Five near death experiences and still here to talk it up

The ex-journalist loves telling stories and if he’s the main character – even better. His recent brush with death has him talking up the Coffs health system.

He has had five near-death experiences over the years and the latest has him singing the praises of the Coffs Harbour health system – and a nurse who is overcoming her fear of birds.

Well known around town with his Hawaiian shirts and friendly parrot Jackson perched on his shoulder, Phil Tripp was recovering at his Coffs Harbour home from open heart surgery when he experienced his latest brush with death.

This time it was his critical care nurse Antoinette Rigoni who saved his life, catching him when he collapsed at the top of a flight of stairs.

So concerned was he that he may not survive his latest operation – but perhaps more an insight into his outlandish personality – he had a wooden urn for his ashes carved in a likeness of his head, ready and waiting.

The plan was to throw the urn into the Kilauea Crater in Hawaii with a bottle of gin from a helicopter.

The ex-journalist obviously loves telling stories and if he’s the main character – even better.

He has recorded his latest experiences on his website under the title: Day of the Dead V5. Here he explains what caused him to collapse on the stairs while recovering at home from his recent heart surgery:

“The latest thing that felled me was an undiscovered duodenal ulcer burst, that was weakened by all the surgical trauma, and gushed a huge amount of blood in my bowels and served me a cardiac arrest at the end – my fifth death experience restart since my first heart attack at age 37 (saved by my angelic girlfriend and gotten to the ER in time).”

In all that time he has learned a number of important lessons including don’t smoke and try to avoid sausages and salami because: “if the fat doesn’t kill you, the nitrites will. Eat smoked fish instead.”

In the ‘Early Years’ section of his website he describes living in several countries as the son of a military man and German war bride.

“On his return to the US, his popularity didn’t increase when he was accelerated in class and spoke three languages other than English fluently with a well-travelled life. He was teased and beaten up with regularity.”

Phil Tripp prior to his latest operation.

From organised crime through to travel writing, and many years in the music industry, his colourful career finally brought him to Australia.

“Instead of emigrating by plane, Phil decided to take a cruise ship which meant a month on the ocean but free freight for his possessions which by this time was 5000 vinyl albums, four guitars, amps, stereo gear, clothes and not much else to haul over.

“So as a ‘boat person’ Phil went through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Mexico and the South Pacific with 15 stops before landing in front of the Sydney Opera House just before Christmas in 1981.”

He has called Australia home, ever since, and his recent experiences have bolstered his Aussie pride and gratitude for our health system.

He is currently recuperating at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

“I REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE. It’s like a mini vacation in a low key resort with a medical centre attached but all free due to Australia’s cool social medicine program.”

But his ultimate gratitude goes to his nurse Antoinette Rigoni.

“She was deathly afraid of birds before she met Jackson but their bonding encouraged her to change behaviour.

“I think she is going to do the same with me while the journey continues.”