A Life Less Ordinary - Finding Balance

Born in 1953 in Kingston Jamaica, Carolyn Phillips enjoyed a privileged childhood, blithely unaware of the desperate poverty she saw on her doorstep, by Michael Bortnick, photography by Daniel Rose
The eldest of four, this barefoot gal spent much of her early years up a mango tree, entreating delicacies from the servant’s cook pot. When Jamaica gained independence, Carolyn lost hers. The carefree insouciant was packed off to a convent boarding school where she received a thorough ’no frills’ education.

At 18, she set off to London to train as a teacher, fully expecting to return to the bosom of her loud and loving family. Fate had its own plans. Jamaica experienced political change which sparked a crippling exodus. Carolyn’s mother developed cancer and transferred the family to Florida.

Shortly after she qualified, Carolyn fell in love with Graham, a destitute artist. She became his muse, mentor, breadwinner, and wife. Their flat was decorated with unsold paintings and 1979 saw the birth of daughter Mariana.

While working, Carolyn became close friends with her team leader, David, and soon could no longer avoid the obvious truth; she had struck gold. Graham accepted an amicable divorce and Carolyn and David married. Graham got the artwork, the couple got Mariana.

Returning to Jamaica as a teacher with fresh eyes and a sharpened social awareness was complex for Carolyn; it was joyful to be warm and home, but she grieved at the desperation of this exploited little country. During two years there, Melissa ‘with the shining eyes’ was adopted.

About this time, David had an uncharacteristic encounter with a seer who told him that the family was going to New Zealand. What a ridiculous idea. So they went back to England and got busy with other things. David retrained as an acupuncturist and Carolyn set up a catering business.

However, in 1994 the Phillips family arrived in Aotearoa and soon concluded that Nelson was perfect. Carolyn got work at Nelson College for Girls where she still serves as a counsellor, strongly holding her belief that human beings have an enormous capacity to endure and enjoy. David has a thriving practice in town, Melissa lives in Wellington working and acting, and Mariana and her children live down the road.

Not unlike sheep, her siblings have followed and now nearly the entire family resides in Delaware Bay. Carolyn considers herself a caretaker rather than owner of their stunning spot.

The Phillips recently created The Jerk Shack, a moveable feast of Jamaican food, which turns up the heat at the annual Jamaican Jump Up music festival. Jerk is an allspice marinade that is hotter than hellfire. The flames can only be extinguished with copious amounts of Red Stripe beer. After so many years of learning to be a Kiwi and fitting in, it is fun to be able to share a taste of Jamaica. “But we should have known. When we first arrived we were tickled to hear Kiwi Reggae!”

Sitting in her garden, looking across to Cable Bay, Caroline Phillips radiates delight. “How lucky we are to be here. We live in paradise and must strive to honour and maintain the balance it brings to our busy lives.”