53 - Friends' Memories of Philip

 FRIENDS' MEMORIES OF PHILIP

These tributes were read out at the Arboretum gathering to celebrate Philip's life.
(I tried to put these together with Post # 51, Tributes, but did not succeed.)

 John Barclay – long-standing friend who is too unwell to travel from

Melbourne

“Philip was irrepressible and seemed destined to survive into his 80s and far

beyond. One of the last moments we shared was of this unexpected loss. He was

reflecting on lost plans to continue with those he loved, particularly Maureen. I was

reflecting that I had been unprepared for the future without his friendship. We both

realised we had been defeated in our assumptions.

God is the only point of life upon which I know we had very divergent perspectives.

I respect that Philip died no longer believing in God, God as Human Ideal or God

as Real Person would appear to have little to quarrel with in Philip's life (though

possibly might find Philip more quarrelsome in response).

There is a stricture in Vedic philosophy against disrupting the spiritual comfort of

another, even with the best intentions. Philip was naturally aware of this measure

and that gave him special insight in dealing with a wide range of people, me

included. A good example coming from this insight was his awareness that with

mental illness "there is always a reason".

I will remember Philip's happy greeting and the compassion and energy he put into

a good life.”



 Rosa Gibbs – colleague and friend

“I met Philip over 30 years ago when we both worked in the same Section at ABS. 

I remember Philip as a wonderful and caring colleague and later as a true friend. I

remember his wise words and helpful advice on a range of topics. One in particular

stands out.

ABS was very good at putting people down. This was something I had grown up

with so I had no confidence and had no idea how to handle it so ended up just

accepting it and feeling useless and worthless. I was talking to Philip one day after

someone had made a less than polite comment to another officer. Philip said you

could choose to accept it, or choose not to and just watch it fly past you over your

shoulder.

Philip left ABS in 1989 but we kept in touch.

My younger sister got married in 1995. The day after the wedding, we all had to go

to McDonalds for a family breakfast. My father came and sat down opposite me and

started telling me off ..... as usual ...... and reminding what disaster I was. Yes, in the

middle of McDonalds on a busy Sunday morning. My thoughts were all over the

place - I don't need this now, I can't handle it, I can't make a scene in a public place,

what can I do? Suddenly Philip's words were in my head and from then on every

word my Father said just flew over my shoulder until he got up and walked away. To

this day I have no idea what he said after I remembered Philip's words.... .

This is just one instance of Philip's advice that has been invaluable to me.

 Jean Geue –  fellow protector of the bush:

I was thinking about Philip on Thursday 26 May at the ParkCare workshop

discussing the preliminary draft of the new Management Plan for Canberra Nature

Park. Philip was a wonderful strength in our campaign to put conservation first

during the 1999 Management Plan. The Act sets management criteria priorities

firstly as conservation of the natural environment priority and only secondly,

recreation, education and research. Government was balancing conservation and

recreation as if they were equal.

Aranda Bushland, Mount Painter and The Pinnacle were the hot-spots for the

contentious issues of horseriding and mountain biking. All active parkcare groups

made presentations to the Legislative Assembly standing committee in 1998. Philip,

Dierk von Behrens and myself created ROASTING (Residents of Adjacent Suburbs Taking 

an Interest in NaturePark Governance) Inc for those of us that  

were happy to lobby – not everyone’s cup-of- tea. There was much lobbying of politicians.

Briefing beforehand to ensure we told the same story and coffee after to discuss

how we had gone and what next. It was a great team led by Philip.

The result was the Landsberg Report which set positive and negative criteria for

horseriding in conservation areas. Philip and I walked the fire trails on Mount Ainslie

and The Pinnacle to check gradients suitable for horseriding. Government checked

all fire trails and recorded those suitable in the Management Plan. Aranda Bushland

was deemed unsuitable for horseriding and this kept horses out of Black Mountain.

Implementation on Mount Painter was well done. However, problems reared their

ugly head on The Pinnacle during Maxine Cooper’s report on Canberra Nature Park

in 2010. These problems have been rectified.

