A community champion, who lifted the spirits of hundreds of Sunshine Coast people daily with his simple gesture, will be honoured with a permanent memorial.
The late Peter Van Beek, a long-time Buderim resident, was a constant in the lives of schoolchildren, residents and motorists for more than a decade as he stood on the grassy roundabout opposite his home for hours each day and waved a cheery “good morning” to passers-by.
Many didn’t even know his name, dubbing him ‘Waving Man’. But everyone appreciated his humble attempt to connect his community – through an enthusiastic wave and beaming smile – at a time when so many people felt disconnected.
Children and adults alike made a point of looking for Peter as they approached the intersection of Ballinger and Stringybark roads on their commute to school and work or travels around Buderim.
A friendly toot and wave were all he needed in return to keep him coming back, day after day.
An outpouring of sadness and gratitude from people all over the Sunshine Coast followed news of the 88-year-old’s death on May 29, 2022.
A year later, moves to create a lasting memorial to the ‘Waving Man’ started gaining momentum.
Buderim resident John Munden created a change.org petition and received the blessing of Peter’s widow Margerethe to take the next steps toward that aim.
Mr Munden then organised a community petition, which Division 7 councillor Ted Hungerford presented to the Sunshine Coast Council Ordinary Meeting on April 27 this year, to name the intersection of Ballinger and Stringybark roads ‘Peter’s Roundabout’.
A council representative contacted Mr Munden by email on July 24, confirming “that in accordance with council policy, we can and will name the roundabout ‘Peter’s Roundabout’.”
Mr Munden was told in the correspondence that the next step was to consult with him as petitioner and Peter’s family to develop signs that met road safety rules.
A council spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News the new signage would be installed soon.
“I was really thrilled,” Mr Munden said of receiving the email.
“It was a long time coming, but when the email comes through, it feels like everything is worth it.
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“Whenever you post something (about Peter on social media), there’s an outpouring of emotion you get from people who remember Peter, were touched by Peter, and have this emotional connection to the experience they had whenever Peter waved at them.
“He was there for years and the familiarity of Peter always being there, it was just wonderful. When you see that response (on social media), you know you’re doing something right. You know that this is something people want.”
The Van Beeks’ eldest son Rene said the creation of a memorial to his Dutch-born father was “very nice, very humbling”.
“We were very impressed with the community that (the memorial idea) is still going,” he said.
“Mum said, ‘I thought they might have forgotten all about it by now’.
“But the community has been pretty strong on it all, especially people like Mr Munden.
“We’re very happy and humbled by it.
“They have got to make the sign and everything. It will be another six months, I imagine.
“We’re mainly wanting to do it for the community – it’s not about us.
“We want to include the community and it’s all about waving.
“It’s something for the kids who grew up here to say ‘Oh, I remember that man’.”
Rene said he had been in contact with the council, and family members were now debating within themselves what wording they would like to see on the three signs – one for each approach to the roundabout.
He understood each sign would be about 1.5m long.
He said he hoped to try to incorporate ‘community’ and ‘waving’ in the wording to encapsulate what Peter was all about.
Mr Munden posted an update on the Buderim Community Board Facebook page on July 24 to let people know the good news.
“A huge thank you to every single person that followed up and liked and commented on every post, and to the 2500 signatories who lent their voice to the cause to honour the actions of a kind and gentle person who brightened everyone’s day. It’s truly heartwarming to see the power of community in action. Peter’s Roundabout will stand as a symbol of our united efforts, reminding us that when we come together, we can achieve remarkable things,” he wrote.
The post soon had more than 850 reactions, 125 comments and 28 shares.
Neeni Frost commented: “Well done. Thank you to all who took the time to advocate for this. I hope they put up an image of Pete waving so we can continue to wave back and smile while we drive through Pete’s Roundabout.”
Mel West said: “Well done to everyone who helped this happen!! I will now smile again each time I drive though just like I did each day when Pete would wave to us. Thank you!!”
Toni Meehan added: “Well done John Munden!! My kids and I are delighted. We dearly miss Pete and his cheery wave on the way to school (and to me on my way home) each morning. Thanks for taking up this cause.”
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