Tribute

It is with incredible sadness we acknowledge the loss of our much loved friend, colleague and business partner Philip McDonald.

Philip was working in our Christchurch office on level 2 of the Pyne Gould Corporation Building when it collapsed in the Christchurch earthquake, 22nd February 2011.

Many of our team have known Philip professionally since 1988, when he joined us as a Partner but the personal relationship for some of us goes back well beyond that time.

Born in Southland, Philip spent his formative years in Edendale before attending Otago University to study accounting. Graduating from Otago University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in 1976, Philip spent a further two years in Dunedin as an Accountant before moving north to Ashburton.

Five years later and with five years experience working as a Partner, Philip joined our team. It was 1988 and Philip had found his home away from home excelling in his areas of special interest; farm accounting, business management and taxation.

Philip’s business skills and knowledge accumulated over more than three decades, as he worked closely with clients across an extensive range of industries including farming, manufacturing, retail and hospitality.

Philip’s number one love was his family and our sincere love and support will forever be with his wife Sharon and three children, Chantelle, Michael and Andrea.

His second love was most certainly rugby having served as Chairman of Mid Canterbury Rugby Union and as Director of his beloved Crusaders.

His other passion was sailing and he [and Sharon] skippered some significant overseas sailing adventures. He also regularly joined the yacht racing Sundays at Akaroa.

Sports mad and ‘involved in everything’ from a young age including skiing, fishing and boating we know Philip leaves a significant void for many.

We miss him dearly but he will still be a guiding light for us.