Did you know that Philip was one of four people who made Parkcare in Canberra

happen? Philip, Leon Horsnell (from the native plants society) and Michael

Mulvaney (NSW Parks & Wildlife) touched base with Tony Brownlie (In charge of

Canberra Nature Park). Tony was enthusiastic – he knew the hills were very special,

but could not prove it without community ownership to protect the bush. Mount

Painter and Farrar Ridge parkcare groups started in 1989 with Aranda Bushland

following in 1990. The first convenors were Philip, Leon, Michael and Merilyn Evans.

The vision and enthusiasm of Philip, Leon, Michael and Tony spawned the

revolution in bringing back the bush to the surprising diversity and lack of weeds that

we see today.

Philip, Merilyn with Pam and Colin Macdonald had many joint daytime activities for

kids in the early Friends of Aranda Bushland days.

Philip and Colin mapped the introduction of Paterson’s Curse with horse feed in the

Pinnacle in the early 1980s drought to where it spread a purple haze throughout the

ACT. This evidence was used in 1997 for the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on

horseriding in Aranda Bushland (Grishin vs Conservator of Flora and Fauna,

AT97/78).

He co-opted Peter Newman (light rail expert) for a week during the Save the Ridge

saga.

Philip was an inspiring leader, enthusiastic and persevering in all causes. He was a

good friend and always ready to help. I will miss him especially as we tackle the

Management Plan for Canberra Nature Park again.


 Denis Strangman,  A.M. – fellow mental health advocate

“I first had contact with Philip in the Northside mental health carers’ group and later

in connection with the Carer Peer Support roster at Ward 2 N, Calvary Hospital, and

in the U3A mental health group and its associated on-line Forum. 

“Philip was unrelenting in his advocacy for the reform of mental health in the ACT

and was prepared to call things as he saw them. His outspoken views did not

always endear him to some people in the public service and NGO bureaucracies but

they could hardly ignore them. I am sure he made a difference but it is in the nature

of the work of an advocate that their work is not always acknowledged.

“His presence will be missed. An appropriate tribute to his work would be to ensure

that the current and future residents of Brian Hennessy Rehabilitation Centre are not

left “high and dry” by Government decisions that are difficult to comprehend.”


 Eleanor Whelan on behalf of the Non-Geeks Computer Group

“From the early days in 2006 at the Irish Club, Philip was an energetic and

indefatigable promoter of the “Plain English” Chat Group on Computers and the

Internet (aka the Nongeeks Network).

Philip always gave generous credit to the late Gloria Robbins who provided the

model of an open, friendly and supportive chat group where “techie” terms, if used,

were explained for the benefit of members who were often newcomers to the

computing world.

The group welcomed members of the PC Users Group (ACT) and University of the

Third Age (ACT) and the mailing list has nearly 100 members, many of whom have

been contributing to and benefiting from the advice and support of the group since

its inception.

“Nongeeks” was ably guided by Philip himself, with support from Mike Dinn, Monty

Fox and Arthur Palmer, especially in technical matters, with John Brook, Janet

Johnson, Pearl Moyseyenko, Julian Flynn and others supporting.

I have had the privilege of working with Philip in Nongeeks over the last 10 years

and have seen how members have grown in confidence in using various devices,

although we all knew of Philip’s devotion to all things Google, especially

Chromebooks!

The group’s success can be attributed to Philip’s work in building up a self-

supporting network for beginners and experienced users of all types of technology,

to the benefit and enjoyment of us all.


 Mike Dinn from the PC Users Group

My main recollection of Philip was his passion for any topic he chose to pursue -

from highly important to less important.  He considered that Google had the right

business model, and Microsoft had it completely wrong!  He could never understand

how anybody could see it otherwise.  And in setting up the "non-geek's U3A

computer group he let nothing stand in the way of its being a great, on-going,

success. His planning and execution of the family abode down-sizing a couple of

years ago was also pursued with a passion.  He kept every aspect he could under

control, and made sure every decision was optimum.  He was willing to help

anybody on any topic, and will be sorely missed.


