Long-time friend and former work colleague, Peter ‘Macca’ McKenzie was among the guests, along with many retired court staff, magistrates and legal practitioners who have worked with Mr. Cleaves over the years.

According to Mr. McKenzie, the proceedings for the day were light-hearted with Peter being banished to the witness box for the duration of the speeches.

“Many funny anecdotes and stories of Peter in his 60 years in the Court system were put to those in the crowded court room,” Mr. McKenzie said.

“Some stories still can’t be told because of the laws of defamation.

“To say that Peter Cleaves was and still is a colourful character is an understatement.” 

Growing up in Cessnock, Peter Cleaves attended Aberdare Public School and then Cessnock High school before leaving to attend Newington College as a boarder.

It was here that the third-generation lawyer started working in the court system on March 31, 1953. 

Peter then joined his father’s Cessnock legal firm, Woodgate Cleaves which later became known as Cleaves and Cleaves along with Peter’s younger brother John who also practised law.

A country lawyer through and through, Peter said he has many fond memories growing up in Cessnock, including his early childhood during the Second World War.

“Cessnock was untouchable then because the mines were so valuable,” he said.

“It really was, and still is, a place unlike any other in that way.”

Peter later opened an office at Hamilton and built up a thriving practice in commercial and criminal law.

He was also a director and deputy chairman of NBN Channel 3 (a subsidiary of Washington H. Soul Pattinsons) and had associations with many other large companies until he retired from his corporate life a few years ago.

Peter is still on the Legal Aid Duty Roster for Local Courts and is well known for mentoring newer members of the legal profession and his philanthropic work in the community.

“The way I was brought up, you never sent someone into the court unrepresented,” Peter said.

“Even if you got a loaf of bread or some eggs in return, or even if you didn’t it was just what you did.

“That is how I was raised to be a lawyer and it has always been my philosophy for work.”  

Leading Senior Constable at Cessnock Police Station, Kath Petheram had nothing but praise for Peter.

“It is a massive thing what he has achieved,” she said.

“He is just a great guy and he deserves all the recognition he can get.”

Peter is also well known for the large amount of pro-bono and legal aid work that he does in the local court criminal jurisdiction.

With no plans for retirement any time soon, Peter still has a way to go to beat his grandfather’s record in the legal system – retiring at 86 due to ill health after more than 70 working in the legal system.  

Let’s hope Peter can break that record.