Help industry favourite struck down by motor neurone

Motor neurone disease is a crushing illness and in the case of registered liquidator and trustee David Shannon, the insidious disease has singled out a victim whose popularity among his insolvency peers cannot it seems be doubted.

One of his close friends described him as an outstanding mentor and teacher with an arid sense of humour; a lawyer told SiN he was one of the brightest insolvency accountants he’d come across and “Shanno’s” former boss lauded him for reminding all around him about the human dimension to insolvency work. Motor neurone has a nasty habit of singling out the undeserving.

“David’s strength was always as a mentor and a teacher,” RSM’s Richard Stone said.

“I worked for Dave as a graduate at Jones Condon, I started on the 6th of April 1998 and left in 2002 to work in London.

“My years working for Dave were wonderful, he was an amazing teacher of the insolvency trade, as evidenced by how many of us have continued in the profession following an apprenticeship with ‘Shanno’.

“He was a wonderful mentor and always challenged me to improve and become a better practitioner. He had an extremely dry sense of humour and balanced being my manager, but also my mate and mentor at the same time.”

Piper Alderman partner Thomas Russell described Shanno as one of the brightest insolvency accountants he’s come across.

Even as a lawyer I learnt a lot from Dave,” Russell said.

“His technical skills, and ability to identify and analyse issues, are at a whole other level.

“Dave has trained some of Sydney’s most prominent and successful liquidators and his impact on the face of the industry, particularly in Sydney, has been profound and enduring.

“I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with him for over a decade before he stepped down from Jones Partners earlier this year.”

Jones Partners Bruce Gleeson said Shanno’s commitment to assisting and developing some of the future leaders of the profession is not to be understated, nor is his work in the Firm’s quality control and training processes was also ongoing and very significant.

“We feel very fortunate and privileged to have had David work with us over 26 years,” Gleeson said.

“The individuals that have worked with David are all the better for his sharing of knowledge and insights, as well as David’s focus on recognising the human dimension to the work we do.”

Since his diagnosis friends have rallied around Shanno and his wife Angelena and at this year’s Ladies Insolvency Professionals’ (LIPs) Christmas event some special fund raising activities have been organised to help the couple pay for the education of their primary school-age sons, Brendan, Jason and Ryan.

As part of the fund raising efforts $7.50 from each ticket sold will go directly to the Shannon Family Educational Fund.

Macquarie Bank has donated the use of the Auditorium at their iconic 50 Martin Place building as the venue for the event, and has also made a substantial monetary donation.

Gray’s Online have donated a bottle of 1981 Grange for either Auction or raffle and there will be other raffle prizes on offer on the night including Rodan + Fields skincare products, Christmas hampers and a beautiful farmstay weekend away. Not to be outdone, O’Maras have also donated a bottle of Grange and Pickles have donated an iPad.

Any individuals or organisations inspired to donate prizes suitable for raffle or auction at the LIPs Christmas Party on December 12 should contact [email protected] for more information. To RSVP for the LIPS event contact [email protected]

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Shannon Family Education Fund
BSB: 182-222
Account No. 3044-29673