Peter Phillips

Details sent to the Traffic Community about Peter's passing. Peter commenced as a Junior Commercial Trainee (JCT) in January 1966.

It is with sadness that I must bring you the news of the passing of our special friend Peter Phillips.
Peter joined Qantas in January 1966, as part of the Junior Commercial Trainee intake of that year.
Commencing in the Creditors Accounting Department on the 6th Floor of Qantas House.
As a JCT he was then moved around the various departments that the company thought would be good for his career development.
It was then in December 1967 that he chose to join us in the Traffic Department, within the ‘Old Terminal’.
He tried his hand at several departments within Traffic and finally settled, as many of us did, on the Passenger Check-in Counter.

Peter’s next big move was in 1987, when he took a relieving roll as Airport Manager in Bahrain.
Just as he was enjoying the desert sand, he was appointed Airport Manager in Adelaide.
After just 18 months he accepted a ‘hardship’ posting to Honolulu and then another 2 years in Los Angeles.
Peter would tell you that he then sat around the Corporate Office for another 12 months reading the paper.
Then finally an appointment as Policy and Procedures Manager came his way.
From Airport Operations, Peter moved into the instrumental role of setting up the ‘One World Alliance’.
Testing his hard-fought skills of airline operation and negotiation, it was a proud moment for him when the alliance was announced in late 1998.

As with Dame Nelly Melba, Peter returned after retirement on a couple of occasions to head up Special Projects.
Then after 40 years' service he finally hung up the boots for a life in permanent retirement.
With far too much time on his hands, Peter reinvented himself into the role of Marriage & Funeral Celebrant.

Recent years saw his general health failing, including a stint in hospital with COVID.
During May of last year, he suffered a stroke just a week after returning from a family holiday to Honolulu.
In spite of 6 weeks rehab his condition didn’t really improve and wheelchair bound he continued to decline.
No longer in pain or discomfort, Peter left us early Saturday morning, 05 April 2025.
He was survived by his dear wife of 46 years, Narelle, their 2 daughters, Elise & Morgan & 3 grandchildren, Nixon, Lincoln & Poppy.
Funeral arrangements to be advised.
Rest In Peace, Peter, Your Shift Is Done.
..................................................................