PETER HOCKING Is a Melbourne lad who completed degrees in Food Science, and in Applied Biology in the 1960's; and worked in food manufacturing before joining what was then G.J.Coles and Coy. in the early years of their supermarket expansion in 1974. He became head of the fledgeling food quality department in 1981 and remained in charge of the function, presiding over a 10-fold expansion during his career. He retired in 2003, head of group quality control for Food and Liquor, Kmart, and Officeworks within what was, by then, Coles Myer Ltd. He was an active and respected professional within the food industry throughout his career; and his high-profile position at Coles Myer saw him much in demand at conferences and led to him becoming an experienced public speaker.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology; and was a member of the Victorian Government Food Safety Council, Chairman of the Course Advisory Committee for Food Science at RMIT University, and represented the food industry on a number of government advisory and consultative committees.
In early 2014 he suffered a debilitating stroke which left him with permanent right-side disability. He is dedicated now to using his own experience to help other stroke survivors through involvement in stroke support; and to increase public understanding and awareness of this terrible, but poorly understood affliction, through writing and public speaking.
He is a member of the Monash City Council Disability Advisory Committee and a volunteer at the Boroondara Stroke Support Group.