Peter completed a degree in Applied Science at RMIT in 1975 whilst working in the laboratory of FCV, and then went on to complete a PhD in soil science and plant nutrition on the subject of nitrogen fixation by legumes at the University of Melbourne in 1982. He returned to the Research Branch of FCV to work with David Flinn on soils and tree nutrition of plantations and native forests for the next 20 years, before taking the golden handshake in 2004. Too young to retire he started the next phase of his career as a consultant continuing with his work on soils and nutrition of radiata pine plantations for Hancock Victorian Plantations and other forestry companies. He has always enjoyed the challenges of forest science and his greatest reward is seeing the adoption of new knowledge in forest management.