Who is he? Peter Cooke, shoe shiner.
Where have you seen him? Cooke has operated the shoe-shine stand in the Queen Victoria Building* for the past 18 years.
What's his story? Cooke worked in marketing before travelling for a year. At the end of his trip, he wanted to work for himself. "I'd noticed shoe shiners in my travels but when I got back to Australia, I realised you didn't see them anywhere," says the 50-year-old. "I had no experience but I taught myself through trial and error."
Does he remember his first shine? "I do. I didn't realise he had chewing gum on the bottom of his shoe and it got all over my foot rest."
How many pairs does he shine a day? Cooke's personal best is 60 pairs. An assistant runs a second stand at The Strand. He also employs people to visit offices as travelling shoe shiners and he is hired by trade fairs and conventions to give free shines. It costs $4.50 for a standard polish and $12.50 for the executive treatment.
What's the hardest thing about his job? "Shyness on the part of people. Guys feel uncomfortable or conspicuous coming up, sitting on a chair and letting someone shine their shoes. But every year it gets better and busier so I think people are getting used to the idea."
Do people "share" with shoe shiners as they do hairdressers? "People have asked me for relationship advice. It's surprising how indiscreet people can be when they're on the phone while sitting here. I've heard some sensitive business conversations. I suppose they think I'm stupid or deaf. In fact, I've got a business degree."
Has he shone any famous shoes? Billy Connolly and Ziggy Marley have had their shoes buffed at Cooke's stand. "And I shined Gene Pitney's shoes before he died," he says. "I didn't get to meet him. His manager brought them over from the hotel."
Has anyone ever taken a shine to him? Eleven years ago, Cooke hired a female assistant from England who was backpacking. Two years ago they married and they now have a one-year-old child.

*NOTE: Since this article, prices have changed, Peter has moved from the QVB to The Strand, and he now has TWO sons!

Photo by Anthony Geernaert.