Peter Haffenden remembered for Living Museum of the West work

Long-time museum director and community titan Peter Haffenden is being remembered as kind and beautiful after losing a battle with cancer.

Peter Haffenden died after a battle with cancer on October 14 and is being remembered a hero of the Maribyrnong community. Picture: Kris Reichl

Tributes are flowing for the former director of Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West Peter Haffenden who is being remembered as a “giant” of Maribyrnong.

Mr Haffenden died on October 14 at home after a battle with cancer.

The long-time volunteer was a key part of Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West where he was a director from 1997 to 2008; he also served as the finance manager and media co-ordinator for the popular attraction.

A much-loved member of the Maribyrnong and Footscray community, Mr Haffenden was an avid gardener and also part of the Friends of Buckley Park group.

Cr Sarah Carter said Mr Haffenden was one of the first people to meet her after her election as mayor in 2018.

“At the last swearing in, when I became mayor, Peter pulled me aside and gave me a cutting of a plant that had been in his family for a hundred years,” she said.

“He said ‘keep this and take care of it like you’ve always taken care of the community’.

“It was such a beautiful insight into the sensibility of the man and his kindness.”

Peter Haffenden showcased manny projects at the museum including Volcano Dreaming which merged more than 3000 photographs taken during more than 100 field trips over a three-year period.

Cr Cuc Lam visited Mr Haffenden in hospital recently and said it was an emotional catch-up.

“He was so strong it was unbelievable, he’s very strong,” she said.

“He asked me ‘are you coming to my funeral?’ and I started to cry, I think Peter was a wonderful man, always dedicated to his community.”

Mr Haffenden was a keen photographer — with several works in the state collection — and worked as a journalist for The Age and ABC.

Mayor Anthony Tran revealed Mr Haffenden was a confidante when he joined council.

“To me, Peter will always be remembered as a man who provided wisdom to a young person who needed it most,” he said.

“He’s someone who should be commemorated for his work.”