Pike was a soldier in World War II at Kokoda and Buna, and a coastwatcher behind Japanese lines in New Britain. He was an Arts graduate of Sydney University and active in student affairs, serving as secretary of the International Union of Students and as head of its Press and Information Department in Prague. He also edited the national youth newspaper, Challenge. He has travelled widely and worked in a variety of occupations, including within the peace movement and as a journalist, builder's labourer, salesman, businessman, community arts officer, and public servant. He has lived for a number of years on the north coast of NSW, and been involved in issues connected with the environment and the arts.
