Vale Bill Peasley: doctor, explorer, historian

Known by most as Bill (and to the family as Gaff or 'the old chap') he was born in the central west of NSW and spent his boyhood on his father's farm.

Leaving school at 14, he worked on the family farm as a shearer and drovers' assistant.

Bill enlisted in the 2^nd AIF and was a member of the British Occupation Forces in Japan. He left the army in his his early 20s wanting to study medicine.

He was advised he had to matriculate first and was expected to complete five years of study in one year.

It was a struggle, however he was successful and commenced studying medicine at the University of City.

Bill graduated in 1955 and in 1956 moved to WA, crossing the Nullabor in a 1946 mark 4 Jaguar. He spent 12 years working with WA's North West Medical Service.

Stationed at various centres through the Pilbara and Kimberley he provided medical services to towns and stations via the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It was here he was able to pursue his interests in Aboriginal culture.

In 1968, Bill, wife Anne and his four sons travelled to Italy and lived in Rome for three-and-a-half years.

Working for the Australian Migration Office in Rome, his work had him travelling throughout Italty and Spain.

Returning to Perth, Bill commenced working for the Community Health Service. As well as relieving doctors in the North West on occasion, he also studied anthropology and continued with his interest in Australian history, particularly exploration history.

Commencing in the 1970s, he undertook not less than 20 field trips into the desert which included the retracing of Carnegie expeditions, the rescue of the last two nomadic Aboriginals in Western Australia, the location of 22 Aboriginal places, the confirmation of several historical sites and the recording and documenting of numerous oral histories.

In 2015 Bill was awarded an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) "for significant service to the community as an inland explorer, historian and author, and as a general practitioner".

Dr Bill has been extensively recorded by National Library of Australia and has interesting memories of his early days at Bedgerabong. You can listen online.