HENDERSON, Phillip Martin ‘Phil’

Was sad to hear the passing of such a beautiful man.
Poppy Phil is how I would greet him and he always had a big smile to greet you back and a story to tell. It didnt matter if you saw him in the supermarket or out for dinner or at the pub, he always made the effort to stop and chat. Loved the camping adventures with Poppy Phil years ago, condolences to Fiona and family, he will be greatly missed.Sending love and hugs to you all xx

Very sad to hear that Phil has passed away- condolences to his extended family members and his many, many friends that will miss his up front joviality, and many tall yarns. A great bloke with a delightful happy attitude towards life. Rest In Peace dear fellow and thank you for some wonderful memories my friend. Chris H.

Sad to hear of Phil’s passing.
It was great knowing Phil. He was always pleasant and easy going.
Condolences to all the family.

I wish to express my condolences to the henderson family. I want to esspesialIy send my hugs to Fiona. I didnt know the man very well, but know he raise some good people. The fact that he was an active member of the toongabbie cominity just speaks of how great phill was. We just dont see people like phill anymore. Rip phill.

From the stories you’ve told me Fe he was a great man. You have beautiful memories to hold onto.
Our thoughts are with you, love Tracey & Grant

A great man gone too soon.
Sending love and sympathy to the Henderson clan.
Reunited in paradise with Royce.

Fly high

How blessed I have been to have you in my life and to be loved by you.You taught me so much about how to live: how to persist in dark times, to be present and enjoy the moment, how to draw a line in the sand and stand my ground and how to be grateful for what I have been fortunate to have rather than concerned about what I don’t have. Horses were the channel for the lessons and a joy that we shared but it was time with you and the lessons learned that mattered most. Thank you for being such a terrific friend to Brett and grandfather to Becc and Josie, for welcoming Ol into our family and it has been beautiful to watch you with Marigold. We will be keeping a horse for her so that she can have the opportunities that you gave me. Thank you for listening to our concerns without judgement. Sorry for breaking the gear stick on the ute, smashing the f100 canopy, lending horses when I’d been told not to and for vandalising the school bus. The look of disappointment on your face was enough to make try to be a better person. Sleep peacefully now, knowing that your love has meant the world to us.

Sincere condolences to Fiona and families 💐

Our love and thoughts go to Fi and her family. Phil was an amazing friend, generous, kind and devoted to his family. He was a true bush man, skilled horseman, humorous and could tell many great stories. Our lives won’t be the same without him. We will treasure the memories we have and hold his friendship close to our hearts.
Phil…… you have hung up you saddle and bridle and closed the stable door, but your smile and memory will live in our hearts for ever more.

Our heartfelt sympathy to Fiona and family. Phil was an amazing friend and life long member of the Toongabbie and district riders club. He was a skilled horseman and he shared many riding adventures with us all. We will miss his valuable knowledge, friendship, many stories, his witty humour and devoted loyalty. We are all so saddened with his passing but we know he will continue riding along beside us forever…

So sad to hear of Phil’s passing.Our sympathy &Love to the family.Phil,enjoy your special place of rest in paradice.Ross & Sue Howell. xxx

Very sad to hear of the passing of Phil. Such a kind and generous man. They don’t make them like him anymore 😢. You will be greatly missed by all who loved you and who looked up to you. Condolences to Fiona and family. You would be so proud of him. Julie Gordon and Steve McCarthy

Thankyou dad for gifting me what most girls only dream of — a life with horses.

Not just any horses, but the very best, well-bred ones a girl could ever ask for. You always made sure I had a good horse under me and the best gear and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

Thank you for visiting us in Queensland and for speaking up when you knew my marriage was no longer safe and right for me. You told me the truth, even when it was hard to hear and because of that, I found my strength, independence, and courage again.

You opened my eyes to the wide-open plains, to the generosity and kindness of outback people, to the freedom and stillness of the land. One day, I will fulfil your wish and head back out there on horseback — back to the country that shaped you.

As a young girl, when Mum moved interstate and Royce passed away, it felt like I lost everything, including you, when you went away for work. But I’m so grateful that in later years we found our way back to each other. The horses brought us together again and we were able to enjoy starting young ones, camping, trail rides, shows and campdrafts.

Thank you for all the life lessons, for teaching me the value of early mornings, caring for animals, taking pride in myself and gear and a strong work ethic.

Last Saturday, when you said, “This bastard’s got the better of me,” I knew your time was near but I didn’t think it would be so soon. You’ve earnt your rest now dad, and I take comfort knowing you’re reunited with Royce, Uncle Myrone, Aunty Gloria, Nan and all your riders club mates. .

I’ll miss you calling me “Floss,” or saying “Come on, me girl,” but I’ll forever be grateful for the time we spent together.

I realise just how important the Henderson legacy is and I’ll carry it with pride for the rest of my days.

Rest easy now, Dad.
Hang up the saddle and take off the bridle.
Let the old horse wander to greener plains.
You’ve ridden long and hard across each dawn and dusk,
Now turn him loose to graze where he must.
The whip is hung, the yard gate swings wide,
Your work is done, let peace abide.
In the evening’s glow, let the mustering cease,
Ride into rest, and know your soul is free.

