A creative genius remembered
AUSTRALIA’S theatre and special events industry is mourning the loss of one of the country’s leading event producers, Peter Hassall of Cairns.
A former St Augustine’s College student, Peter started playing with lights at roller discos and ten pin bowling, before doing an electrical apprenticeship at Kennedy’s Electrical and moving into the arts.
It was while working as technical director at Cairns Civic Theatre in 1989 that Tjapukai founders Don and Judy Freeman enlisted him to join the Aboriginal dance troupe on a tour to France, their first international tour.
“Peter had never ventured out of Australia before,” Judy says. “He cut his international teeth on our numerous Tjapukai tours.
“Cairns born and bred, he grew into a man with a taste and desire to conquer the world. His experiences at Tjapukai gave him the confidence to know that he was the equal of anyone, anywhere.
“Having Peter with us gave us a technical and creative boost which showed itself in a hundred ways,” Judy says.
“In 1992, Tjapukai undertook an around-the-world tour doing 58 shows in 60 days on four continents. Peter’s ability to walk into any venue and get a show up and running in minimal time made us shine all over the world and cemented our reputation in world tourism, as well as with important players like Tourism Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Qantas.”
While working as Tjapukai’s technical director, Peter started buying and hiring out sound and light equipment. By 23, he had his own business, Stageworks Australia, one of the Far North’s most successful and dynamic companies.
Longtime friends and colleagues Dior and Janelle Yarwood described Peter as larger than life with a “cheeky smile, daggy dance moves, spirited piano playing, storytelling, constant singing and making light of even the worst of times. He was simply magnetic”.
Peter partnered with national chain Staging Connections and opened offices in Cairns, Port Douglas and Hamilton Island. He also bought local businesses Double Up Video and Progear.
He eventually sold to Staging Connections and bought a franchise, Advanced Hair, but returned to events, working in Macau from 2011-2017.
Returning to Australia to be closer to family and friends, he and business partner Patrick Mist launched a new Sydney and Hong Kong-based events company, Corventus.
“What he dreamt, planned, realised and achieved and the lives which he shaped and changed in his 53 years, is simply inspiring,” Janelle said.
Dior Yarwood said Peter was his “best mate”. “He became everyone’s best friend.”