The William Buck Adelaide Story

Sindy Woo – Manager, Hansini De Foneska – Senior Accountant, Chris Franco – Wealth Advisor,
James Dodd – Paraplanner, and Cain Meschiati – Director

Accountants Cameron Green, Zaw Htoo, Jingyi Niu and Layla Duckworth

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

COMMUNITY

Over the years, William Buck Adelaide has built
strong relationships throughout the South
Australian community.

Over the years, William Buck Adelaide has built strong Wight have been awarded with Meritorious Service awards
relationships within the South Australian community, through from The Tax Institute.
clients, through its involvement in professional and industry
associations and through the significant contributions of the In addition to this contribution at a professional level, William
firm and individual staff to charitable organisations. William Buck supports a wide range of charities, through pro bono
Buck's support for the accounting profession and associated work, the firm’s Workplace Giving program, and with many
industries was evident from the early Giles & Giles days, staff members actively fundraising and volunteering for
when Ken and Mawson Giles served on the Boards and community organisations. The firm’s monthly Billy Bucks
committees of several prominent organisations. Today, many Club coincides with a casual day and over the past 16 years,
of William Buck’s Directors continue to support the profession gold coin donations from staff have sponsored four children
by speaking at conferences and seminars, participating in through World Vision. The firm has always donated to many
educational and mentoring sessions, and serving on industry different charities. Volunteering teams from William Buck help
Boards and committees. In recognition of their contribution fill backpacks to support the Backpacks for SA Kids charity,
to the profession, Dennis Laundy, Ian Snook and Malcolm and the firm is a regular participant in Movember, raising in
excess of $100,000 over the years.

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Staff are given the opportunity to nominate charities to be financial advice. In 2021, William Buck Adelaide was doing
considered for a donation or in-kind support, with the firm 17 pro bono audits and a range of other work for not-for-
showing a strong preference for locally based organisations profit organisation and making a significant contribution to
which provide real benefit to the community and are their programs.
committed to long-term relationships.

In 2016, William Buck Adelaide established a Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) committee, led by Lee Fuller
and Jody Heptinstall, to coordinate and promote its work
in the community. In 2021, as part of its 125th celebrations,
the firm established a Group-wide Foundation to capture
and highlight the good work of the almost 1,000 employees
across the Group. These two initiatives will drive William
Buck’s giving program going forward and develop mutually
beneficial relationships with community organisations that
align with the firm's vision and values.

While the firm and its staff are committed to actively
participating in fundraising activities, they recognise that
the most valuable thing the firm can give is its time and
expertise, because most community organisations require

Above: Lee Fuller – Director, Business Advisory and Founding CSR Member
Below: Former Partner Michael McLaren presenting at the Tax Institue of Australia State Congress, 1992

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

Deputy Managing Director Martin Hill was the fifth highest fundraiser in the 2021 Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout, contributing more
than $30,000 to support people experiencing homelessness.

WILLIAM BUCK SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

AUSVEGSA Neurological Research Foundation Thin Green Line
Bedford OC Challenge Treasure Boxes Inc
Bushfire Disaster Relief RSPCA Trees for Life
Canteen RUOK? Westminster School
Flinders Street Project SA Living Artists White Ribbon Australia
Foodbank SAHMRI Women and Childrens
Kudos Shout for Good Hospital Foundation
Legacy Club of Adelaide Sids and Kids SA Walford Anglican School for Girls
MFSA SYC

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©

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

Pro bono

"The pro bono work William Buck do for the CFS Aaron Trombetta, Wealth Advisory Director
Foundation along with their generous donation will and Gloria Berni, CEO of the CFS Foundation
assist us to provide financial relief to SA CFS volunteers
and their families who have suffered tragedy through
death, injury or significant loss whilst protecting their
communities. The purpose of the CFS Foundation is
provide CFS volunteers the same unflinching support
they give our entire community on a daily basis and
support from businesses such as William Buck and the
community is vital to ensure we can continue to assist
our volunteers now and into the future."

– Gloria Berni, CEO of the CFS Foundation

In addition to the firm’s donations and pro bono work, many the important contribution that staff make to the wider
individual staff members are also making a difference, through community, William Buck's CSR committee introduced a
their participation in fundraisers and by volunteering for Volunteer Award in 2017. The CSR Volunteer of the Year is
not-for-profit organisations, schools and sporting clubs and awarded to someone who has made a significant contribution
other community groups. to the community or charity throughout that year. Staff are
encouraged to record the time they spend volunteering in
Many of the firm’s current Directors and staff are voluntary their timesheets and to share their stories of the work that
members of Boards and committees for leading South they do in the community. The award winner receives a
Australian organisations, including St Vincent de Paul Society, $1,000 donation voucher to allow them to make a donation
Cystic Fibrosis SA, Youth Inc, Operation Flinders, State to a charity of their choice.
Theatre Company and Guide Dogs SA/NT. To recognise
"William Buck has provided me
with the opportunity to develop
knowledge and skills that I have
been able to use in assisting the
community through volunteer
work – I find being able to give
back to others very rewarding."

– Jennifer Rees, Manager and
CSR Committee Member

Jennifer Rees, Manager and CSR Committee Member

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CSR VOLUNTEER OF THE
YEAR AWARD WINNERS

Paula Liddle, 2017 Tricia Kleinig, 2018

Jennifer Rees, 2019 Jamie McKeough, 2020

Sarah Gibson, 2021

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

1 2
7
34

1 SAHMRI Fundraiser, 2020 5
2 YouthInc Golf Day, 2019 6
3 Sarah McKeough and Amanda Anderson

– Hutt Street Centre Volunteering, 2022
4 Operation Flinders Fundraiser, 2018
5 Martin Hill – Ride for a Reason, 2004
6 Bedford Volunteering - Big BBQ, 2012
7 Backpacks 4 (SA) Kids Packing Day, 2018

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2

1
34

1 Movember
5 2 Andrew Barlow and Kent Sharp –

Hutt Street Centre Volunteering, 2022
3 Lavine Martis and David Mounce

– Biggest Morning Tea, Cancer Council, 2021
4 Celebrating International Accountants Day
5 Royal Flying Doctors Service Car Trek, 2021
6 Martin Hill – CEO Sleepout, Vinnies, 2021
7 Food Bank Volunteering, 2017
67

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

STEP BACK IN TIME :
MEN ABOUT TOWN

Giles & Giles’ founders Ken and Mawson Giles set the pace Glenelg Apex Club Foundation Member, Mawson Giles.
for community involvement from the very beginning. Ken (10th from the left)
was secretary of the SA Chamber of Automobile Agents
and served on the Board of The Registered Tax Agents MAWSON
Association of SA. When Ken retired from the firm in 1965, GILES STAND
Mawson took his place on the Board, and in the years to
come, Peter Brock became President. The association was The grandstand that commands the view of the Main Oval is named in honour
a forum for all accountants who relied on tax to have a voice of A. M. Giles (Mawson), an advocate, founder and volunteer for Westminster School.
with the Australian Tax Office.
Mawson was appointed as the first Vice President of the Westminster Parents and
During his time at Giles & Giles, Mawson was also on the Friends’ Association on 20 February 1961 then continued his service as a
Auditors and Liquidators Board for more than 10 years and Member of School Council from 1963 to 1968.
was involved in the Rostrum Club. He was a foundation From those earliest years, Mawson’s Westminster family has continued to
member of the Apex Club at Glenelg, participated in a grow through the generations. He was father of Foundation student
debating group at Brighton and played tennis and lacrosse.
He said these associations led to some work for the firm and William Giles (‘65); grandfather of Scott Giles (’84), Crawford Giles (’86) and
in return, his connection with a small grape growing client Sophie Orchard (’09); great grandfather of Amber Giles (’14), Macey Giles (’20),
led to him becoming Secretary of both the state and federal
Wine Grape Growers Council for many years. Jessica McManus (’22) and James McManus (‘25).
Mawson was named after Sir Douglas Mawson, famed Australian explorer who lived in
One of Mawson’s greatest community contributions was his nearby Brighton and was knighted in the same year of Mawson’s birth. Like his namesake,
involvement in the establishment of Westminster School in Mawson Giles showed how the power of determination, service and dedication could make
1963. Mawson was the Vice President of the Westminster
Parents & Friend’s Association and served on the inaugural a difference that we still value in our community today. We are forever grateful to
school Council from 1963 to 1968. His contribution was Mawson Giles who joined forces with the other great pioneers of Westminster
recognised in 2021, when the grandstand that commands to advance the School during its foundation years.
the view over Westminster’s Main Oval was named the
‘Mawson Giles Stand’. A large group of the Giles family, Mawson Giles Stand citation.
including Mawson’s children, David and Sue, attended the
official opening. The dedication says “Like his namesake,
Mawson Giles showed how the power of determination,
service and dedication could make a difference that we
still value in our community today. We are forever grateful
to Mawson Giles who joined forces with the other great
pioneers of Westminster to advance the School during its
foundation years.”

