James Norman East Peek

From the Nepean Times 15 May 1953

Mr James Norman Peek died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 81 on 15 May 1953. He had been about town as usual on the day before and died in his sleep.

Splendid townsman, keen educationalist, respected by everybody, he played his part in the affairs of the community. Mr Peek was born in West Maitland the son of Mr and Mrs James Peek. At about the age of 16 he entered the service of the Department of Education as a pupil teacher eventually rising to status of headmaster. The first town in which he was appointed as headmaster was Coonabarabran and thereafter he served as headmaster at West Tamworth, Mudgee, Penrith, Albion Street in Paddington, Petersham, Tighes Hill, the Junction in Newcastle and at Homebush from where he retired in 1934.

About that time he took over duties as secretary manager of the Wollongong golf club a position in which he continued for 12 years. He resided in Penrith until 1939 after which he moved to Sydney, returning to Penrith about eight years before his death not long after he retired from the golf club position.

He was a member of the board of Nepean district hospital.

He was married at Coogee to Kate Ethel Doughty the daughter of Mr and Mrs William West doughty. She died two years ago.

He was one of a large family, other members including Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Oliver, Mrs Williams, Mrs Abbott and was a brother of Bert Peek

Mr Peek was closely associated with various community affairs in Penrith. For several years he was Alderman of the town and was an active original member of the Penrith golf club whose links were on the Glebe land near Lemongrove near the hospital. He was an executive and player of the Thornton Hall golf club and was a good sportsman generally.

He was a cricketer of considerable ability and continued at the game with success until an age at which many players would have retired.He was an official and umpire of the district Nepean district cricket Association after he retired from playing

Mr Peek was very musical at one time was choir master of Saint Stephens choir, Penrith. He had great success with Junior Red Cross choir and with the Tighes Hill school choir won a schools state championship.

He was a foundation member of the Lodge Warragamba Penrith of which he became Worshipful Master in 1925

Mr Peek was greatly interested in the work of the Red Cross.