A truly dedicated and valued member of his communities
Obituaries
PETER JAMES SWANN, Born 9 June 1938, Died 2 April 2026.
When a large CFS guard of honour farewelled Peter James Swann from the church door to the hearse, it was a mark of respect for a man who spent a lifetime working tirelessly for Kapunda and its surrounding community. Life Membership of the SA Country Fire Service and 50-year-long service medal were among Peter’s many achievements.
Peter was born in Kapunda on 9 June 1938. He was the second son of John Robert (Bob) and Irene Swann (nee Peterson), and brother to Monsignor John Swann.
His early education at the Dominican Convent was followed by an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner at local engineering firm Hawke & Co. where his father spent most of his working life.
Peter married Jennifer (Jenny) Modystack in 1964, and the couple had two sons, Robert and Michael.
“Dad’s father passed away at a young age and he worked to support his mum (our Nan) when Uncle John went to college in 1947 and then the seminary,” Michael said.
“He never lost sight of the importance of family. He was a devoted husband to our mum Jen, who worked with him in many of his enterprises. He was also an amazing carer to Nan, a devoted dad to his children Rob and I, and Pa to grandchildren Matthew, Jacob, Nicolas and Melissa.”
Peter received State awards for top apprentice in 1956 and 1958. “He worked his way up to become the works supervisor until the factory closed in 1983,” Robert said. “After Hawke & Co. closed, he worked for District Council of Kapunda until he had his first stroke in 1997.”
Peter also started the Kapunda branch of the Christian Country Youth Movement and was a member of the Kapunda Rural Youth Organisation.
“Dad played tennis, drove go-carts and played for Kapunda Football Club, including as a Boundary Umpire,” Robert said. “He was a member of the St Rose’s Church Management Committee and became the custodian/caretaker for the John’s Cemetery where he developed comprehensive records of the cemetery layout and occupants.”
“As its curator he spent a lot of time identifying many of the unmarked graves,” Mgr John Swann said during his brother’s homily. “It began in 1854 – one of the oldest in SA. He also computerised all the church records for births, deaths and marriages – quite numerous in the early days of the parish.”
Peter’s work at the cemetery led to an interest in St Mary MacKillop who spent time at St John’s where she established a girl’s reformatory in the old church and presbytery.
“Pete also discovered that Mary MacKillop actually owned a house in Kapunda, used by the sisters who taught at the local school before the Dominicans came,” Mgr John said.
“He later wrote a small book on Kapunda and the Mary MacKillop connection. Among other historical information he listed all the Josephite schools in the area – eight in the immediate area and another 12 in the mid-north area.”
From 1970 to 1979, Peter was elected as a councillor for the District Council of Kapunda where he represented the council on several committees such as the Emergency Fire Service, Country Fire Service, St John Ambulance (Dutton Park), and the Kapunda Historical Society.
“Dad was also a qualified as a volunteer driver for Kapunda St John Ambulance and a fireman in the Kapunda SA Fire Brigade from 1960 to 1971.
He joined the Kapunda Civil Defence in 1966 which later became the State Emergency Service. He qualified as a rescue instructor and SES controller, being appointed the controller of the Kapunda SES from 1978 to 1990.”
Peter joined the Kapunda Emergency Fire Service in 1965 and held many positions over the years, including CFS volunteer regional officer for Region Two.
As a member of the Country Fire Service Board for almost 10 years, Peter served on multiple sub-committees and was the first volunteer chief judge for the state-wide CFS competitions. As a board member he represented the SA CFS at many functions across almost all Australian states as well as overseas in New Zealand.
Peter’s awards, of which he received many, included the Australian National Medal, the British Fire Service Centenary Medal, the Australian Fire Service Medal, and the Light Regional Council’s Citizen of the Year Award 2014.
He also wrote history books.
“When we first got a computer in the house Dad said he was not interested in using it,” Michael said. “Eventually he realised the value and in his later years spent a large amount of time researching and recording history. He helped countless people from all over the country and overseas discover their family history. He regularly had people contact him as the unofficial Kapunda historian.”
Peter also had a love of motorcycles and photography.
“He worked as a wedding photographer on weekends for Barossa Super Snaps at Nuriootpa,” Michael said. “After doing this for so long he took the wedding photos for children of couples he had photographed years before.”
After entering Southern Cross Care, Peter was asked to nominate three things that were important to him. They were: time with family, his Catholic faith, and the history of the town and churches.
He always offered help when needed. “Whether it be a member of the community, a friend or family,” Michael said.
“If we needed something done at home or in the garden, Dad would just turn up and help. He will be sorely missed and we will all cherish our memories of him and how he has enriched our lives.”
