2025 Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz)

Subject: Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz) : 19April2025
From: rich-joy
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 12:11 AM

Very sadly, the transcendent Peter Bate (aka BATEY), just passed on Sat 19th April, in Darwin, NT.


Multi instrumentalist, great singer, knew a gazillion songs, session stalwart, early member of both Central Alice Folk Society (CAFS) and Top End Folk Club (TEFC) in the NT, member of great folk bands, e.g. Tropical Ear / Bilge Ratz / Prickly Heat - Meteorologist, and, all-round nice guy......

He'd had a weird illness for ages, but as they say : "at peace now".   Go Well, Mate - and much love to Helen and Families.

Vale, Batey.


Rich-Joy (ex-Darwin)

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz) : 19April2025
From: Bugsy
Date: 20 Apr 25 - 12:26 AM

So sorry to hear this sad news.I ways got on well with him.
I'm sure he'll be greatly missed in the " Top Half" .

Sincere Condolences to his family and .any friends.

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz) : 19April2025
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 21 Apr 25 - 11:27 AM

I was sorry to hear that Peter had passed. An all round great bloke by the sound of him. Plenty of information on the Internet about his exploits. My condolences, as ever, to all those who know and love him. He has earned his place in the "In Memoriam" thread. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz) April 19, 2025
From: rich-joy
Date: 05 Aug 25 - 09:22 PM

just came across Pete's Obit in the TEFC's FB page : https://www.facebook.com/topendfolkclub/posts/713357558031324/

"Top End Folk Club
22 April ·
It is with enormous sadness that we farewell long-time Life Member Peter Bate who passed away this week, aged 77.
Peter was involved in both the Central Australian Folk Society and the Top End Folk Club since their very early days and was present at the very first Top Half Folk Festival 54 years ago.
Peter was an enthusiastic and talented musician and singer who was involved in the Top End Folk Club back in the lively days of performances at the Gun Turret. He was passionate about collecting music and the history of the Club’s activities along with contributing as a committee member for decades. Such was his dedication to music he was reciting poems and joining in choruses only days before his passing.
Throughout his time in the NT (both in Central Australia and the Top End) Peter was a member of so many bands we can’t mention them all, but they included The Darwin Ceili Band, The Hind Quartet, The Bilge Ratz, Tropical Ear, The Dangling Dunlops and most recently The Fettlers. He was also a major contributor to Top End Folk Club regular events held in various places over many years, always appreciated for his vast knowledge of songs and poems along with his musicianship. His talent for harmony singing was a major attribute to any group he was a part of. We acknowledge his enormous contribution and send condolences to Peter Bate’s wife Helen, his family and friends.
Peter is remembered with love and gratitude by members of the Top End Folk Club Inc. for his contribution and commitment.
Vale Peter Bate
~~UPDATE~~
Helen and the family wish to notify everyone that they have chosen to hold a private funeral for Peter. A date for a celebration where everyone is invited will be announced at a later date. Please be patient as this will all take time. Helen has also said 'No flowers please'. In addition to the celebration, an event or project that will honour Peter's contribution to folk music, song and poetry is being considered. Once decided there will be an opportunity for those who want to contribute."


The 53rd Top Half Folk Festival, Mt Bundy station, 1-4 August 2025
also hosted a celebration of Peter's life on Monday 4th.


Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz)
From: rich-joy
Date: 18 Aug 25 - 01:04 AM

refresh

(his good mate and singing partner - esp in The Fettlers and also the Shanty & SeaSongs band, Bilge Ratz - TONY SUTTOR, has just joined him)

Vale, Mates.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz)
From: rich-joy
Date: 18 Aug 25 - 03:14 AM

Also in Tony's Obit thread :

As well as the excellent Tapes (yes, rem'ber those?!), they produced for BILGE RATZ (the Shanty and Sea-Songs band with Tony and Batey and the late Smokey, and Guy Nichols (who is still of Perth in West Aussie, I hope!!), named "Swinging the Lead" and "All at Sea"..... Tony & Batey also later put out 2 of the 3 planned CDs for their band THE FETTLERS : "Northern Railway Tracks" 16 songs pertaining to Top End rail history, and "Airbourne" (along with lovely Darwin vocalist, Sand Williams), 16 songs pertaining to the Top End aviation history (including much of the WWII period.) The Fettlers also included Mike Lane, Fritz Risler, Chris Pemberton (d.), Pat Somers (d.).



PS    I should have said mandolin, guitar, tenor and standard banjos's as Batey's instrument listing (as I play no instruments, I'm usually too singing-focussed!!)


