12/02/2021
A man that has been absolutely instrumental to the Diving community in Victoria, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of, if not the greatest diving people to have ever graced the pool deck. Our thoughts are with Shirley and Pete’s extended family, you will be missed Peter ❤️
VALE – PETER PAUL PANAYI
With heavy hearts and the deepest of sorrow, the Committee and members of MelAm Diving Club Incorporated mourn the passing of our beloved founder and head coach, Mr. Peter Panayi, who died today 12th February aged 90 years.
A life member of Diving Australia and Diving Victoria, Peter’s contribution to Diving began when he commenced diving competitively at ten years of age, soon becoming County champion. Over the eighty years following his first plunge, Peter has left no stone unturned during his career as an athlete, coach, educator, and mentor. “Peter Pan the Diving Man” as he will always be affectionately remembered, guided athletes to the Olympic stage on no fewer than five occasions, an achievement which remains unsurpassed in Australia. Passing on his love of Diving to his family, Peter’s son Shaun achieved the glory of a gold medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Closer to home, Peter’s athletes have achieved greatness at national competitions, amassing some 400 medals.
After serving in the Royal Navy, Peter and wife Shirley moved to Australia in 1962 as part of the “ten-pound Pom” migration scheme. Peter started coaching in his new home country immediately and in 1984, Peter and Shirley founded Melbourne Amateur (MelAm) Diving Club, fulfilling their dream of promoting Diving to athletes of all levels and abilities. Together, Peter and Shirley have instilled their drive, passion, and love into the hearts of thousands of athletes within our club and beyond, in a coaching career of over 50 years. Proving that Diving really is a sport for all “His Worshipful Master”, as wife Shirley once affectionately quipped, has coached athletes to medals at multiple FINA and World Masters championships.
Armed with a razor-sharp wit and instinctive ability to balance a chair on only two of its intended four legs while seated upon it, Peter’s coaching style was all his own. A simple hand gesture, a smile, a raised eye-brow or a sly wink was all the instruction a Panayi protégé required to perfect a dive. A warm hug or a gentle pat on the shoulder meant an athlete had received Peter’s heat-felt approval; while push-ups from the ten-metre, sprints or running the stairs was Peter’s subtle, yet sure-fire way to let an athlete know additional work was required. Aspects of diving technique were often received from Peter by way of memorable phrases: “Arms before knee, or off balance you will be!” to perfect the hurdle step; “One two, touch and through!” for a back take-off; “Good dive, wrong pool!” for a dive with distance, were three of his favourites.
Always keen on a good joke, Peter often packaged his feedback to athlete within a delightful bouquet of whimsical humour, always knowing when an athlete needed a lift and a smile. For example, Peter often accused squad members of being on safari hunt for the African “Fah-kah-wi” tribe, when popping the head up too early on entry to the water. Those who were part of the “tribal hunt” will know what I mean.
Peter was never afraid to showcase his comedic talent publicly; when touring New Zealand with a largely female squad in 1971 and being declined entry to a restaurant due to absence of a collar upon his tee shirt, Peter swapped garments with one of the ladies in attendance, as the “no collar” rule apparently did not apply to females. At the time, Vicki Campbell, daughter-in-law of the great New Zealand coach Merv Campbell remarked: “Peter looked so cute in his new pink frilly shirt!”
An Engineer by qualification, Peter has played an integral role in the growth and development of Diving in Australia, by designing pool infrastructure at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and PLC Aquatic Centre, to name a few. Peter has served on the boards of Diving Australia, Diving Victoria, and has invited international athletes from the Asia Pacific region and Russia to train under his guidance and care. In recognition of his services to Diving, Peter was awarded the Australian Sports Medal (ASM) in May 2000.
Forever a giver and never a taker, Peter has poured endless time, passion and indeed his own hard-earned money, into nurturing the success of others. In a 1982 interview with the Canberra Times, Peter remarked that the cost of preparing an athlete for the world stage was “Eight years at about $6,000 a year”, a considerable sum in 1982, even for the then Engineering firm manager.
In Peter’s words, being on the world stage was all important, as in his trademark fashion: “The divers have to be seen in world events, they have to be sent to get blooded and if you are known, it is worth at least 20 points…to keep up with the best, you have to compete with the best.”
As we bid a fond farewell to a true gentleman and a great of our sport and our club, MelAm sends our most sincere condolences to Peter’s wife Shirley, son Shaun, daughter Sharon and their families.
Vale Peter Panayi. A warm-hearted, energetic, and lovable gentleman who gave us all so much joy throughout 90 wonderful years. A brilliant life very well lived, through every twist and tumble.
To the man who coined the phrase “Dive for the ceiling, the water will come when it is ready”; Pete, the big diving pool in the sky is ready for you now. Goodbye, much love, and we thank you.
