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{{Short description|Journalist, television presenter, race car driver}} {{Short description|Journalist, television presenter, race car driver}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2012}}'''Peter Wherrett''', (who late in life changed name to '''Pip Wilson'''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Catherine |title=Obituary - Pip Wilson (Peter Wherrett) |url=http://www.seahorsesoc.org/resources/articles/pip-wherrett.html |website=Seahorse Society of NSW Inc. |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> ) (born 9 June 1936{{spaced ndash}}23 March 2009) was an Australian ] and motor sport ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/24/2524820.htm|title=Motoring journalist Wherrett dies|date=24 March 2009|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2009-03-24}}</ref> {{Use Australian English|date=June 2012}}'''Pip Wilson''' (born Peter Wherrett, 9 June 1936{{spaced ndash}}23 March 2009) was an Australian motoring and ] journalist and ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/24/2524820.htm|title=Motoring journalist Wherrett dies|date=24 March 2009|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=2009-03-24}}</ref> Wilson was best known as the presenter and co-writer of '']'', a popular motoring television show from 1973 to 1980.<ref name="ABC" /><ref>{{cite news | publisher=australianscreen.com.au | url=http://australianscreen.com.au/series/torque/ | title=Australian Screen – Torque | accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref>


== Early life ==
Wherrett was born in ]. He learned to drive when his parents got their first motor car when he was twelve.<ref name="ABC">{{Cite book |last=Wherrett |first=Peter & Richard |title=Desire Lines: An unusual family member |publisher=Hodder Headline |year=1997 |isbn=0733604854 |location=Rydelmere, NSW |pages=150–152}}</ref> Frustrated, and then angry, at the lack of attention paid to motor sport by the newspapers Wilson wrote to all of the major newspapers around the country to complain. Only '']'' replied and he was subsequently hired to write for them - doing this throughout 1958 and 1959 on the sport.<ref name="ABC"/> Wilson was born in ]. She learned to drive when her parents got their first motor car when she was twelve.<ref name="ABC">{{Cite book |last=Wherrett |first=Peter & Richard |title=Desire Lines: An unusual family member |publisher=Hodder Headline |year=1997 |isbn=0733604854 |location=Rydelmere, NSW |pages=150–152}}</ref>


Frustrated, and then angry, at the lack of attention paid to motorsport by the newspapers Wilson wrote to all of the major newspapers around the country to complain. Only '']'' replied and she was hired to write on motorsports, working for the ''Herald'' through 1958 and 1959.<ref name="ABC" />
Wherrett was best known as the presenter and co-writer of '']'', a popular motoring television show from 1973 to 1980.<ref name="ABC"/><ref>{{cite news | publisher=australianscreen.com.au | url=http://australianscreen.com.au/series/torque/ | title=Australian Screen – Torque | accessdate=24 March 2009}}</ref>


== Advanced driver training == == Advanced driver training ==
In 1967, Wherrett set up Australia's first ] driver training school as "Peter Wherrett Advanced Driving". In 1980 he sold the school to its manager, Peter Finlay.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=Finlays.com.au | url=http://www.finlays.com.au/pages/aboutus.html | title=About Us | accessdate=2 January 2008}}</ref> In 1967, Wilson set up Australia's first ] driver training school as "Peter Wherrett Advanced Driving". In 1980 she sold the school to its manager, Peter Finlay.<ref>{{cite news | publisher=Finlays.com.au | url=http://www.finlays.com.au/pages/aboutus.html | title=About Us | accessdate=2 January 2008}}</ref>


== Motor racing == == Motor racing ==
Wherrett raced in the Bathurst endurance race in 1969 in a ], in ] in a ] Falcon, and in ] and ] in ]s. Wilson raced in the Bathurst endurance race in 1969 in a ], in ] in a ] Falcon, and in ] and ] in ]s.


== Television == == Television ==
From 1973, Wherrett presented the ] program series '']'' and later a historical series called '']'', which is the only television program on that topic to be produced for ] television.<ref name="ABC"/> During the 1980s, Wherrett explored the need to explore alternative energy sources in the series ''The Balance of Power''. Wherrett also served as the motoring guru in the ] infotainment production '']'', which aired from 1991 to 1999. From 1973, Wilson presented the ] program series '']'' and later a historical series called '']'', which is the only television program on that topic to be produced for ] television.<ref name="ABC"/> During the 1980s, Wilson explored the need to explore alternative energy sources in the series ''The Balance of Power''. Wilson also served as the motoring guru in the ] infotainment production '']'', which aired from 1991 to 1999.


