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The Hon. GREG PEARCE [4.13 p.m.]: Today I wish to pay a tribute to the late Phil Myerson, who passed away on 26 June this year. Phil was a colourful and much-loved member of the Southern Highlands community. He is survived by his wife, Sandra, who is known to everybody throughout the Southern Highlands as S. H., and five wonderful children, Hannah, Mollie, Charlotte [Charlie], Phoebe and Sam. Phil was born on 7 October 1948. I did not have the privilege of knowing his late father, Leon, but I know well his wonderful mother, Leith, and have had many happy occasions with her and the family in Bowral. Leith was awarded the Member of the British Empire [MBE] medal for her fabulous work for charity and the community. Phil was best known for developing the Briars Inn in Bowral, which is probably one of the best-known institutions in the Southern Highlands.
Some years after he developed that establishment I had the good fortune to try to put together a project with Phil and S. H. involving the old Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar [SCEGGS] school which was part of the site for the Briars. We worked together for a number of years, although ultimately it was unsuccessful. Phil, or Myo to some of his friends such as Jerry Lewis, who was his best man and spoke at the funeral, was a man who was always ready for a party, but he touched the heart of everyone he met. He always filled a room with happiness. He was legendary for his business sense and conviviality. He loved horseracing. He is much missed by all who knew him.
Indeed, a mark of his popularity and that he touched so many was the fact that almost 1,500 people spilled from the church into the street on the occasion of the requiem mass at the St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Bowral. It was a very moving ceremony. A special elegy, which was composed by Geoff Harvey, who would be known to many honourable members, and Margaret Urlich and Glen Rhodes farewelled Phil. But probably the most touching moments were when a number of his children spoke. Sam was very brave and pointed out that everyone loved Phil. He said how proud he was to be Phil's son. Charlie commented, and we all agreed, that only the good die young, and by that measure, Phil probably should have gone a little while ago. Mollie referred to him as the world's best dad. Many of us agreed that Phil was the father of the year, every year.
All those who attended Phil's funeral have great memories of the life that Phil lived. He lived life to the full, whether it was rugby at the Colleagues club or any of his other activities. He was selfless and interested in all people. One of his last projects was to develop the Manning Hotel with S. H., who devotedly worked with him and shared everything with him throughout their marriage. He made his mark in a way that not too many people do in that he touched the heart of every person who met him. I will conclude my speech by saying as a number of others did at his funeral: Phil, we will see you later, mate.