Peter Marke was thrilled with a plaque in Upwey’s village square park in recognition of his work for the community.
By Casey Neill
UPWEY icon Peter Marke has been acknowledged for his work for the community with a plaque installed in the town centre.
The man known as Mr Upwey was caught by surprise when the tribute was unveiled on Saturday 12 April.
“I didn’t even know anything about it until my wife told me there was something on down the street,” he said.
“It was a great thrill, I felt very proud.”
Mr Marke was born and bred in Upwey.
“Having lived here all of your life, you develop a strong sense of community and pride in your town,” he said.
Even as a child he was community minded.
“I was the mascot for the fire brigade,” he said.
“I used to ride down there on my three-wheeler.”
He joined his older brothers at the Upwey CFA 49 years ago.
Mr Marke has informed the brigade that he will be standing down as captain some time in the next 12 months, a position he has held for the past 35 years.
“It’s time to take it a bit easier,” he said.
But he will not be leaving the brigade.
”I’ll still be an active member,” he said.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the crowd of about 50 people who gathered for the presentation continued the tribute at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL.
“It was a great celebration,” he said.
Mr Marke was humble as always about his contribution to the town.
“It’s certainly an honour but whatever I’ve achieved was not a sole effort,” he said.
He thanked the various groups he has been involved with over the years.
He also said his family had been very understanding. “They’ve been a tremendous support,” he said.
The Upwey Township Group organised the accolade.
The group was one of three township groups he began in 1992 during his time with the former Shire of Sherbrooke, where he was a councillor from 1988 to 1994.
Mr Marke is the current chairman of Upwey and District Community Bank and a board member of CFA Victoria.
He was a recipient of the Australian Government Centenary Medal in 2003, the Queens Medal recipient in 1972 and the Australia Day Citizen of the Year award in 1998.
He was the manager of fire safety for Telstra Australia from 1976 until 1993, when he left to establish consultancy company Fire and Recovery Planning with his wife, Helen.