 Sarah Hnatiuk  on behalf of the Friends of Mount Painter

We owe a great debt to Philip for his championing of the natural world throughout

his life. The Cook community and, in particular the Friends of Mount Painter, have

an ongoing reminder in our Nature Reserve of his contribution to preserving,

improving and extending the bushland estate of the ACT. His energy and foresight

saw the establishment of the Friends of Mount Painter in 1989. He was a leader in

the campaign to extend the boundaries of the existing small reserve to include the

entire hill, with its magnificent 360 degree views over the surrounding hills and

valleys.

Building on the strong foundations laid by Philip, Friends of Mount Painter has

survived and flourished since its start. So we were delighted that, when we

celebrated FOMP’s 25th birthday in 2014, he and other long standing friends were

able to join us.

We thank you, Philip!

 Chris Dorman – also PC Users Group

Text TBA. 

# 52 - Heartfelt thanks to everyone

Again I extend sincere thanks, and those of the family, to everyone who helped in Philip's care and gave so much support in the months since Philip's diagnosis mid-January. You have helped make this very difficult journey a little easier to bear.

I am listing in random order everyone I know of who came to the celebration of his life (especially those who travelled a considerable distance to be here), who sent apologies, flowers, food, sympathy cards, notes, emails, phone calls and who made hospital visits.

Please let me know <maureen.bell@gmail.com>, 02 6251 5837 or 0434 877 957) if you know of any names I have inadvertently omitted or misspelt.

PEOPLE ATTENDING CELEBRATION OF PHILIP’S LIFE

Family –

Maureen, Lisa

Jocelyn, Jason and grandchildren Griffin and Vida

Graham and Thelma Bell, Alison Hodgson

Helen Raftis, Carolyn Dunlop, Alicia Raftis

Barrie Smith, Catherine Rankin

Peter and Jessica Tarpey

Paul Tarpey

Robyn Middleweek

Andrew Middleweek,  Alison Rosetta

Friends –

John Challis, Arthur Cheineman

Helen Mackerras,  Anthony Glenn

Rosemary Blemings

Rosslyn Pollard

Caroline and Jim Baker

Rosa Gibbs, Ross Geeves

Sandra Hatch

Patricia Woolcott

Helen and Julian Flynn

Alexis and Kevin Yeadon

Jean Geue

Pat Kneebone

Jenny Becker

Di Vider

Anne Rawson

Ron and Jenny Jelleff

Robert Newman

Richard Sinclair

Sarah Hnatiuk

Dick Roe

Lois Goldberg

Leonie Andrews, Steven Lee

Geoff Boyd

David Lovegrove

Mary Pedersen

Bev and Kevin Cains

Ian Fraser

Rosemary von Behrens (apology Dierkj)

Sue Edmonson

John and Susan Gavin

Milton Cottee

Janet Milford

Murray Haines

Helen McDermott, Carmel McDermott

Mary and Kerys Rezek (apology Kurt)

Charlie Karson

Mike Boeson

Grant and Mandy Lalor

Rob Lockwood (apology, Pamela)

Pam McMahon

Meredith Osmond

Carmel Bell

Beth Browning

Glenys West

Christopher Dorman, Hazel Hall

Monty and Colleen Fox

Stephanie Bassingthwaite

Faye and Alan Green

Pat Keneally, Jill Keneally (apology Kerry)

Leigh Toop

Margaret Dean, Beresford Stocks (Stocky)

Jill Dowse

Margaret and John Dowse

Elaine and Gerald Garrity

Neil and Diana Sanderson (Crow)

