Folk musician and researcher Phil Garland died on March 15th, aged 75.

A founding member of the Christchurch Folk Club, Phil recorded close to 20 albums, published six books and was three-times winner of the NZ Folk Album Award. His most recent Tui came in 2007 with ‘Southern Odyssey’ and he received a Queen’s Services Medal in 2014. 

His funeral service will be held at Knox Church on Bealey Ave, Christchurch, on March 24 from 1pm. In conjunction with the Christchurch Folk Club, a celebration of Phil’s life will be hosted at the Irish Society Hall in Spreydon that evening. Guests are invited to bring instruments, stories, singing voices and a plate to share.

“Phil gave me much advice, information, shared his passion and inspired me to begin the journey that I started,” says folk musician Rachel Dawick.

“He still had much to tell me and I am only gutted that on my last trip I didn’t have time to see him to talk more. I was originally going to be playing at his wonderful Te Aroha folk club on this trip but I told him that with his poor health we should wait till I would return at the end of the year. His passion and his commitment to researching and bringing to life our NZ past is what inspired me to begin the journey and I am so sad to have lost my shining light. Thank you Phil for all you have done – for your lifetimes work and for the love you shared. You inspired me, guided me, past on your love and I know your work will live well beyond you now.”