Vale Peter Phillips

Vale Peter Phillips

Peter and I retired in 2007 after 47 years with the SA Education Department
and a varied career in Education.
In October 2007 we decided to move to Brisbane where we had spent many
happy holidays with our son and daughter-in-law in time to welcome the
arrival of Phoebe, our granddaughter (now 15).
We bought a house in Redland Bay and immediately joined the Queensland
MX5 Club and attended our first outing with the Brisbane Chapter where we
were warmly welcomed by Denise Peck and John Tait.
John and his wife Marian have become firm friends, I always remember John
saying don’t get involved with the Committee yet! Needless to say we became
Committee Members straight away and spent the next 15 years in various
positions on the Committee.
Peter held several positions: Editor, Secretary and finally President, a position
he held for 7 years and finally retired through ill health. As President
he attended most of the runs held by all of the Chapters and became a well
known personality with his wicked sense of humour, his intellect and vitality.
He was always ready to listen to others and keen to join in the many fun
activities (especially Gold Coast dress-ups). He attended some Track Days
and scared himself silly with a rush of adrenalin to the head! He loved the
NatMeets and the Weekends away. He loved belonging to such a close social
group as it was then.
We were both made Life Members because of our intensive involvement in
the Club and will always treasure the unforgettable memories that the MX5
Club has provided.
I will miss him for the rest of my life, my partner, lover, my friend and my
soulmate.
Brenda Phillips
Life Member MX5 Club of Qld.

I’d only met Peter a few times but he left a big impression on the people
that spent time with him.
He was loved and respected by many and I doubt he suffered fools.
Words used to describe him by Brenda, daughter Briony and those that
spoke included educator, compassionate, understanding, quirky, fun
loving, generous, smart, good looking, creative, dedicated to family,
imaginative, a mentor and bold. Others wrote their thoughts down...
Steve said...
My wife and I have known Peter since 2014 when we joined the
MX5 Club. He loved life, Brenda and the Qld MX5 Club.
In 2015, Peter as President, my son and I created the new MX5
website.
Peter always had my back, he was generous with his time and
we had the utmost respect for each other, a rare gift shared over
many years. He was a generous visionary and will be missed.

Don said...
We met Peter and Brenda when we joined the MX5 Club 14 years
ago. I can help but remark how these great little cars have brought
so many people together, creating life long friendships.
This was the case with Peter and us. He was so welcoming and
offered such genuine friendship, you couldn’t resist his inclusive
charm and lively personality.
He was a great salesman and enticed Val to join the Committee as
General Secretary for one year that turned into nine. Under Peters
leadership as President we saw the club flourish, everyone was
made to feel welcome and appreciated.
We lived close enough to Peter and Brenda to have enjoyed their
company on many occasions over the years and have many precious
memories. Peter spoke fondly of growing up in South Australia
and working as a teacher and headmaster in various places
there. His extensive knowledge of history always made for interesting
conversations and tales of his time at University and later as
an educator led to many laughs.
In retirement our friendship grew. We enjoyed inpromptu dinners
at local restraunts and walking the dogs would end up with coffee
at one or others homes.
You had to admire the way Peter fought that awful disease, he
had amazing strength and courage dealing with setbacks and of
course, Brenda was his rock through to the end.
Peter was always a teacher and enjoyed passing his knowledge on.
His company will be sorley missed but memories of good times
shared with Peter and Brenda live on in our hearts.

Thanks for all your hard work Peter
As Peter’s secretary & vice president and then his successor I would like to share a few
memories of a man who became a good friend.
Two words come to my mind when I think of Peter, Charisma and Pizazz!
These qualities gave him the ability to capture the attention of a room full of people
and hold their attention long enough to convey his message. This ability was honed in
his career as a schoolteacher and if you have ever heard of this time in Peter & Brenda’s
lives you have been fortunate.
Peter & Brenda moved to Brisbane from Adelaide in their 60’s and joined our club as a
way of making friends and enjoy life. Their way was to jump in boots and all and very
soon they were on the committee investing their time in the magazine and the administration
roles of the committee, at one time, holding 5 positions between them.
David & I joined the club in 2012, by that time Peter was president and always recruiting
for the committee using those wonderful skills I mentioned. It didn’t take long
before I was on the committee as regalia officer, and the rest of my time on committee
is history.
David & I got to know Peter & Brenda well in these years, and during conversations,
it came out that Brenda had at one time taught David in primary school in Morphett
Vale, a suburb of Adelaide. This information only strengthened the relationship between
us.
One of my fondest memories is a time we were on a run and having a morning tea
break and Peter & I spotted a set of swings, I don’t know who the biggest kid was, but
we did have a blast swinging as high as we dared to.
When Peter’s cancer was discovered, it was a shock to us all. I knew what he and Brenda
were going through, as my father was having a similar battle of his own. Peter &
I would discuss the trials and tribulations of his and Dad’s battles and drew strength
from each other. Both Peter & my Dad ended their battle earlier this year and I am
grateful their suffering has ended, but sad for myself at the same time as I have lost my
father as well as a man who became my mentor.
Lisa Price

In Conclusion
Since Peter’s gone . . . an empty chair,
Without him now seems very bare,
But he’d not want us to be sad,
His homeward journey should be glad.
No illness now for him to face,
In his hallowed resting place,
Be pleased to know his hard yards done,
Much better now, of pain there’s none.
We’ll miss your smile, and that’s for sure,
Recalling all those years before,
Such good times – how those years just flew,
Are treasured memories now, of you.
Adelaide, was his home town,
Where he earned his cap & gown,
His boundless thirst for general knowledge
Went far beyond years spent at college.
2 daughters born - Bri & Pia,
A growing family then to rear,
With music, literature and art,
They were infused from the start.
One day, this blonde turned his head,
An accident, across him spread
The contents of a bowl of soup,
A novel way to join his group.
Offered Brenda a homeward ride,
His motorbike she sat astride,
From then their lives became entwined,
Kids, pets, careers, and homes combined.
But each time his proposal jilted,
8 years passed before she wilted,
So shocked was he when she said, “Yes!”
“My hearing”, he said, “I must address.”
Marriage then - a lifetime bond,
Someone waved a magic wand,
46 years spent together,
Rough or smooth their love could weather.
Once offspring grew and all left home,
Retirement offered time to roam,
Travel overseas and more,
A Queensland move . . . . another door.
A challenge moving interstate,
Goods ‘n chattels and real estate,
New friends led to more activities -
Teaching French, car club proclivities.
Photography, his obsession,
Classic cameras his proud possession,
With music too he did relax,
(A change from teaching kids syntax)!
With rock ‘n roll he’d shake his bones,
Loved classics through to Rolling Stones,
And jamming too with friends & kin
On guitar, banjo or mandolin.
With grandkids too he was endowed,
Of them all he was so proud,
His star now watches over all,
To keep them safe, lest harm befall.
You’ve run your race – time here is done,
Life’s final hurdle overcome,
Farewell dear friend and all God speed,
Your final resting place you heed.
Our loving thoughts and kisses blown
Go with you, you’re not alone,
Husband, father, granddad, brother,
Awesome, Peter, like no other.
By family friend, Robyn Tesch