Dibben Peter Charles
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1952 |
| Place of birth | Rose Park Adelaide |
| Date of death | 2021 |
| Place of death | Kangaroo Island |
Peter Charles Dibben (1952–2021) Peter Charles Dibben was born at the Queen Victoria Hospital, Rose Park, on 1 October 1952 to Melvie Margaret (née Aldrick) and William Frederick Charles Dibben.
A little-known fact is that Peter was a twin. His twin brother, David Andrew Dibben, sadly passed away on 8 May 1961 due to complications associated with cerebral palsy. David was dearly loved by his family, which was certainly a large one. Peter and David were among 13 children born to Melvie and William. William had also been married previously and had another eight children, making a remarkable total of 21 siblings.
Peter's parents were originally from Gosford, New South Wales. The family first settled in Clearview, where the children were raised before moving to Gawler around 1963. They lived in Finniss Street, and Peter attended Gawler Primary School before, like many Gawler boys of the era, continuing his education at Elizabeth Boys Technical School. Family was always at the centre of Peter's life.
The Dibbens owned a shack at Blanchetown, and Peter loved nothing more than spending time there. Swimming, water skiing, fishing, sitting around bonfires and simply enjoying time with family created many treasured memories. Later, when his daughters Rebecca and Kelly were born, he took great pleasure in sharing his love of the river with them. Peter worked in a variety of jobs before finding his calling with the South Australian Railways in approximately 1971, where he worked between Adelaide and Gawler. The railways became a significant part of his life and career.
Outside work, Peter developed a passion for karate. Around the age of 19 he joined the Wado Kai Karate Club in Elizabeth, where he quickly earned the respect of fellow members while training for his black belt. In 1973, senior members of the club travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Karate Championships. The Wado Kai competitors were renowned for their aggressive fighting style, with several members disqualified early in the competition. Peter recognised the need for restraint, adjusted his approach, and ultimately became the only Wado Kai competitor to reach the finals. His impressive performance saw him finish as runner-up in the Australian Karate Free Fighting Championships. Peter later became a Wado Kai instructor, teaching classes in the hall above the old Super Elliott's store in Gawler, where many local young people learned the sport under his guidance.
In 1976, Peter married Robyn Wheeler. They began married life in one of the railway houses in Elaine Street, where their first daughter, Rebecca, was born. The close-knit "Railway Family" played an important role in their lives, with regular social gatherings and the much-anticipated annual Christmas party at the Family Hotel, affectionately known as the "Railway Pub."
The family later moved into a Housing Trust home in Gum Crescent. Although money was often tight, they fondly remembered feeling "rich" in their new home. Entertainment was simple but meaningful, with Friday night card games shared among family and close friends. Easter was traditionally spent at Lake Bonney, where many families gathered for water skiing, swimming and camping. Peter taught both Rebecca and Kelly to ski there, creating memories they still treasure.
Kelly was born while the family lived in Gum Crescent. During school holidays, both girls often accompanied their father to work, travelling on the trains with him. Peter was a familiar sight around Gawler, riding his pushbike to work before dawn for his 4 a.m. shifts. One Christmas Day, while Peter was rostered to work in the old railway signal tower, the family decided to celebrate Christmas lunch there with him a unique occasion that became one of their most treasured family memories.
Never one to keep still, Peter also worked as groundsman at the Gawler Swimming Pool.
Photography became another lifelong passion. While living in Gum Crescent, Peter bought his first camera. When someone offered him $5 to photograph their daughter's wedding, he was delighted—not because of the money, but because he had been paid to do something he genuinely loved. From that small beginning, his photography business flourished. Rarely seen without a camera around his neck, Peter was entirely self-taught. Over many years he photographed countless weddings, family celebrations and community events throughout Gawler. He also became one of The Bunyip newspaper photographers, capturing local people and events.
Many locals fondly remember Peter's mischievous sense of humour, particularly when the newspaper occasionally published deliberately incorrect names or ages beneath photographs. Peter found these practical jokes hilarious, although not everyone shared his amusement! ( including Editor John Barnet) In the early 1980s, the family moved to Evanston, and in 1994 moved to Burrows Street, Willaston. By then Peter had retired from the railways and was working full-time in Family Day Care, while continuing his photography on weekends.
During this period Peter became an active member of the Rotary Club of Gawler. One of his proudest achievements was helping establish the first Tractor Pull event, which attracted thousands of visitors and raised significant funds for the club. Peter also served as Master of Ceremonies, delighting audiences with speeches packed full of jokes collected from his ever-growing collection of joke books.
Peter was also one of the founding members of the Bung Fritz Appreciation Society, established in 2006. The society attracted many well-known Gawler identities and continues today, maintaining its famously secretive membership and unique sense of humour.
References
Memories of Dibben Peter Charles
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