29/09/2026
Vale Peter “China” Holland.
We are saddened to hear of the unexpected passing of local football legend Peter “China” Holland.
Peter started his career playing with Garfield in the Juniors and went on to win a Best & Fairest in the Seniors. Peter played several West Gippsland FL representative matches where he was named as best player on the ground in two games.
In 1973 Peter was appointed captain coach of Rythdale-Cardinia. In his first year China took the club from last to fifth which he said was one of his many football highlights. The ‘Dale just missed out on playing in the finals by percentage that year.
In 1975 China remained at The ‘Dale as a player and won the senior’s Best and Fairest award. In 1976 he was Vice President of Rythdale-Cardinia.
Peter joined the newly formed Rythdale-Officer-Cardinia combine and in its inaugural year of 1977 he won the Most Determined trophy and played a part in helping ROC make finals in the South West Gippsland FL.
In 1979 Peter took on the job as President of ROC for the next two years and remained on the committee until 1987. In this time, he was Vice President four times, League Delegate, Recruitment Officer, Club Advocate for the Tribunal and a Selector.
Off field, Peter was always available to help the Club. When the social rooms were added to the existing building at Officer in 1983, Peter provided plenty of voluntary help to ensure the building was completed under budget.
Returning to coaching in the late 1980’s, China took on the Reserves in 1987 and coached them to back-to-back Premierships in 1988 and 1989.
China was awarded a ROC FC Life Membership in 1988.
In the early 90’s China followed his son Michael (Jock) and daughter Kathryn to Pakenham where they played football and netball respectively. It wasn’t long until China got involved as a coach (Pakenham U15’s & U17’s) winning flags and then joined the Pakenham FC committee becoming an active member holding Executive positions including President. Pakenham awarded China with a Life Membership in 2007.
We had recently seen China at some Officer home games, including a reunion of Rythdale-Cardinia FC players late last year.
The ROC Past Players & Officials pass on their deepest and most sincerest condolences to the entire Holland family at this difficult time.
A Funeral Service for Peter John Holland will be held at David W Bull Pakenham Funeral Home 190 Princes Highway, Pakenham on Friday 2nd October 2026 commencing at 10:30am. At the conclusion of the Chapel Service. Peter will complete a lap of honor at the Pakenham Football Ground on his way to the Bunyip Cemetery, Bunyip-Tonimbuk Road, Bunyip. For those that are not up to the trip to the Cemetery you are welcome to stay at the Football Club Rooms to further celebrate Peter’s life.
https://www.davidbull.com.au/funeral-notice/peter-john-holland/
Credit – some of the information about Peter above is as told to Fay McCoubrie.
ROC - Officer Football Club
ROC Netball Club
Pakenham Football Club
