Paul enjoyed a happy Australian childhood free of music lessons. At the age of 17 he taught himself saxophone, in the belief that it was a clarinet.
As an alternative to conscription in 1965, he committed to a three year term in the army and proceeded to defend his country with both clarinet and saxophone from his
post in Sydney's picturesque Paddington Barracks.
At 23 he took up flute and bassoon and at 28 played in the Sydney Opera House's initial Symphonic, Opera and Ballet performances.
He joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on the bassoon in 1976 and upon retiring in 2000, has devoted himself to teaching, writing, performing and examining, Around this time he acquired the Licentiate Diploma of Trinity College London on 5 instruments - flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon.
Paul married Margaret Dickson, then a violinist colleague in the MSO, in 1979 and they had two children, Adelaide and Dominic, who have been involved in hundreds of performances for families. These were done as The Elastic Band (children's shows) and Trio Grande (cabaret and chamber). In these ventures Paul had wonderful support for many years from Annabelle Clucas, playing piano and keyboard and also some fine arranging. She can be heard on their children's CD, Classic Elastic. Upon Annabelle's departure the group was joined by Sue Goessling and that combination may be heard on the CD Hush Collection Volume 1.
These popular shows came to an end when Adelaide (who had become the singing, dancing star of the show) went to Paris for a 3-year Moulin Rouge contract. Deprived of this outlet, Paul took up the pen to write Ouija Night (Spirit Experiences), My Two Years with God (monastic life), Antonia's Journey (Historical Romance), Coan the Cooper (the story of Paul's Great Grandfather) and now, with imagination unfettered, My Immortal Soul (Science Fiction.)
Paul lost his beloved life partner, Margaret Dickson, in 2016 after an 18 month illness, but continued his entertaining work as Serenadio, with son Dominic playing guitars and old friend of 50 years, Brian Fitzgerald. Adelaide has also been a popular guest artist.
Margaret was thrilled in her final week of life to learn that her successor would be Brian, a singer, woodwind player and arranger, hence not a woman or a violinist. Paul counts himself a fortunate man to have had such a wonderful partner for thirty seven years.
After Margaret's passing in 2016, Paul continued teaching at Xavier College and Balwyn Primary school, on flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder and bassoon. However, in 2021 he was suddenly committed to hospital with Lymphoma Stage 4. He received a wonderful reprieve courtesy of a particular drug which proved effective with one application. However, he was kept on that drug for 5 monthsin which time he dropped from 98kg to 68 kg and was afflicted with a severe case of Peripheral Neuropathy. This should not have happened but surveillance was poor, mainly due to Covid complications at the hospital preventing face to face interaction. In 2022 he reluctantly had to relinquish his teaching at those two schools where he had enjoyed wonderful support from administrators and talented colleagues. Since then he has managed steady improvement from a low base to the current situation teaching from home and now at the Erasmaus Primary School in Hawthorn. He has tremendous support from son Dominic (Head of Instrumental Music, Auburn High) Daughter in law Natasha and baby granddaughter, Martiana, as well as his daughter Adelaide, singer and dancer. Paul expects the same support from Callista Isla Williams, born September 27 2024.
During Covid times Paul joined a karaoke style app and sings regularly with partners in many places, especially Catalonia, Germany, Italy, France, USA, Indonesia, Phillipines and more.
He then joined the local Yarra Gospel choir conducted by a very talented young Music Director, Ed Chan - life continues to offer new experience and lessons.
Paul intends to keep doing all this and more...