Phil is a retired public school teacher, who brought up a family of four kids with his wife, a fellow retired teacher, on Birpai country in Guruk (Port Macquarie) since 1985. Phil has taught in many roles, in NSW, Queensland and NE Arnhem Land over four decades.
As a long-term resident of the Mid North Coast and as a friend and colleague to Aboriginal and Torres Islanders, he has come to appreciate that we are all custodians and that non-Aboriginal Australians have much to learn from our fellow Indigenous Australians about our country; past, present and future.
Phil was born and brought up in Melbourne as a first generation Australian of German parents who migrated after World War II as displaced refugees; his family's journey reflects those of other migrant refugee families post war Australia. He values multiculturalism, inclusivity and believes that the key to our shared future is being connected to the community, listening to each other and helping to shape a positive democracy for will our kids and grandkids.