John Wilkinson

Sharon Leigh-Hazel

Dave and Judy Kelly

Stephanie Mander

Rosemary Douglas

Anthony Stuart

Helen and Bob Lehman

Apologies –

Donna and Andrew Raftis

Mike and Trudy Dinn

John Barclay

John Brooke

Hilary and ted Brear

Claude and Susan Reghanzani

Ginia and Lawrence Reddaway

Lisa Molvig

Les Fielke, Barbara Scott

Bill and Geraldine McNamee

Gordon and Jennifer Labourne

Sandra Hayman

Lynda Roy

Denis Strangman

Susan and Gus Pauza

Mary Elizabeth Calwell

Debbie Cameron

Kitty and Jim O’Brien

Helen and Harris Boulton
Judy & Jim Barratt

FLOWERS RECEIVED

Patricia Woolcock

Rosa Gibbs

Lilli Lipa

Jan Bissett-Johnson

Christopher Dorman and Hazel

Syd and Alison Herron

Rosslyn Pollard

Pamela Collett

Mary Elizabeth Calwell
Mary Satchell, Margaret Grant, Marion Hayward
Bindel Gardens residents
Mental Health Australia

SYMPATHY CARDS,  CALLS,  HOSPITAL VISITS,  FOOD,  EMAILS AND LETTERS               
Graham and Thelma Bell
Alison Hodgson
Helen Raftis,
Alicia Raftis
Robyn Middleweek
Barrie Smith
Catherine Rankin

Donna and Andrew Raftis and family

Carolyn and Steve Dunlop and family

Thurza Knox
Lesley Richardson

Kate Middleweek and Muda

Kerry Keneally
Mike and Trudy Dinn
Geoff Boyd
Rosemary Bretton
Doreen McKie
Patricia Woolcock
John Wilkinson
Grant Lalor
Alan & Faye Green
John and Susan Gavin
Chris Dorman

Ted Tregilgas
Terry Bibo
Chris Bunn
Rosa Gibbs, Ross Geeves and family
Alan & Faye Green
Judy and Jim Barratt
Carmel McDermott
Nancy Schaeffer

Pearl Moyseyenko
Graham O’Connor

Tina Bromhead

Martin and Vicki Lipa and family

Lex and Harry Beardsell

Jenny Thompson

Mary and Tony Satchell
Marion and Brendan Hayward
Marg and Bill Grant

Merran Martin

Bev Cains
Alexis and Kevin Yeadon

Janet Johnson

Doreen McKie
David Weeden

Jenny Harber

Janet and Greg Milford

Leonie Andrews and Steve Lee

Nathalie and Marcus Quinlivan

Barbara Stanilewicz

Eunice Hince
Meredith Osmond
Margaret Langford
Moira Hayes

Val and Rob Irwin

Barbara Dawson
Lynda Roy
Pam McMahon
Helen and Malcolm Rasmussen

Chris Bunn

ACACIA, NIMHR: Kathy Griffiths, Michelle Banfield, Mearon O’Brien

Bindel Gardens: Margaret Dean and Beresford Stocks (Stocky), Grant and Mandy Lalor, Harris and    Helen Bouton, Margaret and John Dowse, Rob and Pamela Lockwood, Jill Dowse

Woden Table Tennis: Sandra Hatch, Patricia Bodegraven, Liisa Hentila, Chris, Des, Bill Hawkins, Polly, Norm, Peter    Witting, John T,, Carol, Elspeth,Hunter'

MH Carers Network: Pamela Collett,  Rosslyn Wiliams, Denis Strangman, Richard and Lois Goldberg, Marja Rouse, Veronica Barbaler, Steph Hicks, Debbie Cameron, Rosslyn Pollard, John and Jan Tucker, .Michele and Geoff Barker, Sylvia and Lindsay Cleland,

Lung Life Support Group

Palliative Care Service, CHH

   

#51 - Tributes (earlier post #38 of 21 May with subsequent additions)

This post, originally from 21 May, has become a little 'lost'  among subsequent ones so I am republishing it here. Included are tributes sent in since 21 May. 

Philip has been greatly touched by his friends' love, good wishes, sympathy and messages of appreciation for his life and work. He has asked that they be put on the blog. Because there is not time to contact you all for permission to quote you personally, I  have anonymised them. They are not in any particular order. 

·    "We are thinking of Philip and also you and your family at this time.".

·    "This comes with positive thoughts and secular prayers for you both, patient and carer.

