McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy
End of an Era for Local Pharmacist:
Arthur McAulay of Life Pharmacy Birkenhead (McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy) Retires
On Wednesday 31st August 2011, Arthur McAulay hangs up his white coat and puts aside his mortar and pestle as he says farewell to the business he has built over the past 42 years.
Arthur took ownership of the pharmacy at 32 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead on 1 August 1969 and McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy was born. With a staff of 2, himself and Robyn Gibbons (who was to become his longest serving member of staff), McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy became known for professional advice and efficient yet personal customer service. The strength of that customer service ensured that McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy became a local institution and the corner stone of health care in the lives of many local families. Today, Life Pharmacy Birkenhead, has a staff of … and has provided consistent and friendly health care to generations of Birkenhead and North Shore families. Children with memories of going with their mums to see “Mr McAulay†continue the tradition by bringing their own children to Mr McAulay for the warmth and genuine concern that characterises his medical care.
It is not only customers, however, who will miss Arthur’s professionalism and generosity. Over the past 42 years, Arthur has been a respected and constant figure in the Birkenhead business community and has contributed to the wider community not only through his services within Pharmacy, but also through his contributions to the Birkenhead Business Association, the Lions Club and more recently the Birkenhead Rotary, including a tenure as President of the Birkenhead Rotary Club. Arthur has been a generous contributor to a large number of charities and “good causes†over the years, providing not only monetary donations but also product donations to hundreds of raffles and contributing his time to many and varied causes including school fairs, school committees, rotary fundraisers and more.
Of equal, if not greater significance, is the respect that Arthur has gained as an employer. The success of McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy is no doubt the result of Arthur’s values based approach and his consistently high levels of integrity, respect, and caring concern. These values he has extended not only to his customers, community, and business peers, but also to his staff. Retaining a great number of long serving staff members through to retirement age, Arthur created a real family business with real family values. This culture saw Arthur supporting members of staff through various life stages, many staff members returning after leaving to have their families, as well as supporting staff and their families through significant battles with illness. The family connection in the business has been strong with Arthur’s wife, three children, sister in-law, nieces, nephews, and children of friends all being members of staff through the years. While none of Arthur’s children chose to pursue pharmacy as a career, they carry it in their hearts and live the lessons of integrity, surpassing customer expectations, and genuine care and respect for others.
Please join us in thanking Mr McAulay and the institution of McAulay’s Post Office Pharmacy (aka McAulay’s Unichem Pharmacy, Unichem Life Pharmacy Birkenhead, Life Pharmacy Birkenhead) for the significant contribution and presence that they have brought to the Birkenhead community and the lives of Birkenhead and North Shore residents. To leave a farewell message for Arthur please drop into the pharmacy to sign the farewell book or email Fiona.hancock@vodafone.net.nz.
