Peter Vaughan grew up in country NSW. His early life was spent working on his grandfather's, and later his father's, farm at Gundy, and spare time working in the family printing business.
Peter has also worked as an instructor at the Australian Outward Bound School and also as a builder's labourer. The experience at the Australian Outward Bound School became very important for the future directions that Peter has followed. The Outward Bound School teaches young adults to have confidence in their ability, and that with determination they can achieve more than they initially believe. This confidence and determination has proven very important in the challenges Peter experiences, especially in the battle to overcome dishonesty in dentistry.
Peter studied Dentistry at Sydney University. His early years of dentistry were spent in the RAAF, serving at Amberley, Malaysia, Canberra and Richmond.
On leaving the RAAF Peter returned to Sydney University and completed his Masters of Dental Science degree, specialising in Orthodontics. Peter then worked for a number of orthodontic practices before establishing his own practice in Newcastle in 1988.
Dr Peter Vaughan has three orthodontic practices, in the suburbs of Wallsend and Charlestown, in Newcastle, as well as returning back to Scone once a month or so.
Dr Peter Vaughan is married with three boys, aged 32, 30 and 18 years old. He currently lives on a wildlife sanctuary. Peter has returned to university to complete the earlier Science degree. He is currently nearing completion of a Masters of Ornithology, as well as a Masters of Captive Vertebrate Management. Peter has been a Director of The Wetlands Centre, a waterbird and wildlife refuge at Newcastle, as well as chairman of the Newcastle City Council's advisory committee on Blackbutt Reserve, a 550 acre reserve in Newcastle. Peter is still active in sport and is the Patron of the Newcastle Triathlon Club. A few years ago he cycled from Brisbane to Newcastle. He has completed the Australian Ironman Triathlon 21 times and almost 60 Ironman races in total. This event requires a 3.8 km swim, 180.2 km cycle, followed by running a 42.2 km marathon, all within a 17 hour time limit. Only three other competitors in the world have completed more Ironman events
Dr Peter Vaughan is a supporter of a number of charities, but his main support is as a member of the Foundation Circle of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), also the John Maclean Foundation which helps children who require wheelchairs, and the Australian Outward Bound School where he sponsors young adults on courses. Outward Bound has brought about enormous improvements in the life of the people he has sponsored. The excellent work of HMRI can be seen by visiting their website. This research benefits all Australians and relies on community donations. Dr Peter Vaughan also works with a Newcastle community group and treats a significant number of disadvantaged children for minimal or no charge to give these kids a better chance.
Dr Peter Vaughan is also a keen gardener and his garden is described as one of the best kept secrets in Newcastle. He opens the garden for charities and raises from $3,000 to over $6,000 on occasions. The garden is mainly Australian native plants with areas of traditional cottage gardens. It is also rich in birds and possums.