Vale Peter Sutherland

An icon of FPA Australia, and a considerable contributor to its foundation, recently passed away.

PAUL WATERHOUSE

FPA Australia

We are sad to report the loss of another stalwart of the fire protection industry.

FPA Australia honorary life member, Peter Sutherland, passed away on 25 March 2022, and is greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

His 40-year career in fire protection—mostly at Chubb Australia— inspired a passion to make the community safer from fire and led to his active participation in industry associations, which resulted in his election as Vice President of the Fire Protection Industry Association “very likeable and pleasant” and had “a firm, steel-like management side”. With a “gorgeous grin that calmed the roughest water”, Mr Sutherland was reportedly always happy to share his knowledge, skills and experience.

Mr Sutherland resigned from the FPA Australia Board in 2005 but maintained a keen interest in FPA Australia activities up until his passing. He retired to a property in Alexandra, Victoria, where he spent his time dealing with the challenges of chasing down cattle that had broken fences or wandered out through open gates.

On 11 May 2022, approximately 50 family members, colleagues and friends came together to celebrate Mr Sutherland’s life and to remember him. His passing is a great loss.

FPA Australia offers its condolences to Mr Sutherland’s wife Paulette, his daughter Emma and his son-in-law Michael, and to all of his friends, family and former colleagues.

of Australia (FPIAA) in 1986 and as President in 1988.

Mr Sutherland was instrumental in the merger of FPIAA and the Australian Fire Protection Association (AFPA) to create FPA Australia in the late 1990s, and subsequently held the positions of Director, Junior Vice President and Chair of various board committees for seven years.

Always calm and with a smile on his face, Mr Sutherland was a long-term considered contributor to a better fire protection industry. He was recognised for his contributions in 1999 when he was elected to an honorary life membership.

He was described by his peers as a quiet achiever who only talked when needed but, when he spoke, people listened. He played a vital role in smoothing over troubled waters through the amalgamation.

As one colleague observed, “He was always well dressed and well spoken.”

Another commented that he was

Peter Sutherland