A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Peter has also been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and is Artistic Director of the Talent Development Project.

With more than 1,500 musical theatre roles and performances to his name, including Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, The Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and Sweeny Todd, Peter's extensive and talented career on the stage and off the stage is a reflection of his dedication to the performing arts industry both locally and overseas.

Alongside his performing career, Peter has recorded five albums - Corner of The Sky, From A Distance, A Life on Earth, A Musical Christmas and The Peter Cousens Collection.

In 2014, Peter directed the feature film "Freedom", starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and William Sadler, and is director and co-writer of the Australian feature film "Where Is Daniel?"

He wrote and directed the short film "The Right Path", a survival story about the life of Mick Miller and "Victoriana!" - a vaudeville delight.

Peter is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Central Queensland University and an Ambassador for Freedom Hub - rebuilding the lives of people who have experienced human trafficking and slavery within Australian borders.

As Cowra's local Australia Day Ambassador, Peter will be attending many of the Australia Day celebrations scheduled for Tuesday, January 26 in Cowra.

The day will commence at 8am with a free barbecue breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club of Cowra, followed by the Australia Day service and presentation of Australia Day Awards and School Literary Awards at the Cowra Civic Centre.

Due to NSW Public Health Orders, tickets are essential to enter the awards event and can be booked in advance from the Cowra Civic Centre website: https://www.cowraciviccentre.com/australiaday21