Helen Macpherson Smith Trust

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Vale Peter Wetherall

We mourn the loss of our colleague.

It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of our former colleague and friend, Peter Wetherall, who passed away on 11 September from cancer. Peter was our Investment Executive from 2013 until February 2018 and was a greatly respected and loved colleague whose contributions extended way beyond his astute stewardship of the Trust’s investments. Peter was instrumental in aligning the Trust’s investment policy with our vision for a strong, just and sustainable Victoria, and was pleased to secure the Trust’s first impact investment in 2017.  Peter was always excited to meet our grantees, to participate in grantee presentations and to join in on site visits. His questions were always thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Peter was a true Renaissance man. He was a Rhodes Scholar, a brilliant writer, a polymath, and a talented craftsman. He treasured the high country and his horses, he was an avid rower and cyclist, and a true connoisseur. He adored his children and cherished his precious time with his loved ones. We will all miss his intellect, talent, compassion and humour.

Peter joined the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust in 2013 after a 32-year career in stockbroking and funds management. Starting with Hoare Govett in London in 1980, Peter spent the bulk of his stockbroking career with Australian firm McIntosh Securities in both London and Melbourne. Peter was managing director of Wallara Asset Management, the boutique funds management firm he founded in 1995. He was a director of the listed investment company, Australian United Investment Co., and the charity Royal District Nursing Service (now known as Bolton Clarke).  He was also a councillor of Graduate House at the University of Melbourne and a member of the investment committees of the Geelong Grammar Foundation and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Peter’s legacy and commitment to a civil society will continue through his children, Harry, Victoria and Olivia, proud trustees of the newly established Wetherall Family Foundation.