·     "I wish to thank you, with Maureen, for your relentless effort and energy to improve the status of mental health - an advocate for those who suffer. It has been tough for you but you have kept on with determination and compassion. For myself and our small mental health community I acknowledge and appreciate your tireless effort over many years. Thank you, Philip."

·     "You are in our thoughts, Philip, and have our admiration for all the positive things you have done to improve life for people with mental illness."

· ·  "Thinking of you and what a wonderful advocate you are for mental health for all. Thanks for all you do."

·     "Philip was a friendly and inclusive person and very persistent  in his work for mental health and in the formation of Friends of Mt Painter. He will leave a big gap and I will miss seeing him on his shopping forays at the local shops and market."

··   "We are missing you at our meetings, thank you so much for inspiring us to get more involved through your extensive work and persistence to help people with mental health issues." 

··        "Philip, I thank you most sincerely for being you. It has been a real pleasure getting to know you over the past few years. Your encouragement and enthusiasm have inspired many of us....We were united in a valiant cause which will endure. May the good Lord watch over you and bring you peace and joy in your remaining days.”

·     "It has been a pleasure and privilege to know you, work with you these past 20 years or so. You have achieved much for Carers and Consumers, bloodied a few bureaucratic noses and given heart to our online membership. Rest assured we will carry on your good work, my Warrior Friend."

·     Addressed to both Philip and Maureen; "We are in awe at the task you have of navigating the complex health system and all the interpretations required to get some clarity on numerous issues. We are sorry that Philip is so seriously ill and we wish him some much needed good news and a respite and ease from his many symptoms..."

·     "I am so sorry to hear that Philip is not doing so well.  Please pass on our thoughts and well wishes to him.  He has done such a lot work and been so passionate for Mental Health reform and the cause of those with a mental illness both locally and nationally, hopefully we will see some positive outcomes this year from the work he has initiated especially on the closure of BHRC and other local issues.  We are thinking of Philip, you and all your family at this time."

·     "We want to express our very best sincere wishes to you both... We cannot pretend to know what trials you are going through. However please know that we have, are and will be thinking of you both in these testing times. We hope the future holds some good outcomes for you both. Our love is extended to you. Rest in peace."

·     "I can only echo other comments that have been made regarding his amazing spirit and seemingly endless inner strength as an example to all."

·     “I look forward to celebrating Philip's life. He was an inspiration to me and I told him so yesterday."

·      "To have my close family near, to have said what I wanted to say, to be in peaceful surroundings, and to go quickly at the end. I think it is what I would have wanted for myself."

·     "So sorry to hear of Philip's passing - he was always such an kind, energetic and enthusiastic person, and a wonderful neighbour."

·     “I feel very sad to learn of the passing of Phillip. I must admit it was only recently I had contact via the Non Geeks but he impressed with friendliness and consideration of others."

·     "I loved working with you (in the Public Service) among all those (troubled) people. You helped me see things differently and gave me advice and strategies to help me cope with them. I have used it lots through the years and still do...I will never forget your support (in a personal matter). I can never thank you enough for your support and understanding or tell you how much it has meant... Thank you for being my friend, and for everything you have taught me and all the help, guidance, advice and assistance you have given me over the (many) years I have known you. I will continue to use it."

·     (From a school friend in the Junior Class of 1953 at St. Augustine's College) ."Even back then (in 1953) Philip was well respected an acknowledged for his academic prowess and being a genuinely decent fellow doing it a bit tough. I will remember Philip with great fondness for his friendship. Philip followed the College Motto "Tolle Lege", Take up and Read."

·    "Thanks Philip for inspiring so many people, including myself. You'll be greatly missed."

·    "He was a larger-than-life figure for me when we first met, and continued to be always so engaging."

·       "Despite all Philip's endeavours in life it was mostly family that we spoke of when we caught up.”

·       "We felt so moved by having Phillip call us last evening; I felt it was a gift to us.  Like our lovely daughter, he is facing death with not only courage but generosity.  Ghastly as cancer is, it can provide a person with the opportunity to prepare for the inevitable and to say 'goodbyes'.  As with her, there was not a scrap of self pity in Phillip's conversation.  I imagine in the 'wee small hours' there may be fear and anxiety and maybe even some anger but grasping all that life still offered seemed to be his and her driving spirit."

