Peter was born in St John’s Newfoundland, fourth child of five of Rev. Sidney and Eva Garland and, as part of a minister’s family, moved quite extensively during his childhood to Montreal, Albany New York, and Sherbrooke Quebec.
Prior to a 33-year career in radio broadcasting, Peter served 12 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Fighter Control Operator on Canada’s Pinetree Line – Aircraft Control & Warning radar bases, earning the Canadian Forces Decoration medal.
He was also an active volunteer on Canadian Forces radio stations during that time.
His civilian broadcasting career began in Stratford in 1970. He moved to London in 1972 and for 31 years he was the top-rated morning show host on stations CKSL and CFPL, the latter for 22 years.
Two albums of comedy material from his programs were released.
For the 2001 Canada Summer Games, Peter conceived and directed the first-ever sanctioned Canada Games Radio station exclusively broadcasting Games information 24 hours a day in a bilingual format.
His novel “Permanent Echoes”, based on his cold-war RCAF radar station experiences, was published in 1992.
Peter returned to his aeronautical roots in 2007 when he served as Co-executive Director of the Wings & Wheels airshow in St. Thomas that successfully supported four area charities.
He has devoted much time over the years to various charitable organizations. He is a Past President of the Board of Jesse’s Journey – The Foundation for Gene and Cell Therapy – the only Canadian charity dedicated solely to funding research related to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Foundation has granted more than $13.1 million to research. He also served more than a decade on the Board of the London and Area Food Bank.
Peter served as President of the Garrison Community Council, an organization of civilians supporting Canada’s military, and as Vice-President of the Board of The Secrets of Radar Museum.
Peter is a proud recipient of a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship for his service to the community, and a Laudable Londoner Award (with his wife Ann Hutchison) from Participation House.
His hobbies include writing and painting and some folk singing at his beloved cottage in Wild Cove, Newfoundland accompanied by bad guitar playing (his).
He has great pride in two beautiful and talented daughters, Christy (award winning film-maker) and Kelly (jeweler and teacher) and his granddaughter Chelsea Robinson, who now works for Corus Radio (formerly CFPL) as Promotions Coordinator.