14 Facts About Peter Kocan

Peter Raymond Kocan was born on Peter Raymond Douglas, 4 May 1947 and is an Australian author and poet who attempted to assassinate Australian Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell on 21 June 1966.

Peter Kocan fired a shot at point-blank range through a car window, but Calwell escaped with only minor facial injuries from broken glass.

Peter Kocan was transferred to the Morisset Mental Hospital and released in 1976.

Peter Kocan began writing in prison and has published several volumes of poetry.

The marriage did not last and they moved on to Sydney, but Peter Kocan retained his step-father's surname.

Peter Kocan left school at the age of 14, and according to his mother gave up sport and spent most of his time reading.

Peter Kocan wrote a letter to the headquarters of the Australian National Socialist Party in which he stated that he "admired Hitler because he had killed himself at the right time".

Peter Kocan was sentenced to life imprisonment and was detained first at Long Bay jail in Sydney.

In late December 1966, Peter Kocan was transferred to Ward 21 for the Criminally Insane in Morisset Mental Hospital, at Morisset, south of Newcastle.

Peter Kocan was released on licence from Morisset in August 1976, and began to write about his experiences.

Peter Kocan lived for many years at Tuggerawong on the Central Coast of New South Wales, teaching and writing one act plays, poetry and fiction.

Peter Kocan acted in twenty plays, and directed four for the Wyong Drama Group from 1981 to 2002.

Peter Kocan gained public recognition for his work, receiving regular support from the Literary Board of the Australia Council, and has won various literary prizes.

Peter Kocan graduated from the University of Newcastle in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts, and obtained a master's degree.