Rebecca Lollback Mr Warner had taken line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race a number of times, and made headlines in 1966 when he rescued six Tongan boys from a deserted island after they had been given up for dead. Here is his remarkable tale.
Original story: THROUGH Peter Warner s binoculars, he noticed a burnt patch on the otherwise green cliff face on the island of Ata. It was enough to spike his curiosity so he sailed across to investigate. The Ballina man s curiosity led to the most remarkable discovery, one he hopes to have immortalised in film. What Mr Warner found on the supposedly deserted island was astounding; six Tongan boys, naked with wild, overgrown hair yet all possessing perfect English.