Australia Day Recognition for the Very Reverend Peter George Williams AM

The Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ were delighted to hear that the Very Reverend Peter George Williams (’70), Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia at the Diocese of Paramatta, was recently recognized in the Australia Day 2022 Honours List.

Father Peter was made a member of the Order of Australia ‘for the significant service to the Catholic Church in Australia, and to tertiary education.’ He was one of 1,040 Australians whose achievements spanned community service, science, research, sport, the arts and other categories.

Father Peter attended Ivanhoe Grammar School from 1964-1970. He then undertook extensive tertiary and theological studies across a number of tertiary institutions over the course of his adult life. This included a BA (Medieval Studies and Philosophy, ANU, 1975), a BTheol (Australian College of Theology, 1979), a BEd (La Trobe University, 1990), a Master of Theology (University of Sydney, 1955) and MA (Liturgical Studies, Catholic University of America 1997). In 2014 he was awarded the Doctor of the University from ACU.

In his response to Principal Gerald Foley acknowledging the congratulations of the School on his award, Father Peter stated that he owed so much to Ivanhoe Grammar School in his educational formation, and he still retains many happy memories of his days at the Ridgeway Campus. He also added that he doubts that he would recognise the School in its current physical configuration.

Father Peter has also accepted the invitation to join the School’s Gallery of Achievement. In doing so, he will join his brother Ronald Williams (’65) who is also a recipient of the Order of Australia as well as being a member of the Gallery. Ron, a QC, has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in public, administrative and common law fields.

The Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ would like to congratulate the Very Reverend Peter Williams on all of his achievements.