·       Philip was the youngest in the class but clever ...I will certainly miss him but he will always be in my memory as part of the famous or infamous 1953 Junior Class...  Philip lived his life with regard to the needs of others and that is a life well lived."

·    “Philip also expressed joy in the company and service of his friends. His service to others is what set him apart. It was genuine and unrestrained. Even in his last days he was concerned to organise for the benefit of others.”

··   "Both of you have led very busy and involved lives but always within the embracing of as small an ecological footprint as possible. There's been the richness of living surrounded by natural materials, books, culture, music, creativity, art and sharing your lives with and for others.... I hope you can draw strength from happy memories especially those in nature and from others' appreciation for all your contributions.”

     “We have not known Philip for many years, but we do know what a keen supporter of many good causes he has been, and what a devoted family man he was."

 ··   “ I admired and respected Philip. Besides our shared interest in products of Peugeot SA,  I will miss our occasional conversations over many years where we discussed our different takes on the changing landscape of the of the information age.    I'm essentially a geek and  I treasured Philips's perspective because he was so down to earth and practical in the use of technology. " 

· ·   "We will miss Philip’s strength and enthusiasm (for mental health reform) and we will have to push on in his memory.

  ·  "I will remember him for his happy disposition, kind heart, patient soul and non-judgmental attitude."

 ·   "While few of our present (Friends of Mt Painter) members knew Philip, we do know of the enormous contribution he made in establishing our group and campaigning for and working on the reserve." 

  ·  "He was always cheerful and kind, ready to help with any difficulty, whether relating to a computer or a need for physical assistance...I also enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of talking with him; he had a thoughtful view on most issues."

 ··  "It was in 2003 that I again met Philip,during a reunion of our year at
      Saint Augustine's College in Cairns, after a period of 46 years when we
had lost contact.  I consider it a blessing that I was reunited with Philip, and we enjoyed recalling old times and the paths we each had taken.."

· ·  "I'll miss Philip's kind, gentle, lilting voice - "Ill go and get Maureen" - when I phoned."

· ·  "The 'Philip Bulletins clearly show Philip will be missed by many beyond his family and close friends."

· ·  "Philip will be sorely missed. He was a good and tireless advocate for Mental Health and left a great legacy."

· · " I realise now that it was Philip working with (name) at the ABS. I was a client of their expertise with Monthly Labour Force Surveys. Philip was also so polite and gentle in his demeanour. Recently, with the Non-Geeks group, his efforts were outstanding. I and we will miss the care and good efforts of Philip."

· ·  "Philip will be missed by al of those who have had the privilege of knowing him and been touched by his boundless energy and integrity."

· ·  "Philip was a frequent and respected member of our (Coffee'n'Chat computer) group and will be sorely missed."

     "I thank you, Philip, for all your hard work and tireless effort over many years,... taking on the systemic problems and issues that threaten the rights and well-being of people with mental health problems."

     "I remember Philip as a gentle, kind, loving, unassuming and non-judgemental man. He was always interested in what we had to say and I felt a great fondness towards him."

      "He certainly made a great contribution to his special organisations in the community during his life time, a life well lived by a good and gentle man."

#50 - Maureen speaks about Philip and their life together

This gives some of Maureen's memories of life with Philip, as spoken at the celebration. It includes the couple of paras which unfortunately dropped out of the version she read from. It overlaps some of what is written about in the (unnumbered post) of 27 May, "My Later Life  - Philip's life: work, family and social involvement", which was coauthored by Philip and Maureen.

