Local Profile -Local Profile – Don Cull

Don joined the Rotary Club of Parry Sound in 1975, Rotarian Don provided an interesting update on his Classification – Accounting. Fifty years ago, he began with a pencil and eraser. Now he works with computers on a daily basis. Don has served as past-president of the Parry Sound Rotary Club and has been a very long-serving treasurer for the club. In 1954, Don finished high school and enrolled in RMC in Kingston in Engineering. When his course was cancelled in July before he even had a chance to begin, he left to work and study as a C.A. in Sudbury, earning the fabulous wage of $150/month. He officially graduated and earned his C.A. designation at the age of 23 through Queen's University by taking correspondence courses and studying in the evenings after work. Don worked at Revenue Canada for four years as a business assessor in Sudbury, traveling through the province doing reviews and appeals of the Income Tax Act. He admits he wasn't a popular character in that job. In 1964, he took a job as CA in Parry Sound and Huntsville. In 1970, he joined the accounting firm of Harris/Gordon, and soon became a partner. When Harris retired, the firm was renamed Cull, Gordon, and Gingrich. In 2001,Brandy Harris joined the firm, and became a partner in 2003. Since he began accounting, Don has seen many changes in the profession. Regulation of the profession has increased. Development courses and mandatory practice inspections are commonplace today. Don feels fortunate to have been a Rotarian for the last 29 years, and he treasures the friendships and fellowships he has made through the years. He has been the Club Treasurer for 25 years, and he had to give up that job when he was President for one year. He has been a faithful member and has shared his knowledge of Rotary through the magazine, The Rotarian. Don encourages all Rotarians to read The Rotarian and learn more about Rotary. Phyllis and Don have attended three World Rotary Conferences (New Orleans, Birmingham, England, and Toronto) and about 20 district conferences. Two requests that Don has for the Rotary Club are to have more updated classification talks from the older members of the club and to, perhaps, bring back the old Rotary Songbooks! Don plans to cut back on his workload this winter and learn to enjoy life.