The following messages of condolence and symbols
have been added in memory of Eric.

Sorry to hear about Tony's passing. We remember him fondly.

Dear Shavana and Family,

We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Tony. I’m sorry that we didn’t ever meet in my adult years, but I’m glad that I did at least have a chance to chat with Tony over the last year or so since my visit to Guyana back in January.

It’s clear to me that Tony will have left more than just memories as his enduring legacy living through his art, some of which I was lucky enough to see in Guyana earlier this year. His work speaks volumes, telling stories which need to be told. His ability to capture detail, character, and emotion in his art was nothing short of extraordinary.

Tony may no longer be with us, but his artistic spirit will live on eternally through the wonderful pieces he’s left behind.

With deepest sympathy,

Heather, Christian & Jonathan

Our deepest sympathy to Schavana and daughters ……… have such fond memories of Tony from Guyana days he was always the happiest person in the group!! You will always be remembered ………

Cara Shavanna. Due anni fa festeggiavamo insieme il Natale. Questo l’ultimo felice ricordo di Tony che rimarrà per sempre impresso nella mia memoria. Ora, purtroppo, in questi giorni tristi spero che il ripensare a quel che c’è stato di bello possa aiutarti ad attutire il dolore e affrontare il futuro che la vita ci riserva. Io, se pur lontana, ti sono vicina con tutto il mio affetto.

Deepest sympathy Schavana and family on Tony,s passing. May God grant you the strength you need to carry on.

Dear Schavana, Stephanie, Tonianne, Sheshia and all those grieving the passing of Uncle Tony, may you find loving memories and support in this time of profound loss. It is with deep sympathy and love that we send this message and remember Uncle Tony's broad smile, and his boundless energy and artistry. May he reunite with all his siblings including Brother John in their restful peace.

all our love,

Maureen, Carol, Jarle, Kai, Leif and Njal

I knew Tony for the past 15 years and we spent many happy hours with Schavana going to art shows including the Archibalds. Tony was always so informative and original in his observations. he was a colourist of the highest order and an artistic storyteller.
His last advice to me was to be dramatic with colour, startle and excite the viewer which I have taken aboard.
He was a multi-talented man from musician through designer, art of course, paint chemical scientist, furniture designer, shipbuilder, author, loving husband of 50 years, father and grandfather and his last love...train sets!
Always a child lay inside the man, irreverent at times, certainly mischievous and a great risk taker.
Tony was the glue that held his family together across half the world.
Rest in peace, compassionate and loving man and precious friend.

It is with grateful thanks that I was able to spend quality time some
months ago with Tony, Schavana, their family and Gordon especially for their 50th Anniversary Celebration.

During my visit, Tony, Schavana and I enjoyed some laughs, so many conversations pertaining to our family traditions and memories of the years past. Tony even surprised me by joining us at the dinner table and disclosed that he had been permitted to have a glass of wine which he could not have for sometime. He also made pepperpot one day which filled the home with its aroma.

I was also pleased to witness that he was able to finish some of his unfinished jobs, one of which, a favourite of mine adorns the family room. Tony certainly made good use of each day. We are grateful that he kept on shining, even exceeding the expectations of the medical personnel.

Tony, you have left us all with so many cherished memories to last a lifetime. May You Rest In Peace.

With Our Love, Support and Prayers Always, Dear Schavana, Stephanie, Fabio and Family, Tonianne, Martin and Family, Cindy and Family, Gordon, Schubert, Margaret and Family,

Laureen, Claire Downie and Family, Neil Veerasammy and Family.

To dear Shavana, Stephany and Tonianne,
The service was lovely and honoured Tony and his life. Everyone could see the love and devotion Tony has for his family, and the lasting impression and influence of Tony. Both girls spoke beautifully.
To Shavana, we will always treasure the friendship we have with you both, and we hope to catch up with you soon to reflect and recall some of the fun times we experienced together.

The words ‘icon of hope’ shared in the service so appropriately go with a man who has created, splashed colour in the world and inspired others throughout all stages of such a full life. His love of life and family have truly made us better by knowing him.

Dearest Schavana And Family,

Schavana hold on to all your beautiful memories you shared with Tony over the years.
Such a special man.
Our sincere condolences to you and all the family.
Our thoughts are with you all.

