Philip grew up in a farming community at Kilmore which has been home to the Clancy family for over 150 years. He attended Assumption College and then Burnley Horticulture College. Scouting and the Young Farmers Organisation provided Philip with most of his early spare time activities, later serving Scouting as a leader for 27 years. In 1972 he was a recipient of a Young Farmer P&O Scholarship to Britain where he was able to investigate training methods within Agriculture and Horticulture. Upon return Philip commenced a career in Horticultural Education where he assisted with the development of Trade based training.

He married Helen in 1973 and they have one son and two daughters who are all married, and have two grand- daughters and two grand-sons. Philip's career took him into management of the Rural Education and Training sector within the Victorian TAFE Division. In 1994 he was seconded to assist with the formation of the Australian National Training Authority based in Brisbane. Following this he was employed by the National Centre for Vocational Training Research to establish a National Quality Assurance and Audit branch, which provided Government and Industry with planning data associated with Vocational Training delivery. Philip has now retired from the Training area and has returned to part time work within Arboriculture dealing with Risk Assessment and Significant trees.

He joined the Rotary Club of Oakleigh in 1977 and moved to the home based club of Kilmore / Broadford in 1979. He was President in 1984-85 and 1988-89 and District Governor's Rep in 1986-87, serving on the District Foundation Committee and was Chairman of Group Study Exchange in 1989. Due to work commitments Philip resigned from Rotary in 1990 but rejoined in 2006 and was President again in 2009-10. He has served on the District Drought and Fire Recovery Committee and introduced the Men's Shed development to the District. He joined the Foundation Committee as Chairman of Disaster Recovery where he has provided support to the introduction of the Rotary National Disaster Recovery Strategy. Philip has also served as Chairman of the Flood and Cyclone Recovery Committee. In 1990 he was the recipient of a PHF in recognition of work within the community.

As a Nurse and Midwife Helen has enjoyed her role in Rural Nursing and balancing this commitment with her family and Community activities. Helen enjoys her Tennis, Golf and patchwork and also Bushwalking and Bike riding with Philip when time permits.

Philip and Helen look forward to supporting both David and John over the next two years and their enhanced involvement in Rotary as it continues to give dignity and opportunity to so many.