Oral History - Peter Delfs

Peter was educated at the government school and then Marist Brothers Convent in Northam. On leaving school, he attended Claremont Teachers College and after graduation in 1972 was posted to Tom Price Primary School, where he taught for three years. After marriage to his wife Cherry in 1977 the family moved to Kunnunurra, Wickham and eventually Margaret River.
In 1986 they moved to a 35-acre block off Cowaramup Bay Road, which they had purchased several years earlier. Here, they built a tin shed, lived in it and added extra rooms as the family expanded. They also planted a small vineyard but later sold it when they realised it wasn’t going to be viable. In 1998, they sold it and moved closer to the coast near Gracetown.
Peter talks about his community involvement with the local fire brigade and tennis club. He also mentions fishing in the local area and how it has changed with more people fishing, bigger boats, size of catch, species of fish caught, fishing regulations and closed seasons.
After five decades of teaching, Peter retired. He describes how the role of the teacher has changed and how children are still as inquisitive and keen to learn but their attention span has diminished.
He has written a book, 'Katinka', based on Hamelin Bay history. In July 1900 his Great Grandfather, Captain John Delfs, and others rescued eight men stranded on the sunken ship the 'Katinka'.
Peter relates how the Margaret River district has changed immensely since he moved to the area.

For a copy of the full transcript, please contact us at oralhistory@busseltonhistoricalsociety.org.au