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Opening of the Thomas Pavillion, home of the Mawson Giles Stand, at Westminster School on Sunday 18, October 2021.
Image courtesy of Westminster School.

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

CHANGING
LIVES

Nearly 10 years ago, the
William Buck Group adopted
the mantra ‘Changing Lives’.

Nearly 10 years ago, the William Buck Group adopted the he said. “I’d seen them buy their first car, go on their first
mantra ‘Changing Lives’. Former Chairman Nick Hatzistergos overseas trip, get married, buy their house, have children
is the owner of this phrase, which was prompted by a and then become really accomplished professionals.” William
comment from a journalist who suggested to Nick that Buck was changing their lives! Nick said when the William
the mid-tier accounting firms in Australia were “all beige”. Buck Group adopted ‘Changing Lives’ as its tagline, it was
“None of you stand out,” she said. Nick took great offence understood that they were never going to cure brain cancer,
to this observation and spent a sleepless night trawling or do what heart specialists do. However, if they did their job
through websites. Not just William Buck’s website, but really well, they would have a positive impact on the people
those of its competitors, as well as websites of other iconic that they served, their clients.
global companies. Nick came to the conclusion that the
journalist was right! “We all say we hire the best people, we Jamie McKeough agrees that ‘Changing Lives’ is a bold
all had the best fit, but nothing really stood out,” he said. statement, “but if clients and staff allow us to, and we do
Coincidentally, Nick was reading Steve Jobs’ biography at a good job, essentially we have helped them change their
the time. He decided William Buck needed to associate lives,” he says. ‘Changing Lives’ is incremental and can be
itself with something that wasn’t just about accounting. He anything from the firm saving a CFO time during an audit
observed that other successful brands such as Coca Cola so they get to spend more time with their kids or, advising
and Apple never talked about the product, but about the a client on growing a successful business and helping them
experience. Their claims were aspirational. And Nick said that sell for a huge amount of money so they can educate their
when he looked at William Buck, he realised it had absolutely grandkids, travel the world, or support the community in a
changed his life in the time that he had been there. “The more meaningful way. Or, it may be life-changing because
thing I was proudest of was the number of people coming the firm has kept a family business together by facilitating
through who had been hired as relatively junior people,” intergenerational transfer or helping them through a really
tough time to keep the business afloat.

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"Changing Lives’ may be a bold statement, but it has resonated with staff at
William Buck Adelaide. They aspire to have a positive impact on the lives

of their clients."

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

Modelflight

Mike O’Reilly is the Managing Director of Modelflight, a They have an understanding of what we do, they want
South Australian family business which sells radio control us to do well and they go above and beyond to look at
hobbies and models. He says the guidance and expertise alternatives, to look at options that will give the best result
provided by William Buck Adelaide over the last 20 years for our company. It’s been a really good experience!”
has been life changing.”Without that, we personally, and Mike says that William Buck Adelaide juggled a whole
the business, would be in a very different place,” Mike lot of balls to put them in a position where his parents
says.”Twenty years ago, we had a successful business were able to retire and he was able to move forward in
but we were pretty short on cash, so managing cash flow, the business. Now Mike’s son-in-law and daughter are
inventory management and running an overdraft were heavily involved and are shareholders of the business.
really important and whilst we were okay at it, William There is no doubt that William Buck Adelaide has had a
Buck certainly provided excellent guidance and assistance. life-changing impact on three generations of O’Reillys.
Then things changed and as cash flow became less critical,
the superannuation and finance advisory part of the Leo O'Reilly, Formula One World
business of William Buck became important and very, Champion Ayrton Senna and Mike O'Reilly.
very useful and again provided excellent guidance. Flying model planes each year in Adelaide up
to 1993 prior to each Formula One Grand Prix.

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There are many examples of ‘Changing Lives’ stories in Lee Paterson, Paula Liddle, Director, Business
William Buck's long history. Among them, the Paterson Advisory, Paul Paterson and Brett Paterson.
family from the northern Yorke Peninsula, which has grown
the farm to 4,000 hectares over three generations. Eric "Our family has been dealing with
Paterson was an early client of Dennis Laundy’s and after William Buck for over 50 years, and
he passed away his two sons, Glen and Colin, inherited the
farm. When Glen moved to WA, Colin and his wife, Lee, took we trust their sound advice."
over. After Colin’s death, it was very important to him, that
Lee honoured his wishes, to make sure the farm was divided – Paterson family
fairly between their twin sons, Paul and Brett, while she was
still alive. Lee says succession planning has been one of
the most challenging business issues her family has faced,
but William Buck’s advice has been invaluable. By working
with family members over multiple generations, Dennis, and
more recently Paula Liddle, have helped the family develop
a succession plan for the third generation of on-farm and
off-farm siblings and ultimately the transition to the fourth
generation. “It was a big task to set up a succession plan
across our large family, but the team at William Buck assisted
with new business structures, land and machinery transfers,
establishing new companies and super funds, as well as
asset transfers,” Lee says. This has given Lee peace of mind
and confidence that the family enterprise is well prepared
for the future. It has been life-changing!

Sebastian, Paul and Brett Paterson 2021.

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

Janine Williamson

Director Janine Williamson says William Buck has changed “Wendy (Drake) was my mentor and she really pushed
her life completely, from both a professional and a me hard because I needed the confidence. I loved it and
personal point of view, in fact, Dennis Laundy introduced I never looked back.” Janine was subsequently promoted
Janine to her fiancé! “It sounds corny, but William Buck to Manager, then Director. She says no-one had ever gone
has been my life for many years,” she says. Janine is one from being a PA to a Director before, and while the firm
of the firm’s greatest ‘Changing Lives’ stories. She joined supported her along the way, it was up to her to push
the firm in 1980 as the office junior when she was just 17 herself. Over her career, Janine formed close friendships
years of age and straight out of school. She recalls going with clients, many of whom helped develop her career.
home crying after her first day because the rest of the She is well regarded for her exceptional advice and service
staff were old. When the firm started up Wealth Advisory, and excellent organisation, but above all clients love her.
Janine became the personal assistant (PA) for that division. Janine has contributed significantly to the success of the
She decided she really liked this area and started studying Wealth Advisory division and in 2010 she was awarded a
financial planning. She became a para planner and once meritorious service award. Her story is a fantastic example
she had completed her qualification she was promoted to of how William Buck is ‘Changing Lives’.
an advisor. “That was a very big step,” she says.

