Veteran teacher and Townsville Saint mastermind Peter Higgins dies, aged 81

After helping generations of NQ students understand mathematics, and playing a key role in creating the Townsville Saint, veteran teacher Peter Higgins has died. Read about his life.

Veteran teacher and Townsville Saint mastermind Peter Higgins has died, aged 81.

Peter Higgins, a veteran teacher who instilled a passion for mathematics in generations of North Queensland students and found fame as one of the masterminds behind the Saint on Castle Hill, died last week aged 81.

After battling Covid and pneumonia, Mr Higgins entered into palliative care at Townsville University on Wednesday, before passing away peacefully on Friday the 13th.

Not one for superstitions, but a lover of numbers with an Irish sense of humour, Mr Higgins would have been “tickled pink” to have died on this date, according to his wife of 55 years, Joyce.

Born in Mackay, along with four brothers and two sisters, to a violinist father and classical pianist mother, Peter was immersed in music, and naturally gifted at teaching his siblings maths.

He trained as a maths teacher at James Cook University’s teachers college, before being posted to Dimbulah State School in 1966, where he met former-Cairns resident Joyce.

After marrying in 1969, they relocated to Townsville (halfway between their families) and took up posts at Townsville State High School, going on to start a family of seven children and 12 grandchildren.

Mrs Joyce said Peter became “an institution” at Town High, earning the respect of his students for his patience, sense of humour, quiet classrooms, and his clear, careful explanations of tricky mathematical concepts.

Joyce Higgins, wrote the book 'My Townsville' after falling in love with the city.

Peter Higgins was married to Joyce for 55 years. Picture: Supplied.

“The past students we see every now and then will only have praise for Peter, saying he was a wonderful teacher … and ‘the best teacher I ever had’,” Mr Joyce said.

“He had the knack of seeing which students did not grasp the particular lesson and he would always tell those few children to go get their lunch and ‘I’ll go and get my lunch, come back here and we’ll go through it again’.

Graham Richardson with Peter Higgins.

“The only students he could not handle were liars and cheats.”

Peter threw “all of his interest in the uni rugby league club”, relentlessly fundraising with chook raffles and bingo, and eventually made a life member.

His love of numbers also underpinned his lifelong fascination in horse racing, with a Cluden Turf Club bookie employing him as a penciller for a bookie for five years.

The Saint on Castle Hill. Picture: Evan Morgan

A fan of American guitarist Chet Atkins, The Shadows, and Johnny Cash, Peter was a rock and roll enthusiast and guitar teacher, whose passion shone through his co-ordination of musical performances at Catholic masses over the decades.

“In our house, it wasn’t the father telling the children to turn that music down, it was the children saying, ‘Dad, can you turn that music down please?’”

Peter Higgins was the Lifetime Achievement Award winner of the Townsville Arts, Cultural and Entertainment awards in 2001. Picture: Stewart McLean.

Despite retiring in 2001, Peter busied himself in the vegetable garden, privately tutoring students, and marking maths papers for JCU.

“He threw all of his energy into helping our children and our grandchildren. He helped them with whatever they needed help with, even the little ones up to the ones in grade 12. He was a very smart man,” Mrs Higgins said.

Former Townsville Uni College students who painted The Saint on Castle Hill in March 1962. Lyall Ford, Barrie Von Snarski, Peter Higgins and Rod Froyland have got together for the 50th anniversary reunion.

Saint sign painters reunion from left Rod Froyland, Bob Sothman, Lyall Ford, Dave Greve, Peter Higgins and Barrie Snarski. Absent: Graeme Bowen. Photo Peter Holt / Daily Mercury

Peter was just 17-years-old when he and six Mackay schoolmates were inspired by the original Saint TV series to carry out a stealth operation on Castle Hill on March 17, 1962.

Under the cover of darkness, they drove an American Army jeep to the top and carefully lowered Barrie Snarski down the cliff face using an elaborate rope seat.

Their creation became one of Townsville’s most iconic landmarks and its origin remained one of the region’s best kept secrets for 60 years.

All are welcome to attend Peter Higgins’ memorial service at Ryan Community Centre from 10am on Friday, September 20.

Peter Higgins' life will be celebrated at Ryan Community Centre from 10am on Friday, September 20.

Originally published as Veteran teacher and Townsville Saint mastermind Peter Higgins dies, aged 81