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Peter MacFie is a sixth-generation Tasmanian with 40 years’ experience as a public historian, including eight years as the resident historian at Port Arthur Historic Site from 1983-91. Peter has had published several books and many articles covering aspects of Tasmanian social history. These include ‘Underground Hobart’, ‘Stocks, Thieves and Golfers’, and recently ‘The Newsprint’ for which Peter interviewed over 100 Derwent Valley families spanning 15 years. Since 2004 Peter has written books plus tour and trail guides for local governments and businesses, appeared on radio and delivered a paper on musicology at Cambridge University, UK. As a much-admired musician and musicologist Peter rediscovered the arrangements and tunes composed by the convict fiddler Alexander Laing, publishing these as ‘On The Fiddle’. Peter’s compositions and songs are also posted on YouTube. His other musical interests include Tasmanian rock and folk music bands. Peter has been awarded a ‘Distinguished Service Award’ from the College of Arts, Law and Education’ from the University of Tasmania in recognition of ‘Exceptional and sustained contributions to historical research and as an alumnus and staff member at the University of Tasmania’ on 25 September 2020. Unfortunately, due to the onset of a severe neurological degenerative disease Peter can no longer write or perform music although his editor is preparing further works including the ‘Wesleyans of Port Arthur’. (Prepared by Robert HA MacFie (brother) May 2021) |
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