Alumni Profile - Wolter Peeters

Wolter Peeters

Graduating Year: 1992

Profession: Photojournalist, Sydney Morning Herald

The Peeters family have been associated with St Paul’s from its very beginnings. Their expertise and support were crucial to the establishment of the school’s native tree planting programme and the beautiful gardens which students, staff and the wider St Paul’s community still admire and draw inspiration from today.

St Paul’s alumni, Wolter Peeters, is an acclaimed photojournalist, currently working with the Sydney Morning Herald and recently returned to St Paul’s to undertake a series of promotional photoshoots for the school.

Rowing competitors from around the world gather at Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith to compete. Rowers on the practice lake during their early morning warm up session before competition commences for the day.

Wolter Peeters, 21st March 2013

What is your family’s history with St Paul’s?

My family’s history with St Paul’s goes way back to when the school was in its infancy. My older sisters, Esther and Anita, were part of the foundation class which met in a factory unit in Jamisontown and we were heavily involved with the early development of the school. I recall many weekends were spent laying the turf on the oval and working alongside the Barratt family making the mud bricks for the Secondary School Library. Most of the native plants that continue to grow so beautifully around the school grounds were donated through my parents’ native plant nursery in Cranebrook. My wife, Naree (nee Anderson), is also a St Paul’s alumni and was School Captain in 1997/1998.

What was your favourite subject at school? Why?

The subjects I enjoyed the most at school tended to be the more practical ones. I particularly enjoyed doing Industrial Arts and Engineering Science with Mr Neil Marshall as our teacher. I still recall him telling us our drawing pencils had to be ‘sharp enough to pierce cold porridge!’ He definitely had a way of bringing out the best in us.

Who inspired you growing up?

My older brother, Otto, was my best mate growing up. With three older sisters, we were as thick as thieves! Otto’s determination throughout the years was encouraging to me. This determination led to him training to become a pilot, eventually working as a pilot for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Describe your typical working week.

There is no such thing as a typical week in my role at the Sydney Morning Herald - each day is different from the next. You need to be prepared to drop everything you are doing at a moment’s notice to cover the urgent breaking news of the day.

For example, I was asked at very short notice to cover the arrival of US President Barack Obama when he visited Sydney in 2018. After several hours of security checks and waiting at the airport, I only had a few minutes to document him disembarking from his aircraft. Select media were then hustled into a van which became part of the presidential cavalcade that trailed him to his next destination.

I have had the privilege of documenting many major news events such as this, including asylum seekers arriving on Christmas Island; flood, drought and bushfire seasons; royal visits; and the rise and fall of Prime Ministers and Premiers. My career has also given me the opportunity to enjoy some great experiences, like flying in formation as a passenger with the RAAF Roulettes, upside down, over Sydney Harbour! I have had the chance to meet and photograph a range of famous people, including Hugo Weaving, Brad Pitt, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Bryan Brown and some amazingly courageous people like those in the NSW Rural Fire Service. As a photojournalist, you never know what job you will be sent to from one day to the next and that is a large part of why I love my work.

Firefighters undertake property protection as a bushfire impacts property in Mangrove Mountain. 5th December 2019

Wolter Peeters, 5th December 2019

How did school help consolidate your career path?

St Paul’s gave me a great Christian education, an outward looking worldview and a solid work ethic that has stayed with me. I really enjoyed the Visual Arts programme at school, so I think that informed my passion for photography.

Roulettes flight over Sydney to commemorate the centenary of the first flight of an Australian military aircraft on March 1, 1914.

Wolter Peeters, 26th February 2014

Where do you see yourself headed in the future?

The print media sector has been in a state of decline over the last few years as media continues to move towards online multimedia models. The recent merging of the Sydney Morning Herald with Channel 9 has highlighted the increasing potential for videography as a news media platform, which is part of the sector that I would like to explore further in the near future.

What challenges have you encountered? How did you overcome them?

I think people photograph best when they feel at ease. One of the challenges that I have day-to-day is making people feel comfortable enough with me to relax in front of the camera in a short amount of time, so that I can present them in the best possible light. This can be difficult when I may have only met them ten minutes prior to the photo shoot.

I have had to learn to build rapport quickly and engage easily with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. Often this involves throwing any preconceptions I have out the window, sitting with them and listening to their story. I have learnt to be a good listener in order to better understand people and portray them authentically in a short amount of time.

Have you travelled since leaving St Paul’s? If so - where, and how has this influenced you as a person?

I have travelled overseas, both for my work with the Sydney Morning Herald and as a freelance photographer. My work has led me to places like Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Finland and London. With my family, I have travelled to the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, Portugal, The United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.

I have also travelled extensively within Australia for my work, including visits to Uluru in the Northern Territory; Christmas Island; Lord Howe Island; and to remote, exclusively indigenous communities. In many ways, experiencing these places has brought perspective to my life and broadened my worldview. I have witnessed, in many communities, both overseas and locally, people who are content with very few material possessions. Seeing how little people actually need to live a contented, happy life has made me realise how incredibly privileged many of us are in Australia and how we often take it for granted. Travelling has provided me with perspective on the problems I face and an understanding that more ‘stuff’ does not necessarily mean more happiness.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at St Paul’s?

I have lots of great memories of my time at St Paul’s and it is hard to pick just one. I have strong memories of going on camp and witnessing the teachers’ faith in Jesus being put into action; in the way they dealt with situations and through the guidance and counsel they provided to students.

After finishing school, I came back to St Paul’s to work on the grounds team. Being part of morning devotions with the school’s staff was a memorable experience.

What is one piece of advice for current St Paul’s students?

Pursue the subjects you have an interest in and are passionate about. The things you are passionate about now may help identify your future career path.

What was it like returning to St Paul’s to undertake photographic work for the school?

I was truly humbled to be involved. Over the course of three days I captured a series of images depicting the range of opportunities that St Paul’s offers, for the school’s promotional use. It was amazing to see how much the school has changed and grown since I left. Taking photos of great new additions like the incredible Performing Arts spaces, The Centre, the enhanced Pre-Kindergarten facilities and the new Saint’s Café was rewarding.

While the campus grounds and buildings have been updated over the years, it was reassuring to see how the character of the school has remained unchanged and familiar.

Are there any industry accolades you are particularly proud of?

The award I am most humbled to have achieved is the national Nikon-Walkley Award, for Best Sports Photography in 2013, which recognises excellence in photojournalism. The winning photo was taken locally at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith during a dawn practice session for an international regatta.

Having my photo projected onto the Opera House as part of a collection of photos to say thank you to the firefighters involved during the 2019/2020 bushfire season was also an amazing recognition of my work.