Personal Background

I was born in Semaphore, South Australia to Dorothy & John Hunter, who were both heavily involved in community activities – such as the Methodist Church, local traders associations and the Port Adelaide Historical Society.

We lived in Birkenhead, near Adelaide Ship Construction Works & particularly enjoyed Basketball, Sea Scouts (attended 2 Jamborees) and water activities. I attended the LeFevre Primary School and then Taperoo High School.

During my later teenage years, with friends, I began my long association with motor cycles & over the following 40 years have enjoyed both on & off road ventures.

Professionally, I started at the Torrens College of Advanced Education in 1974 & commenced teaching at Direk Primary School in 1977. Sue Robertson & I knew each other earlier than this, but we linked up more closely in 1977, married in 1979 and have a very happy life together. We are immensely proud of our children & grandchildren.

My first country posting was at Riverton & while here I was appointed to acting principal positions in Mt Brian, Mintaro and Clare Primary Schools; Then my first permanent principal position - at Poonindie Primary School in 1990.

Near the end of my 5 year tenure we applied for & won Renmark North Primary School this was a seven year position & moved (including selling our house) with two weeks’ notice.….Thank you Sue!!

Naomi, Wayne & I started at Renmark North Primary School in January of 1996. While at Renmark North (16 years and three tenure positions), I took on leadership roles in each year - within the Renmark Hub, in the broader Riverland District as well as supporting & presenting to a variety of state groups.

In addition to this I lead our Public / Country Education promotions group which coordinated over 45 school / preschool sites to major displays & interactive presentations at Riverland Field days (10 sites each year), as well as state presentations at the Flinders Street Headquarters.

I retired in 2012 and have since been involved with the Renmark Paringa Council for 10 years (Deputy Mayor for 8 years) and I currently chair the Renmark Independent Living Group, with 102 units in our area - along with the Renmark Op Shop as a part of our operations.

Currently, we enjoy time on the river with our small cruiser and canoes. We enjoy off road runs with friends & family & have recently returned from our Western Australia run of over 12 000km, which apart from a tyre, starter motor & a few chips to the windscreen went incredibly well. I particularly enjoyed returning to the Kimberley Region.

I am a committee member of the Riverland Cruising Boat Club & we both enjoy the cruises, camping & friendships. I am also the coordinator of the Friends of Riverland Parks - Paringa Paddocks Group & particularly enjoy the work in the Paringa Paddocks.

I also am an active member of the RIT / RPC Wetlands Committee, which has made massive inroads to reinvigorating our neglected floodplain areas.

In addition to these roles, we both enjoy being with our children & grandchildren very much!