Peter Rorke OAM - a tribute exhibition

Peter Rorke OAM performing with the USQ Sinfonia.

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is looking forward to hosting a special exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the career of the late Peter Rorke OAM.

Peter Rorke OAM: a tribute will be opened by USQ Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove on Monday 14 July at 10am in the USQ Arts Gallery.

Professor Lovegrove said this year marks the tenth anniversary of the passing of Peter Rorke, a remarkable composer, musician and educator who left an important legacy in Toowoomba's musical life.

'Peter accepted a position at the University in 1978, after a varied and celebrated career in his native South Africa and in Britain and with the ABC in Melbourne.

'As the University's inaugural Head of Music, Peter was responsible for setting up the music department. He also founded the Toowoomba Concert Orchestra, the USQ Sinfonia, the student orchestra and Opera at the University.

'During his fifteen year appointment, Peter made a very significant contribution to the community, conducting at vacation and local high schools and judging a wide variety of regional and state competitions.'

USQ Corporate Records Manager Derek Turner said the tribute exhibition will include a multitude of Peter's awards, programs, recordings, photographs, original scores and compositions.

'The catalyst for the exhibition has been a combination of the 10th Anniversary Twilight Tribute Recital and the recent generous donation by Wanda Rorke (Peter's widow) of a very significant collection of material, now known as the Peter Charles Rorke OAM Collection, which has been accessioned into the USQ Historical Archives Collection.'

Items that will feature in the exhibition will include:

The Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM; boxed medals with Certificate) awarded to Peter Charles Rorke by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Bill Hayden, 26 January 1995;
The SAMI Award statuette and the framed Certificate of Commendation - Television Society of Australia (awarded to Peter Rorke as Executive Producer, 1976 for the major television production of ‘The Fool on the Hill');
The conductor's baton in presentation case presented to Peter on his retirement - 31.10.95 (gift to Peter Rorke from USQ);
Original and autographed compositions by Peter Rorke including the complete music score (master) of The New Vicar, one of the first examples of an original opera in Afrikaans;
a selection of photographs depicting Peter at work and leisure;
a selection of programs, posters, brochures and photographs of USQ productions and performances; and
a reproduction of an original letter (24 January 1922) , addressed to Miss Winnie Roberts and signed 'Nellie Melba'. (The original letter, donated by Wanda Rorke, is held in the USQ Historical Archives Collection).

'USQ is delighted to be associated with the donation of such outstanding examples of USQ history reflected through the Peter Charles Rorke (OAM) Collection,' said Mr Turner.

'Through the elevated links established by Peter Rorke (and his wife, Wanda) in the music world it has been possible for USQ to receive also the modest but very significant Dame Nellie Melba D.B.E. Collection donated by Peter's wife, Wanda Rorke.

'To date these historical treasures represent the most outstanding donations of memorabilia associated with the early development of USQ.

'The willingness of USQ stakeholders to donate such significant collections to the University reflects well on the quality of management of the collection and the confidence which the Archives management has been able to instil in the local community.'

WHAT: Official Opening of ‘Peter Rorke OAM: a tribute' Exhibtion
WHEN: Monday 14 July, 10am
WHERE: USQ Arts Gallery

The exhibition will feature in the USQ Arts Gallery from Thursday 10 July to Friday 1 August 2008 from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559