In his 40 years as sales manager for Winstone Wallboards, Cambridge’s David Philip drove an estimated three million kilometres in 32 company cars and spent over 2500 nights in hotels.
The late David Philip, right, pictured when he was shed director in 2021 with fellow Cambridge Lions Club members Warren Beard and Heidi Wehrle. Photo: Viv Posselt
What he failed to mention was the number of bottles of red that would have been consumed as the tally mounted, the good wine shared with good friends, countless fishing trips and a brilliant family to come home to.
That nugget of information was dispensed by Scott Philip in the family tribute he gave at David’s farewell service in the Cambridge Town Hall. Unwell in recent years, David had offered a spot of constructive advice on what to say when the time came, but he wouldn’t have expected the other many other accolades shared with mourners, among them a large contingent of Cambridge Lions Club members.
He had been a member of the Lions club for 14 years, several of them spent as shed director. It was under his leadership that the Lions Shed in Vogel St became a major earner for the club. A message read out on behalf of longtime family friend Jon Broadley, who was out of the country when David passed, spoke to that inspired leadership and said it had been instrumental in contributing to the $350,000 put into this community by the Lions each year.
DAVID PHILIP: September 21, 1944 – August 17, 2025
David Philip
Former Lions president Brent Montgomerie said David ‘led by example’. He never wanted to take the top slot, preferring to be one of those just working for the cause. “But you always knew when he was in the room,” he said.
David’s tenure with the club won him a slew of awards. These included a Lloyd Morgan honorary award, a Lloyd Morgan life membership, Lion of the Year in 2015, the Melvin Jones Award in 2020-21, the President’s Award (special excellence) in 2022, and the President’s Appreciation Award the following year.
A young David Philip.
David was born in Te Kuiti. The family soon moved to Cambridge and David attended Leamington School through the tough post-war years, often walking barefoot to school through summer or winter. He learned to drive a car and motorbike… at just 13 he drove his mum to Waikato Hospital to visit his ailing dad, but ironically his youth meant he couldn’t enter the hospital when they got there.
At 15 he would help his dad Arthur wind the Cambridge town clock, every Friday at 4pm. He was a terrific athlete and a great roller skater who took wins in both solo and pairs competitions.
Lions’ Shed director Dave Philip, president Allan Field, designated quad driver Doug Taranaki, and Janine and Wayne Blackwood after a quad bike was presented to Lions.
After leaving Cambridge High School, he did an apprenticeship in joinery and cabinet making, later starting Cambridge Cabinets in Cook St with Dave Chandler – it is still going today. They built the first commercial factory in Carter’s Flat, a 1000 square metre prefabricated building for Gold Coast Poultry, then replicated it at 37 other venues around the North Island.
Throughout his working life David committed to helping his community, joining the then Jaycees until the age of 40. Beyond that and through his working life and retirement, it was fishing and boating that remained a passion.
Dave married Barbara in 1967, and the pair went on to have four children, Scott, Paul, then twins Anna and Glenn. They have eight grandchildren.
The ‘service to community gene’ remains strong, with Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade’s deputy fire chief Glenn receiving his silver bar last year for 17 years’ service.
Cambridge Lions Club members lined up on the steps as family carry David Philip’s casket from the Cambridge Town Hall after last week’s farewell. Photo: supplied
