Black armbands were worn by jockeys during race 5 at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm last Saturday as the racing industry mourns the sudden passing of former long standing racing chaplain, Fr Peter Gillam.
The highly-respected priest was racing chaplain for more than 30 years and became family friends with many within racing circles, particularly those involved with Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Hendra.
Fr Gillam was ordained in 1962. He was well known to the presbyterate and served in many capacities. As a moral theologian who studied in Rome, to his seminary lecturing, to pastoring in the Hendra, Brighton and Redcliffe City parishes.
As parish priest and administrator of the Hendra parish from 1977-1992 and later from 2008-2011, Fr Gillam was never far from the track.
He was a regular visitor to many race meeting, especially Eagle Farm and Doomben and was an enthusiastic punter.
Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said he was deeply saddened by Fr Gillam’s passing.
“He was a wonderful friend of the Queensland Turf Club and more recently the Brisbane Racing Club and was always greeted warmly when he attended race meetings,” Mr Bell said.
Fr Gillam’s death is close to the first anniversary of the passing of his very close long-term friend Archbishop John Bathersby who was regularly at the races with his punting mate.
Fr Gillam was the second son of Harry and Josephine Gillam, who originally hailed from Clifton, near Warwick, then moved to Ipswich and finally to Redcliffe.
The family had three boys: Laurie, followed by Peter, and a younger brother Terence who died at birth.
Fr Gillam was educated at St Edmund’s at Ipswich. He died on March 2.
Fr Peter Gillam’s Vigil Liturgy will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, March 10 and is livestreamed at https://youtu.be/oE4e35S5M40
His Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am on Thursday, March 11, livestreamed at https://youtu.be/Sp-faZzhiuQ
