Born in Katoomba in 1945, Philip is the son of Mary and Harry Hammon, the owners of what is now Scenic World.

Philip was educated at Katoomba Primary, Katoomba High, UNSW, and Sydney, Katoomba, Lithgow, Cooma and St George TAFEs.

Philip is a licenced Electrical Supervisor.

Philip served his electrical apprenticeship under his father, then went “out” and worked for Snowy Mountains Authority, Metropolitan Portland Cement, and Simpson Pope, before returning to work at the Scenic Railway Katoomba when his mother had heart problems.

Philip went through Cubs, Scouts and Senior Scouts, played drums with his mates, water skied, took lots of photographs and travelled overseas.

In 1977 he married Peta, his current wife and Mother of their five children.

Philip developed the Scenic Railway and Skyway, into what is now ScenicWorld, built the Cableway and the forest Boardwalk, and rebuilt the Skyway and the surrounding infrastructure.

Philip has been involved with Biznet in judging for Business Awards for many years, and his own family is well involved in FBA ( Family Business Australia ) which assists family businesses in coping with succession issues, and business management.

Now retired from ScenicWorld, and a Director on the Board of Hammons Holdings, Philip occupies his time with research into the mining history of Scenic World, he co-wrote a book “The Burning Mists of Time” on this subject.