Phillip was diagnosed with Oropharyngeal (oral) cancer in 2020, at the age of 65.
At that time, he was the CEO of a not-for-profit organisation delivering disability services in Melbourne’s south-east.
Following intensive treatment (mostly through Peter Mac), in July 2021 Phillip retired from his CEO role and took up voluntary work with the Family Drug and Gambling Help service.
In 2022 Phillip became a member of Peter Mac’s Consumer Register, participating in various projects and in 2024 he joined the Your Thoughts Matter faculty and has been a co-facilitator of person-centred education programs, involving a broad range of Peter Mac personnel.
Almost 30 years ago, Phillip and his wife Vicki experienced the trauma of their baby son having a cancer diagnosis (Neuroblastoma) at 5 months old. Being parents of such a young child undergoing treatment over many months, till his passing at 13 months, was a profound experience, with a deeply saddening outcome.
It did, though, deepen understanding and appreciation of dedicated healthcare professionals and quality healthcare systems, along with the vital support of family and friends.
Phillip is a Non-Executive Board Director with a small disability services organisation and he also works as a Sessional Research Assistant with the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University.
Phillip is married with four adult children and two grandchildren, and for fun (though sometimes not) he occasionally plays golf, as well as guitar in band playing classic rock ‘n roll.