LEGEND OF THE CLIMB - Graeme Phillips 996!
Series of posts celebrating climbers of Ayers Rock #13.
While discussing our iconic Climb with Macca on the ABC his producer handed me a note with a phone number and said the person on it wanted to speak to me about the Climb. After the interview, I placed this slip of paper on the shelf and it took me a few weeks to get around to calling the number. I'm so glad I did, as, through the wonderful Shirley Goodman, whose name was on that slip of paper, I have learnt a small part of the remarkable story of the late Graeme Phillips.
In my book "A guide to Climbing Ayers Rock" I credit Howard Rust as the person who climbed the rock the most times (100) and Graeme Phillips as the man who climbed the most different routes (7). I thought that 100 climbs was a remarkable effort and given the lack of historical data that it would be unlikely that there would be someone who had climbed it more. Little did I know that there was a man who had not only climbed twice as often as Howard, but astonishingly: close to 10 times as often!
Shirley Goodman a close friend of Graeme, has told me he climbed 996 times, the first time in 1963 and the last in the late 1990's, via 8 different locations (note to self send a correction the publisher). Remarkably Graeme recorded the details of his climbs and even submitted them to Park Rangers. One of these provided by Shirley (see below) shows a record of Graeme's climbs on October 27, 1979 and June 21, 1980. Graeme climbed 7 times on the 27th of October, and 8 times on June 21. The times are extraordinary. He must have been incredibly fit!
Graeme was from Victoria and spent most of his working life as a coach captain for Ansett-Pioneer. He undertook many trips from Alice Springs and elsewhere to Ayers Rock and acted as a guide to visitors.
Sadly Graeme passed away on 16 January 2017. His remarkable car collection was the subject of media reports when it was auctioned off after his death. The ABC story makes brief mention to his climbing record. "Mr Phillips was not just an avid collector, he was also a mad runner who was often seen running everywhere, including racking up almost 1,000 trips up and down Uluru."
Graeme has a pavilion at the Alice Springs National Road Transport Hall of Fame named in his honour. The Graeme Phillips Pavilion houses the
Bus, Coach and Tourism Museum.
Series of posts celebrating climbers of Ayers Rock #13.
Graeme Phillips standing on the summit cairn (on right), late 1960s (photo from Shirley Goodman.
While discussing our iconic Climb with Macca on the ABC his producer handed me a note with a phone number and said the person on it wanted to speak to me about the Climb. After the interview, I placed this slip of paper on the shelf and it took me a few weeks to get around to calling the number. I'm so glad I did, as, through the wonderful Shirley Goodman, whose name was on that slip of paper, I have learnt a small part of the remarkable story of the late Graeme Phillips.
Graeme Phillips (photo from ABC report)
In my book "A guide to Climbing Ayers Rock" I credit Howard Rust as the person who climbed the rock the most times (100) and Graeme Phillips as the man who climbed the most different routes (7). I thought that 100 climbs was a remarkable effort and given the lack of historical data that it would be unlikely that there would be someone who had climbed it more. Little did I know that there was a man who had not only climbed twice as often as Howard, but astonishingly: close to 10 times as often!
Shirley Goodman a close friend of Graeme, has told me he climbed 996 times, the first time in 1963 and the last in the late 1990's, via 8 different locations (note to self send a correction the publisher). Remarkably Graeme recorded the details of his climbs and even submitted them to Park Rangers. One of these provided by Shirley (see below) shows a record of Graeme's climbs on October 27, 1979 and June 21, 1980. Graeme climbed 7 times on the 27th of October, and 8 times on June 21. The times are extraordinary. He must have been incredibly fit!
Note from Graeme to Ranger Ian Cawood with some of Graeme's climb statistics (from Shirley Goodman). As of November 19, 1980, he had recorded 281 climbs via 8 different routes.
Photo marked by Graeme showing his 8 different ways up Ayers Rock (from Shirley Goodman)
Graeme (left) and Bob Wright at the base of the Climb in 1967, 1968. Photo courtesy of Jan Wright. Bob and Jan managed the Pioneer Lodge at Ayers Rock in the 1960s. You can read about them HERE)
Sadly Graeme passed away on 16 January 2017. His remarkable car collection was the subject of media reports when it was auctioned off after his death. The ABC story makes brief mention to his climbing record. "Mr Phillips was not just an avid collector, he was also a mad runner who was often seen running everywhere, including racking up almost 1,000 trips up and down Uluru."
Graeme has a pavilion at the Alice Springs National Road Transport Hall of Fame named in his honour. The Graeme Phillips Pavilion houses the
Bus, Coach and Tourism Museum.
Graeme Phillips You are THE Climbing Legend!
PHILLIPS Graeme Arthur Passed away January 16, 2017 in Alice Springs N.T. Age 81 years. Late of Ballarat. A man of exceptional fortitude and ability, A photographic memory, A kind heart, a loved sole, Numbers and facts man Long term Ansett Pioneer coach captain Australia wide, and Tailormade Tours. Very much respected by his fellow employees Marathon Man and Rock climber 'AVID COLLECTOR' Last years spent in Alice Springs Local identity working at Aviation Museum A Living Legend 'A private Man' Loved and respected by a large number of friends His Family - Shirley ------ A Memorial Service will be held at National Road Transport Hall of Fame, Alice Springs Saturday 13th May, 2017 at midday. (Graeme's Obituary notice Published in The Ballarat Courier on Mar. 25, 2017)
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