On Wednesday night much-loved father, partner and community member, Philip Shine, left this mortal coil after a long battle with cancer.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to my dear friend and fellow councillor of eight years, Cate Coorey and their sons, Dominic and Gabriel Shine, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing since they were quite young, and of course, the broader circle of friends and family.
Philip was a lover of music, reading, and stories among other things, but his own life had the makings of a rollicking epic tale of mammoth proportions.
A charismatic, caring, and intelligent man he was always good for a yarn on the back verandah.
He worked in community radio for over 35 years, first back in Sydney at Eastside Radio and 2SER in Sydney and steered Bay FM 99.9 through some very challenging years as station manager. For this, Philip was awarded the prestigious Michael Law Award in 2022.
After two-and-half-years of battling an aggressive form of cancer, he now rests peacefully and out of pain, dying at home as he wished with his loved ones by his side.
Watching Cate navigate this challenging time whilst still on Byron Council has left me in awe of her courage and bravery, and my heart goes out to her and Philip’s beautiful family who I know will miss him very much.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
