BROTHER PETER KIELY (1904-1982)

John Jeremiah Kiely was born in Greymouth on April 2nd, 1904. His was a large and strongly Catholic family, and the West Coast characteristics of individualism, with strength of physique and character, were evident in John at an early age. He attended the Sisters of Mercy Convent School and then Marist Primary. He travelled to Mittagong, Australia, for his secondary education at the Juniorate, the last New Zealand aspirant to do so.

At the end of 1924, on the completion of very successful secondary studies, he entered the Novitiate and was professed as Brother Peter in July, 1926. He spent the remainder of 1926 at the Tasman Street Marist Primary School in Wellington, and at the beginning of 1927 was appointed to the staff of the newly established Secondary Department at Invercargill under the direction of Brother Herbert, the first Fiji-horn Marist Brother.
Brother was transferred to Hamilton in 1929 to begin his first association with the Brothers' School there, and in 1931 was appointed to Sacred Heart College for a term of five years. During these years, besides being engaged in full time teaching he undertook a course of University studies and graduated at Auckland University College in 1933 as a Bachelor of Arts.

There was a return to Invercargill in 1936 and then in 1938 he attended Victoria University, Wellington for a Post-Graduate course in Latin. Brother Peter came to Suva and the High School in 1940 to join Brother Lambert during Pioneering years. A host of old Boys can bear witness to the high quality of his teaching and the dedication that he brought to everything he undertook.

An Old Boy of his during those years, the Hon. Bill Yee, writes of him:
“As a teacher, his enthusiasm was infectious and invariably evoked a keen response from his pupils, many of whom as a result became proud possessors of certificates and grades which might have otherwise eluded them. His interest in the welfare and progress of his students continued after graduation. In days when employment opportunity was a rarity, he unfailingly located positions for those who wanted them."

At a time when dedicated teachers, who were at the same time University graduates, were few in the country, Brother Peter's presence was a boon to the High School. He was articulate on educational matters and he was respected and listened to as one who spoke with authority. He was a great reader and his interest embraced a wide range of subjects on which he could and did speak in his usual forthright manner knowledgeably and well.
After eleven years at the High School, during which time he witnessed the move from Suva Street to Flagstaff, he was asked to return to New Zealand as Director of Marist High School, Hamilton.

Brother Lambert's Annual Report, 1950:
"It is with regret that I have to announce that Brother Peter has been appointed to one of our Schools in New Zealand for 1951. This is a great loss that we are sustaining in Suva, as no one has done so much for the development of Science and Mathematics in the School as he has. For eleven years he has laboured zealously and strenuously for the welfare of the boys and not the least praiseworthy of his work has been vocational guidance whereby boys have been directed into after-school activity suited to their capacities and opportunities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brother Peter for all that he has done for the School and to express the hope that he will be blessed by God in his future work and that he may return to Fiji to guide the destinies of this School."

Six years later he was Director at Invercargill and then in 1960 he was very happy to be able to return to Fiji. As he himself put it: "I was very glad of the opportunity to return to Fiji with Brother Lambert - it was like the return of two exiles. We are now citizens of Fiji and we are content, if it be God's wish, that we live out the remaining years of our lives here in Fiji."

Brother Peter quickly settled back into the life and work of the High School and it was during these years that he became a foundation member of the Library Society in Suva. He continued his work as a devoted teacher and careers advisor until the early seventies. When in 1974 he retired from active teaching, he took charge of the school library and organised fundraising for Lambert Hall among the Old Boys of the School.

In July, 1975, his Golden Jubilee as a Marist Brother was celebrated with fitting ceremony. On that occasion, one of his prominent Old Boys, the Ombudsman, Justice Sir Moti Tikaram, paid the following tribute to him:
"Brother Peter, your selfless devotion to your duty as a teacher and as a Marist Brother has been exemplary. We recall the clarity with which you taught your various subjects. You always took an active interest in the general wellbeing and future and advancement of your students, and your interest and encouragement have been a source of inspiration to many of us.

No one has failed to be impressed by your energy and enthusiasm; you have taught us the virtue of physical fitness not by words alone but by personal example.
Thousands of students of all races have passed through your hands and many of them are now playing a major part in shaping the destiny of Fiji in various walks of life. I can pay you no greater tribute than to say that you have been to us a great teacher, a wonderful guide and philosopher and, above all, a beloved friend."

Later in 1975 he suffered a breakdown in health while on a journey to Rome to follow a course there. This was the beginning of his years of suffering and mental agony that continued until the day of his death. He returned to Fiji the following year but his health was sadly impaired, and he was no longer capable of doing the work that he wished to do.

Essentially a very private person, independent and forthright by nature, highly intelligent and constitutionally strong, it was frustrating and confusing for him to have to be dependent on others. Those who met him only during recent years did not know the real Brother Peter. A Brother who knew him well in his early years, writes:
"I don't think there will be too many who remember the 'Old' Peter: he had a good mind, could argue cogently, and was never reluctant to try his hand ay anything. He read well and there was the touch of the professor about him. He did a good job for Fiji and was there in days when a well-qualified teacher meant a great deal.”

His last years were spent at the Home of Compassion, Tamavua, in the loving care of the Sisters of Compassion, whose gentleness and constant expert attention have helped so many priests and religious in their failing years.