Janine Williamson, Wealth Advisory Director

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STEP BACK IN TIME : accountant which meant that Mick and Marie were in fact
CHANGING LIVES owed a large tax refund from the government and not the
other way around. This revealed that the Dermody’s decade
Over the years, William Buck Adelaide has had a positive of hard work had in fact been a success. Cate says this
impact on the lives of many clients. Current and former near disaster proved how crucial it was to have expert
staff have highlighted some examples, such as the late financial advice and support in order to achieve success.
Mick and Marie Dermody who invested their life savings “This is essentially what Dennis Laundy and the team from
into purchasing a fuel truck in the 1970s in order to start Giles & Giles and William Buck managed to do with care
a fuel distribution business in Kapunda. According to Cate and professionalism,” Cate says.”After this turning point,
Aucote, her parents worked extremely hard day and night for my parents, along with Kevin Clarke, were able to grow a
almost 10 years without financial reward, despite Dermody thriving family business. People always came first in Mick
Petroleum becoming a statewide business. In the 1980s, and Marie’s lives and William Buck allowed them to achieve
Mick found himself in a spot of bother due to a technical this success with their customers, their staff and the broader
issue with his accounts. It proved to be a turning point for rural communities that Dermody Petroleum serviced.” Cate
the family when Dennis Laundy stepped in to help out. says due to the trust and friendship built over many years,
Dennis discovered an error made by the Dermody’s previous William Buck became an extension of the Dermody family
and remains so today, providing financial services to Cate
and her family.

“It is crucial to have expert Left: Kevin Clarke, Marie and Mick Dermody
financial advice in order to achieve at Kapunda depot, 1987.
Right: Mick Dermody, Managing Director of
success and this is essentially Dermody Petroleum, cleaning the BP sign, 1987.
what Dennis Laundy and the team

from Giles & Giles and William
Buck managed to do with care and

professionalism for my parents
Mick and Marie Dermody and their

business, Dermody Petroleum.”

– Cate Aucote

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Chapter 3 | Our Values and Culture

CHAPTER 3
SUMMARY

Much has changed at William Buck Adelaide over that the firm could lose its culture. “But we have been
the 75 years since Ken and Mawson Giles set up a able to retain the culture and nurture it as we grew,”
partnership to provide good old-fashioned, friendly he says. Based on this solid foundation, William Buck
service to their clients. Mawson’s daughter Sue Giles Adelaide has continued to gain confidence, knowing it
says her father used to say that after your doctor, your has a dedicated team of professionals and support staff
accountant is the next person whom you should trust. who can offer a great breadth and depth of services to
“He really loved people having that trust in him,” Sue clients. Today, the firm is boldly and fearlessly pursuing
says. “He loved building that relationship with people its vision to be the leading accounting firm in Adelaide.
and he loved the country. Working with farmers was It’s this confidence that led to William Buck adopting
really the part of the job he loved most.” Even when the phrase ‘Changing Lives’ in 2014. There’s no doubt
the firm changed its name from Giles & Giles to William it’s a bold statement. The Giles brothers would never
Buck, it retained many of the Giles brothers’ values, have had the audacity to make such a claim. But today,
which have continued to guide the firm as it has grown William Buck Adelaide can confidently say it is ‘Changing
to become a proud mid-market firm in a mid-market Lives’ for clients, staff and the broader community.
town. Jamie McKeough says a big fear of growing was

Brothers Paul and Brett Paterson, Yorke Peninsula primary producers.

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William Buck Adelaide has retained many
of the Giles brothers’ values, which have
continued to guide the firm as it has
grown to become a proud mid-market
firm in a mid-market town.

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4

119

Our People

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Chapter 4 | Our People

OUR
TEAM

William Buck Adelaide
recognises that people are its
biggest asset.

William Buck Adelaide recognises that people are its biggest all forms. As the firm has grown, the diversity of its workforce
asset. Credit must go to former Senior Partner Peter Brock, has naturally broadened. William Buck Adelaide established
former Managing Director Dennis Laundy and former Director a Diversity and Inclusion Council to support and encourage
Graham Perrin, who between them recruited some of the firm’s diverse thinking which leads to the best solutions. In recent
longest-serving and most valued staff. Little could they have years, William Buck has established a team of employees
known that the likes of Wendy Drake, Janine Williamson, Kerry in the Philippines whose skill set supports the firm’s various
Wight, Ian Snook, Martin Hill, Tricia Kleinig, Debbie Colebatch, divisions and services. Staff in Adelaide collaborate daily with
Paula Liddle, Malcolm Wight and Jamie McKeough would go their colleagues in the Philippines via online forums and involve
on to play such significant roles at William Buck. Long gone them in as many William Buck activities as possible. Regular
are the days when Giles & Giles struggled to find suitably visits to and from the Philippines have proved invaluable to
qualified staff. Peter recalls that for some time, whenever the ensure this small, off-shore team is not only an extension of the
firm needed a senior qualified person, it would have to pinch firm’s services, but an integral part of the William Buck family.
them from someone else, starting a chain reaction. In that
era, Peter says there wasn’t a large pool of people to recruit William Buck Clark team - Reimart Bote, Grace Danganan,
from and for many years the firm employed a large number of Ellah Larase, Cherry Cruz, Paul Ibay, Danica Ulanday,
unqualified staff to support its team of professionals. Shiena Macapagal, Belle Alcazaren, Melanie Cel Galura

Today, it’s a very different story. There are countless qualified
accountants, financial planners and support staff eager to
join William Buck Adelaide. Each year, the firm’s recruiting
team is able to pick the cream of the crop. With so many
competent people to choose from, the firm, above all else, is
seeking ‘William Buck people’, but it also values diversity in

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William Buck Adelaide team, 2021

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Chapter 4 | Our People

Retired Director Wendy Drake says that when she first started level while balancing their careers with their personal lives.
at Giles & Giles in 1988 there was “almost an unconscious “Sam has worked her way up from a graduate and now
white-Australian policy. “You never even thought about it, she is successfully juggling the challenges of providing a
that’s just how it was,” she says. “We’ve certainly become highly professional service to her clients while raising three
much more multicultural, although there’s still inequity in children,” Tom says.
terms of gender. There’s certainly no different treatment
whether you’re female or male, but it’s a struggle for females "Sam has worked her way up
to get through the glass ceiling to Director.” William Buck from a graduate and now she
Adelaide is still not where it wants to be in terms of gender is successfully juggling the
representation. While the firm employs a higher percentage challenges of providing a highly
of female staff than male staff, the challenge is to increase professional service to her clients
the number of women sitting around the Board table. while raising three children."

It won’t happen overnight, however, the recent promotion – Tom Laundy, People and Culture Director
of Samantha (Sam) Nicholls and Amanda Anderson to
Directors, sends a positive message to other female staff. One of William Buck Adelaide’s biggest achievements in terms
People and Culture Director Tom Laundy says Sam is an of diversity is having a younger Director age profile compared
excellent role model for women who aspire to reach Director to the industry average. Jamie says the firm benefits from
having younger Directors, rather than having too many older
Directors who are just counting down the days to retirement.
“We’re an old firm, but we’re young in terms of the people
in this place,” Jamie says. The appointment of younger
Directors is a direct outcome of the firm’s commitment to
identifying talent early on and fast-tracking the careers of
future leaders. William Buck Adelaide’s desire for a young,
vibrant leadership team was boosted by the appointment
of five new Directors in July 2021. Now, most of the people
with a seat at the Board table are in their 30s and 40s.

