It would be hard to find a greater ambassador and staunch supporter of Lakes Entrance community and its marine history than Barrie Peel, who passed away on November 23 last year.
Born in Melbourne on July 31, 1941, Barrie moved to Lakes Entrance when he was seven years old and attended Lakes Entrance Primary School, Bairnsdale High School, completing his senior years at Carey Grammar.
Recognised for his family business Peels Cruises which has been in operation for more than 100 years, many locals and tourists will remember Barrie at the helm of their many boats spruiking all the natural beauty of our region.
The story of Peels goes back to the days before World War I. Charles and Harold Peel had a boat-building business in the West Melbourne canals and among many projects designed and built the first Jubilee yachts for the Royal Melbourne Yacht Club. They also built the punts that run through the Tunnel of Love at Luna Park.
The partnership between Charles and Harold ended when Harold joined the Third Pioneer Battalion, AIF.
On his return from the war, Harold started a business in boat operating in 1919, moving from Melbourne to Lakes Entrance where he started hiring out skiffs and selling bait to amateur fishermen. Harold’s first excursion boat was called the Devon, then Lallahbrook and in 1928 Harold designed and built the first of the bird boats, the Blackbird. Every boat since has had a bird in its name and it is a tradition that Barrie upheld.
In 1936 Harold’s son and Barrie’s father, George, began his own operations hiring out small boats and in 1939 Harold passed away. After serving in the RAAF, George became a partner with his mother until she sold her share to her son-in-law, Jack Mitchelson. Jack left the partnership in 1959 and George operated as the sole owner until 1961 when his wife, Marie, took an interest. Their son, Wayne, later joined the firm and it was renamed Peel’s Tourist and Ferry Service. The Bluebird was built, then the Lennabird was purchased in 1966.
Barrie had wanted to stay in Lakes Entrance and be involved in boats but was advised by his father to go and apply for a job at the bank. He was walking past a National Bank sign on a Melbourne street and thought, “Dad banks with them, maybe I can get a job there”. So began his 30-year career with the National Bank.
In 1964, while working at the Leongatha branch, Barrie met Cheryl and they married in 1968. Their married life began in Euroa where Amanda was born, followed by Hastings where Craig was born, Leongatha where Kate was born, and then onto Mildura. Barrie got his first managerial position at Dookie and James was born.
After 26 years’ service, and many moves, Barrie resigned from his position as manager of the NAB bank in Sorrento and came home.
Unfortunately his mother, Marie, passed away not long after his return and Barrie and Wayne worked together for several years before he bought his brother’s share of the business.
At the time of their 100-year birthday on December 14, 2020, celebration which was tempered by the pandemic, Barrie said, “A lot has changed over the past 33 years and I am sure George would love to see what we are up to these days”.
“We are really proud of our history and with my son James looking after the business, it is in very good hands. We belong to a great town and a great community,” he said.
While Barrie had ill health he still did the books and helped Amanda in reception.
Just as Barrie described his father as his inspiration, Barrie’s children now see him in the same vein.
“Dad was as an excellent teacher and was largely instrumental in any knowledge I have acquired,” Barrie said.
Barrie was granted his boatman’s licence at the minimum legal age and passed his examinations largely as a result of father’s sound advice as to what the questions would be.
“Dad is the real hero of this business, we have made it to 100 because of him, the business prospered under his management,” James said in 2021.
Barrie always acknowledged the loyalty of Roger Mallen, who has served Peel’s Cruises since leaving school more than 40 years ago.
The love of Barrie’s life was his family, his devoted wife, Cheryl, and his children Amanda, Craig, Kate and James, along with their partners and his beloved grandchildren Millicent, George, Scarlett, Olympia, William, Archer and Oscar.
Barrie was a lover of animals, especially the family dogs, horse racing, reading and sports, having played tennis, golf, football, squash, badminton, table tennis, and he was also a surf lifesaver, joining the first lifesaving group in Lakes Entrance in 1956.
He was also a keen lawn bowler, competing overseas on several occasions, including Fiji, America, China and New Zealand, as well as being a president of Metung Bowls Club.
Barry was a dedicated Rotarian and a member in each town he lived, culminating in him receiving one of the highest honours, a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was committed to fundraising, particularly the Big Boys BBQ raising money for Prostate Cancer, after being successfully treated for this in his 60s.
Barry was a keen Hawthorn Football Club supporter and was delighted to meet Dermott Brereton, who was a guest speaker at last year’s Big Boys BBQ. The enormous smile on Barrie’s face while chatting with Dermie is a memory his family will always cherish.
Barry was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer in 2010 and received treatment on Level 7 at St Vincent’s Private. Such was his personality that when he walked in, he knew everyone and everyone knew him. Cheryl recently said that everyone at St Vincent’s Private knew everything about Lakes Entrance.
Barrie still led an active life for the next 14 years after his diagnosis with several overseas trips.
Because there were no real celebrations for the centenary of the business, James organised a sentimental journey to take a trip in Barrie’s favourite boat, the Blackbird, which now has a run along the Maribyrnong River. It was a fitting way to celebrate 100 years with all the family gathering for the trip. He was the pleased to see the original plaque stating the boat was built by Harold Peel was still on the boat.
When interviewed by Lakes Post in 2020 for Peel’s 100th anniversary of boating Barrie said, “I just hope I have done my bit for the town of Lakes Entrance”.
