Vale Peter Veness
16th January, 2012
TODAY we awoke to the sad news that AAP press gallery journalist Peter Veness had, at just 27, died overnight after a long battle with brain cancer.“I extend my heartfelt condolences to all in the press gallery, especially those at AAP,” Acting Opposition leader Warren Truss said this morning.
“In particular I pass on my sympathies to Peter’s wife, Bec.
“In my experience Peter was one of those genuinely nice guys who always had a beaming smile and time for a chat and a laugh. But he also had a job to do, and did it well.
“He always took the time to understand all sides of an issue and I knew he had a seriously open mind in pursuing stories. He was matter-of-fact and fair dinkum – not only in his reporting, but in his dealings with people.
“Peter was diagnosed with brain cancer three years ago. In his 2009 article, ‘I’ll die when it’s my time’, we get an insight into Peter’s resilience and unwavering connection to the things that make up life, death and which affect us all. He wrote…
“Stuff the doctors who have already killed me, they don't tell me when to die…
“…Live a life of no regrets. Don't die wondering.
“Even when life is consumed by thoughts of death, of leaving my most loved, of lying in a coffin, of being lowered six feet, there are ways of smiling.
“Old, silly jokes still bring a smile to my face and the sight of just about any dog makes me joyous from a childhood spent spilling all my secrets to my loyal blue heeler Bert.
“There is one final wish I haven't mentioned. To live.
“I pray at night, asking my God: ``Will you save me?'' I haven't heard back yet.
“I often ask myself, what about those times when I'm not fulfilling a wish, not doing something on the bucket list? There are times spent watching inane night time TV and putting a load of washing on or, like last week, returning a broken vacuum cleaner for replacement.
“These aren’t things you dream of doing when your life is given a shortened deadline. The mundaneness of life continues, even when you’re dying.”
“Peter Veness was just 27. His very human and good nature will be sorely missed.”
[ENDS]
