The sudden death of Woodford musician and teacher Peter Lucas, 48, the weekend has robbed
Warrnambool of a rare talent and a special man.
By DAVID DAWSON
This photo shows Peter Lucas (second from left) with wife Su and other members of Hot Tamale Baby, Brad Harrison (back), Nucky Stewart and Johnny Sycopoulis
He was the Peter Pan of the Warrnambool music and academic scene - tall and slim and never giving any hint of his 48 years. But seven years ago doctors gave Peter Lucas only six months to live after diagnosing a genetic heart defect. They warned him if he didn't have a heart bypass he would die. They also warned if he did have the operation he might die anyway. Instead, the South West Institute of Tafe arts lecturer sought alternative health treatment, practised Eastern medicine and philosophy and survived. Peter and his wife Su Mellersh-Lucas, a draftswoman, adjusted their professional careers to allow more time for their other passions - their two daughters Sahr, 20 and Paije, 19. And music. After more than 15 years and nearly as many bands their dreams reached fruition in January this year when their most enduring group - Hot Tamale Baby - won the best female vocal performance section at the Australian Roots Music Awards in Warrnambool. They had already been booked for the Port Fairy Folk Festival and were to be a headlining act at the seventh Apollo Bay festival next weekend. The couple agreed to give a rare interview to promote their CD and the festival on radio station 3PBSFM in St Kilda yesterday at 10.30am. But at 3.30am Peter suffered a massive heart attack in his daughters' Hawthorn flat and died before an ambulance could transport him to the Alfred Hospital. Peter, a non-drinker and vegetarian, had earlier attended the 50th birthday party of lifelong Warrnambool friend Ray Francis in Prahran.
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