Craig Anderson
By Pam Kloosterman & Dot Ruck
30 June 2023 will be the last day for Craig at Lincolns.
After 27 years as a Partner of Lincolns and part of the fixtures, Craig will be sorely missed around the office, especially his cheerful singing as he walks from office to office. We always know when Craig is around …
Dot and Pam recently sat down with Craig over lunch at the View Restaurant to have a chat about his journey as an accountant and life at Lincolns.
Remind us, how did your journey with Lincolns begin?
I completed Uni in 1980 and worked with Price Waterhouse for 3 years, then decided it was time to go back to work on the Albany family farm in 1983.
My father convinced me to return to my career and so I worked for several accounting firms until 1989 at which point, I decided I needed a Gap Year.
Over this time, I was sailing with Russell Harrison and I also knew Gary Philpott and they asked me to contact them once my gap year was over.
I kept in touch with Russell while I was away. When back in Albany I joined Lincolns in 1990 and became a partner in 1996. (I have worked out that some clients have been with me for around 40 years, for which I am extremely grateful).
If you weren’t an Accountant, what would you have done?
I always wanted to be an Architect as I loved Tech Drawing at school, but my Careers Advisor said that No – there are no jobs for Architects! What else do you like? and the rest is history.
I was always winning the Tech Drawing prizes at school and yes, I won the Accounting Prizes as well.
What are you going to miss about Lincolns?
Even though I am a bit of an Introvert, I am going to miss the people, especially the ones I’ve worked closely with all these years. I really will miss the work connection with everyone. Not sure about missing the work, though I will miss the excitement about getting my teeth into a difficult job.
Has it been a hard decision to leave?
My wife Carmel would tell you Yes. I would say that it was probably harder than I expected. I have been living and breathing work for a long, long time and been very invested in my clients. Though I am looking forward to “switching off” in July.
Proudest Moment?
The births of our two kids are my proudest moments. At Lincolns it is hard to find a particular one moment, but I am really proud of Lincolns success in looking after so many clients, so well and assisting clients outside the box as an Accountant.
What comes next?
Travel is going to be a big part of my future, I imagine I will go back to my farming roots a bit and help some farmers around seeding and harvest time. Spend more time with my 94-year-old Mum in Perth and hopefully more time with the kids. That would be really nice to do. I also have this vision or fantasy to go to an underdeveloped country and help build something, like a school. That will be through our church.
Some things you might not know about Craig:
What is your Favourite?
Colour: It was Green and now it is Blue
Movie: Anything with Clint Eastwood in it – though not the Spaghetti Westerns!
Car: Of course it is the White BMW that I owned for 33 years
Albany Spot: Being on the water on Princess Royal Harbour
Beach: Misery Beach
Book: Don’t read too many books
Travel Destination: Portugal (already been) and Croatia & Italy (very soon)
Band: U2
Song: Rattle & Hum
Singer: Toss-up between Bob Dylan or Van Morrison
Really good at: Cleaning (Dot’s answer)
Always wanted to be: A Drummer in a Rock Band
Really wants to: Learn to play the Saxophone – and I already have one.
A note from us - We are really going to miss you Craig, as I am sure your clients will too. Here’s to a wonderful life in retirement.