Peter Lawrence has a loving, almost lifelong bond and powerful family connection with the iconic
Overland Track, and is perfectly suited as volunteer caretaker at Waterfall Valley, the first hut along track.
In International Volunteer Year (IVY26), Peter is an inspiration.
Peter and his family have a long and ongoing history with the area. Now in his 80s, Peter first walked the whole Overland Track with his father in January 1956. The pair travelled from Cynthia Bay to Waldheim via Cuvier Valley, staying at Narcissus, Du Cane, Pelion, Windermere, and Waldheim, including climbing Mount Ossa.
Peter and Walter
In April this year, Peter marked the 70-year anniversary of this walk by tackling the track once again with his three children and granddaughter. The trip took eight days, walking from Waldheim to Cynthia Bay, climbing Cradle Mountain, with an extra day at Pelion to climb Mount Oakleigh, before summiting Mount Ossa in glorious weather, and encountering snow on the last day along the Lake track.
In between these adventures, there were many more trips, including with his father and younger siblings, and helping his mother on her first multi-day walk. He also ventured out on rock-climbing trips with university mountain club members, completed a 10-day adventure with his wife summiting many mountains, and numerous ventures with his children and grandchildren.
And to add to the family connection, his nephew Rob Lawrence is the Overland Track Ranger-In-Charge.
Peter and Rob Lawrence
Peter's role at Waterfall Valley, besides some cleaning and helping the rangers, is mainly to advise, support and be sociable with the walkers. He has his own small bunk room in the hut but eats with the walkers.
“Sometimes walkers on their first multi-day hike need help with their gear, and occasionally I offer physical and emotional support to those who are injured and have to abandon their trip, which is an incredible disappointment for them," Peter said.
“I'm not particularly outgoing, but I like relating with interesting individuals. I talk to walkers, especially those from overseas or the tropics and not familiar with Tasmania's weather, offering advice on the track and the changing weather which determines when and where to climb peaks or take a quick swim.
“Other times we walkers philosophise about the big global issues - sustainable environment and social scenarios for future generations. Homo sapiens are just one species in the biosphere."
Peter and Jo in March 2005