I wasn’t born with a big bushy Mo. But Mum’s tells me it was well on the way by age 1.
The Mo was born
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a great family environment in a beautiful bayside suburb of Manly in Brisbane amongst a mixed ‘blue and white collar’ environment of ‘locals’ who are committed to keeping its community values high.
I think like every young boy we all love the companionship of Man’s best friend.
Peter with first dog Goldie
I was fortunate enough to have Goldie.
Goldie was a beautiful dog and I still remember the excitement of bringing Goldie home for the very first time. We were great mates. Sadly the world isn’t filled with entirely wonderful people and I still get a lump in my throat when I recall the day Goldie and I parted company at the hands of a cruel hideous bait. It was a Wednesday. 45 years on I still get sad on some Wednesday’s.
Happier days were ahead and fortunately at age 15 I was able to negotiate an ‘early release’ from Wynnum High School . The education community and I were never destined to share a long and harmonious relationship.
To their credit they tried and I am forever thankful for the basic word and numeracy skills I was taught.
Proof that I did attend a school!
But mostly I am thankful for the life skills that I learnt at school that had nil to do with text books. I am thankful for the negative manner in which so many of the educators of the day treated me. You told me I was useless. You tried to quash my spirit. You did not believe in me. To Mr Lee, my school form teacher. I thank you for assisting me to launch into the workforce with an inspirational reference that read. “This note confirms that I was Peter Brewer’s Maths Teacher”. Signed. Bernie Lee.
Bernie, I am forever thankful for the determination to succeed that your spiritless action instilled in me.
Happier times were ahead.
I recall the excitement of my first pay cheque at Waltons department store in Fortitude Valley. $38.88 per week could buy you an Advertising Cadet in those days. And even better, $38.88 could buy an Advertising Cadet quite a bit of fun!
Peter was quite the 'Ladies Man' at 16. Little has changed 
I am forever grateful for the opportunity of working at Waltons.
They were wonderful people and gave me a great opportunity that I believe instilled a great work ethic and a passion for marketing and sales. They taught me the value of a client and the importance of detail.
I also found the importance of getting into a routine. Every morning I was summonsed to go to the Walton’s Cafeteria to get a toasted Vegemite roll, a cup of Bonox, and 2 bex powders for my Boss who apparently had a pretty interesting night life.
On the other side of the equation can you imagine the delight of a 16 year old testosterone charged male when I found out that my Walton’s Boss’s was also dating the stunning Delvene Delaney. I was very happy to get his morning breakfast orders in exchange for the ‘education’ he provided me
Food Glorious Food
For reasons I’ll possibly never understand I developed a career path into the food industry. The evidence of my slightly larger than life frame suggests that it was a career that I clearly enjoyed. My thanks to Dandy Hams, Golden Cockerel Chicken’s and my own adventure Pete’s Seafoods. It was a blast and I wouldn’t swap those years for anything in the world.
Dandy Hams, Golden Cockerel Chickens & Pete's Seafoods
The Hustler hit the tables.
They say a good snooker or billiards player is a sign of a misspent youth. Well the 5 years I was fortunate enough to spend playing competitive billiards and snooker across the state was the most fun you can have with your pants on. Seriously, I met some amazing people and they gave me the some of the ‘street smarts’ that I believe cant be taught in any education system.
A misspent youth
Mr Lee from Wynnum High, I wish I’d had the opportunity to spend some time with you in my early 20′s. I’m sure I could have taught you some life values and introduced you to some good quality people that may have helped with your atrocious attitude to learning and life. I was fortunate enough to rise above your venom. I fear for the children who did not.
A Real Estate Career Beckoned.
A series of introductions and with the lure of possibly becoming a hippy living on a Bay Island selling the occasional block of land to fund my rather relaxed and alcohol infused existence at Age 22
stick with me here folks… I need to run the next few paragraphs via the legal department before I can publish them.. “:)) Stay Tuned for more in coming weeks…
