We have been informed that our dear friend and Rotarian colleague Phillip Hinton passed away at home in Wollongong recently, (29t
h July 2021) four weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
h July 2021) four weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.Phillip retired from Rotary some years ago as he moved from the locality to be closer to his family.
Phillip certainly left his mark in our Rotary Club when he presented an opportunity to assist a critically ill young child that came to his notice via his son Sean who was working in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. At that time President Bob Quodling embraced the opportunity and their efforts - ably supported by Club members - put together a remarkable support team and Hishigzal was brought to Sydney to undergo life-saving heart surgery.
A magnificant project and many longer serving Rotarians will remember with great fondness the evening we spent at the St Ives Community hall to welcome Hishigzal's return from hospital and the telephone link that had been arranged with her mother in her homeland - many a tear was shed!
For your interest I enclose here a link to the Hishigzal story - prepared by Steve McGregor and click on "Read More" below to read a touching tribute from the Hinton family.
Phillip's dedication to the community and his stage talents will be long remembered.
Rest in peace our dear friend.
A message from the Hinton Family (29 July 2021)
Phillip Hinton passed away at home in Wollongong early this morning, four weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. He could not have been surrounded by more love in his final days in this world. All three of his sons were able to spend precious time with him – Ben visiting from Melbourne during lockdown, Sean from the UK (after completing 14 days in hotel quarantine in Sydney), and Simon who lives nearby in Wollongong. In these last weeks, Ann was with him 24 hours a day, supported by their sons and close family including daughter-in-law Shabnam and three of his grandchildren (Joshua, Dominic and Sarita) – with daughters-in-law Tebby and Wen-Li, and their other Grandchildren – Freya, Jasmine, Camille and Zoe – all on Zoom or FaceTime daily.
The extraordinary outpouring of loving messages, prayers, stories and memories from several hundred of his friends and family members around the world has given great comfort to us as a family, and also been a reminder of the extraordinary life that he led, and the countless people he touched and inspired during his years on this earth. Our deep sorrow at losing him, earlier and more quickly than any of us imagined, is tempered by witnessing his unwavering faith in the teachings of Baha’u’llah, and therefore his understanding that he was joining the ranks of souls who “have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.” (Abdu’l-Bahá).
Until a few days ago, we still had an occasional word or acknowledgment from him, but the last time we heard his distinctive, rich voice was on Sunday night, when our family gathered (in-person and online), and to our surprise, given his condition at that time, he sat upright and declaimed loudly, and from memory, his favourite Baha’i prayer. This beautiful prayer by Abdu’l-Bahá, well-known to Baha’is, begins “O Thou incomparable God! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom!”, and asks God to assist those gathered, saying “O God! Be Thou their supporter and their helper, and in the wilderness, the mountain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou their confidant – so that they may cry out through the power of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
While today our hearts are broken, we will continue to be inspired by this beautiful man and the example he has left us, attempting to live our lives as he did – filled with passion, and kindness and service to others. Our dearest wish is that all who know and love him remember him by trying to do the same.
We have greatly appreciated all of the loving messages and offerings, however we would ask that you please do not send flowers to the house.
If you are moved to make some gesture, we ask that you donate in Phillip’s name to Treak Community Centre in Siem Reap, Cambodia, an organisation that Phillip volunteered for and is close to his heart (https://www.gofundme.com/.../46rb5f-treak-village...), or if you are part of the Baha’i Community, make a contribution to the development of the Shrine of Abdu’l-Bahá).