I always loved listening to and watching Batey singing. He had a great voice, a beautiful smile and a cheery disposition - and a HUGE repertoire of song) and his love of it was so evident from the look of bliss that he would often get when performing!!

Also, Peter Bate was, I THINK, born in 1948 and passed to join his many rowdy Folkie mates on the T'Other Side on 19 April 2025.


R-J

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz)
From: rich-joy
Date: 23 Aug 25 - 01:49 AM

Just came across this recording and description from National Library of Australia oral collections.

ORAL TRC 5747/108
Recorded on November 4, 2008 at Darwin, N.T.    https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-221046512/listen

Peter Bate and Helen Bate interviewed by Rob Willis in the Rob and Olya Willis folklore collection [sound recording].



       Peter was born in 1948 in Paddington Sydney.      

       His father's early days on the South Coast of NSW and in Sydney.
   
       Traces his mother's ancestry nee Willis.
            
       Peter has an older brother and 3 younger sisters.
      
       Peter spent his childhood in Caringbah Sydney. Description given of the area.
      
       Parents loved classical music. Mother played piano and father enjoyed singing.
      
       Repertoire of father's songs.   Ray Bate
      
       No strong faith within the family.
         
       Political leanings of his parents. Peter's involvement in the protest movement and his interest in folk music.
   
       Peter's school days.
      
       Father's education and occupations.
      
       Peter's schooling in Melbourne. Development of interest in music. Playing around with a recorder and teaching himself the mouth organ.
      
       Teaching himself the guitar. Playing with a high school folk group. Listening to American music and being introduced to English and Australian ballads.
      
       Involved with the folk revival. Playing in a folk group. Repertoire of the group.
               
       Developing an interest in weather. Doing a science unit in general meteorology at university. Getting a cadetship with the Bureau of Meterology. Requirements of the cadetship.
      
       Describes his science degree and life as a student.
      
       Peter's interest in traditional jazz. Buying a tenor banjo.
      
       Graduating in 1968 and training with the Bureau of Meteorology. Being posted to Alice Springs. Performing at the Central Australian Folk Society gathering. Gives names of some of the early members of the society.
       Keywords: Bureau of Meteorology, Central Australian Folk Society, Taffy Evans, Dave Spafford, Dave Tuzewski, Howard Murphy, Dave Barnes
      
       His role with the Bureau of Meteorology in Alice Springs was in Aviation Forecasting. Staff at the centre in Alice Springs. Explains the area and route forecasts and names the airlines that used the service.
      
       Peter explains the Observer's role as opposed to the Forecaster's role. Gives example.
      
       Story about receiving praise for his forecasting from a pilot.
      
       Changes in technology. Satellite use then and at the present time. Explanation of the term sounding and the technique of taking sounding. Increase of the communication network.
       Keywords: Weather Forecasting
      
       Comment from interviewer on our reliance on weather forecasting. Peter comments on the accuracy of forecasting then and at the present time. Use of computers to convert mathematical equations to make weather predictions.
       Comments on Lennox Walker and Indigo Jones and their weather predictions.
         
       Arrival in Alice Springs in 1970. Story of the loss of his trunk with his clothes. Good social life in Alice Springs.
      
       Being moved to Darwin. First impression of Darwin. Desire to move back to Alice Springs. Meeting his wife Helen in Alice Springs.
      
       Spending 18 months in Alice Springs. Promotion within the service to Port Moresby in 1972. Using accrued leave to travel around Australia with Helen and getting married in Melbourne, before taking up his position in Port Moresby.
      
       Treatment of professional people in regard to provision of accommodation.
      
       Bureau of Meteorology had a strong 'esprit de corps'.
      
       Retiring in 2003 and has no regrets in the selection of his career with the Bureau of Meteorology.
      
       Spent 2 years in Port Moresby and the travelled to Europe. Description of his travels with Helen.
      
       Decision made to return to Darwin and settle.
      
       Recalls events prior to Cyclone Tracey in 1974 such as the work Christmas party and the atmosphere at the party and the weather. Generally there was no concern shown. Experience of Cyclone Selma 3 weeks earlier.
       Deciding to do a briefing before his shift on Christmas Day. Concern as he obtained information from the radar at Darwin airport.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Description of preparing and sheltering on Christmas Eve.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Describes sheltering and passing the cat from one to the other as a comfort. Description of the cyclone and the emotions experienced.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Destruction of Cyclone Tracey being 75% - 80% of houses were destroyed. Shock of going outside on Christmas Day.
      

       Continuation of the experience of Cyclone Tracey. More on the aftermath of the cyclone. Peter and Helen now had a clear view of the sea as there were no houses left standing.
      

