North Melbourne. I played for North in the 1970s and played district seconds in cricket. My last game was in the 1974 grand final against Richmond before I started my medical career. (Editor’s note: Dr Peterson remains the club’s youngest ever player at 16 years and one month, a record that will never be broken under today’s rules. He played 79 games and kicked 109 goals, including seven goals against Geelong at Arden St in one match).
What did a typical Saturday look like before the campaign trail called you to action?
Saturday is my golf day. I am playing off 13 at the moment. I still follow the (Seymour) football club, where I have been the doctor, chairman of selectors and on the committee. (Editor: Dr Peterson is a gifted sportsman, a left-handed golfer and is a life member of the golf and cricket clubs at Seymour).
What is your perfect meal — entrée, main and dessert — and who are five people you would invite to dine with?
Calamari, steak and then fruit salad. I couldn’t enjoy the dinner without a couple of my mates, so I would invite Colin Kerris and Peter Morris; John Adams, the economist; Bob Hope, if he was still alive; and Cameron Smith, the golfer.
Where did you go to school and grow up and who were your biggest influences?
I grew up in the housing commission area of North Melbourne and went to Errol Street State School, which was only a kilometre from the football ground. I was the very last born-and-bred North player, but John Dugdale (North Melbourne legend) was a student there and so were my brothers. One of my older brothers was club doctor at North Melbourne for years. I went to University High and then on to Melbourne University, where I studied medicine.
What are the three most important things to people in Nicholls?
Keeping their rural lifestyle is the first and being able to enjoy the Australia way forged through generations. That has been taken away from people in recent years, their ability to travel and socialise. People want that back and they want a guarantee that their freedom will be a non-negotiable in the future. That is what is supposed to happen in Australia. No passports, people need to be able to move freely.
Tell me three countries you have visited and loved. When did you go and why did you love them?
Italy. I have been there a few times. I love the history of Rome, along with the diversity and renaissance culture.
Pacific Islands. The beauty of the landscape and their way of life, in particular Tahiti and New Caledonia.
New Zealand. I enjoy its people and its proximity to Australia. I’ve been half-a-dozen times, the last time was to see my son Stuart in his first Ironman adventure at Lake Taupu in 2008.
What is you favourite movie, book and person from history?
Movie: Forrest Gump. I like a good comedy which has a storyline to match.
Book: I am a big reader, but one book has stuck with me my whole life — To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee). I think I read it in 1967. It made me aware of racial prejudice and the empathy of people, along with the sadness of racism.
Person from history: Winston Churchil. He saved a country against enormous odds and never gave up.
Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, partner — anyone of note in the family tree? How many of them still live in the area?
Three brothers — one is a retired GP, the other two are retired engineers. My sister is a retired school teacher. I am the last of the brothers and my sister is the youngest. My deceased wife Rosie had a PhD in epilepsy and was the CEO of Goulburn Options. She won the international award for epilepsy, the only medico ever to do so.
What did you binge watch during lockdown?
Ozark. I have become a Jason Bateman fan. You just had to watch the next episode, but binge watching is not my thing. I did a lot of reading, probably six to eight hours a day researching.
Tell me three jobs you did in your lifetime and how you performed in those roles.
My first job was selling newspapers, at the age of four, at the Flagstaff Gardens, on the corner across the road from the market.
I was then a telegram delivery boy and sorted mail after school.
Then for 46 years I was a GP, the last 40 spent in Seymour.
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