Samantha Nicholls, Director, with her son Tommy

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Directors, appointed 2021 – Samantha Nicholls, James Northcote, Aaron Trombetta, Amanda Anderson and Shane Taylor

Triple G

During the early 1990s, the most controversial issues newsletter and admitted if there wasn’t any good gossip,
at Giles & Giles were broadcast to the firm in the form they just made it up. “Our motto was never let the truth
of a monthly newsletter known as Giles & Giles Gossip get in the way of a good story,” Tricia says.
(Triple G). On one occasion, a male member of staff
featured as a pseudo Cleo centrefold, with the editors Snippet of the Triple G Newsletter
cutting and pasting his face onto a naked body. There Tricia Kleineg, co-editor of the
was also the Derryn Hinch shame file and staff profiles, Triple G newsletter
where the editors took some poetic license and made
up the answers. Janine Williamson and Tricia Kleinig
were responsible for producing the widely read Triple G

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Chapter 4 | Our People

History Maker

Former Director Chris Kennedy embodies many elements involved in hiring Andrew Barlow and Aaron Trombetta
of William Buck Adelaide’s approach to diversity and who are both now Directors. When he retired, Chris said
opportunity. Chris was a banker for many years and it wasn’t hard to leave because there was such a talented
joined the Wealth Advisory division with zero experience group in Wealth Advisory and he knew his clients would
in the area. “I just wished I had been here for eight years be really well looked after which is what he cared about
when I had only been here for eight weeks, but you the most. Chris believes Directors should retire a bit
can’t buy experience, you have to live it,” he said. Chris earlier to give younger, talented people a chance to get
admits he was uncomfortable for the first four years into the job. “Experience certainly counts, but there’s
because he thought everyone else at the firm was much nothing as good as working with young people who are
smarter and more experienced than him. He studied for fired up for all the right reasons,” he said.
his Diploma in Financial Planning and became the first
non-accountant in Australia to be appointed Director Former Director, Chris Kennedy
in an accounting firm. “I loved being a Director. I loved
every minute of every day I was here,” Chris said. “I liked
the fact that you could influence the way things were
done and I liked the fact that you could identify talent
and help people succeed in their careers.” Chris was

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STEP BACK IN TIME :
CLAIM ON AFL COACHES

William Buck Adelaide lays claim to not just one, but two
AFL premiership coaches who have both worked for the
firm. Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson studied
financial planning and was coaching Central Districts in the
SANFL when he came to work at William Buck in 2001. He
left the firm in 2003 to take up an assistant coaching role.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick completed a commerce
degree and worked at William Buck Adelaide for a year while
playing for Port Adelaide, “I’d say we are probably the only
accounting firm in Australia to have ever employed two AFL
premiership coaches,” Jamie says. “Between them they have
won seven AFL premierships!”

Former Hawthorn coach, Alastair Clarkson and Richmond coach, Damien Hardwick

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Chapter 4 | Our People

AWARDS

The service awards have been a powerful
reminder to clients and staff of the great value
William Buck places on loyalty and longevity.

Until the early 1990s, Giles & Giles did not formally recognise This is not awarded each year and has only been awarded five
long-serving staff or those staff who were making an outstanding times since it was first introduced in 2010. A new award was
contribution. This changed in 1994, when the firm presented added in 2020, to recognise the outstanding achievement of
its very first Employee of the Year Award to Office Manager younger people in the firm up to the level of Senior Accountant
Patricia Scudds and Investment Advisor Bronwyn Speed for or Senior Paraplanner, or similar experience in the case of
their exceptional contributions to the firm. Awards were also non-professional staff. This award is called the Alex White
presented to long-serving staff whose names were added to Achievement Award, but more about this later.
a plaque at reception. Over the years, the service awards have
been a powerful reminder to clients and staff of the great value MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
William Buck places on loyalty and longevity. The firm’s Employee
Care Plan expresses the importance of taking time to celebrate 2010 Janine Williamson
and reward the achievements and contributions of its staff. 2011 Sharon Bowden
2014 Paula Liddle
Today, staff awards are presented during an annual black-tie 2018 Kerry Wight
dinner which is attended by the firm’s staff and their Partners. 2021 Shane Taylor
In addition to long service awards, the Directors vote for three
major awards. This is in fact, the only time they ever cast a ALEX WHITE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
vote! The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to the
person who is considered to most excel in providing service to 2020 Henry Schofield
clients and contributing to the staff, the firm, the profession and 2021 Emma Kittel and Maria Siahamis
the community, while demonstrating certain personal attributes.
The Meritorious Service Award is presented to a staff member
who meets the above criteria over an extended period of time.

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

1994 Patricia Scudds 2004 Adrian Chugg 2013 Samantha Nicholls
1995 Debbie Colebatch 2005 Nicole Holton 2014 Jenny Vincent
1996 Ian Snook 2006 Alanna Bateman 2015 Courtney Purl
1997 Martin Hill 2007 Liz Sellars and Tom Laundy 2016 Sharon Bowden
1998 Paula Liddle 2008 Tricia Kleinig 2017 Andrew Barlow
1999 Emma Mather 2009 Andrew Gray Lauryn Thompson
2000 Kieren Tiller 2010 Jody Heptinstall James Northcote
Caroline Reed Alex White 2018 Andrew Nicola
Chris Kennedy Lee Fuller Aaron Trombetta
2001 Priit Taylor 2011 John Lionello Pina Giangregorio
2002 Chris Mahar 2012 Alice Psevdos 2019 Leng Phuah
2003 2020
2021

SERVICE AWARDS

35-39 Years James Northcote 5-9 Years Former Staff 15+ Years
Janine Williamson Sonja Bollinger Leng Phuah Betty Rowe
Tricia Kleinig Ben Trengove Malcolm Wight Bruce Giles
Sarah Withall Shavri Shah Doris Brokensha
30-34 Years Matthew Illman Matthew King Emma Mather
Jamie McKeough Jody Heptinstall Ratna Uppalapati Gloria LePoidevin
David Mounce Andrew Nicola Graham Sweeney
Grant Wilson 10-14 Years Grant Martinella Jenni Osborn
Martin Hill Alice Psevdos Vicki Dimas John Beitz
Debbie Colebatch Samantha Nicholls Adrian Frinsdorf John Raven
Lauryn Thompson Caitlin Moxon Josie Holford
25-29 Years Shane Taylor Sharon Reinke Julie Bodnar
Ian Snook Chris Deed Sindy Woo Kerry Wight
Paula Liddle Sarah Gibson Andrew Barlow Mardi Biggs
Scott MacKenzie Kellie Dunnicliff Amanda Cheeseman Michelle Bennier
Luciana Larkin Jenny Vincent Kent Sharp Patricia Scudds
Cain Meschiati Amelia Barbara Peter Ellis
20-24 Years Suzanne Adams Alistair Taylor-Spry Roger McLaughlin
Rosa Baldino Babis Mavrakis Braden Schwark Sandra Anning
Sharon Bowden Chris Giannopoulos Daniel Proctor Shana Galli
Kylie Fitzgerald Kimberly Rositano Chelsea Bojnoordi Steve Pikramenos
Michelle Hurcombe Jessica Cumming Catherine Dichiera Sue Osovnikar
Michael Fairlie Matthew Simmons Ashlee Anderson Tiina Mannik
Jennifer Rees Aaron Trombetta Sheilla Morales Val Dillon (Kadina)
Sarah Parsons Madeline Canda Alessandra Forero
Yong Teo Cassie Wilson
15-19 Years Kristie Baehnisch Lisa Murray
Nicole Holton Chris Rosser Charuni Edirisinghe
Tom Laundy Nikki Peng
Lee Fuller Pina Giangregorio
Rosemary Pahl Joann Chang
Liz Sellars
Adrian Chugg

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Chapter 4 | Our People

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS

1994 1995 1996 1997
Patricia Scudds and Debbie Colebatch Ian Snook Martin Hill

Bronny Speed

1998 2001 2004 2005
Paula Liddle Chris Kennedy Adrian Chugg Nicole Holton

2007 2007 2008 2010
Liz Sellars Tom Laundy Tricia Kleinig Jody Heptinstall

2010 2011 2012 2013
Alex White Lee Fuller Alice Psevdos Samantha Nicholls

2014 2016 2017 2017
Jenny Vincent Sharon Bowden Andrew Barlow Lauryn Thompson
129

