Written by Julia Day

Dr Peter Hemphill

Many of the UNE School of Law’s alumni will have very fond memories of Dr Peter Hemphill. He was one of those rare people who was full of life and personality. You always knew the party had started when Peter turned up!

Peter was also academically brilliant- there really was nothing you couldn’t ask him about. His advice and insight was always provided with wit and charm and often a hint of mischief. If there was a tough situations which needed to be navigated carefully, you could always count on Peter to provide invaluable advice. Peter had a thorough knowledge of the classics, the bible and could speak and read Latin.

Just before he died in 2006, Peter competed in a trivia night at Earle Page College. Even though his group won, he was a bit miffed that the night was littered with questions relating to Australian Idol- he possessed unparalleled knowledge of Roman philosophy, but when asked about who competed in Australian Idol, he was at a total loss.

Peter loved the residential college system- especially Earle Page College. Whilst at UNE, Peter did not just join the college, he became immersed in all aspects of it. The students absolutely adored Peter and the feeling was mutual. I think for Peter the students and staff at the college were like his family.

Peter held many positions at Earle Page College, including the Presidency of the Senior Common Room (SCR). It is fair to say that the role he enjoyed most was as Social Coordinator of the SCR. He took to this role with relish and hosted countless parties and dinners at his house.

Peter during a night bushwalk in 1982

Peter during the 1982 Coast Run

Peter was also involved in all the events on the college calendar. For example, Peter participated in the Coast Run event every year. In fact, some may say he was the star of the Coast Run! Brent Gregory, who is both a lecturer in the UNE Business School and the original founder of the Coast Run event, recounted Peter’s involvement in this event. Apparently once the group arrived at the beach in Coffs Harbour Peter would start digging a big hole in the sand. The group would then collect large logs which were used as tiered seating around a fire which was built in the hole. Peter would then take great delight in singing ‘I’m A Little Teapot’ to the enraptured audience.

Peter at the ‘royal wedding.’

When the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Lady Diana took place, Peter really got into the spirit of the event. Earle Page College hosted a formal dinner on the night of the royal wedding. A group of students decided to host their own royal wedding. Peter took on the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Another group of students acted as members of the IRA and they kidnapped Peter during the ceremony.

Peter giving a lecture

Peter’s fun and vibrant personality was clearly evident in all of his law lectures. Alumni may remember Peter’s love of Lord Mansfield and his disdain for Lord Denning’s judgments. He also introduced food fantasies into the School of Law. In each of his lectures he would invite students to contribute a food fantasy that members of the class could fixate on. This would help if a subject, such as Contract Law, become too boring or difficult. Peter truly was a teacher in the true sense of the word!

He was also extremely social. People loved going to his place for parties and gatherings. His garden was immaculate. He employed a gardener for 10 hours per week and I remember him telling me about their different approaches. His gardener would deal with weeds with a bottle of roundup whereas Peter would patiently pull out all the weeds by hand.

Peter was a very loving son. He was extremely loyal and kind to his elderly mother. He used to visit her every day at her unit at The Masonic Lodge in Armidale. It was beautifully adorned with flowers and plants which Peter tended to. Mrs Hemphill clearly adored Peter and the feeling was mutual!

Peter loved travel and culture, especially Italy. He wanted UNE students to have the experiences he had in life. Current students are still benefitting from Peter’s generosity through the Peter Hemphill Travelling scholarships. The scholarships are designed to support study at a university or equivalent in a European country. In the criteria of the scholarship it states recipients ‘should be encouraged to explore the culture, art and history of the country in which the study takes place. Dr Hemphill would have been pleased to have him/her visit several art galleries and to enjoy the odd glass of local red wine in his memory.’

Peter is central to the heart of the School of Law and UNE in general and I suspect there will never be a personality as strong and memorable as Peters. Peter was truly one of a kind.

We all miss him but his legend continues to live on.