My cousin Philippa was gregarious as a child. Our families both lived in Eltham until I turned 7, and we often walked home from Primary School together. From then, all family Christmases were spent together for many years, with my Aunt Delia hosting large and lively gatherings of family and friends.
I remember Philippa as a passionate animal lover and activist. She especially loved dogs and had a pet dog living with her whenever she could, and always gave affection to anyone’s dog.
Our happiest times together were on family holidays together at Howqua where we stayed in the bush huts our grandfather had built, swam in the river, picked wild blackberries, and roamed free until dusk for two week periods. Once we found and nurtured a very ill wild rabbit until it died. We created a wooden cross and carved his name ‘Bugs’ onto it, and buried him with ceremony. I have attached a photo of Philippa in her late teens or early twenties posing and having fun at Howqua.
Rest In Peace Philippa xx