2018 2018 2019 2020
James Northcote Andrew Nicola Aaron Trombetta Pina Giangregorio

2021 2011 2014
Leng Phuah Sharon Bowden Paula Liddle

MERITORIOUS
SERVICE
AWARD
WINNERS

2010
Janine Williamson

ALEX WHITE 2018 2021
ACHIEVEMENT Kerry Wight Shane Taylor
AWARD
WINNERS 2020 2021
Henry Schofield Maria Siahamis
2021
Emma Kittel

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Chapter 4 | Our People McLean. Doris was Rob’s main advisor when he first went
into business as Dangerfield & McLean in 1967. He says
STEP BACK IN TIME : Doris helped them ”keep the tax man happy” and paved the
OUTSTANDING way for their primary production business to grow. “Doris
EARLY STAFF never hesitated to get additional advice from her colleagues
at Giles & Giles if she felt she needed to,” Rob said. As well
Had staff awards been around in the early Giles & Giles days, as providing financial advice, Doris was known to hand out
there are several staff members who no doubt would have personal advice.” I well remember when I introduced my
been recognised. Doris Brokensha was a stand-out for a Canadian wife to Doris in 1972 that she advised me to hold
long service award, having served the firm for 43 years. She off bringing her into the business just yet! She had previous
joined in 1947, as a young girl who had previously worked experience with clients who regretted doing so too early
for Vic Trenerry. Doris was a registered tax agent and was in their marriage,” Rob said. “It was in Doris’ office that
heavily involved in the firm’s hotel administration work in the we were first introduced to a handsome, younger Jamie
1950s and 60s. Mawson described Doris as a stalwart of McKeough whom Doris wanted to look after us when she
the firm who tackled any work handed to her and who was retired. ‘Jamie is very good,’ she told us and once again
enthusiastic about the more difficult and complex cases. she proved to be correct!”
She worked closely with Gloria LePoidevin who commenced
with Giles & Giles in 1945. Some of Doris’ long-term clients Former Senior Partners Dennis Laundy and Peter Brock,
are still with William Buck today, including Rob and Nancy presenting at Doris Brokensha retirement event

131

Dean Trowse would have been a front runner for the most Giles & Giles in 1983 to take up a position in Melbourne
valuable player (MVP) award and not just because he with the Taxation Board of Review. One of the things that
played district cricket and was a 100-game ruckman for endeared Dean to the staff (or otherwise) was his penchant
Port Adelaide Football Club. Dean was likeable and good for nicknames. To him, staff were simply Nuts, Mumbles,
fun. He was a big, strong man, referred to as ”the big ox” by Streak, Barney, Dottie or Willie. One of the firm’s early recruits
one client. Mawson described Dean as a wonderful friend, and a good friend of Dean’s was John Beitz, a big, jovial
a strong partner with innovative characteristics and a good chap who earned the nickname “Stinger”. Even in the heat
mixer. “He loved nothing better than to be leaning on the of the moment, Dean always used people’s nicknames in
bar with a schooner,” Mawson said. Peter Brock described preference to their Christian names.
Dean as an imposing man, charismatic and charming, and
the logical leader of the pack after Mawson retired. Dean The quiet achiever award would have gone to Jack Davis,
was a member of the Australian Society of Accountants, but another long-serving employee who joined the firm in 1953.
went on to do further study at a mature age, finishing top or Mawson described Jack as one of “the best fellows he
second in Australia in the exams and subsequently becoming knew, a wonderful chap with extremely good knowledge of
a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Dean taxation.” According to Mawson, Jack was willing to take
was considered to be an expert in his field of tax and left any job on and if he had a failing it was that he was too kind
and didn’t like to charge people for his work. Jack became
Former Senior Partner, Dean Trowse a partner in 1958 but later decided that it wasn’t his cup of
tea and eventually he stepped down from the role. Former
Giles & Giles Senior Partner Peter Brock recalls Jack was a
quiet, nervous man who flew in bomber aircraft during the
war which seemed to have affected him. However, Peter
confirms that Jack’s tax knowledge was exceptional and that
he was a very useful member of the firm over many years.

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Chapter 4 | Our People

LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT

We create opportunities for our
staff and promote from within.

One of Dennis Laundy’s goals when he took the reins of Giles Cain Meschiaiti, Director
& Giles in 1987 was to attract more young people to the firm
and provide them with career opportunities. This was part of the Matthew Illman,
firm’s growth strategy, but it was also a youth strategy, with the Learning and Development Director
goal to become a younger, more contemporary, more exciting
place for people to join. Introducing a graduate program was
an important step in achieving this goal. At William Buck today,
recruiting graduates is based on their personal characteristics as
much as their skill set. The firm invests extra time getting to know
candidates, because it holds the view that it is employing staff
for the long term. This is critical to the firm’s circle of success,
where growth creates greater opportunities for staff, so they
stay longer. In turn, this helps build longer term relationships
with clients.

Director Cain Meschiati says when he joined William Buck
Adelaide as an undergraduate the firm was very welcoming.
While the firm has grown considerably since then, it prides itself
on recruiting graduates who are grounded, ambitious and whose
values are closely aligned with the firms. Since arriving at William
Buck, Cain says the firm has provided him with opportunities
to learn and grow professionally and he has developed some
lifelong friendships with clients and staff along the way.

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Above: Tom Laundy, People and Culture Director At William Buck, graduates benefit from the firm’s philosophy
Below: William Buck Graduate to give younger staff the opportunity to get involved in client
College hosted in Adelaide, 2022 interaction as early as possible. Directors and Managers are
fully on board with the benefits of experiential learning. In fact,
Senior Accountant Maria Siahamis confesses that when she it’s an expectation of their role which is captured through
first started as a graduate at William Buck Adelaide, she knew regular performance reviews. And it’s something they take very
absolutely nothing! However, she said this was never an issue seriously. Learning and Development Director Matt Illman says
and the people who trained her were patient and took the an important part of mentoring staff who are new to the firm is
time to mould her. Group Learning and Development Manager demonstrating how much the firm cares about its clients. “Rather
Marisa Cursio explains that at William Buck, learning is for life. than just telling them what to do, it’s important to show them
“We nurture the development of people by acknowledging that by involving them in client interactions as much as possible,”
learning occurs in various ways,” she says. The firm fosters Matt says. “Our job is more than about just doing tax returns
this culture of learning through formal training programs, online and the biggest thing we can teach our staff is that a client is
content, coaching conversations, shadowing opportunities, not just a name - there’s a person behind it.”
secondments, and knowledge sharing within local teams and
across offices. The firm’s Group Learning and Development Experiential learning at William Buck Adelaide is geared to
Team focuses on milestone programs that bring team members helping new staff understand what makes clients tick and
together to develop skills for life as well as technical capability why they ask certain questions. Directors and senior staff try
at specific levels for graduates, seniors and Managers. “This to foster this knowledge, with the ultimate goal of getting to a
creates long-lasting connections as individuals grow with each point where they are happy for their staff to deal with clients
other as their career progresses,” Marisa says. directly. People and Culture Director Tom Laundy says he is
both a beneficiary and an advocate of the “pay it forward”
mentality, as when he was a new recruit, Ian Snook and Lee
Fuller spent extra time supporting him. “Lee started around the
same time as me, but he was more experienced and he was
a good sounding board,” Tom says. “He would look around
and say, ‘I’m always helped when I ask questions, so I need
to pay it forward when it’s my turn to do that’”.

