Originally trained as a Botanist and Agricultural Chemist and then as a Horticultural Scientist specializing in Australian Native Plants, Peter answered God’s calling to enter the ministry in 1983 and completed the Sydney University post-graduate Bachelor of Divinity in 1987. After serving as a Home-Missionary at Greenwich (NSW) in 1987, he was appointed and subsequently ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church at West Wyalong in 1988, later moving to the parishes of Clunes-Dunoon-Bangalow in 1991, to North-Sydney Greenwich as assistant (1995-6) and to St David’s Toukley in 1996.

Peter is a trained singer (Bass-baritone) having trained under the late Noel Melvin and has been involved in many church and secular choirs and local musical societies over the years. Other ministry qualifications include accreditation to administer the Prepare Enrich premarriage and marriage guidance programme (see Wedding page)and  has also completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (Hospital and Chaplaincy qualification).