Vale Peter Birchall

Peter Birchall receiving his Bothwell Lions
Club life membership last year.

WELL-KNOWN former Derwent Valley and Central Highlands police officer and community worker Peter Birchall died earlier this week, aged 73.

A long-serving policeman at New Norfolk and Bothwell, his bravery was officially recognised by Tasmania Police after he and wife Rhonda went to the aid of a fellow officer who had been shot on the Midland Hwy. Peter apprehended the gunman while Rhonda gave assistance to the badly injured officer.

Tributes published in the Mercury this week reflect a wide community involvement by both Peter and Rhonda. Both are life members of the New Norfolk Junior Football Association and Peter is a former member of the New Norfolk Lions Club and in 2002 was instrumental in the founding of the Bothwell and Districts Lions Club, of which was made a life member at the end of last year.

Through his voluntary work with the Lions Club, Peter was a fixture at community events over many decades, including the Bushy Park and Hamilton Shows, Bothwell Country Races, Derwent Valley Autumn Festival and the Central Highlands BushFest to name a few.

Peter passed away on September 3 and is survived by wife Rhonda and their children and grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at St Matthew's Anglican Church in Bathirst St, New Norfolk, this Monday, September 10. Donations to the Leukaemia Foundation will be accepted at the service.