Leanne and Ashley Ross

Dear Schavanna,
I can imagine how you feel right now. You and Tony were one of the first few friends we made when we arrived in Australia in 1987. Tony so special can never be forgotten. May you have comfort in knowing that we share your sorrow. Wrapping you in our love, holding you close to our hearts and in our prayers.Tony will always be with you, your girls and their families. Love Marlene and Trevor

Vale! My dear Tony. I’ll miss our
Gaff man. We laughed a lot at things others would cry. Our friendship grew into something so significant it will leave vacuum.
Much love,
Lloyd.

It is hard to imagine anyone more caring and thoughtful than Tony, whether he was known as Buss, Tony or Eric!

There was a huge one way trip to Melbourne in 1976, and Tony got a new job very quickly so that the family could settle down soon, and it was amazing how soon many old friends were in contact from the other side of the world, keeping in touch.

Our home in Australia is full of Tony's black and white line drawings of places we need to see and remember, including Stabroek, St Georges, and wooden houses with shutters rather than windows. Most important is the large oil painting by Tony that took months to finish, so his work cannot be forgotten - similarly the dome mural in Georgetown.

We visited Tony and Schavana in the last year and were just sad Tony could not travel to visit us. We had many long chats about "ole time storee". I feel proud to have known him for so long and will always remember him.

Jeff Bayley

Tony, thank you for the times and friendship we had shared that started as being a part of the Steelband. Will miss your sense of humour and comradary and you leave a legacy in your beautiful family and many connections that you made during your time in this world.

May you rest in eternal peace

To Schavana and family,
My deepest condolences on Tony's passing. We both represented Guyana in 1964 in field hockey. Tony was a terrific team mate and a kind human being, We will all miss him.

Tony was a lovely, loving, caring, gentle and funny man who clearly adored Schavana and his whole family. My admiration and respect for them grew hugely over the past years watching how they coped with Tony’s illness and were always so positive and up-beat as they faced each new challenge. Despite his own great problems, Tony was always concerned with other people and their lives and families. He was a shining example of how to cope through an extremely challenging time. I’m privileged to have one of his beautiful paintings which will be a constant reminder of Tony and his amazing talent for us. We have wonderful, happy memories of our visits with him and Schavana in Melbourne.
We’re thinking of you all at this sad time and sending lots of love and prayers from us all.
xxxxxxx

Dearest Schavana and family.

My sincere condolences on your huge loss.

My auntie Vivienne spoke of Tony so often. She described him as warm, caring, funny, sincere, kind and a beautiful family man.
Heaven now has another angel.

Schavana may you hold on forever to so many beautiful memories made with Tony together over so many years.
My thoughts are with you all. ❤️

Tamara (niece of Vivienne Shilkin).

It was a sad, sad weekend before Christmas for all of us West Indians - and others - here in Melbourne who knew the wonderful Tony Phillips, upon hearing the news he departed this world on Saturday December 23.

Such a huge loss! Even though we had all been expecting this for quite some time now, and we knew that he was well prepared to go to God, and had meticulously planned and prepped and left everything in the finest order.
Also that he was deservingly released from pain... after the many recent years of battling cancer, his heart attack and massive, miraculous quintuple bypass, and then even more cancer. Not that he ever complained! Tony was always great fun to be around, and very active and productive to the end!

I believe that Tony knew he was given these extra few years to accomplish all the amazing things he managed to do, and we were blessed to witness and celebrate a lot of them with him: from all of the ongoing art projects; the marvellously successful cancer fund-raising auction of his paintings for the Epworth Hospital (!); to writing and publishing his Dome / The Builders book, (and getting his own short but incisive autobiography recently written for him, by a brilliant palliative care volunteer); to seeing his beloved Schavana finally get her PhD; managing to celebrate their 50 wonderful years of marriage in style; making it past both his big 80th and Schav's 70th birthdays; to supporting all three of his successful daughters in their career and family lives; and best of all, being able to welcome and celebrate and play with and enjoy all of his grandchildren.
Tony was firmly in charge of "Guyanese culture" instruction and propagation, among other things. I recall he took them all out and taught them how to fly kites for Easter just last year!! And I won't ever forget the huge grin on his face when he flipped the switch for his two youngest granddaughters - barely 2 months ago in the throes of his terminal pain- after he'd patiently reassembled and upgraded his famous model railway set-up (digitising it, I think?) Tony loved a big project! Too bad they are still too young to realise and appreciate the tiny details such as the replica Water Street, Georgetown buildings he created, which the trains choo-choo past...