Phil a true and wonderful friend and neighbour to Mark,Wendy and Banks
Marks family thankyou for your friendship towards them and to us as well.
Our condolences to all your family
Rest easy now Phil your work is done say hi to Mark for us

He was a great friend to all who knew him. Our thoughts and hugs to Fiona and family at this very sad time. Rest in peace Phil.

So sad to hear of Phil’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
‘Those we feel have left us are never really gone, for in our
hearts and in our minds their memory lives on’.
Our love from John, Carol and Family xx

Dear Phillip your passing leaves a void in our lives that can never be filled. Being your GP for past few months I found you a very polite, loving, caring and a generous man. We will cherish the memories of your sense of humour and love for family.
Innocent souls like you will have a great place in the heaven.

There was never a dull moment when you were out with Phil Henderson.

One ordinary day, we were out riding and exercising the horses — me on my pony, My Dad Eddie on Creamy, leading another horse, and Phil alongside us. I was in my late twenties and spotted a lasso tied to Phil’s saddle. With a cheeky grin, I asked, “Can you actually use that, Phil?”

Phil just grinned back and said, “Go on, take off then.”
So I did.

Next thing I knew, the lasso came flying through the air, slipped perfectly over my shoulders, pinning my arms tight — the rope tapped my horses rump and my horse took off in a fright. Off we went, i was pinned, but my horse was galloping the gravel road up the back of toongabbie. Phil realised we were in trouble, trying to untie the lasso from his saddle while keeping up with me. It only lasted a few seconds before the horses pulled up, but we laughed about it for years. Phil caught me fair and square — a handy horseman through and through.

Then there was Blue Boy — one of the Lansdown family’s most temperamental horses. Hard to handle and even harder to trust as he could buck. We were out at the Ritchison’s one day when Phil arrived. Dad said, “Let Phil have a go.” Within no time, Phil rode that buck like ive never seen and had that horse settled and moving like he’d been riding him all his life. That was Phil — calm and capable.

Phil lived just down the road from us, and no matter what we were doing — driving past in the car, on the bike, or him riding by on horseback — there was always a wave and a friendly hello.

We hadn’t seen Phil for a while before he went into hospital, and I’m so grateful we got to visit him there for one last chat. He even brought up the Lasso Story again — still laughing about it after all those years.

Phil will be deeply missed by so many, but to me, he was a true gentleman — a man who made everyone feel welcome, always had time for a yarn, and lived the life of a real horseman.

— Steve & Wendy Lansdown

I left home in 1998 to move back to Gippsland after many years away in central Victoria. I didn’t know many people apart from my new, much older work colleagues in Traralgon and I was missing our horses, missing my Dad, was homesick and craving like minded connection. I hadn’t ventured out to Toongabbie but knew our family had history there. I figured no one would really remember me because I was only in grade 2 when we left and I couldn’t remember many people.

I was talking things over with Mum one night and she could tell I was lonely. She said, “Why dont you look up Phil Henderson? I’m sure he’ll remember you. We haven’t caught up for a long time but he’s probably still out at Toongabbie and he knew your Dad and I back in the day from the novelties”

I didn’t want to impose on anyone but eventually tracked down Phil’s phone number and boy oh boy, I’m so glad I did.

As soon as I said who I was over the phone, Phil’s voice lit up and he spoke to me like a long lost family member coming home. He was so genuinely happy to hear from me. It was like we’d all never been out of touch!! I instantly felt a sense of belonging and felt such strong vibes of a very nurturing father like figure, like I was family!

Following on from that day, I was reaquainted with many Gippslanders who knew Mum and Dad and of our Gippsland days, who definitely remembered me as kid on my Shetland pony at the riders club, who had stories to share, memories to reminisce upon, old photos and stories of unrivalled barrel racing records. Everyone made me feel so very welcome in the community and wrapped their arms around me.

Trail rides and novelty days followed with offers of horses to ride and borrowed gear, invites to BBQ’S, birthdays parties etc and new acquaintances were formed. My move out of home to Gippsland and first time living alone, finally felt like it had potential to be something more permanent.

I must make special mention of one particular new acquaintance I had the privilege of making through Phil soon after we connected back then and that person is Fiona. So much like her Dad, Fee welcomed me and offered me her friendship instantly without any hesitation. I was introduced to Royce, she took me out to Faye’s, included me with all things horsey and socially and we formed a wonderful friendship that continues to this very day some 28 years later.

Phil’s contribution and his “come out for a cuppa me girl” made a big difference to my life and his legacy will live on.

Sincerest condolences to all of his family and all of his friends. He will be sadly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him for sure.

Phil, take it easy now, please know your family is well loved and if there’s a rescue race to be had in the after life, you and Dad might give Pippin another run. RIP.

Poppy Phil was truly one of the great ones. Our family only met Phil in the last 10 years but just like everyone he met you quickly became like family. We will treasure our memories of camping trips to Nunniong where he taught Thommy how to make whip crackers and how to do the “Sydney flash”. We feel so lucky to have known you , ridden with you and shared stories with you. Ride high forever x
Deepest condolences to our dear friend Fi and family
Thankyou for sharing him with us
Em, Chris, Georgie and Thommy

Many sincere condolences to Fiona, the Henderson family and friends of the passing Poppy Phil. Our thoughts are with you. Gone riding. xo