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Chapter 4 | Our People

Since the Giles & Giles days, staff training has really ramped Development (BD) program which encourages all staff to
up. In addition to the all-important on-the-job training, William participate in attracting new clients or securing new work
Buck Adelaide enrols staff from all areas of the business from existing clients. It’s about encouraging staff to create
in formal training programs, many of which are provided their own opportunities rather than waiting for the firm to
by external training providers. The William Buck Group serve them up on a platter. As part of the BD program,
also has dedicated learning and development resources staff are financially supported to expand their networks and
to assist in this area. The Group’s annual Graduate and attend business events. The BD program is the result of a
Senior Colleges provide a two-pronged learning opportunity, conscious decision to push responsibility down to everyone
teaching new skills and exposing participants to the William working at William Buck, because the firm’s client base is
Buck Group. This helps graduates and other staff build their dynamic and attracting new clients is an important part of
networks and benefit from shared learning experiences. More its growth strategy.
recently, William Buck Adelaide has introduced a Business

Harvard Business School Education

Perhaps one of the most significant investments in
learning ever made by the William Buck Group has
been the initiative of flying professors from Harvard
Business School (HBS) to Australia to coach senior
leaders. After completing a course at Harvard, Nick
Hatzistergos wanted other Partners to benefit from
this experience. Rather than flying them to Harvard, he
brought professors from Harvard to Australia on three
separate occasions in 2014, 2015 and 2019. It was a massive
advantage to learn about managing professional service
firms from the world’s greatest business educators.
Knowledge on best practice was dispersed throughout
the Group, and the Harvard visits became much talked
about events at William Buck. This wasn’t something
that any other accounting firm offered, and staff saw
it as yet another benefit of working for William Buck.

Above: Ashish Nanda, HBS Professor presenting to
William Buck Directors and Managers
Jamie McKeough, Tsedal Neeley
– HBS Professor, Nick Hatzistergos, William
Buck Sydney Managing Director, Karim R. Lakhani
– HBS Professor, and Lynton Haynes – former
Executive Director of Executive Education

135

As is the case in all professions, there’s no escaping the and occasionally doing tax returns. I always tried to complete
fact that most people at William Buck start at the bottom, a job as professionally and properly as possible, no matter
doing data entry, scanning, checking tax returns and in the what I was asked to do, and I think it was this attitude more
old days sifting through boxes of files. Deputy Managing than any particular technical skill or knowledge that really
Director Martin Hill, who was one of the firm’s first graduates carried me through. I was given some great opportunities
in 1990, says he was fortunate to be recruited into Dennis by my managers and Directors (which everyone gets in this
Laundy’s team which had the biggest client base and place sooner or later), these people really put their faith in
provided a constant supply of accounting work. However, me and I always strived to never let them down. Being given
other graduates were not so lucky and on occasions were the chance, as daunting as it can be sometimes, to grow
instructed to read the master tax guide or do some filing and earn people’s respect is one of the great things William
when things were quiet. Director Tom Laundy recalls that Buck can offer and helps you improve as professionals and
when he was a graduate, one of his duties was to change people. I’ve never worked at any other accounting firm, but
the light bulbs at 48 Greenhill Road! On another occasion, I’m pretty sure there aren’t many firms where you can go
Tom was tasked with taking Jamie McKeough’s car for a from ‘scanning dude’ to Employee of the Year in a pretty
service. Fellow Director Paula Liddle agrees “it wasn’t always short space of time, so stick it out.”
glamorous, but you learned a lot,” She says this sentiment
was conveyed beautifully in a letter to the firm’s staff written “The Alex White Achievement
by William Buck Manager Alex White, shortly before he died Award is presented to a young
from leukaemia in 2014 aged just 29 years old. Alex wrote, and rising star who displays
“When I started at William Buck, I was still at Uni, and for
the first couple of years my main job seemed to be scanning qualities similar to Alex's:
minute books and box files, putting files away, finding files personable, capable, humble

and a team player.”

Alex was held in such regard by his colleagues at William Buck
that in 2020 a new award was named in his memory. The
Alex White Achievement Award is presented to a young and
rising star who displays qualities similar to Alex; personable,
capable, humble and a team player. The inaugural Alex White
Achievement Award was presented to Henry Schofield in
2020 and the following year it was jointly awarded to Maria
Siahamis and Emma Kittel.

People and Culture Director Tom Laundy says the firm’s
Directors and senior staff understand that new recruits will
make mistakes and appreciate that this is a valuable part of
the learning process. However, not making the same mistake
repeatedly, accepting responsibility and saying ‘this is what
I’m going to do to fix it is essential. “It’s not the mistake that’s
terminal, it’s how you respond,” Tom says.

Alex White winning the
Outstanding Achievement Award, 2010

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Chapter 4 | Our People

It’s not uncommon for careers at William Buck to be fast- ability, rather than how long they have been in the chair. The
tracked, whether this is performance based, or just being in firm’s role is to provide the tools and the opportunities but
the right place at the right time. For those who feel at times it’s up to individual staff to have the drive and embrace each
that their career is going nowhere, they only need to read Alex opportunity as it arises. Janine Williamson’s non-traditional
White’s letter or look to the examples of many others who journey to Director has taken a lot longer than it has for other
have found themselves in a similar situation. Deputy Managing staff, but she says working her way up from the office junior
Director Martin Hill says he learned from personal experience to Director shows that putting in the hard yards pays off.
that things can change very quickly, but he cautions graduates “It demonstrates what you can achieve when you are loyal,
that the journey to Director is not an automatic rite of passage. committed and passionate to your organisation and what you
Promotion at William Buck is fairly and squarely merit-based do,” Janine says. “That also goes the other way, and William
and is never guaranteed. Staff are promoted based on their Buck has demonstrated tremendous loyalty to me.”

"The firm’s role is to provide the tools and the opportunities
but it’s up to individual staff to have the drive and embrace

each opportunity as it arises."

Sink or swim

Several of today’s Directors had the benefit of being “That’s the sink,” he says. “The support would always be
mentored by Dennis Laundy in their formative years there, but if you had to swim hard and be challenged, well
at Giles & Giles. Dennis took the view that any person that’s how you learn. We don’t plan for it necessarily, but
who is any good can get a job anywhere, so you have to some of those moments you are thrown in the deep end,
provide them with a reason to stay. He gave his fresh-faced that’s when you learn the most.”
graduates plenty of responsibility, including face-to-face
contact with clients at the earliest opportunity. Dennis Martin Hill, Director
believed “sink or swim” was the best way to teach people.
Martin Hill recalls that he and another graduate were sent
to the Kadina office to do a pile of tax returns with just six
months’ experience under their belts. “We knew stuff all,
we were thrown in the deep end,” Martin says. “We had
to bluff our way through and the clients probably knew
more than we did on most things,” Martin says it was a
great learning curve and they always felt well supported
by Michael McLaren who was running the Kadina office at
the time. It was definitely sink or swim! Jamie McKeough
says that while the firm’s training platform has progressed
significantly, the reality of the profession is that people
learn the most when they are out of their comfort zone.