In 1974, Wherrett courted controversy on ''Torque'', after he raised issues about the rear braking on the HJ model ].<ref></ref> In 1974, Wilson courted controversy on ''Torque'', after she raised issues about the rear braking on the HJ model ].<ref></ref>


Wherrett was also a pit reporter for ]'s coverage of the ] at Bathurst. Wilson was also a pit reporter for ]'s coverage of the ] at Bathurst.


== Wherrett Sigma == == Wherrett Sigma ==
In 1981, ] produced a limited edition "Wherrett Special" GH Series ] sedan. Only 1016 cars were produced, which were commissioned after Wherrett complained about the GH Sigma's woeful performance and handling. Wherrett was challenged to design a better car by Mitsubishi Chief Engineers in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Autoweb.com.au | date=3 June 2004 | url=http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_101660/title_Torque-of-The-Auction/newsarticle.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210045522/http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_101660/title_Torque-of-The-Auction/newsarticle.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 December 2007 | title='Torque' of The Auction | accessdate=2 January 2008 }}</ref> In 1981, ] produced a limited edition "Wherrett Special" GH Series ] sedan. Only 1016 cars were produced, which were commissioned after Wilson complained about the GH Sigma's woeful performance and handling. Wilson was challenged to design a better car by Mitsubishi Chief Engineers in Japan.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Autoweb.com.au | date=3 June 2004 | url=http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_101660/title_Torque-of-The-Auction/newsarticle.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210045522/http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_101660/title_Torque-of-The-Auction/newsarticle.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 December 2007 | title='Torque' of The Auction | accessdate=2 January 2008 }}</ref>


== Personal life == == Personal life ==
Wherrett was married and divorced three times. His first marriage was to Denise Wirth. They had a son, Steven, and a daughter, Jane, and had six grandchildren. His second marriage was to Lesley Brydon, former Executive Director of the Advertising Federation of Australia. His third marriage was to Kim Mathers. When Mathers obtained employment in Europe as a chef, Wilson remained in Australia. Because of their physical separation, they decided to divorce amicably in 2006. Following that divorce, Peter sold the house that they had shared in ] and moved to ] in ].<ref name=largerthanlife>{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/24/2524862.htm?section=features | title=Peter Wherrett: a larger-than-life personality on life's long road}}</ref> Wilson was married and divorced three times. Her first marriage was to Denise Wirth. They had a son, Steven, and a daughter, Jane, and had six grandchildren. Her second marriage was to Lesley Brydon, former executive director of the Advertising Federation of Australia. Her third marriage was to Kim Mathers. When Mathers obtained employment in Europe as a chef, Wilson remained in Australia. Because of their physical separation, they decided to divorce amicably in 2006. Following that divorce, Wilson sold the house that they had shared in ] and moved to ] in ].<ref name="ABC-obit">{{Cite news |date=2009-03-24 |title=Peter Wherrett: a larger-than-life personality on life's long road |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-24/peter-wherrett-a-larger-than-life-personality-on/1629244 |access-date=2023-09-04}}</ref>


=== Cross-dressing ===
Wherrett wrote a memoir entitled ''Desirelines'' with his brother ], who died in 2001.<ref name="DAUFM">Wherrett, Peter and Richard, ''Desirelines: An unusual family memoir'', (Sceptre, 1997), {{ISBN|0-7336-0485-4}}</ref> The book recounted Wherrett's interest in ].<ref name="DAUFM"/> As a child, Wherrett discovered her mother being abused by their father which led to an "empathy for her mother as an abused life, and passion for women generally".<ref name="APFCAW"/> She later discovered her father was also a cross-dresser and consulted a psychiatrist who said that such behavior was obsessive but harmless.<ref name="APFCAW"/> Wherrett went on to write '']'' which examined the "compulsive nature of cross-dressing and motorsport".<ref name="APFCAW"/> Wilson wrote a memoir entitled ''Desirelines'' with his brother ], who died in 2001.<ref name="DAUFM">Wherrett, Peter and Richard, ''Desirelines: An unusual family memoir'', (Sceptre, 1997), {{ISBN|0-7336-0485-4}}</ref> The book recounted Wilson’s interest in ].<ref name="DAUFM" /> As a child, Wilson discovered his mother being abused by his father which led to an "empathy for his mother as an abused wife, and passion for women generally".<ref name="SMH-obit" /> She later discovered his father was also a cross-dresser and consulted a psychiatrist who said that such behavior was obsessive but harmless.<ref name="SMH-obit" /> Wilson went on to write '']'' which examined what he described as the "compulsive nature of cross-dressing".<ref name="SMH-obit" />


