Obituaries Australia

Peter Rutherford Carrodus, manager of 2CA from 1961 to 1978, and who played a crucial role in the formation and early performances of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, died suddenly at his home in Leura, NSW, early on Tuesday morning, aged 64.

He was born in Canberra, the son of Mabel and Joe Carrodus — a senior public servant in the then Department of the Interior — and was educated at Telopea Park Primary School and Canberra Grammar School.

He joined 2CA, then the sole commercial radio station in Canberra, as an announcer and by 1961 was managing the station. He led it during a time of great success and great change, including the advent of television and 2CA's commercial rival 2CC.

In 1978 he joined the Macquarie Broadcasting Network Head Office in Sydney, and later played a major role in the success of 2MBS-FM, one of the first of the specially-licensed community broadcasters as its first professionally-experienced manager.

Peter Carrodus made a very significant and sustained contribution to the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, then struggling for existence.

His wife, Ronie, one of the children of Labor politician Dr and Mrs H. V. ("Doc") Evatt, played in the orchestra and he organised concerts, found venues, arranged publicity, and looked after the orchestra's administration.

The CSO's first concerts took place in the 2CA theatrette in Mort Street, Braddon, and Peter Carrodus, as president, was at times crucial to its survival.

It was he who invited Ernest Llewellyn to become part of the orchestra.

In recent years he and Ronie lived in retirement in the Blue Mountains of NSW.

He is survived by Ronie and two of their children, Mark and Kate; their daughter Rebekah died eight years ago.

He will be cremated in a private ceremony on Monday.