Film man is awarded medal

Ettalong resident Mr Peter Fenton has been awarded an Australia Day Order of Australia Medal for his work as a chief sound mixer on 150 feature films from 1972 until 1997.

Mr Fenton worked on films including Paradise Road in 1997, Six Degrees of Separation in 1993, Evil Angels in 1988, Phar Lap in 1983, The Year of Living Dangerously in 1982, Gallipoli in 1981, My Brilliant Career in 1979, The Getting of Wisdom in 1975 and the Picnic at Hanging Rock, also in 1975.

He was also the author of several books and the producer of several documentaries as well as a first grade rugby union coach for 20 years.

Mr Fenton said the early 70s saw the rebirth of the Aussie film industry "and I see this award as recognition of the fact that I was a key member of this revival".

When notified of his selection for a medal, Mr Fenton said he was simply "stoked".

"It was a very exciting time and I was very lucky to have worked in an industry where it was a pleasure to go to work and where satisfaction made all the effort worthwhile," said Mr Fenton.

"We worked very hard and for very long hours but everyone loved it.

"It was great surprise to get the award as I have not worked in the industry for 15 years."

Mr Fenton was nominated by "a lovely bloke" named Jim Cowley who had been a friend to him through rugby union for over 30 years.

"He actually nominated me for my efforts on a number of fronts, particularly for speaking at many charity events over much the same period, but the powers that be were obviously impressed with my film contribution," said Mr Fenton.

"I was previously awarded the Australian Sports Medal for my contribution to rugby in Sydney's west in 2000."

Mr Fenton is no longer involved in the film industry but still speaks regularly at sporting clubs and writes the occasional sports book.

Email, 16 Jan 2012 Adrian Bey, Government House Kaitlin Watts, 25 Jan 2012 Interviewee: Peter Fenton