       Despite the technical information regarding the cyclone you're still a person experiencing a devastating event. Comments on the vulnerability of people despite having knowledge.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Death toll was 65.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Peter and Helen lived at Alawa. More of the story of the cyclone, the destruction of the area and the work that now needed to be done.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      

       Assisting police with casualty check. Story of an Indian family coping with the death of their daughter.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Mortuary set up at the site of the Casuarina Shopping Square.
      
       Meeting Bureau of Meteorology staff. Temporary accommodation at Rapid Creek Preschool.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey
      
       Enforced evacuation of Darwin. Helen was moved out down south. Population of Darwin went from 50,000 to 12,000.
       Keywords: Cyclone Tracey, Darwin Evacuation
      
       Stories from the staff of the Bureau of Meteorology.
      
       Peter comments on earlier detection of the cyclone as a depression. Deficiency in forecast and estimation of the intensity of the cyclone.
      
       Peter's wife Helen joins us.
      
       Helen wasn't aware of the force of the cyclone like Peter was. Describes the devastation of the area. Helen has listened to the recorded sound of the cyclone. Describes the eeriness of the area with the landmarks gone.
      
       Helen was evacuated and came back after the birth of her child in June 1975. Accommodation and living conditions on her return.
       Keywords: Darwin Post Cyclone Tracey
      
       Changes in Darwin after the cyclone. Rebuilding and development of Darwin. Changes in the pace of life.
      
       Helen talks about the change of Darwin in regard to people making a commitment to returning and staying and taking pride in their place.
      
       Interviewer comments on the pride of being a 'Top Ender' Helen responds and comments on the population of Darwin.
      
       Percentage of former residents of Darwin returning. Population of Darwin at the time of Cyclone Tracey. Large turnover in a short period of time.
      
       Helen was born in Bega and spent her childhood in Sydney. Father was a dentist.
      
       Helen studied pharmacy at Sydney University.
      
       Recalls attending a reunion.
      
       Her first year of work was at Bondi. Applying for relief work in the country in order to save for travelling. Names the work and country towns she stayed in.
      
       Applying for a job in Darwin. Story of her interview and consequent Darwin stint.
      
       Working in Bourke in the 1970s. Reference made to Tower's Drug Company at Bourke that manufactured drugs. Describes the book of prescriptions and names some of the specific scripts made.
      
       Reminiscing about a recent trip back to Bourke. The book of prescriptions was still there.
      
       Work in general pharmacy work now not making up many mixtures.
      
       Recalls making up mixtures while living in Darwin.
      
       Working in Port Moresby. Story about the use of measures in making up mixtures.
      
       Interviewer comments on country pharmacists.
      
       Helen enjoyed relieving in the country pharmacies.
               
       Bureau of Meteorology forecast centre used as shelter during Cyclone Tracey. Story of Bill Manch retrieving a wind trace anemometer from Katherine. The anemometer held the official wind record of Tracey.
      
       More about Peter's music. He played at a venue called The Ranch which was run by Bob South. Formation of the Central Australian Folk Club in the 1970s.
      
       Music experienced in Darwin. Folk club venue in a hostel called The Lameroo Hilton. Artists performing at the club.
      
       Music on his return to Alice Springs. Emergence of the Top End Folk Club in 1974 in Darwin.
      
       The gun turret was the home of the Top End Folk Club. Description of the gun turret which was great for acoustics. Relationship between the folk club and the Artillery Association.
      
       Construction of a toilet block at the turret.
      
       Relationship with the site owners of the turret deteriorated and they experienced vandalism to the site and loss of equipment.
      
       Information on the Top End Folk Federation which originated in the early 1970s. Folk festivals held at Tennant Creek. Mt Isa Folk Club was incorporated into the Top End Folk Federation. Names the festivals held and the locations of the festivals.
      
       The 38th Top End Folk Festival held in 2008. Format of the festival and the artists that performed.
      
       Interviewer comments on music.
      
       Peter's first love in Australian traditional music.
      
       Musical genres within the Top End Folk Festival.
      
       Peter is writing a history of the Top End Folk Festivals.
      
      
Folkloric recording. Peter Bate speaks his profession as a meteorologist; his life in music; Christmas Day, 1974 and Cyclone Tracy; the days leading up to, and the event from the meteorologists perspective; surviving the cyclone with wife Helen; folk festivals in the Northern Territory. Helen Bate discusses her life and career in pharmacy.

Subject: RE: 2025 Obit: Peter Bate (Darwin, Oz)
From: rich-joy
Date: 01 Sep 25 - 01:35 AM

refresh