Tributes for community gem | Bundaberg News | Local News in Bundaberg

Peter Hitchcock.

NewsMail

PETER Charles Hitchcock was born in Bundaberg on May 30, 1938, and throughout his life, strived to make the city the best it could be.

He completed his training as a watchmaker at Wallace Bishop in Brisbane, before returning to Bundaberg to work at his mother's jewellery shop.

Mr Hitchcock eventually took over and developed a reputation as a fine jeweller who never compromised on quality.

After more than 40 years as a business owner, Mr Hitchcock retired about 18 months ago.

He had just fulfilled two long-held ambitions - to move into a new home he was building and to visit Canada.

He was devoted to his wife Jan, and had a reputation for being extremely loyal to his friends and community work.

Son Cole Hitchcock said his father had made lifelong friends all over the world, often through chance meetings as well as his links with Bundaberg business circles, his involvement in several service clubs and the golfing community.

“He was a very compassionate man, and he helped a lot of people in bad times,” Cole Hitchcock said.

“He was generous, not just with money, but also with his time.”

As well as holding a keen eye for quality in jewellery, Mr Hitchcock was also a collector of fine art and an amateur artist.

Family friend Ron Hancock first met Mr Hitchcock almost 60 years ago, when they were members of Bundaberg JayCees.

“He was really active with JayCees and also heavily involved with Rotary,” Mr Hancock said.

“He was a real golfing fanatic and spent a lot of time on the course.”

He was also instrumental in planting dozens of trees at the Bundaberg Golf Club, to help improve the course.

“He gave a lot to the community, and got on well with a lot of people,” Mr Hancock said.

“When he had time, he was a bit of an artist and liked to draw.”

He said Mr Hitchcock had just started moving his art collection into his new home, and was looking forward to relaxing with his family and friends.

“He will be greatly missed,” Mr Hancock said.

Bundaberg Region Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch also paid tribute to a proud advocate for the region.

“He was certainly very proud of Bundaberg, as well as being a well-known business identity,” Cr Pyefinch said.

“(His death) will be great loss to the community.”

Member for Hinkler Paul Neville said Mr Hitchcock was instrumental in placing an Australian flag at the Bourbong Street rotunda.

He called for it to be lowered as a mark of respect on the day of Mr Hitchcock's funeral.

Mr Hitchcock is survived by his wife Jan, sons Alasdair and Cole, and grandsons Alexander, Aidan, Noah and Josah.