"Peter's life revolved around the well being of the whole community, he was quite unassuming and simply respected the spirit of others," she said.

The founder of AME Systems died on Boxing Day and his funeral was held on January 6 at Ararat's St Mary's Church.

"He enjoyed enormous respect, in spite of the fact Peter never sought recognition but always sought to ensure that others were recognised," Ms Radford said.

"Peter Carthew's philosophy was simple if not pragmatic - 'People matter most'."

The Carthews moved to Ararat in 1977 and Mr Carthew's passion for the community has endured throughout the four decades that followed.

In 1985 he created Country Quality in Ararat to show Australia what Ararat had to offer.

For over 20 years, 'Country Quality' became an annual gathering of industry leaders, organisations and businesses committed to quality and continuous improvement.

Mr Carthew also served as a councillor for the Shire of Ararat from 1986 to 1989 where he took a predominant role in encouraging the expansion of industry and commerce throughout the municipality.

In 1994, he was appointed Chairman of Commissioners of the newly created Rural City of Ararat until the election of councillors in 1996.

"His ability to implement change brought about the successful amalgamation of the former City and Shire of Ararat," Ms Radford said.

"Not surprisingly, he took very little financial reward for his work as Chairman of Commissioners, even though the normal arrangement for the chairman was to be paid a full salary and be provided with a fully maintained vehicle."

Mr Carthew was also a founding member of the Ararat Regional Development Board, and played a crucial role in the development of a strategy called Ararat 2020.

The strategy was designed to carry the region through to the year 2020 economically and industrially, among other goals.

Mr Carthew also played an instrumental role in helping Ararat through the closure of Aradale Asylum in 1993.

"Peter committed himself to the task of becoming the inaugural and only President of the Ararat Community Support Group to provide assistance in the smooth transition of people from Aradale into the community," Ms Radford said.

As a Vietnam veteran, Mr Carthew joined Ararat Legacy and was inducted in 1996.

Related: Building will leave Ararat long legacy

"Legacy was incredibly important to Peter and his duty and care for his ladies has always been high on the list," Ms Radford said.

In 2002 Mr Carthew joined a committed group of like-minded people on a steering committee for the "Building for the Future" appeal.

The challenge was to raise in excess of $1 million dollars to assist the building of a new hospital.

"He took on to form an Industry sub-committee and in early 2003 conceived and promoted the idea of the Ararat Family Home Project to raise funds to support the appeal," Ms Radford said.

"Forming the project team he drew together some 400 tradesmen, suppliers, individuals, organisations and local government to build a four bedroom family home.

:With over 6000 man-hours spent on the building site, the home was auctioned and raised $190,000."

In 2004 Mr Carthew was bestowed a life governorship with the Life Governorship of East Grampians Health Service in 2004.

Mr Carthew was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2005 for his civic, business and charitable work.

He told media at the time "he has had strong support from the community and has always tried to become involved and give something back."

In 2012 he was the Golden Gateway King.

In August 2019 Mr Carthew was made a patron of the Ararat Musical Comedy Society.

"Peter has been such a giving man whose generosity has known no bounds," Ms Radford said.

"He has given an enormous amount of himself to the local community and wider community - thank you to all his families for sharing him with us, we are so grateful."

PETER Carthew AM has been remembered as a man who loved travel, a laugh, and giving back to the community.

He was farewelled by Ararat on Monday morning, where a large crowd gathered at St Mary's Church.

People filled the church and spilled into the courtyard and spare hall to say goodbye to the founder of AME Systems.

He died on December 26, months after his second wife died in September.

Stuart Toplis, Mr Carthew's son-in-law, led the celebration of his life, describing him as an "all round decent person and human being, despite his life-long support of the Collingwood Football Club".

Mr Toplis recalled Mr Carthew's sense of humour, describing the day he asked Mr Carthew for permission to marry his daughter.

"He said yes, on the condition you change to the Collingwood Football Club," Mr Toplis said.

His son Christian Carthew said that "there's no question he was a very hardworking man."

"Dad lived a full life," he said.

Son Nicholas Carthew described Mr Carthew's early days when he was conscripted to Vietnam, married his first wife, then founded the company that would become known as AME Systems in a garage in Montmorency, Melbourne.

"Giving back was always high on his agenda," Mr Carthew said.

Long-time friends and colleagues Dianne Radford OAM and Dean Pinniger also spoke.

Ms Radford said Mr Carthew never sought recognition "but always sought to make sure others were recognised."

A funeral procession accompanied Mr Carthew to Cathcart Cemetery where he was laid to rest.

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