Peter Goldsworthy, Class of '65
When Westminster first opened its doors in 1961, one of its bright-eyed Foundation students was a young Peter Goldsworthy. Today, six decades later, Peter remains an integral part of the Westminster story, not just as an Old Scholar but as the School’s dedicated Archivist, preserving the spirit and stories that shaped generations.
Peter’s earliest memories of Westminster are filled with a sense of freedom and possibility.
“The open fields, Doug Forder and his lovely manner, the flood in ’63,” he recalls with a smile. “We befriended boarders, stayed on farms and in beach shacks, and were guided by several great teachers, and I needed a little gentle guiding.”
The early years were alive with excitement and camaraderie.
“Westminster felt open and new, with plenty of building going on,” Peter said.
“There was such energy around the sporting teams, basketball, football, cricket and those interschool competitions with Essendon Grammar, both here and there, were great fun.”
After several years in the Education Department, Peter returned to Westminster in 1969 to teach.
“I’d been working with classes of 35 and 42 students,” he says.
“When the opportunity came up to teach a class of 17 at Westminster – my old school – I jumped at it. I had really enjoyed my time here and wanted to work with Doug Forder again.”
Years later, Peter’s connection deepened further when then Communications Manager Peter Trenorden suggested he take on the role of Archivist.
“Peter thought he had a good job for me,” Peter says. “Colin Varley wanted to step back from the archives, and being involved with Westminster again was very appealing.”
The archives, under Peter’s thoughtful stewardship, tell the story of a community built on values, spirit and dedication.
“The cast iron Wyvern bootscrapers, the first School flag, the early magazines and Reflections, they’re all treasures,” he said.
“But it’s the oral histories that really bring Westminster to life.”
Peter is passionate about ensuring the early years of the School are remembered.
“Everything that Doug Forder and the foundation staff did in that first decade deserves recognition,” he says.
“They were more than teachers, they were the grounds people, the sports coaches, the holiday trip guides. They introduced us to music, opera and drama, and guided us through a time of great social change.”
Through the Old Scholars’ Association and enduring friendships, Peter has remained connected to Westminster no matter where life has taken him.
“Even while working interstate, I always thought of what I’d experienced here and how the School had grown while keeping that community spirit,” he says.
Reflecting on what Westminster has meant in his life, Peter speaks with quiet gratitude.
“It showed me how fortunate I was to have parents who sent me here,” he says.
“It gave me values, opportunities and a deep appreciation for education. It even gave me the chance to educate my own children at the same School.”
As Westminster celebrates 60 years since Peter’s own graduation, he hopes today’s students continue to embrace all that the School offers.
“Use the facilities and opportunities to achieve great satisfaction and success,” he said.
“Remember how hard work, effort and guidance have helped you along the way. Maintain your friendships and appreciate the past – it has given you so much grounding.”
For Peter Goldsworthy, Westminster has never simply been a place of learning. It is, and always will be, a living community, one built on memory, gratitude and the steady hands of those who have shaped its story.