137

STEP BACK IN TIME : by the firm’s staff during this time was much appreciated
EARLY LEARNING by his family as it graduated from a “shoe box accounting
AND DEVELOPMENT system” to a manual cash book which Scott’s mother, Elaine,
INITIATIVES was a dab hand at. “As we grew the farm business, Mum
decided there were too many entries to deal with and that
While there is an emphasis on training staff at William Buck I should be doing the books, so I was given access to the
Adelaide, over its history, the firm has also demonstrated 100-leaf cheque book, the A3 hard-covered cash book, a
the benefit of training clients. Debbie Colebatch has been new box of pencils and eraser and a fresh set of batteries
an integral part of this, supporting clients through the for the Casio calculator.” Scott says. “Then along came
introduction of new systems and technology. Debbie is a computers and MYOB! The bell sounded on the end of any
certified consultant in just about every accounting software interest Mum had in financial record keeping, and accounting
program and when cash book programs came in in 1996, codes, general journal entries and P & Ls became a part of
she gained certification in MYOB. Over the years, she has everyday conversation.”
assisted hundreds of clients with installing and operating
MYOB, as well as a range of other accounting programs. Over the years, the vast majority of the firm’s clients have
Rob and Nancy McLean and Scott and Robyn Hoyle are embraced technology and William Buck has played an
among those clients who are very grateful to the firm for important role in assisting them. The firm prides itself on
its guidance as they moved from manual book keeping lending a hand and to ensure that running a business is made
to accounting software. “We have been assisted with the easier for clients, not harder. The combined experience and
technology growth required for “keeping the books” and technical expertise of William Buck's IT team has facilitated
William Buck has provided the expertise of qualified people the roll-out of new technology and systems, particularly the
to guide us gently from hand-written ledger books, to present interface with clients and staff and in the critical transition
day MYOB accounting software,” Rob McLean says. Scott phase during mergers.
Hoyle acknowledges that the patience and tolerance shown
Debbie Colebatch, Practice Systems Manager

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Chapter 4 | Our People

LEADERSHIP

“Jamie runs a good ship, there’s no question about
that. Martin comes across as understated but he’s
extremely capable. They are a formidable duo.”

– Former Director, Wendy Drake

In the modern history of William Buck Adelaide, there have slight inferiority complex, which was unfamiliar to him. “We
only been two Managing Directors, Dennis Laundy and were joining all these really gung-ho firms that were doing
Jamie McKeough. Between them, they have led the firm for fantastic things,” he says. “But the main benefit I got was
34 years. Those who worked closely with Dennis describe that these firms were having a go.
him as intuitive, very determined, very smart, and having
statesman-like calmness. When Giles & Giles first joined the Dennis Laundy, Former Managing Director
William Buck Group in 1996, Dennis confesses he had a 1987-2006 and Jamie McKeough, Managing Director
2006–current

139

They were having a crack. They didn’t always get decisions Finally, the higher profile of the William Buck brand in the
right, but they had a go at things.” There is no doubt that market today, requires the firm’s Managing Director to play
Dennis’ clear vision to modernise the firm was catalytic. a much more ambassadorial role than in the past.
When Dennis passed the baton to Jamie in 2006, he knew Former Chairman of the William Buck Group Nikolas
his successor had even more octane and would drive and Hatzistergos says the handover from Dennis to Jamie has
grow William Buck Adelaide to the point where it exceeded been transformational for William Buck Adelaide. “I think
even his own expectations. “We had to make some tough Dennis did a really good job of that transition and giving
decisions on people and these things were difficult to deal Jamie his opportunity to shine,” Nick says. “Dennis was
with at the time,” Dennis said. “But those decisions were certainly not too old and he wasn’t past it, but he felt that
made in the best interests of clients and staff so the firm could was the right decision for the firm and Jamie was ready to
progress and I’m very proud of what has been achieved.” take over.” Following the handover, Dennis provided good
support to Jamie, while allowing him to move forward and
So, who is Jamie McKeough? According to staff at William make his mark.
Buck he’s a gun! Equipped with an amazing memory, The consensus amongst William Buck Adelaide’s Directors
Jamie arms himself with facts and figures and presents a is that while Dennis laid the foundations for the firm’s growth,
convincing argument, particularly when he is passionate Jamie has taken this to another level. Both he and Dennis
about something. He’s a good listener, a great communicator have been well supported on this journey by a capable team
and brings people along with him. Jamie has the charisma of Directors and support staff.
to build genuine rapport with clients and staff and make
them feel special each time he sees them. Above all, Jamie Managing Directors of William Buck Adelaide Dennis
is innovative and forward thinking. He’s driven the merger Laundy (1987-2006), Jamie McKeough (2006-current) and
agenda and the specialisation of the firm’s services for the Peter Brock (1983 – 1987)
benefit of clients and staff. Jamie has also been an important
driver of the firm’s culture and his significant contribution to
the evolution of the William Buck Group was recognised
with his appointment as Chairman in 2021.

As the firm’s Deputy Managing Director, Martin Hill knows
Jamie better than most. He says Jamie’s high expectations
and relentless drive have needed managing at times. “But
Jamie has been absolutely fantastic for the firm and everyone
recognises that,” Martin says. The increase in the number of
Directors from seven when Dennis was Managing Director,
to 24 Directors today, means the role of Managing Director
has changed significantly. Keeping Directors on the same
page is now a critical part of the role and Jamie is able
to effectively communicate the game plan and keep the
Directors aligned. Another key part of Jamie’s role is making
sure that each Director understands where they are on the
“Director lifecycle” and the expectations and behaviours
that this involves.

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Chapter 4 | Our People Employment at William Buck
Directorship at William Buck
WILLIAM BUCK ADELAIDE DIRECTORS Directorship at Merged Firm

2020
2010
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
1940

Kenneth Giles 1944 1965
Mawson Giles 1946
Jack Davis 1978
Dean Trowse
Graham Byrne 1953 1958 1977
Peter Brock
Ralph Pomery 1960 1965 1983
Graham Perrin
Dennis Laundy '67 1975
Gregory Broadbent
Michael McClaren 1967 1973 '96
Jamie McKeough
Martin Hill '73 '76
Ian Snook
Wendy Drake 1971 1978 2003
Pritt Taylor
Chris Gebhardt '77 1980 2017
Chris Kennedy '83 1984
Adrian Chugg 2001
Tom Laundy
John Lampard '84 1986 2003
Andrew Craig
Grant Wilson '88 '92 1993
Dean Spencer
Ben Trengove 1990 '98 1999
Malcolm Wight
Matthew King 1993 2000 2001
Grant Martinella
Adrian Frinsdorf 1988 2000 2001 2012
Terry Lewis
Janine Williamson '00 '02 2003
Matthew Illman
Babis Mavrakis 2004 2018
Paula Liddle
Lee Fuller 1996 2006 2007
Andrew Nicola
Michael Fairlie '03 '07 2008
Luciana Larkin
Andrew Barlow '01 '07 2008
Scott Mackenzie
James Northcote 1985 2008 '09 '12
Samantha Nicholls
Shane Taylor '03 '08 2009 '16
Aaron Trombetta
Amanda Anderson 1999 2010 2011

141 1987 2010 '11 '13

'08 '10 2011

2011 2021

2011

'11 2012

2012

'06 2011 2012 '19

1985 2013 2014

2005 2014 2015

2009 '14 2015

1992 2017 2018

2002 2017 '18

'12 '17 2018

2000 2018 '19

2004 2018 '19 '21

'13 '17 2018

1992 2019 '20

2003 2020 '21

2007 2020 '21

2004 2020 '21

2010 2020 '21

'18 '20 '21

Kerry Wight, General Manager 1998-2018.

Among those who have made a hugely significant contribution – a remarkable length of service with one organisation, and
to the firm over 45 years is Kerry Wight, who was appointed something that most likely will never be repeated in this firm.
as the first General Manager in 1998 and held this role until Over the time she served us, Kerry adapted to the times and
2018. During this time, Kerry guided the firm through a period remained contemporary in her outlook, earning the respect of
of immense change and supported the firm’s growth through her colleagues, in particular the Director group who had the
her various roles in HR, finance, marketing and IT. She also utmost trust in her. Kerry played a critical role during many
provided an important liaison role between William Buck of the firm’s sliding doors moments and we are indebted to
Adelaide and the William Buck Group during its renaissance the contribution she has made to the success and standing
and played a pivotal role in the success of many of the firm’s of our firm today.”
mergers. “The General Manager role evolved over time as the
firm grew and Kerry grew with it, accepting every challenge
along the way,” Jamie says. “Forty-five years is a long time

Graham Perrin, Malcolm Wight, Dennis Laundy, Kerry Wight, Michael McClaren and Greg Broadbent.

