“Phil Scott was a proud, stoic, hardworking man, he didn’t want for much. He liked people being punctual, he loved a to-do-list and also a choccy, he had such a sweet tooth. He was a kind and caring man, with a cheeky smile, who would do anything for others but wouldn’t want any fuss about it,” daughter Kristy said in her eulogy.
“Community service was his true passion in life, many of his good deeds were done in private, the way Dad liked it. He made many lifelong friendships while serving others and was a wealth of knowledge whenever anyone needed someone to talk to or to gain valuable life advice.”
Mr Scott, 70, passed away at home on February 28 after losing his battle with cancer. The funeral service was conducted by Fr John McGrath. Included in Kristy’s wonderful tribute to her Dad follows.
“Philip Desmond Scott, also known as Phil, Scotty, Fabulous Phil, Fleecing Phil, son, Dad, brother and Poppy was born at the Corowa Hospital on 9th December 1951 to Norm and Peg Scott. He was the second child after Marg and would later have two brothers, Peter and Chris and another sister, Kathy.
“His early years were spent living in the Lowesdale area where his father worked on farms and also cut and carted wood. Dad always loved the farm life, particularly bottle feeding the abandoned lambs.
“After leaving the Lowesdale area about 1953, the family moved to a vineyard, between Corowa and Rutherglen. It was from here that Dad and Marg started school, riding their bikes along the back roads to St Mary’s in Corowa. In mid-1957 the family moved to Whitehead Street Corowa.
“Dad continued primary school at St Mary’s, and then went on to Corowa High School. He continued further studies at the Albury Technical College to train and qualify as a wool classer.
“Dad’s Uncle, Bryan Filliponi passed on his love of the wool and sheep industry to Dad, he really encouraged and supported him in this venture.
“Dad began paid work with Barry Curtis at the Corowa Wool Store before being called up in 1972 for National Service. He completed his initial training at Kapooka alongside Gavin Jones and Darryl Martin. Dad was then posted to Bandiana with Bert Tait. When Labor scrapped National Service 6 months prior to Dad’s time being up, he chose to finish his stint. Dad was proud he had participated in the National Service Scheme and was in awe of people like Nanna Peg, who he described as doing the really hard yards serving their country.
“After the completion of National Service Dad returned to employment with the Corowa Wool Store, he and Robert Anderson eventually bought the business. Dad was a very successful wool buyer and always enjoyed going out to the farms and negotiating the purchase and sale of wool. Dad was involved in wool classing right up until his passing,
“Christine Gorman and Robbie Ferguson, and their families, were a big part of Dad’s wool classing life and have many fond memories of him.
“During his early wool classing days, Dad married Julie and later had three children, Matt, Jordan and me. In the early days Mum and Dad lived on King Street, the sale of the house, inclusive of the finance, was all sorted at the Star Hotel, alongside one of Dad’s longtime friends and partners Frizza.
“About 1991, Dad started his wood chopping business, I think he loved getting around and chatting to people, he loved hearing people’s stories.
“In the early 90s Dad bought Augusta Street, this was the location of the infamous Brewers Club, it was a lovely establishment located in a shed out the back of Dad’s house. Augusta Street was also where Dad became an honorary member of the Italian Community. He and Angelo were neighbors and friends.
“Dad started his catering business in 1995 and over the years catered for many events. Phil Scott Quality Catering was also a gateway for many kids starting out part-time employment.
“He was a member of Apex for about 20 years, completed a term as president and is a life member. He was heavily involved in the RSL, joining the sub-branch in 2002, on the board of directors, serving as Director, Vice President and President, a role he was truly proud of a made and made a lifelong friend in CEO Peter Norris. He played competitive football for the Corowa Football Club and then finished his playing career with the Hopefield Burraja Football Club playing in a winning premiership side in 1982. He also loved squash and tennis.
“He devoted many hours after his playing days had finished into supporting all these clubs especially the tennis club. As the greenkeeper, he took such pride in having the lawns looking mint, especially for the Easter tournament each year.
“Dad has so many fantastic friends, who he truly valued, so many I don’t have the time to mention here, but one friend who has been like a sister to Dad was Sandra Bartlet. I know Dad was also grateful for the amazing support his sister Kathy gave to him during his illness.
“If Dad wasn’t working, he would be off travelling. Trips to Darwin, which always involved a fishing charter. A couple of outback trips with family, he enjoyed seeing the channel country in Queensland. He claimed the Birdsville Track was not a track but a well-maintained dirt road.
“Dad and I shared our love of football and our devotion to the Collingwood Magpies - we still miss Mick Malthouse. Dad loved fishing with Matt on Mornington Peninsula, he always had plenty of hilarious stories on his arrival home from a long weekend on the boat with Matt. Dad was such a foodie at heart, he enjoyed trips to visit Jordan where they would eat at the best restaurants in Sydney.
“Dad’s life really changed once he was a Pop, he realised he was an important role model to Vai, Archie and Carson and made decisions so he would be the best grandparent he could be and the kids absolutely adored him.
“Dad was also very devoted to his mother Peg, he especially cared for her in her later years and the two of them had a very special bond. Dad, we love you.”
Following a committal service at the Corowa Lawn Cemetery, refreshments were served at the Corowa RSL Club where many fond memories of Phil were talked about by mourners.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Tobin Brothers Funerals Corowa-Rutherglen.
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