Article CPT August 1988 p 13 “‘Vale’ Pec” by Robyn Greenwood.
“With the death of Jaroslav Edward Pecanek on July 15th 1988, the north has lost one of its great characters.”
Mentions that “Pec” and his wife Jindra fled the communist regime of Czechoslovakia in 1949, then their early years in Australia, arriving in Oodnadatta in February 1960 where he had purchased the store which was the family business for the next 24 years.
Also mentions his sons Henry and Peter, his contract with the French Petroleum Oil Co to construct a road across the Simpson desert now known as the “French Line”, his love of flying and being awarded the British Empire medal.