He met his partner Ngaire in 1956 who was a pharmacy mgr. in a shop in Queens Arcade. He married her and they had two sons. Richard who practices medicine and Jeffry who handles the international side of Douglas Pharmaceutical today. In 1959 Graeme & Ngaire established a chemist shop in Vera Rd Teatatu Sth. They soon noticed there was a good market for products that the multi nationals could not handle. So they developed an import & distribution business and in 1980 started manufacturing their own products in Mt Roskill. Eventually they sold this successful enterprise to Nistricia Holland. They then acquired the Warner Lambert Facility in Banks Road and moved into their present headquarters in Central Park Drive. Later they purchased more land, expanded the manufacturing capacity into two divisions, the two buildings you now see. Douglas Pharmaceuticals is today the biggest business in the west. In 1996 Graeme also successfully competed as a weight lifter as well as in track & field. He has been one of the major sponsors of the Waitakere City Stadium and the fields & all weather running track bears his name. He sponsors the Going West Literary Festival & is the major sponsor of the Guide Dog Services. He is very generous to other causes as well. Graeme also was a member of Waitakere Rotary club and ex president in 79/80. He still supports our club. We try not to go to the well too often, but when we do he’s always ready to open his cheque book. He and Ngaire are honorary members of our club. We recognise this man for his kindness, achievements & social involvement. In the 35 years of our club history no one has been awarded with a Paul Harris Sapphire Pin. We in our club have never seen one before & expected it to have a 10-karat sapphire & a gold chain. But like so many leading awards it is understated. We sincerely hope that Graeme and Ngaire enjoy our present. |