So many stories and memories, even for me. But in summary,
Tony was such a lovely man, always funny and smart and interesting, kind and ready with a clever quip. And he was outstandingly gracious and patient to the very end.

Personally, I can say that meeting him and Schavana and their lovely daughters (and GordonV, plus other members of the Veerasammy and Phillips family clans, who were then still alive and kicking but are now all sadly departed) changed my life in many subtle ways 25 years ago. Their friendship contributed heavily to my ability to instil a love and knowledge of Guyanese culture, amidst a strong sense of ongoing fun and striving for achievement, in my own daughters. Vale Tony. We will all miss you but your smile and energy lives on in our memories.

Our deepest condolences to Schavana and the rest of the family.

Your father was a great man and a loving family anchor. Though nothing can fill the emptiness left by his passing, may you find some peace in knowing he led a long, rich life surrounded by those he cherished most. Sending you and your family comfort and peace.

If as Albert Einstein said, "Creativity is intelligence having fun", then Tony's life was indeed filled with enjoyment and a "joie de vivre" which he shared with so many, through his incredible art and many friendships. Schavana, you were his loving soulmate for over 50 years and we pray that those precious memories will comfort you whenever you feel lonely. Thinking of you with love.

We rejoice with Tony as he is in glory now but we grive with all of the family.
We pray that the many wonderful memories will be comforting in time.
Sending love and blessings.

Tony loved Schavana and his family. Their murual love gave him the strength to acceot and leave this world in peace. Our heart aches for all!
R.I.P dear Tony. Your generous smile and spirit will be forever treasured in our soul.
With love,
Machteld de Groot
The Netherlands

My deepest condolence to you, Schavana, and your loved ones. Tony will be remembered as a lovely, caring, down-to-earth and very pleasant person. May he rest forever in peace!

Dear Stephanie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Sending our thoughts to you, your mum and your sister.
Love Kimberley xxx

Dear Schavana, I only met Tony twice; however, I was impressed with him: a gentle, warm-hearted, and caring person. My heartfelt condolences to you during this difficult time.
With sympathy!
My

Our sincere condolences to Schavana and family our thoughts are with you at these difficult times.
Linda and John

Dear Schavana and family
Meeting Tony and you in 2019 was a highlight for me and working with you both to leave an art legacy at Epworth in support of prostate cancer research was very inspiring. Tony was a true creative: talented and selfless, and thinking of others until the end.
Sincere condolences, Annie

Tony was an outstanding Guyanese born stalwart, great in many sports including hockey, proud father of three daughters, a gifted artist resulting in many beautiful paintings, including the Dome of Barclays Bank in Georgetown , Guyana 🇬🇾, settling in Australia with his wife Dr Schavana and fought on bravely with illness to the end. Tony will be remembered and sadly missed by friends far and wide.
Love to all his family, Tim & family.

My dearest cousin's husband, Tony - he has been in our hearts and our family for over 50 years. When I saw Tony and Schav again it was in Melbourne when I visited Uncle Ivan, Auntie Evelyn, Schav, Tony and the girls in 2001 for Christmas. It was a memorable time of laughter, singing and enjoying family and friends together and it continued thru' the years to the last video chat we had at the end of September2023. Tony was his vibrant self, full of laughter and the twinkle in his eyes said it all. His love for Schav and his family knew no bounds. A man who spoke his mind and a man of his words. Tony you will be missed but your legacy will live on in the lives you touched, your paintings, your beautiful girls and the love you shared with Schav. RIP dear Tony. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." May you find comfort in the memories you shared. Hugging you Schav, Steph, Tonianne and Cindy in my prayers.

Schavana and family, over the last several years we shared in part Tony's and your journey with his illness which never deterred him from being himself, positive, witty and full of laughter. He time in this life has ended and rest assured a new one has started with the Angels in heaven.
We pray for him and you and the girls to remain strong at this time.

