Melb PC Personality Profile

Quite unintentionally, I interviewed Peter on his birthday. MHROTD Peter!

Anyone who has been a member for more than a couple years will know Peter Smith as a past-President of Melb PC, however recent members are likely to be unaware of the immense contribution he has made and still makes to the Club both as Managing Editor of PC Update and on the Committee.

Born in Melbourne of New Zealand parents ("NZ escapees," he calls them), Peter did most of his schooling here. He attended Scotch College and then went on to Melbourne Uni where he completed a B.Sc, majoring in Physics (and minoring in Pure Maths) which he achieved with Honours. His already-established love of computing took him into his first job as a "Programmer-in-Training" at the then PMG, in 1964.

Growing with the computing industry, he held several positions prior to forming his own company, Kedosa Pty Ltd, in 1975, through which he has done most of his subsequent work as a consultant, including tasks such as his work with Composite Buyers Ltd, where he was responsible for implementing computer systems in cash-and-carry stores, including the first Australian commercial use of APN barcoding.

In 1985, he was introduced to Stefan Mandel (who later became known as "The Lotto King") and rewrote his programs, achieving a 100,000-fold increase in speed. He started the development of other Lotto systems, in which he continues to be involved. These included the well-publicised 1992 syndicate win of the A$38 million Virginia Lottery.

Married for nearly 30 years, Peter and his wife, Jennifer, live on a 10-acre property in the back blocks of Warranwood. Winding up the appropriate "dirt" road, almost to the end, you reach their house perched overlooking gracious trees and pasture. Until very recently all three of their children lived at home, which is not surprising considering the relaxing environment. Recently Keith, their oldest at 27, accepted a Computer Analyst position for at least a year in Queensland. He has a B.Sc (Hons) in Computing Science from Monash Uni where their second son, Doug (25) also gained a B.Sc in Geology ('though he's currently working as a computer operator in Quality Control). Their daughter, Sarah, is 21 and a 3rd Year B.Ed (Phys.Ed) student at Deakin Uni. All three attended Huntingtower School, in Mt Waverley.

Peter and Jennifer met when they were in Year 12 and continued on to Uni together, both doing Physics. She went on to work for Dulux researching computer colour matching systems then returned to do her Dip.Ed (over six years while the children were young) and currently does some emergency teaching. The family is very involved in equestrian activities, not only as participants (they still have four horses) but also in organising events and active committee work. Jennifer is an accomplished horsewoman participating in dressage and jumping events (Peter admits he's happy just trail-riding). Meanwhile, she also enjoys gardening and maintains a healthy vegie patch, minded by their two cats - to minimise the rabbit feasts.

Along with PC Update, Peter has been involved in writing and publishing zone newsletters for the Pony Club - 16-20 pages for about nine issues p.a. - and is currently republishing old Pony Club notes, dating back up to 30 years. He also financed and started publication of a state-wide newspaper for the 10,000 Victorian members of the movement.

Peter joined Melb PC in September 1985 having seen PC Update. Five years ago he joined the committee and was elected President in August 1992. At the same time he had been sub-editing the magazine. When he became Managing Editor of PC Update in mid-93 he withdrew from the Presidency to the committee and Charles Wright was appointed President. During the past year, Peter has been Assistant Secretary and became Secretary & Public Officer on Geoff Lewis's retirement recently.

A quiet, personable man, one could easily miss Peter in a crowd. Yet, without his input into PC Update over the past five years, it would not be the Award winning magazine it is today. Our Magazine, which has 64-96 pages, 11 issues a year with a monthly circulation over 11,000 is no mean task. As Managing Editor and previously as Editor, Peter has been a major contributor in bringing PC Update from 48 monochrome pages to a colour publication (at the same time reducing its unit cost), distributed not only to members but through newsagents. We are indeed fortunate that someone of his calibre and expertise chooses to volunteer about 80 hours a month to our organisation.

Unfortunately, as Peter expands his business into Desktop Publishing along with writing for The Age and maintaining his current client base, he will have to reduce his voluntary work for Melb PC. However, his interest in the Group will not diminish and he looks forward to the Club keeping up its current growth pattern and extending it. He hopes more women will become involved and that we continue to improve our professional image.

Peter Smith, we all thank you and your family for the time and effort you have contributed over the years and wish you well in your new endeavours. I'm sure you will continue to participate and help Melb PC as much as time and energy will allow - some people are just made that way.

Reprinted from the November 1994 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia