South Australian liver transplant recipient and lifelong sailor Pete Montgomery is preparing to embark on an extraordinary solo sailing journey around Australia – a powerful statement of what is possible after transplantation.
At 72 years old, Pete will undertake a voyage between 7,500 and 8,500 nautical miles, expected to take 10 to 12 months. His journey will see him navigate some of Australia’s most remote and challenging coastlines, combining his passion for sailing with a powerful mission to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation.
Transplant Australia was pleased to support the launch of Pete’s voyage from Port Adelaide Sailing Club, with Chair Professor Petrina Coventry, CEO Chris Thomas and South Australian Committee Julie & Peter Black in attendance.
Sailing has been part of Pete’s life since childhood. Over the decades he’s competed in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race twice and sailed from Singapore to Plymouth in the United Kingdom twice.
Now, Pete is preparing for his most meaningful voyage yet.
In 2016, Pete was diagnosed with liver cancer, after multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a difficult wait on the transplant list, he received a life-saving liver transplant in 2019.
Since then, his gratitude for the gift he received has shaped his outlook and inspired his next chapter.
“This journey is my way of saying thank you to my donor and their family, and of showing other recipients, or people who are waiting for transplant, that life can still be full, adventurous and meaningful. A transplant doesn’t define your limits – it gives you new possibilities.”
Pete has written to his donor family to express his gratitude and hopes his voyage will honour their generosity while encouraging more Australians to have conversations about organ donation.
You can follow Pete’s journey by following Second Wind, or support Pete’s mission to inspire Australia by donating to his GoFundMe.
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