Our Founder

 Who was Dr Peter Ulrich Ochsenbein?

Peter was an academic, a Swiss Scientist, and a non-conformist. He was one of Mudgeeraba’s most notable senior citizens and a valued member of the Mudgeeraba community. Peter made Mudgeeraba his home 20 years ago. He fondly referred to himself a Swaussie – a Swiss-Aussie.

Peter was not your average senior citizen. Peter forged his own path and was not one to suffer fools. He was a self-proclaimed bachelor. Peter often said that he was far too busy to have time for a relationship.

He was a man of science and facts. Peter dedicated life to his work, and later to managing his Foundation which he continued to do up until only a few months before his death.

When Peter was not working, he was meditating, swimming, practicing yoga, deciphering the mathematical equations to the meaning of life, defining the relationship between music and light, or listening to his beloved Beethoven.

Peter lived a modest life. He did not concern himself with material objects. He believed that to live a long and healthy life moderation and exercise were key and he practiced this in his daily living. One of Peter’s life practices was to have a salad and glass of wine for breakfast. A habit that held him in very good stead to live to 95.

Early life

The story of our Swaussie started back in Switzerland. On the 11 March 1928, in a small town of Switzerland close to the Bernese Alps, called Meiringen, Peter Ulrich Ochsenbein was born.

His father, Hans Rudolph Ochsenbein (09/10/1884) was a civil engineer. He worked with the military during the second war world in the construction of army bunkers. His father was well known for his engineering expertise, intelligence, and impeccable work ethic. Traits that he would pass on to both his sons.

Peter’s father introduced him to astronomy and Peter recalls his father explaining the solar system to him at a young age and allowing him to look through his telescope. Peter recalls that when he first attended school, his teachers were amazed that he knew so much about the solar system.

Peter’s mother, Cecile Sterchi was a writer, and she played the piano. Cecile wrote fairy tales and children’s stories.

Peter had an older brother, Hans Ochsenbein. They were close in age and had many wonderful adventures when growing up.

Peter’s parents were both born in the 18th century. It gives us some insight into the wealth of history that has passed with Peter.

School career

In 1935, at the age of 7, Peter went to school in Langgasen in Berne, Switzerland.

It quickly became apparent to his teachers that Peter was exceptionally intelligent. Peter excelled at school, particularly in mathematics.

Peter loved school, his natural intelligence, inquisitive nature, and open-mindedness earned him the respect of his peers and teachers and formed the foundation of a career as an academic.

University

At the age of 19, Peter gained entry into Berne University where he mastered in chemistry and obtained a PHD in natural sciences, magna cum laude.

Peter’s professor at the time, provided Peter with some words of wisdom- words that Peter said he would never forget. His professor told him:

“Do not try and reach more in success than is possible in the framework of human capacity.“

Peter was politically active as a young man. He was one of a group of students who in the 1950’s created a political party (‘Young Bern’) fighting for the preservation of Bern’s heritage and to advocate against the modernisation of the city. In 1983, it became clear how justified these efforts were when the town centre of Bern was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, being the first living town worldwide to receive this honour.

Peter served in the army and excelled as an army truck and tank driver. It was compulsory at that time for young men to undertake military conscription. Peter had a love of cars and as a young man purchased a mustang which was his pride and joy. He dabbled in recreational motor car racing as a young man. Peter continued to drive up until only a few years ago, a remarkable achievement for a 90 something year old.

Work career

In 1960 Peter was employed by CIBA – a Swiss pharmaceutical company in their patent department as a patent chemist specialist. Ciba later merged with another pharmaceutical company – Geigi in 1967 and was renamed Ciba-Geigy.

Peter was employed with Ciba-Geigy for 30 years from 1960 to 1991.

Peter had a love of travel and adventure. He travelled extensively both with work and personally. Peter visited 80 countries in his lifetime.

Retirement

Peter retired in 1991 after a 30-year career with Ciba-Giegy.

He went travelling in search of a warmer place to call home and travelled to Australia in 1992. Peter visited the Gold Coast and was struck by the similarity between his hometown of Bern and Mudgeeraba. He felt an immediate connection to Mudgeeraba and made it his forever home.

In 1997 Peter proudly received his Australian citizenship.

The Foundation

For Peter, retirement was never really an option. After settling into Mudgeeraba, he found himself searching for a project.

At this time Peter was an avid practiser of yoga. He practised yoga with Jan O’Donoghue. Peter formed the idea to establish a community space – a foundation, where the Mudgeeraba community could come together and practice yoga and other activities.

The Foundation was established in June 1999.

Mudgeeraba Foundation is one of a few in Australia named after a village. The legal proceedings to establish the foundation and the purchase of land took only a few months, however the planning and construction of the building lasted more than 4 years.

Peter went about recruiting a suitable person for the role of the honorary caretaker of the Foundation. The story goes that Peter was told by a reliable source that the caretaker of the Mudgeeraba shopping centre – Carl Rountree – was a man of impeccable work ethic and integrity, and he would be a perfect candidate for this role.

Peter presented himself at the Mudgeeraba shopping centre and told Carl that he had been selected as honorary caretaker of the Foundation. Carl did not have the opportunity to decline the offer, and the rest is history.

Carl Rountree has been the Foundation’s honorary caretaker for over 20 years.

Peter found value and meaning in running the Foundation. He used the foundation to donate to the RSPCA, local sporting communities, art and music communities, and local schools. Peter’s vision was to have a Foundation that enriched the human mind and spirit, and that provided for those less fortunate.

Peter passed away on 23/05/2023. He was 95 years old.

Peter’s legacy will continue, and the foundation will remain true to Peter’s vision of it being an asset to the Mudgeeraba community and dedicating to helping those less fortunate.

Lisa Hughes

Lisa Hughes

Solicitor to the estate of the late Dr Peter Ulrich Ochsenbein