Philip (Shags) Andrew Cotter

Tribute by Geoff Mackley

RIP my friend.

RIP Shags luv ya

The last time I saw "Mrs Cotter" as he was very affectionately know, was as he over-flew my Walkerston home about 1983 enroute further north. You were a great Family Friend Phil and many will miss you. Nothing but great memories. Catch you soon! Ian

RIP Love Mum

It was a pleasure to of met and worked alongside you in Indo Shag's,you were a seriously colorful character indeed me old mate. Enjoyed our yarn's in the bush while we waited for the fog to clear. RIP Shag's.

Thank you PC. You were always there without questions. I will miss you greatly.Rox

It really blew me out when I heard the sad news. You will be missed at the ANZAC day service and breakfast at the Anchor Inn. Chemical Mike

Shags Mate you are certainly missed. Thanks for taking the time to teach a low time pilot some of your tricks for flying in the bush. I have fond memories of flying with you, and hope to clock up a similar amount of flight time. Rest easy my friend.

RIP 'Shags'

You were the best Godfather someone could ever have. You were there for me no matter what time of day or what the occasion was. I will always remember that, and I love you. I will see you again soon... Love from dad and me. xox

For you Shags.. xo

RIP Shags

Thanks for the memories and the wonderful flying experiences, Cheers Shags , you will be sadly missed xx

Godfather, I hope you rest easy up there in heaven. Love always Kelly

RIP Cap-a-tin Oui Oui, I will always hold my helicopter rides with you close to my heart, not many kids can say that they have had a helicopter parked in their backyard You were an amazing man who was loved by many. You will me missed xxx

RIP Cap-a-tin Oui Oui, I will always hold my helicopter rides with you close to my heart, not many kids can say that they have had a helicopter parked in their backyard xxx

Another video of the late Phil Cotter - put together by Ben Clarke

Phil Cotter Tribute Video 2

My friend Phil Cotter COTTER                Phil Cotter was my Best Man.  He called me Mrs. Ward because he reckoned I dithered a lot. I first met Phil on a steamy tropical day at Madang in August 1974. I was a young Surveyor trying to get to my copper prospect near Bundi in theEastern Highlands– a place called Yandera. Someone at the airport ...more

From Doug and Geological Community NOTES FOR PHIL COTTER SERVICE – 7 September 2011 (Doug Hutchison) My name is Doug Hutchison. I am an exploration geologist and I have been a good friend of Phil’s for more than 25 years. I would like to say a few words on behalf of the geological community who were such a big part of Phil’s life but many of w...more

Portrait of Phil Cotter - played at Service in Brisbane on 7 September

Still missed you so very much Philip.

Words from his Sister Lyn at service on 7 September 2011 Phil was one of seven children - I was one of the little ones and the Phil was the one of the big ones – 10 years older– so as kids growing up the big ones did not generally play lots with the little ones – but I do remember him looking after me when I was little. A fond memory of have of ...more

Eulogy read by his Sister Jenny on 7 September 2011 Service Captain Phillip Andrew Cotter - better known as Shags, has been stolen from us in a tragic helicopter accident on Friday August 26 inVanuatu, his adopted home for the last 27 years. He was the second eldest son of Daphne Wilson and Robert Vincent Cotter - from a large family of 7 childr...more

Who could ever forget the guy who flew cross legged and bare foot ... You made me laugh each and every flight. You will be missed

Email - 31 August 2011 from - Mike "Diwai" Wood I knew Phil when I joined Pacific Helicopters in Oct. of 88' and I believe he and his working buddy John Naylor had been with Mel Smith the owner of Pacific since its inception. Phil was as you said a reserved individual yet also one of the "famous or infamous" helicopter pilots of PNG. The first tim...more

Email - 31 August 2011 - from "Bung" Brett Williams Very sorry to hear about Phils passing. He was certainly a character! I worked with Phil in Goroka & Burma for a couple of years in 1989 – 91. Pacific Helicopters. We scored a contract up in Burma early in the 90s and Phil was one of the Directors I think for Asia Pacific Helicopters. As ...more

Email - 31 August 2011 from Lynne Cowper My husband and I were in Goroka PNG for many years and in 1984 moved to Port Vila where we purchased a riding school. Phil arrived not long afterwards as the pilot for John Naylor's helicopter. John had been in partnership with Mal Smith at Pacific Helicopters who were based in Goroka. We spent quite a...more

🕯 Lyn Cotter lit a candle It is now 1 year and 2 days since you have passed - you would have liked the get toghether of your family and friends in Cairns, Brisbane and Port Vila on Sunday 26 - we had one for you Shags!!!!!

🕯 Lyn Cotter lit a candle Cannot believe that 2 years have now passed. Will be plenty of charged glasses for you today!!!

Email - 10 April 2013 from Vanessa Hansen Good Morning Lyn. I was so very sad to hear of Phil's passing. Its seems a long time ago since we all last saw him. Phil was Terry's best mate for many years “Captain Lik Lik” At the time when they were flying for Helitrans in New Guinea, Phil was Terrys engineer, that was before he became a pilot him se...more

Couldn't find the words yesterday still carn't find them today,it only seems like yesterday it all happened, where have the last 2 years gone.Had a hard one yesterday celerbrating Mums birthday and your passing, but I know you were there.Miss your cuddles and the many f**k you Shags. Miss you heaps, love always Nicola xxxooo

🕯 Lyn Cotter lit a candle Poured a Baileys for you tonight Phil and your song played - thanks for being there!!!!!