Over a span of three years, I dedicated time to engaging in heartfelt conversations with my grandfather, Pete Vance, unraveling the intricate tapestry of his life. Every chat was meticulously recorded and transcribed, ultimately culminating in a 25,000-word biography that pays tribute to his remarkable journey.

From his formative years in Melbourne to the challenges posed by Retinitis Pigmentosa, the struggles he faced during his Ph.D. leading to a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, and his subsequent move to Papua New Guinea—each chapter of his life is a captivating narrative filled with profound stories and invaluable wisdom. The compilation of these tales stands as one of my most cherished accomplishments.

“When you’re a teenager in Melbourne in those days, you were either a rocker or a jazzer. The rockers had long, greased hair, whereas the jazzers tended to have crew cuts or shorter, but the thing was, we loved both.” - Pete Vance