Peter Fraser
Dr Peter Fraser (1997; 1998; 1999)
Helmut Bakaitis
Episodes: 2187; 2391; 2517–2518; 2608; 2646; 2663
Spouse: Diana Fraser (separated)
Children: Lachlan, James, Edward and Elizabeth Fraser
Peter was first seen when Shannon went to the Fraser mansion for lunch with boyfriend Lachlan. It became increasingly evident that there was a rift between Peter and his wife Diana. When Shannon was introduced to Walter, she misunderstood and believed him to be Diana’s lover. After seeing that Peter knew exactly how Walter liked his coffee—as opposed to his forgetting that Diana had been using sweeteners for months—a later comment from Pippa brought Shannon to the realisation that Walter was, in fact, Peter’s lover.
After several days of refusing to talk about his family with Shannon, Lachlan eventually admitted that Peter was a closeted homosexual. This revelation led Shannon to realise her own romantic feelings towards Mandy.
A year later, Peter came to Yabbie Creek with Diana to visit Lachlan, who had slipped into a coma following brain surgery. He defended Chloe to Diana, who was unable to remember some of the medical jargon she had been told, and unsuccessfully tried to placate Diana as she accused the surgeon of negligence.
Peter returned to the bay some months later to see his other son James, who had just moved into a new house having accepted a job at the hospital. With Diana also visiting, who brought him up to speed on her plan to matchmake between James and Chloe, he made known his disapproval. When she explained that she was doing it to ensure she would be able to maintain access to grandaughter Olivia, Peter tried to reason with her, explaining that she didn’t need to resort to subterfuge.
A dinner was organised for the family with Chloe, Irene and Olivia, but Diana was frustrated when James had to work. Peter was more than happy to go ahead and cook for them all anyway, pleased to spend time with Chloe and his grandaughter.
Peter was next seen in 1999 at the wedding of James and Chloe, arriving late having been held up in surgery. He once again tried to pacify Diana when her car was stolen (by Jesse), with all James & Chloe’s belongings inexplicably returned to the house.
Peter returned again two months later for Lachlan’s memorial service. Some weeks later, Diana took Olivia against Chloe’s knowledge. Peter was the one who returned child to mother and stated that Diana had had a nervous breakdown due to Lachlan’s death. Peter had urgently booked Diana into a clinic for treatment, explaining that underneath her brave face, was a very vulnerable woman. Whilst he realised that Chloe would find it hard to forgive Diana, he asked her to understand that she would never harm Olivia.
Peter didn’t attend Chloe’s funeral in 2005, and Diana made no mention of him during her return.
Helmut Bakaitis previously played Carly’s father George Morris in 1988.