newsletter march 2014

NEWSLETTER 14th March 2014

WELCOME

President John McPhee welcomed 52 members and partners to the Black Sheep Restaurant in Geelong for our March luncheon. The formal matters were dealt briefly by Secretary Peter Pritchard and those present then enjoyed catching up with colleagues. Members not seen for some time included Will Bailey, John Bloom, John Calnin, Gordon Christensen, Bill and Judy Davies, Elaine Haw, Graeme Heenan, Doug Imrie and Doug Westcott,

Although the numbers attending were a little less than our previous Geelong meeting due to the level of apologies received from members on the sick list or travelling interstate and overseas at this time of year we look forward to continuing our trips to meet our colleagues based in the larger country and near city centres in Victoria.

APOLOGIES

Graeme Ainscough, Clive Bayley, Angelo Biviano, Diane Carew, Nola Forsyth, Roy Harper, Frank Hatfield, John Hawkins, Bernadette Hulbert, Dorothy Hayes, Bob Heinemann, Graeme King, Ken Lee, Jack Lepedjian, Harry Loucas, Gary Mason, Joan Nathan, Noelene Noonan, Peter Nyga, Maree Pritchard, Graeme Randall, Bill Robinson, Neil Robinson, David Schunke, Eamon Veaney, Glenda White, Julie Wilkins, David Woods

NEW MEMBERS

We have received no new membership applications for the past couple of months which is unusual and somewhat concerning so if you know of any potential members from your knowledge of ex ANZ colleagues let the committee know and we will contact them.

BEREAVEMENTS

McNutt J.K.E. (Ken) 86 years 20/2/2014

Ken was a great supporter of ANZROC and a Life Member of the club and Honorary Auditor for more than 20 years and formed a strong bond with Gerry McPherson who served as our Honorary Treasurer for 26 years. Ken began his banking career in Ireland and joined ANZ in UK before arriving in Australia and his early years with ANZ were spent in Geelong and then to Tasmania

where he met and married Heather. During his time in Tasmania Ken was for some years Manager Launceston before returning to Victoria. Ken was on the Lending Inspection team at retirement. Ken and Heather travelled widely in retirement and were regular attendees at our ANZROC events. ANZROC members attending the funeral service included Ron Adams, Brian Christensen, George Cooper, Bruce Kells, David Knuckey, Fay and Gerry McPherson, Neville Pearson, Bernie Sowersby and John Vanselow.

ANZROC members extend sincere condolences to Heather and the McNutt family and friends.

Ian Bell attended the funeral of Peter Alexander Muir Allan at Rochester in late February. Peter was Manager at Tungamah and at Rochester prior to his retirement some 20 years ago. Peter would be well known to many ANZROC members.

Dick Milnthorpe advised that Bruce Strudwick died of a brain hemorrhage on 31st Jan. Bruce would be known to many ANZROC members.

NOT SO WELL

Rae Collins was recently hospitalised with injuries to his arms after a fall but is home recuperating.

HONORARY BIRTHDAYS

The following Honorary members will be enjoying a birthday during MARCH and we pass on

Congratulations from our members for your birthdays:

Lindsay Baglin (85), Will Bailey AO (81), Doug Carroll (81), Kevin Cleary (83), Bob Delahoy

(85), John Fairbairn (80), Kevin Ferns (80), Laurie Holland (94), Bill Lacey (80), Tony

Middleton (83), Ray Perry (85), Ron Pitt (91), Robin Pleydell (82), Charles Rennie (101), Roy

Sharman (82), Kevin Sheather (89), Arthur Sheers (86), Peter Weaving (80).

INTEREST RATES

From 1/3/2013

Less than $20,000 1.67%

Greater than $20,000 2.14%

Birdies Twitter

GEELONG TRAIN ADVENTURE AND LUNCHEON

Twenty Seven intrepid train travellers gathered on the Southern Cross platform for a fun packed train journey to Geelong to meet with an additional Twenty Five country and city members/partners who travelled by car. The total attendance for our luncheon reached fifty two.

Highlight of the train journey was the Trivial Pursuit competition provided by quiz maestro Kevin Mitchell who split the travellers into six groups. The answers to be verified on the return journey.

The Black Sheep Restaurant venue was perfect for our requirements providing a lovely ambience, excellence service, good food and a well stocked bar. The Wool Museum and shop located in the same building provided a shopping opportunity fix for the ladies in particular

The numbers in attendance, whilst being somewhat disappointing, did not inhibit the lively conversations and it was great to see the members and their partners moving around and maximising the opportunity to catch up with country members in particular that they had not seen for some time.

The return walk to the station was lively and the 20 minute wait for our train provided the opportunity for Kevin to provide the answers to the Trivial Pursuit questions. The answers, incidentally, resulted in much dissent and booing to the amusement of the normal! non member passengers also waiting for the train.

Kevin was totally unmoved by the dissension and pronounced the team of Ron and Pam Adams, Elaine Haw, Wolf Damschitz and Cheryl Pearson as the winners and it was only the arrival of the train that prevented Kevin being lynched .

