About New Haven Funerals
History Of Newhaven Funerals
In 1977 the Connolly family experienced the death of a two year old child.
Thirty year old Phil Connolly watched in dismay as a former family friend and Funeral Director carried out the ritual of arranging and conducting the funeral. "There must be a better way," he thought. The final straw came when the Director refused to explain the contents of the abundant account and attempted to belittle him for inquiring.
Phil researched the funeral world examining processes and traditions in an attempt to simplify the funeral so ordinary people could understand the costs and why they were doing what they were doing.
In 1979 he connected with like-minded future partners Keith Russell and Vanessa Hume. This was to change the face of the funeral industry in Australia forever. After two years of operation their funeral company was conducting 3000 funerals per year. The established industry refused to take this beating and embarked on a campaign to discredit this new funeral company. Crematoria bans, union disruption, and rejection from coffin suppliers became common. Misleading national media comment was seen by the public as a sham and support spiraled.
The company became Australia's first national funeral company and enjoyed unprecedented success. Unfortunately growth has a price and a decision was carried to make the company the first of its kind to be listed on the stock exchange. A wise decision for a time but eventually the original shareholders became minority shareholders and control and ownership lapsed.
In 1989 with the vast experience of the former venture behind them the Connollys started afresh. Slower, more sustainable growth the target. They were determined Newhaven Funerals would give the very best service to their families and never again be subjected to unfair restriction.
To date all goals are on schedule. The company has a fast and barely sustainable growth rate, operates crematoriums, manufactures coffins, runs grief recovery / training programs and maintains beautiful memorial gardens.
All employees are hand picked for their ability to help people come out the other side of one of the hardest times in their life with minimal long term effects and maximum recovery knowledge. "If we had the choice right now, of all the funeral people in the world, I wouldn't change one staff member" say company founder Phil Connolly.
Affiliations
Awards
Beenleigh and District Business Achievement Award "Nomination" - 1994
Queensland Police Service "Assistant Commissioners Award for affective and efficient support" - 1994
Seniors Card Business Excellence Awards "Winner" - 1997
Seniors Card Business Excellence Awards "Nomination" - 1998
Gold Coast City Council Garden Competition "2nd" - 1998
Gold Coast City Council Garden Competition "Entrant" - 1999
Mackay Region Industry and Tourism Awards "Finalist Building and Construction Projects under $5M" – 2000
Gold Coast Business Excellence Award - Family Business - July 2000
Australian Institute of Management "North Queensland Young Manager of the Year Finalist" - 2002
Mackay City Council "Above Compliance in Recognition of a Continuing High Level of Environmental Performance" - 2002
Gold Coast City Council Garden Competition "Entrant" - 2003
Gold Coast City Council Garden Competition "Entrant" – 2004
Gold Coast Business Excellence Award – Family Business - August 2009
Appreciations
Australian Red Cross – Volunteers – 1987 to CurrentBenowa State High School – In the Interest of Youth through Work Experience at Secondary Level
Queensland Senior Citizens Week – Support and Involvement with Seniors Week – 1995
Christian Life Church Beenleigh – Support of the Beenleigh Community Celebration - 1995
Community Health Service Centre Inala – Staff Development – 1995
Queensland Senior Citizens Week – Support and Involvement with Seniors Week - 1996
Gold Coast City Council – Supply of Peace Keepers Plaque – 2000
Mackay and District Education Centre – Valuable Contribution to the Diploma of Nursing QLD
Tropical North Qld TAFE – Community Nursing Experience, Support and Involvement - 2002
Palliative Care Queensland – A Day with Roger Cole – 2003
Childhood Cancer Support – Movie Extravaganza – 2004
Palliative Care Queensland – Gold Coast Seminar Mal McKissock "Covering End of Life Issues" - 2004
Gold Coast Pet and Animal Expo - Gold Coast City Council - Participation and Generous Contribution - 2006
Press Releases
Concerned and thoughtful people arrange their own funeral and/or cremation needs. Families who plan ahead, realise the importance of this step, and how much easier it will be to everyone when death becomes a reality.
Most people find that pre-arrangement gives them peace of mind because they have taken the initiative to spare their families these responsibilities and disturbing tasks.
The FUNERAL PLAN is backed not only by State Government approved reputability of the organisation, but by stringent government conditions and regulations designed to protect and guarantee the prudent investor.
Most families prefer to make a lump sum contribution equal to today's funeral cost but the plan may be designed to meet particular financial capabilities.
Pensioners in some circumstances can actually increase their allowance from Centrelink by purchasing an approved funeral plan.
Pre-funded arrangements assure that your funeral cost will not come from your dependant's income. No one can accurately predict their future financial circumstances. It is really a matter of thoughtfulness and sound financial management.
Prompt and attentive guidance from a trained counsellor to assist you with your personal requirements may be obtained here >> Contact Us
Community Assist
Due to the loyal support of Newhaven customers, and the Newhaven staff and company philanthropic fund we have been able to assist the following community groups.
If you feel you would like to donate to any of these worthy recipients please contact us for the appropriate donation form and receipt or click on the links below.
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