A good man. A worthy QC alumnus.

We met Tony & Schavana at Caulfield Grammar parent teacher interviews. We instantly clicked with them and have been close friends for many years, sharing food, fellowship, trials and tribulations over the years. I was privileged to spend a couple hours with Tony earlier this month. He was engaging as always. His parting words were "I hope this has not been too much of an inconvenience for you (staying with him while Schavana was out)". Good friends can never be inconvenient and I hope I can do this again I replied. We did not know what the next 10 days held. Each time I walk into our home I see his famous painting "The Two Roses". His name will never fade.

Sending lots of love and prayers to you and the girls. Thinking about you all. Go with God Tony.

Tony's incessant laughter and good cheer will live on forever. He was a dear friend and business colleague going back more than 60 years.

Fare thee well, dear friend.
Julian (Fumog)

What to say about someone who leaves a great impression on you.
I had the privilege to interview him for the local paper RowvilleLysterfield Community News. I hope the article sheds some light on what a great man he was.
www.rlcnews.com.au
previous editions November issue 2021
RIP condolences to family and friends.
Nadia Porter

Condolences with love to Schavana and the families of our dear friend Tony
We'd like to think that:
"he is not far,
But in another room and left the door ajar" anon.
Tony, we will always remember your sense of humour and your laughter to brighten our days.
Rest in eternal Peace.

I have lost a true friend.I have known Tony(akaGoya), since 1960, and he is a hero in his own right, back home in British Guiana(now Guyana).He played field hockey for British Guiana, and painted the ceiling of the then Barclays bank lobby, a legacy that is over 60 years old, and is a remarkable as it was the day it was painted. He and Shavana and family immigrated to Autralia, in the searly sixties, and he started to enrich Australia. as he did British Guiana.Studied Art and got his BA, and started to paint and produce the most beautiful flowers,with all their vibrant colours,as only Goya could. No one has ever come close to his painted reproductions, in a magnified version, of some of the most beautiful flowers that one has ever laid eyes on. He also did fantastic human portraits, and his version of the Last Supper,will remain a classic, never portrayed by any other artist. He was a very fine artist, but always remained, the easy going ,very witty friend, that I knew way back in Stonehenge(our name for our last century friendship).He will always be an artiste extraordinaire, and a friend that can never be replicated.
Tony your courage,as you said, what we agreed to years ago,"F of you nasty piece of crap, I will beat you".In the end,after the most courageous fight I have ever witnessed, he had to give in, but has moved on to a place without pain, or suffering, and is already planning, how to make his mark, in this new adventure.
Goya, you have gone, but you will never be forgotten, as your legacy remains firmly entrenched in several countries. I miss you, but am happy to know that you are at last at peace.

Tribute to a good friend of 80 years
Initially we lived across the street from each other and as infants no doubt our nannies took us for walks together. We then moved next door to your house and in our younger days we ran wild in the Kingston area, flew our kites and had mud ball fights on the Sea Wall. We went through high school together at Queens College, where, even though we may not have graduated at the top of our class, we had a most enjoyable time.

After school we played the field in Georgetown for a while, but in a few years we were separated half across the world, you in Australia and me In the Cayman Islands.

Modern technology in the 21st century allowed us to renew our friendship by way of Skype. We were able to meet each other’s wives and follow the achievements of our children and grandchildren

In the last few years you encountered serious medical challenges, but you faced these problems with great courage, faith and good humor. You continued to keep in regular contact with your many friends all over the world, and made light of your suffering , even though you knew that the end was not far away.

You were a true friend and example to all of us. Rest In Peace Tony, my oldest friend

Brian

Although I never met Tony personally , I heard so much about him from my late husband Martin who was a school friend from early Guyana days . Martin often spoke of all the fun , good times and mischievous behaviour they had shared. A time of great enjoyment and happy memories .
My condolences to you all on his passing .
Jane

As we honor Eric today, let’s remember the lessons he imparted through his art and life. His spirit, like his paintings, will continue to bring light and beauty into our world. In the strokes of our own lives, let us paint with the same passion and love that Eric showed us all.

With deepest sympathy and loving remembrance,
Diego