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Chapter 4 | Our People

Finance Manager, Sonja Bollinger William Buck Adelaide’s executive team meets fortnightly,
while full Board meetings are held every second month.
In 2017, William Buck Adelaide introduced an executive “We have an incredible group of emerging leaders at this
team to share the significant management load required firm and I am extremely proud of how collegiate they are,
by a bigger, more complex organisation. This included the their commitment to the firm’s clients and staff and their
appointment of Amanda Anderson as COO and more recently alignment in terms of our strategy,” Jamie says. In the current
as a Director. Amanda began her career as an audit graduate group of 24 Directors, there are many standouts, but Deputy
at KPMG and after practicing as a Chartered Accountant Managing Director Martin Hill deserves a special mention.
she spent many years in commerce. Jamie says Amanda is Martin has had many different roles in the firm, including
extremely capable and as well as her leadership role in the serving as deputy for the past 12 years. He did a fantastic
Adelaide office she heads up the General Managers’ Focus job as Staff Director and recruited a significant number of staff
Group for the William Buck Group. “Amanda’s appointment who are now well established in the firm. Martin also headed
as the first Director in a non-client facing role is a reflection up Business Advisory, the firm’s largest division, for some
of our confidence in the ever increasing contribution she time and served as COO prior to Amanda’s appointments
will continue make to the firm in the future,” Jamie says. as the firm’s first full-time COO. Martin provides tremendous
Sonja Bollinger took the role of Firm Finance Manager in support to Jamie and is well-liked for his genuine, no-fuss,
2014 and supports Amanda's role as COO, along with the get-it-done approach. “Martin’s had a far bigger influence on
finance team. "Sonja and the team not only take care of this firm than people would realise,” Jamie says. “Whatever
the firm's finances but also the William Buck Group", says he’s got to say is worth listening to.”
Amanda Anderson.

143

William Buck Adelaide Executive Team – Adrian Chugg, Jamie McKeough, Martin Hill and Amanda Anderson

"In 2017, William Buck Adelaide introduced an executive team to
share the significant management load required by a bigger, more

complex organisation."

There’s nothing like a global pandemic to test a firm’s As a result, William Buck did not implement any wage or
leadership and during COVID-19, William Buck Adelaide staff reductions during the pandemic, much to the relief of
scored highly. At the height of the pandemic in Adelaide in its staff. Many of them acknowledge that they were very well
mid-2020, the firm organised a fortnightly Zoom call with all supported by the leadership team during COVID-19. They
staff. It was just what was needed during those uncertain agree the regular communication was greatly appreciated
times to reassure staff and let them know how the firm was and because the firm had recently upgraded its IT systems,
responding. Director Adrian Chugg, who sits on the firm’s they were able to adapt quickly to working from home. At
executive team, says that at the start of COVID-19 everyone the time, Andrew Barlow was a new Director and reflects on
was nervous and a number of firms overreacted by cutting joining the Director’s group and witnessing first-hand how
staff pay by 20%, laying off staff or reducing work days. “We much they cared about the staff. “All staff received a $200
took the view that we do honestly care about our people, so gift card at Christmas and in January we gave everyone a
rather than the Directors making a decision in their personal COVID-thank you day, which was a paid day off, the day
interest, we decided we were all on this journey together, before Australia Day,” Andrew says. “The Directors were
whatever it looked like,” Adrian says. “We also took the always asking, what more can we do to support our staff.”
view that it was a time when clients needed us, so having
less resources was not going to be in their interests either.”

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Chapter 4 | Our People of wanting to get on with things. “I had run my race,” Peter
says. “It was time for the new brigade to get going. I wasn’t
STEP BACK IN TIME : going to get in anyone’s way and I was very happy to hand
EARLY LEADERS over to Dennis.”

Since the beginning of Giles & Giles in 1946, the firm has Peter worked part-time for several years, spending half his
benefited from stable and strong leadership. Mawson Giles time at Giles & Giles and the other half working for his biggest
didn’t believe in hanging on, and neither did his brother client, the Manuel Racing Group (previously Ferncourt Pty
Ken. They left when they felt the time was right and were Ltd), which he described as an exciting place to be. “They
careful not to get in the way of progress. When Mawson were absolutely unique,” Peter says. “They were very ethical,
retired, he said he felt it was best to make room for younger very friendly and they looked after all the people involved with
people. “However good you may think you are, there’s a hell them.” In December 1998, Peter left Giles & Giles altogether,
of a lot of better ones coming on and more up with what’s but continued to work for the Manuel Racing Group until a few
happening and it’s better to let them make the decision, years ago. Since 1979, Peter’s long and happy association
learning by making a few mistakes,” he said. Following in with the Manuel Racing Group has given him the satisfaction
the footsteps of Ken and Mawson Giles, Dean Trowse and of combining his interest in horse racing with his profession
Peter Brock had their respective turns at the helm of Giles over more than 40 years.
& Giles, during which time they were supported by Graham
Perrin. Peter says they didn’t give themselves titles, but as Below: Peter Brock, Former Senior Partner
far as he and Graham were concerned, Dean was in charge Top Right: Ken and Mawson Giles
following Mawson’s retirement in 1978, through until 1983, Bottom Right: Giles & Giles Partners and Senior Staff,
when Peter assumed the role of Senior Partner. circa 1980. Back L-R: Jack Davis, Graham Perrin,
Peter Brock, Dennis Laundy, Bruce Giles.
Peter says his first impression of Giles & Giles when he joined Front L-R: Doris Brokensha, Dean Trowse,
in 1967 was that it was a nice, family orientated type of firm Mac Dunstone, Mawson Giles
with a friendly boss. Peter left for a couple of years to serve
in the army, but then rejoined Giles & Giles, where like most
of the profession at the time, he did tax accounting. Despite
having completed his CPA before he joined the army, Peter
was asked to complete the Professional Year (PY) so he could
join the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He obliged and
then became a Partner of Giles & Giles in 1973. He recalls
that at that time, the Partners would adjourn to the boardroom
once a month for three hours for a Board meeting. He said
issues about staff, mainly “hiring and firing”, seemed to
occupy most of these meetings. Then, the Partners would
return to their work on clients, so the role of Senior Partner
at that time was much simpler than it is today. As well as
taking on the role of Staff Partner, Peter was responsible
for the introduction of computers to the firm and played a
key role in establishing the Wealth Advisory division. Peter
says he decided to retire as Senior Partner in 1987 when
he could see that Dennis Laundy was showing all the signs

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Senior Partners, Greg Broadbent, Peter Brock, Dennis Laundy, Michael McClaren, Graham Perrin, 1990

Senior Partners, Jamie McKeough, Michael McClaren, Dennis Laundy, Greg Broadbent, Graham Perrin, 1995

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Director Group, circa 2012. Back L-R: Ben Trengove, Martin Hill, Dean Trowse, Adrian Frinsdorf, Tom Laundy,
Chris Gebhardt, Matthew King, Chris Kennedy, Adrian Chugg, Malcolm Wight, John Lampard, Grant Martinella, Andrew
Craig, Kerry Wight, Ian Snook. Front L-R: Priit Taylor, Dennis Laundy, Jamie McKeough, Wendy Drake, Grant Wilson

Director Group, 2021. Back L-R: Matthew King, Ben Trengove, Grant Wilson, Adrian Frinsdorf,
Shane Taylor, Michael Fairlie, Andrew Barlow, Paula Liddle, Matthew Illman, Ian Snook, Aaron Trombetta,
Samantha Nicholls, Adrian Chugg, Andrew Nicola, Tom Laundy, Grant Martinella, Babis Mavrakis,
Lee Fuller. Front L-R: James Northcote, Janine Williamson, Jamie McKeough, Martin Hill, Amanda Anderson

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Chapter 4 | Our People

CHAPTER 4
SUMMARY

William Buck Adelaide Staff Photo, 2021

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