=== Late life and death ===
After Wherrett and Mathers separated in 2006, Wherrett began presenting as female in public and adopted the name Pip Wilson.<ref name="APFCAW">{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/a-passion-for-cars-and-women-20090324-98un.html?page=-1 | title=A passion for cars and women: Peter Wherrett, 1936–2009 | first=Tony | last=Stephens | newspaper=]| date=25 March 2009}}</ref> Wilson described the act of living a woman for the last two years of her life as "my last great achievement".<ref name="Seahorse obituary: Pip Wherrett">{{cite web | url=http://www.seahorsesoc.org/articles/pip-wherrett.html | accessdate=2010-01-06 | title=Obituary – Pip Wilson (Peter Wherrett) | publisher=Seahorse Society of NSW }}</ref> Pip Wilson (formerly Peter Wherrett) died in 2009 from ]. After Wilson and Mathers separated in 2006, Wilson began presenting as a woman in public full time, and adopted the name Pip Wilson.<ref name="SMH-obit">{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/a-passion-for-cars-and-women-20090324-98un.html?page=-1 | title=A passion for cars and women: Peter Wherrett, 1936–2009 | first=Tony | last=Stephens | newspaper=]| date=25 March 2009}}</ref><ref name="seahorse-obit">{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Catherine |title=Obituary - Pip Wilson (Peter Wherrett) |url=http://www.seahorsesoc.org/resources/articles/pip-wherrett.html |website=Seahorse Society of NSW Inc. |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> Wilson described the act of living as a woman for the last two years of her life as "my last great achievement".<ref name="seahorse-obit" /> Wilson died in 2009 from ].<ref name="ABC-obit" /><ref name="SMH-obit" /><ref name="seahorse-obit" />


==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
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*''Marque a Hundred Years of Motoring'' {{ISBN|978-0-642-97460-0}} *''Marque a Hundred Years of Motoring'' {{ISBN|978-0-642-97460-0}}
*''Torque'' {{ISBN|978-0-7254-0383-6}} *''Torque'' {{ISBN|978-0-7254-0383-6}}
*''Quest for the Perfect Car : My Life in Motoring'' *''Quest for the Perfect Car: My Life in Motoring''
*''Motoring Skills and Tactics'' *''Motoring Skills and Tactics''
*''Explore Australia BY Four-Wheel Drive'' with Kim Wherrett *''Explore Australia BY Four-Wheel Drive'' with Kim Wherrett
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Revision as of 21:23, 28 December 2024

Journalist, television presenter, race car driver

Pip Wilson (born Peter Wherrett, 9 June 1936 – 23 March 2009) was an Australian motoring and motorsport journalist and race car driver. Wilson was best known as the presenter and co-writer of Torque, a popular motoring television show from 1973 to 1980.

Early life

Wilson was born in Marrickville, New South Wales. She learned to drive when her parents got their first motor car when she was twelve.

Frustrated, and then angry, at the lack of attention paid to motorsport by the newspapers Wilson wrote to all of the major newspapers around the country to complain. Only The Sydney Morning Herald replied and she was hired to write on motorsports, working for the Herald through 1958 and 1959.

Advanced driver training

In 1967, Wilson set up Australia's first post-licence driver training school as "Peter Wherrett Advanced Driving". In 1980 she sold the school to its manager, Peter Finlay.

