TEARS FOR PUB ICON
PETER BURNETT: CITY MOURNS A ‘GREAT VICTORIAN’
TRIBUTES are flowing for Geelong publican and charity worker Peter Burnett after his death in Queensland yesterday.
It is understood Mr Burnett, who ran the Lord of the Isles Tavern for almost 40 years before selling the Newtown pub last month, died in hospital following a post-operative infection.
Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday lauded Mr Burnett as a “giant of the hotel industry and a great Victorian”, while Geelong Cats chief executive Brian Cook said his mate Peter had “a profound effect in Geelong, both on the footy club and within the community”. Close friend Ian Cover spoke on behalf of the Burnett family last night, recalling a man who loved Geelong and supported a vast number of local schools, hospitals and charities.
PETER Burnett shared his pub with everybody, from Prime Ministers and premiershipwinning Cats teams to thousands of average Geelong punters.
The beloved Lord of the Isles publican and charity worker has been remembered as having a profound impact on his city, after passing away yesterday.
It is understood Mr Burnett died while in Queensland with his immediate family, following a post-operative infection.
Close friend Ian Cover spoke on behalf of the Burnett family last night, recalling a man who was much more than a footy-fanatic pub owner.
“Peter’s leadership of the Australian Hotels Association in Victoria and, nationally, his tireless efforts behind the E.J. Whitten Foundation in its fight against prostate cancer and his passionate interest in the Geelong Football Club are well known,” Mr Cover said.
“But perhaps the legacy for which he will be remembered most will be his commitment and contribution to Geelong and its community.
“He supported a vast number of charities, hospitals, schools, kindergartens and clubs. He never sought recognition or kudos from this involvement.”
Mr Burnett’s name was synonymous with the Lord of the Isles Tavern after almost 40 years at the helm of the local institution — named Victoria’s best bistro four times since opening in 1980.
“In the early days, it was home, literally, for he, Jan and children Emma and Nick,” Mr Cover said. “They worked long and hard to make it one of the best hotels in Australia and he was extremely proud of its growth and reputation.
“He was never happier than getting behind the bar and pulling a beer for customers.
“But his greatest love was Jan. They formed a formidable team for more than 45 years and he often said: ‘Jan has been my rock. I would have achieved nothing without her encouragement and wise counsel’.”
In March, Mr Burnett said growing the business from a workforce of 14 to 70 was one of his proudest achievements, and said he was preparing to “move on and enjoy myself” following the sale of the business.
“Peter was excited about spending more time with Jan, Emma, Nick and his grandchildren,” Mr Cover said. “He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and they will miss him immensely. His passing is a massive shock to everyone.
“Peter was a big man, who enjoyed everything about life. He will leave a huge hole in the lives of so many people.”
He added a personal tribute to his departed mate.
“Peter was a big mate and he called me his ‘little mate’,” Mr Cover said. “I enjoyed his company at the footy, on the golf course and at the Lord of the Isles for more than 30 years.
“Our friendship extended to our respective families and we shared many great times together. I will miss ‘The Big Fella’.”
News of Mr Burnett’s passing was met with grief yesterday, with high-profile community members offering their condolences and tributes to the Geelong legend — including Premier Daniel Andrews.
“Peter Burnett was a giant of the hotel industry and a great Victorian. He made Geelong and Victoria a more prosperous place,” Mr Andrews said.
“He was a good friend and I, along with all who knew him, will miss him deeply. His wife, Jan, children and grandchildren are in our prayers tonight.”
Geelong Football Club chief executive Brian Cook said his mate Peter had “a profound effect in Geelong, both on the footy club and within the community”.
“He’s going to be just an unbelievable loss to a lot of people and a lot of organisations, who depended upon his generosity,” Mr Cook said.
Mr Burnett was also a former Australian Hotels Association national president, director of the Geelong Football Club, director of Tourism Australia and chairman of the E.J. Whitten Prostate Cancer Foundation.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his years of service to tourism and hospitality and for his work with charity and sports organisations.
Despite all the advocacy, the Newtown local told the Addy in 2015 he loved nothing more than a drink with his mates — and pouring the occasional beer behind the bar himself.
“Hospitality isn’t easy, it’s hard work,” he said. “The renovation of the Lord of the Isles was a high (of my career) but the best thing about pubs is the people who come to them.
“You meet prime ministers, sporting greats, the Cats have come down here for their Mad Mondays — I’ve met some amazing people.
“You take the good with the bad like anything, but a barman has to be a priest and a lawyer and help people out.
“I just love it.”
But perhaps the legacy for which he will be remembered most will be his commitment and contribution to Geelong and its community. He supported a vast number of charities, hospitals, schools, kindergartens and clubs. He never sought recognition or kudos from this involvement. IAN COVER