The sky seemed a little darker this week after the passing of long-time local luminary, Edwin (Eddie) John Phillips.
Eddie passed away on March 15, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born and raised by his mother Gabrielle with his sister Gail, in the small coastal town of The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast. It was there that he developed his lifelong passion for surfing. As a result, he built the largest historical and vintage collection of surfboards in the country.
Eddie was an entrepreneur from a young age. After a small stint at a fitness centre in Sydney, he left Australia for Asia in the 1970s with modest savings to find his fortune in Hong Kong.
Spa King
With his business partner, Barry Wain, they set up Phillip Wain; a chain of successful, luxury, health and beauty fitness centres across Southeast Asia. From there, Eddie became known as the Fitness King of Hong Kong, and then later, the Spa King in Australia.
Eddie returned to Australia and continued with Camp Eden Health Retreat, the first of its kind nationally. He then created a successful portfolio of business investments such as The Middle Pub and Chincogan Hotel in Mullumbimby, Kirra Beach Hotel, and the Pearl South Pacific in Fiji, to name a few.
Eddie eventually resided in his spiritual home of Byron Bay, where he lived for the next 20 or so years.
He was a proud and loving father, and an incredibly astute businessman who pulled himself up from humble beginnings. Rich in generosity and spirit, he was a passionate and strong-willed man, a dreamer as well as an inspiring leader. You always knew when Eddie was in the room, his presence and vivacity was always felt.
He was larger than life, loved a party and will be sorely missed by his children; Natasha, Bogart and Jesse, their mothers Deborah and Kellie, and all of us who loved his boundless energy and his unique personality.
Vale Eddie Phillips. For funeral details, contact Paperbark Deathcare and Funerals on 0466 526 156.
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