Dear Peter, by Eva Rinaldi

Dear Peter

Now that you have gone over to the other side, I've had more time to reflect and think about what you a great friend you became over the time we got to know each other, and how you enriched my life and that of so many of my friends and associates.

You were a one in a million.

Since your passing over one week ago, I have continued to hear wonderful stories about you, even including some of how fondly you felt about working and collaborating with my team and I, usually in your front yard at Bondi Beach.

Our friend, Greg, had been telling me for years to spend more time and Bondi Beach, and he kept telling me about how great you were, both as a photographer, and as a wonderful human being. A great he kept saying.

When we met I immediately realised that all of the wonderful things I head heard about your were true. You're wonderful energy and smile, pride in your craft, and last but not least, your generosity of heart and spirit, where you frequently donated time and money to your favorite orphanage in Cambodia. We all just loved the idea of who when you got to work for us, sometimes on a commercial basis, that a great deal of those funds would eventually make they way to the orphanage.

All of the projects we did together.... Let's Paint Oprah and a whole lot more. I guess I could tell it was more than just another gig for you. Bondi Beach and the Sydney Oprah House was always a very special day when we were blessed with your presence. Getting the great photos from you just a couple of days later was a bonus but you just added to the experiences in ways hard to describe.

On of the most special days was to be the last time I ever saw you.

It was Friday at Bondi Beach once again for the artistic component of Sea Shepherd's Bondi 'No Compromise'. We were all down at the beach, 'King Neptune', 'Son Of Neptune', Greg chasing you up on the mobile. Then all of a sudden we spotted you. In the amazing Tony Abbott beach art costume. It was classic, as you always were. You had on your colourful shoes as always. The way you directed my artistic creations was outstanding, and the results showed. The highlight for Greg and I was you giving us the hand made gifts from Cambodia. It was so special to have been hand delivered these by you, knowing that all of us had been supporting the orphanage in our own special way for what must have been almost bean up to a year. I just loved the guardian angels book you gave me. It is one of my most treasured possessions.

When we finished the beach photo shoot we all walked up to the High Tide Room together for the official event, little did we know this would be the last time we would ever see you alive in person.

The weather was turning, blowing up a gale, and it appeared that some of your photography equipment was starting to play up, but like a trooper and true professional, you soldiered on regardless. Thank god that when it was suggested to you to be in a photo with us, taking from my photographer friend, Marek, you agreed.

We did the rounds with you at the event, then I decided to get some fresh air with Louie and Greg. The beach was beautiful, as so many of your photographs demonstrate. We then returned to the event to see you hard at work up front near the stage, where we couldn't reach you. We decided to call it a night.

I often think about you, and of course, your beautiful photographs and spirit surround me. You played a significant part of my time spent at Bondi Beach.

Fortunately, I still get to share stories of your legend with many of my friends. Not to any surprise your remembered service at Bondi Beach was filled with hundreds of your friends and colleagues, a number of which I am happy to be able to call friends also. You were a great friend to many, I think Australia's friendliness photographer, and just a wonderful person.

One day we shall meet again in heaven, for there will be so much to discuss.

I feel I might have been one of your biggest fans. You surrounded yourself with stars, but the more I learn, I think you may have been the biggest star of all. Thank you from my heart.

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