Honouring Philip Carroll’s life and legacy.

Philip Carroll was a unique person, much loved by many people from many different walks of life.

He was 72 days from moving to Hervey Bay where he would find part-time work and watch sunsets and walk on the beach with his beloved wife Heather.

In Hervey Bay, Phil and Heather bought a block of land, found a builder, made decisions on all things that go along with a new house build. He was a humble man with simple needs, and for him this was going to be his perfect life.

But in a cruel twist of fate with Philip's passing, Heather’s future and financial future has been thrown into turmoil. Heather retired from work earlier this year for health reasons, and now has to co-ordinate: flying to Melbourne for a memorial Service, a house move from Darwin to Queensland, and consider a plan to return to work, all within external time constraints. Naturally all this is quite overwhelming.

As we all try to come to terms with this situation, Heather has decided for a memorial service in Melbourne, in the Committee Room at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

For Phil, there could be no finer setting.

Phil’s grandfather rode winners at Moonee Valley, his mum and dad were married in Moonee Ponds 200m from the course, and Phil created memories there by working in his younger days as a bookies clerk, a strapper and watched his own horses race there. In recent times, after completing his Law Degree, Phil worked his way to the respected and esteemed position as Senior Steward for the Darwin Turf Club.

While Philip was popular, respected and loved by those in Darwin, his family and lifelong friends are in Melbourne, and that’s who Heather has chosen to be around for Phil’s Memorial Service.

For those who know Philip, I don’t need to go through his life narrative here. He and Heather faced many battles and dealt with them with strength and dignity.

If you are in a position to make a donation your contribution will not only help support Heather through this difficult time, but will honour the advocacy work that Philip did in so many areas.