Motor racing

Wilson raced in the Bathurst endurance race in 1969 in a Mazda, in 1970 in a Ford Falcon, and in 1974 and 1976 in Alfa Romeos.

Television

From 1973, Wilson presented the ABC TV program series Torque and later a historical series called Marque, which is the only television program on that topic to be produced for free-to-air television. During the 1980s, Wilson explored the need to explore alternative energy sources in the series The Balance of Power. Wilson also served as the motoring guru in the Channel Ten infotainment production Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, which aired from 1991 to 1999.

In 1974, Wilson courted controversy on Torque, after she raised issues about the rear braking on the HJ model Holden Premier.

Wilson was also a pit reporter for Channel 7's coverage of the 1983 James Hardie 1000 at Bathurst.

Wherrett Sigma

In 1981, Mitsubishi Australia produced a limited edition "Wherrett Special" GH Series Sigma sedan. Only 1016 cars were produced, which were commissioned after Wilson complained about the GH Sigma's woeful performance and handling. Wilson was challenged to design a better car by Mitsubishi Chief Engineers in Japan.

Personal life

Wilson was married and divorced three times. Her first marriage was to Denise Wirth. They had a son, Steven, and a daughter, Jane, and had six grandchildren. Her second marriage was to Lesley Brydon, former executive director of the Advertising Federation of Australia. Her third marriage was to Kim Mathers. When Mathers obtained employment in Europe as a chef, Wilson remained in Australia. Because of their physical separation, they decided to divorce amicably in 2006. Following that divorce, Wilson sold the house that they had shared in Queensland and moved to Lake Macquarie in New South Wales.

Cross-dressing

Wilson wrote a memoir entitled Desirelines with his brother Richard Wherrett, who died in 2001. The book recounted Wilson’s interest in cross-dressing. As a child, Wilson discovered his mother being abused by his father which led to an "empathy for his mother as an abused wife, and passion for women generally". She later discovered his father was also a cross-dresser and consulted a psychiatrist who said that such behavior was obsessive but harmless. Wilson went on to write The Gender Trap which examined what he described as the "compulsive nature of cross-dressing".

Late life and death

After Wilson and Mathers separated in 2006, Wilson began presenting as a woman in public full time, and adopted the name Pip Wilson. Wilson described the act of living as a woman for the last two years of her life as "my last great achievement". Wilson died in 2009 from prostate cancer.

Bibliography

  • Peter Wherrett's A Century of the Motor Car
  • Marque a Hundred Years of Motoring ISBN 978-0-642-97460-0
  • Torque ISBN 978-0-7254-0383-6
  • Quest for the Perfect Car: My Life in Motoring
  • Motoring Skills and Tactics
  • Explore Australia BY Four-Wheel Drive with Kim Wherrett
  • What They Don't Teach You in Driving School ISBN 978-1-920923-40-2
  • Grit: An Epic Journey Across the World – the story of Francis Birtles epic 1927 journey. ISBN 978-1-920923-62-4
  • Wheels of Australia (editor)
  • Drive It! The Complete Book of High Speed Driving on Road And Track (1981)
  • Desirelines: an unusual family Memoir (1997) with Richard Wherrett. ISBN 0-7336-0485-4

References

  1. "Motoring journalist Wherrett dies". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  2. ^ Wherrett, Peter & Richard (1997). Desire Lines: An unusual family member. Rydelmere, NSW: Hodder Headline. pp. 150–152. ISBN 0733604854.
  3. "Australian Screen – Torque". australianscreen.com.au. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  4. "About Us". Finlays.com.au. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
  5. Unique Cars – Feature: 40 years of the mighty HQ
  6. "'Torque' of The Auction". Autoweb.com.au. 3 June 2004. Archived from the original on 10 December 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
  7. ^ "Peter Wherrett: a larger-than-life personality on life's long road". ABC News. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  8. ^ Wherrett, Peter and Richard, Desirelines: An unusual family memoir, (Sceptre, 1997), ISBN 0-7336-0485-4
  9. ^ Stephens, Tony (25 March 2009). "A passion for cars and women: Peter Wherrett, 1936–2009". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ^ Parker, Catherine. "Obituary - Pip Wilson (Peter Wherrett)". Seahorse Society of NSW Inc. Retrieved 25 May 2022.

External links

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