A TRIBUTE has been paid to Ray White Livestock chief executive officer Charlie Maher by the company director Paul White.
"We are deeply saddened and will greatly miss Charlie Maher, CEO of Ray White Livestock, who was an integral part of Ray White, and a close friend to many," Mr White said in a statement issued late yesterday evening.
"Charlie and his friend, John Quintana, a well-known Toowoomba industry and community figure, died early this morning when their plane crashed near Roma, Queensland.
"Charlie was appointed CEO of Ray White Livestock in 2012. Prior to that, Charlie led the NSW Livestock team for three years. However Charlie was known and loved by the White family and throughout the company many years before he had even joined the group.
"Charlie was an inspiration and mentor to many, and truly a good mate to everyone who knew him. Always willing to help, and offer advice in any way he could, and while he never pulled his punches and always told the truth, he was never callous.
"Happy to talk at any time, he was a great friend. He was loyal, sincere, honest and a great innovator in the livestock industry.
“The shock of losing Charlie is an unbelievable tragedy”.
He had the following to say when asked what Charlie meant to Ray White.
“The Rural team have done some exceptional work in the company and community and the impact Charlie has had on Ray White and rural Australia is nothing short of extraordinary. Never again will we see another industry pioneer like Charlie Maher. The benefits he brought to our Franchisee’s has been outstanding. His knowledge of the industry, sheer enthusiasm for doing a deal, for getting out and ‘having a go’ - was all in a day’s work but gained him much admiration.
"Across the Rural Network, we had agents that were struggling to make a living. Through Charlie’s dedication and passion, those same agents now have renewed confidence and are leaders within their own marketplace and communities as a result of the guidance and support Charlie gave them.
"Charlie was a direct man - the bush comes out in him. If he said he was going to do something, he’d do it, and do it well. It was nothing for him to drive home from Longreach to Bathurst to get back to his family. If he told his daughter he would be home for a netball game, he’d be there.
"We jumped at the opportunity to have Charlie join Ray White in 2009. Charlie took Ray White Livestock from an enthusiastic starter to a big player in Australia. His impact on marketing alone has transformed the way our business operates and is leaving our competitors trailing in our dust. His impact on our company is immeasurable.
It was a great privilege to work alongside Charlie - a leader and pioneer in the industry.
"We are shattered for his family, his wife Julieanne and his children, Joe, Sam, Will and Georgia. I’d like Charlie’s family to know that he was one of the best men I have ever known.
"We understand that you may be terribly upset and saddened by this tragic loss and we welcome your personal tributes to Charlie. We will ensure that they are passed onto his family and published on the Ray White Livestock website. Please email them to Sandy Taylor at staylor@raywhite.com"
