IT WAS a special weekend for Peter Rodger, a Casterton resident and ex-Air Force serviceman who celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends on Saturday.
During an intimate celebration on Henty Street, he and his children in attendance recounted his rich life of service, travel and his many personal interests.
Mr Rodger was born in Adelaide – one of nine children – and grew in the southern suburb of Cottonville, now known as Westbourne Park.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in the early 1950s at the age of 19 and was first based in the Newcastle region of New South Wales,
It was “on a night out with boys” when he met his future wife, Marion, with whom he married in Toronto, south of Newcastle, after three years of courtship.
They had five children spread across Mr Rodger’ different posts in both New south Wales and South Australia.
Their first was born in Newcastle, two in Gawler, then in Katoomba and Penrith to the west of Sydney.
The eldest of the five has since passed away.
Mr Rodger’ work in the Air Force involved fitting armaments and mechanical work on aircraft such as the ‘Phantom’ jets, loading weaponry and ammunition and cleaning the guns.
Outside of Australia, Mr Rodger was based in Malaysia twice, in the late 60s and the late 70s.
He served for 28 years before he retired from service and began his many caravan travels with his wife, covering most of the east coast among other parts of Australia.
Their decision to move to Casterton, where they lived on Jackson Street until 2016, came from travelling through several times and seeing it as a “lovely place to retire”.
His wife passed away five years ago.
Mr Rodger has been actively involved in the Casterton community and had turned out with the angling club every second weekend.
He would get out and about on the regular, walking up to six kilometres a day and attending exercise classes.
He has also been a keen gem collector, having been a member of Adelaide Gem Club and travelled often through central Australia for his exploits.
Another favoured hobby of his has been painting, with some of his works visible at the celebration.
Mr Rodger is a proud fan of the Adelaide Crows, loves a glass of red wine and a game of cards and is known to be a “real kid at heart” with a sense of humour.
He has had five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
