PHILLIPS, Donald Raymond “Don”

Our thoughts are with you Chris, Abby, Elise and families. Don was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, friend to so many, an inspiration to his students from Kurnai, fellow staff members and the entire broader community. He will be missed by so many particularly his idolized grandchildren! We will all treasure the memories we have shared!
When someone you love becomes a memory
That memory becomes a treasure!

Thinking of you, Chris and family. He was a great bloke.
Peter and Glenis.

A dedicated, outstanding person and teacher. Never forgotten. Condolences to Chris and family.

Don you were a great teacher and colleague. I remember fun excursions and conversations we shared on camps and in the staff room at Morwell Tech. You will be remembered by many students as a caring and dedicated teacher. Our sincere condolences to Chris and family

John Hewat.

Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Don was a wonderful man & will be sadly missed x

A sad farewell to a long-time dear friend with whom we shared so many outings and experiences over that time! Our sincerest thoughts and condolences go to Chris, Abby, Elise and their families! A bittersweet departure with the loss of Don yet also knowing that the suffering has now ended! Sleep peacefully dear friend and know that you are going to be sorely missed by us both! Love and big hugs to all! xx💔🌹

Dear Chris, Abby, Elise and families,

Don always made everyone laugh; he had a talent of telling great stories.

Our thoughts are with you and the family at this very sad time.

Sincerely,

Brenda, Rex, Belinda, Lisa and Krista McGowan

Dear Chrissy, Abby, Elise, Nik and grandchildren Lenny, Sonny,Blake and Kaiden.
Condolences to you all. Don was a true gentleman and we will miss he’s company at family gatherings.
We believe he is catching up with Matt on the moon.

Lots of love Graeme, Gel and family

Our wonderful Brother in law Don . We are going to miss you so much. Our thoughts are with Chris, Abby, Elise, Nic, Blake, Lenny, Kaiden and Sonny, much love, Russ & Neat xx

Sincere condolences to Chris , Abby Elise and families.
Our thoughts are with you at this very sad time
Jan and John

Fond memories of team teaching the year 8 Humanities classes with Don in the big portable behind Morwell Tech in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Love to Chris and family at this sad time.
Anne Wilson

So sorry to hear of Dons passing.
Condolences to you Chris, Abby; Elise and families on your loss of such a wonderful family man.
Memories are yours to keep forever. xx. 💔💜
Pattieson family.

Came to Morwell Tech in the early 70s and brought a whole new approach to teaching. Changed the school for the better and earned the respect of students and staff alike.
R. I.P Mr Phillips

All who knew Don will miss him. I first met Don in May 1973 when I was a 22 year old Science/Math teacher from the U.S. In those days there was a string of North American teachers recruited to teach at Morwell Tech and Don was our unquestioned leader. Many are the times the North American teachers at the Tech would gather after school, on weekends, and school holidays to share how “wierd” Australians and Australia were/was. The transition to our new world was not always an easy one, but Don was a calming infulence, reassuring us that all would be well–Don got us through the tough times and eventually we grew to love Australian Teaching, Australians, and Australia. I can still see it now–an new North American teacher would arrive in Morwell to teach at the Tech and Don would arrive with his VW Bus and rally the troups to the Morwell Auction to buy furniture and settle the new teacher into their rented flat. Whthout question, if any of us ever had a problem, Don was our first call–especially true since Don was the only one of us that had a phone! And if any of us needed to make a phone call home, Don would always let us use his home phone!
My wife, Pat, and I stayed teaching at Morwell Tech for almost 5 years, but like almost all North American teachers, eventually went home. But not Don–he made his life in Morwell and that is how it should be. I cannot imagine Morwell Tech or Morwell itself without Don being there. Farewell my old friend–I will miss you terribly. You tought me and others so much. And in that, you will never dissappear–you will always live inside those you have touched..
Bill and Pat Bond,
Snohomish, Washington, USA

My condolences to all the family and friends
John Capaldo

Fond memories of a great teacher who made school camps at Walhalla more enjoyable for students and staff. Sepho

Dear Chris, Abby, Elise, Nic & Don’s treasured grandsons Lenny, Sonny, Blake & Kaiden our love & deepest sympathy to you all . I will miss Don’s sense of humour and company especially on our Speedway trips. RIP our dear friend. Carol & Ross

The classes I remember most fondly, as a former pupil at Morwell Tech in the 1970s, were those delivered by Don Phillips and his N. American colleague, Randall Brown (dec). Taught with grace and good humour, every class left me feeling informed, understood, appreciated, respected, and safe. What I probaly didn’t realise nor appreciate at the time, was ‘Mr. Phillips’ role in unlocking and encouraging the thirst for knowledge and understanding that would accompany me far into the future. I believe that’s the mark of a skilled, dedicated, and truly great teacher.

My sincere condolences to Don Phillips’ family and friends.