VICTOR HARBOR - A "true gentleman" who helped save and rebuild a number of major tourist developments throughout the state, including the McCracken Country Club, died, aged 67.
Ian Conolly, the managing director of the Conolly Group, was a true gentleman, respected by all who came in contact with him.
His staff recall how references to "Mr Conolly" would be met by "please call me Ian" and the standard response of "yes Mr Conolly". He was an employer who always made it his business to know the names of all of his staff, despite them numbering in the hundreds.
Ian started his career in the tourism industry over 25 years ago after spending more than 20 years working for the Bank of Adelaide.
His first foray into tourism was the partnership to purchase and operate the Squires Inn in Wellington, New Zealand.
The crowd of more than 150 people at Ian's funeral on Monday was told that Ian had been involved, either through ownership or as a consultant, with at least 15 tourism properties in SA during this career. These included the Myoora Motel in Port Augusta, the Country Inn in Whyalla, the Wilderness Lodge on Kangaroo Island, the Haven Inn at Glenelg, the Blue Lake Motel in Mount Gambier, the Sands Motel in Adelaide, the Kadina Gateway Motel, the Aviators Lodge in Adelaide, Travelway, John Pirie Motor Inn and Flinders Ranges Motor Inn at Port Pirie.
Among the three biggest success stories he has been involved with were the regeneration of the Glendambo Tourist Centre following the relocation of the Stuart Highway. The centre was struggling for survival, but, after Ian's help was enlisted, it became one of the most revered operations on the Stuart Highway winning both state and national accolades.
It was on his way back from visiting the Glendambo Tourist Centre that the seed was sown for Ian's next major project, the Clare Country Club. On Monday it was described as his "favourite" given that he'd built it from scratch.
In 1989 Ian, leading his company the Conolly Group, built the Clare Country Club adjacent to the Clare golf course. It has since swelled to 45 rooms and a stand alone conference centre, taking out several state awards.
He was well-respected by everyone he came in contact with through business, becoming known as a very good operator who's motto of "kill 'em with kindness" rubbed off on all of his staff.
Ian's advice was so well respected and was always given without hesitation. His generous nature also meant he assisted some in the industry on a fee-free basis.
The biggest project of Ian's career was the purchase of the financially-troubled and rundown McCracken Golf Course and construction of the $11 million McCracken Country Club and conference centre that is now a very successful operation.
His significant contribution to tourism in SA was recognised in November 2004 when he was awarded the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual for Tourism.
The nomination described Ian as a "humble man with a quiet nature and strong family values".
"He always looks for the positive in people and has a giving nature."
Ian was born in Yorkshire, England and moved to Australia at the age of 15 after making a name for himself as a choirboy at his local church.
Ian was adopted at birth and only in recent years did he find and was able to meet his birth mother in Halifax, England.
He met his wife, Helen, while living at Crystal Brook and after marrying 43 years ago, together they have three children - Linda, Trudi and Wade - and four grandchildren.
Ian also left a sister Carole of Victor Harbor and a loving extended family.
Ian died on August 19 at the St Andrews Hospital following a tough, but dignified, fight against Myeloma. He was cremated following a funeral on Monday at Centennial Park, Pasadena.
His giving nature was still present at the funeral with donations to the Leukaemia Foundation being accepted in lieu of flowers.
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