Quedjinup resident Peter Knight was one of the three Dunsborough residents honoured on the Queen’s Birthday.
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Peter was awarded as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community, in particular his support to the homeless, and for his career in engineering.
“It’s very humbling and quite exciting,” Peter said of the honour.
“I think that work for the homeless needs exposure, and that’s really what this is about – for the people who achieved that. I just happen to be one of them.”
Peter was the managing director and CEO of Clough Ltd for nearly ten years, and served on the board until 2003, as well as being a member of other engineering and technology councils.
He has also served on the board of charity and community foundations, including 15 years as director at St Bartholomew’s House, an organisation focused on reducing homelessness.
Peter was also the chairman of the St Bartholomew’s House building committee in 2006-2007, a project responsible for providing support and accommodation for 148 people who were homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
Recipients of awards for the Order of Australia are nominated by the community, and while most people have an inkling about who nominated them, Peter has no idea who put his name in the mix.
“It’s completely out of the blue,” he said.
Surprised and honoured by the award, Peter is committed to future projects through St Bartholomew’s House.
“It’s very important work,” he said.
“The homeless are at the bottom of the barrel, and it’s not a glamorous thing to support, but it’s a very rewarding thing to do.
“A lot of people give a tremendous amount of help to this cause.
“But there’s a hell of a lot more to do.”
Still giving support to St Bartholomew’s House, Peter is working on a project to help build another 70-100 units for homeless people in East Perth.
“It’s very rewarding to give voluntary service. I think you get as much out of it as the people who receive it,” he said.
“If you see somebody turn their life around, it’s a real thrill.
“And if you’ve helped them in even a little way, it’s very rewarding.”