MAUREEN SPEAKS ABOUT PHILIP AND THEIR LIFE TOGETHER

I am sure I speak for you all when I say that it’s hard to believe that Philip has gone. We had a long-standing joke where I would say “Don’t you dare die before me because I don’t want to clear out your study or the garage.”  We both thought it a safe bet, given the rude good health Philip enjoyed right up to the end of last year. He was fit, took no medications and didn’t even have a regular GP until recently. His aggressive lung cancer – he was a life-long non smoker - was unexpected and brutally fast in its spread. But happily it did not spread to his brain and he retained his mental capacities until the day he died. He was amazingly stoical and accepting of his impending death throughout - something many people commented on - and in the end he felt he had completed his life’s work.

We first met at the then Department of Labour and National Service in the mid 1960s, in the era when the notorious Birthday Ballot Box was operating on the second floor of the Century Building in Melbourne, deciding whether 18 year olds would be sent to the Vietnam War.  As a Research Officer in Occupational Research Philip, a good looking young man, seemed full of energy.  I recognised that he had a sharp mind and wrote exceptionally well.  His work needed little amendment.

We were friends and colleagues but nothing beyond that until we started seeing more of each other after I left the Public Service to work with Australian Volunteers Abroad. We married in February 1969 and by 1972 had two beautiful daughters of whom Philip was inordinately proud. He was a loving father and husband and in later years took delight in his two grandchildren, Griffin and Vida.

Our first home was In Kew overlooking the Yarra river where we paddled our canoe, ‘Rockin’ Robin’, each weekend. Shortly before Jocelyn was born we moved to Burwood (now Glen Iris) where there was a bush block over our back fence in Maverston street. This became the focus of Philip’s first political campaign as he got up a petition for it to become public open space. This the pro-development Council rejected. So the campaign escalated into a Supreme Court writ against the Council, campaigns to get residents elected to Council over the developer/real estate incumbents and Philip standing for Council himself. This was what he ruefully later described as “the Maverston street follies”. The campaigns lasted six years and took their toll on Philip’s health. 

These years were our first introduction to nature study as we joined, with the children, the Junior Field Naturalists of Victoria. It had regular, child-focused meetings and we had many happy weekends on field excursions. We especially loved the yearly Easter camps. These activities formed the basis for the girls’ love of nature and Jocelyn’s eventual university degrees in Environmental Science and Law.

We moved to Canberra in 1980 and found Canberra a wonderful place for a family, with the bush so close at hand for nature activities. The Junior Field Naturalists of Victoria morphed into the Field Naturalists Association of Canberra – FNAC – in which we were founding members; although Canberra, being a university town, had a different and more academic emphasis.

We spent 33 good years in our house at Cook, eating on the deck with views of Mt Painter Nature Park over the back fence. The government had judged Mt Painter beyond redemption for government park care so Philip set up Friends of Mt Painter (FOMP) to remove grazing from the summit, horse riding from the trails and to generally regenerate it. Two of these aims have been successful.

We used our salt water swimming pool daily over the summer months. Philip was the ‘pool slave’: he quite enjoyed ‘playing the chemist’, diligently testing the water to ensure the chemical balance was just right. In his last weeks he joined the AIS but sadly was only able to use the spa pool twice.

We downsized from that two-storey home with large garden to our present townhouse in Aranda just in time. We were able to spend 2 1/2 years there together and again have been blessed with wonderful, supportive neighbours.

Over the years Philip and I developed individual interests but had a rare concordance in our political, social, intellectual and environmental views; so that many of our activities were shared in these spheres. Gardening was not one of these, worse luck, but Philip was always appreciative of my efforts.

Philip continued his political activism with involvement in Residents Rally during the 1989 ACT Legislative Assembly elections. And in recent years his consuming interests became his computer groups and efforts to achieve change in the mental health system.

We spent many years bushwalking with the Family Bushwalkers (FBI) and we both had eclectic tastes in music and the arts. We enjoyed orchestral and chamber music, choral concerts, opera, musical theatre, jazz performances, folk music festivals, theatre, art exhibitions, movies and U3A. Our many subscriptions will remain a sad reminder of times to be shared no more.

Philip was a loving husband and loved his family dearly. You will hear from some of them shortly.

So I say, ‘Vale Philip, farewell’. You will be missed but you live on in our memories of you.