-grandson and current student Tex Davey, and great nephew Scott Vanderkley (SPC 1994-99).
Thanks to Peter’s daughter Trish Carrucan (Davey) for her help in preparing this tribute.
