TWO years spent writing his memoir, often through tears, was a cathartic experience for Peter Norris – and one which resulted in a powerful account of his life as the son of one of Australia’s most wanted criminals.
‘The Bank Robber’s Boy’ is the against-all-odds story of Peter, now Club Corowa chief executive officer, and his struggle to escape the shadow of his father, notorious bank robber Clarence ‘Clarry’ Norris.
This Thursday, 26 June, Peter will be at the Wangaratta Library to discuss his life, and the writing of the book, in a session hosted by Edgars Books and News.
Peter said he enjoyed library visits for the chance to share his story in person, explain what it was like to get it down on paper, and often take questions from other people considering writing a memoir.
“Some people want to know how to write their own story, and a lot of people like to know how you can go through so many tough experiences and come out positive,” he said.
It was seeing the result of sharing his story with others going through their own struggles in life that prompted Peter to write the book.
“The more I shared it, the more it helped people, and I thought, ‘Now is the time to be brave and step up and tell my story if it will help others’,” he said. “I’m getting so many amazing messages every day from people of all backgrounds and who have been through all sorts of trauma, telling me they are finding some
hope, and that’s amazing. One message said, ‘You’ve managed to shine a light in my darkness’.”
Born into a life of crime, Peter’s earliest memories were shaped by the chaos of his father’s criminal exploits, being torn from home after home while on the run with the dad he loved, and who was devoted to Peter and his siblings.
The memoir moves from the underbelly of 1970s Sydney to the outskirts of Melbourne, highlighting a troubling chapter in Australian history when Peter and other innocent children were sent to abusive institutions.
“I think I saw the best and worst of people through that childhood; I saw how evil people can be, but throughout my story, there are acts of kindness, sometimes fleeting and other times significant,” he said. “Those little acts of kindness can change people’s lives, and that’s the way I’ve modelled myself – for instance, in the workplace. We have 100 staff at Club Corowa, but they never hear me yell. I still make the tough decisions, but it’s the way I approach life, with kindness.”
At 12, Peter was faced with a heart-wrenching decision as he reached a crossroads, choosing between following his father’s criminal path or seizing a lifeline offered by a stable foster care family based near Shepparton.
That brave choice saw Peter rise from his troubled past, to become a successful CEO, world-class athlete, motivational speaker, dad, foster carer and a coach with Corowa-Rutherglen’s female football club.
“I have a real drive to be the best I can at everything I try; I’m fortunate to have this opportunity, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got,” he said.
Thursday’s session from 6.30pm at the Wangaratta Library in Docker Street is free, but bookings are required, and can be made at https://events.humanitix.com/in-conversation-with-peter-norris
