National and Community Recognition
Bob Peet OAM
On the 19th of January 2026 I celebrated my 86th birthday. A week later, on Australia Day I was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, the OAM, for services to the Performing Arts.
That award represents the cream on my cake, as I had decided to finally retire after working 70 years in the performing arts industry in one form or another. I created my last set for Adelaide Rep last November. In South Australia, like most places, when a community theatre group asks you to design a set for them that really means design, build and install. At my age the actual design part is easy, but the build is now beyond me.
That means that I now have time to finish my memoir, a work in progress for about six years on and off; it also means I can share stories of my life in this wonderful industry, both at a professional level, and combined with my other great love, community theatre. Receiving the OAM means a great deal to me and I feel honoured that a group of people have taken the trouble to nominate and recommend me for this award. Yes, I am honoured, feel humble and excited at the same time if that is possible.
For those who do not know me well I can advise that my life in this industry has been far from dull, taking to the stage in Showboat at 18, joining the famous Tintookie Puppet company at 19, and working on and off as a puppeteer for 10 years, touring Australia and overseas. Then on to venue management, opening and managing 6 regional venues for the arts over 25 years, then opening the Lyric Theatre at the Star Casino in Sydney. After 2 years there, I ran away with the circus for the Big Top production of CATS in a 2000 seat tent, followed by Grease then Shout! A 4 week stint at Riverside Theatres turned into 4 years, when I so called retired at the age of 67.
Then I spent many years running the workshop for Miranda Musical Society as it was then. Throughout my entire working life, I have had an active role in community theatre, directing and designing over 55 shows and now, even though I came to the Adelaide Hills to retire I still created sets for about 11 shows. Now, in my so-called retirement I produce concerts for seniors at the Capri Theatre in Adelaide, 6 a year, and 14 to date. As I said before, the OAM is the cream on my cake, a lovely topping to a career that I love. Of course, there are many people who are worthy of receiving this award, and I hope that they too will be recognised in this touching manner.
Bob Peet OAM