Thank you for your attendance and we encourage more members to support these meetings, which whilst being time consuming to organise are great fun and for many the highlight of our agenda.

Eamon is loading photos taken at the luncheon onto the website for your interest.

LETTERS

Graeme Ainscough writes that he will be unable to attend meetings for the foreseeable future due to health issues and some hospitalisation but remains positive he will be back to ANZROC events from July. The completion of the baseball season with Cheltenham featuring in the finals and the good news that one of their 18 year old junior players has been signed by New York Yankees as a pitcher keeps his mind off the forthcoming medical procedures.

Russ Appleton emails his thanks for the birthday card last month. Russ says his health slipped a little over Christmas, thinking he may have to spend Christmas in hospital.

He had not felt well for the past year as it turns out his medications were fighting one another. A review appears to have set things right.

Nancy Baglin writes from Safety Beach for Lindsay Baglin as his eyesight is giving him some problems at present and Lindsay conveys his gratitude for greetings and birthday wishes for his 85th which were much appreciated. The celebrations were with the family at the home of their daughter including their 6 great grandchildren and a delightful day was had by all. They are now looking forward to the arrival of their son from London in early April on his annual visit to Safety Beach and they are always grateful and happy to see him.

Joe Busuttil emails from Inverloch his sincere thanks to Kathy and the Committee for organising his Birthday Greetings, which as usual arrived right on the day. Thank you. Joe is now in his ninth year into retirement and enjoying good health. These days travel occupies the majority of Joe and his wife’s spare time. Whilst not travelling, time is spent on planning their next adventures. Joe unfortunately missed this year’s Xmas Party as they were travelling through Cambodia and Vietnam at the time, but hopefully he will catch up with ANZ friends this year.

Ron Clohesy emails his thanks for the recent Birthday Card. Arrived on the day as usual.

He also enjoys reading the monthly newsletter, which is great for keeping him informed of what's happening. As Ron has now fully retired he looks forward to catching up with colleagues in person in the near future.

Bob Delahoy emailing from Inverloch sends a big thank you to Kathy Trace and the Committee for the very welcome birthday card. He hopes to receive many more. Bob was saddened to read in the February Newsletter of the passing of John Hallinan and Norm Ross. Many long years ago he worked with John at 109 Collins Street and with Norm at 154 Swanston Street. Bob’s wife Judith also worked with John at 109 Collins Street. They were good days. He has fully recovered from

the knee operation that he had this time last year and is back playing lawn bowls again. It is always good to receive the Newsletter and read what others are doing in their retirement.

Jan Edwards emailed to thank the Retired Officers’ Club for her first birthday card as a member. A big thank you to Kathy for sending out these cards and of course it arrived on her birthday. Jan spent a lovely day with all of her family down at her son’s house at Mount Martha. She is looking forward to attending some of the lunches this year.

Neville Harvey emails many thanks for the Birthday Greeting. The Birthday took a bit of a back seat this year, what with Neville and wife Glenda’s daughter getting married mid February (their Anniversary as well) and their son graduating from the Police Academy the following week! Neville knows we are looking for rain but he is looking for a bit of a dry spell!!

Andy Herd emails to thank Kathy for birthday greetings. Its amazing how quickly they seem to come around, he doesn’t mind too much as long as he keeps having them .Andy has just returned form a flying visit to Udaipur (India) to attend a wedding .What a difference from our one day affairs, this went for seven days and also involves more ceremonies over the next few months .It was a most colourful and memorable experience.

Kevin J. Kelly writes to thank Kathy for his birthday greetings for his 80th and says that it is a milestone he is pleased to reach. Till now Kevin has managed to retain good health but when he reads the monthly newsletter one can’t help but think that good health is largely a lottery.

Gerry Kennedy writes to thank ANZROC through Kathy Trace for the birthday wishes for his 90th. Gerry says he has nothing to report but is still OK healthwise although feeling the years.

Bob Maughan emails best wishes from Perth where the temperatures over summer have been much higher than Bob and wife Joan had expected after their years spent in Melbourne. He says that Perth has had no rain since before Christmas and then it was a wee drop! Bob says thank you for the birthday card which is usually the only one he gets because his birthday is so close to Christmas. The sending of cards is a wonderful tradition and also serves as a reminder of the ANZ family. Like wise the Newsletter is looked forward to each month even if this is somewhat tempered by news of recent Bereavements. The passing on of John Labrum has saddened Bob and made him reflect on his first years with ANZ at the Stock Exchange branch after emigrating from the UK. It was a wonderful place to work and the staff had lots of fun. For much of Bob’s time there Roger Brunskill was the Manager and you could not have a better leader or person. It always seemed to Bob it was his leadership which ensured a fantastic team. The Assistant Managers at the time were the Late Gordon Menhennitt, Ron Marshall, and John Labrum who together with Alan Short formed a team which blended to perfection with all of them being nice people easy to approach and seek advice. They were more than ably supported by Clive (Never Better) Bayley whose HR skills Bob tried in vain to emulate during his career. Bob remembers one time wife Joan was having a major operation and suddenly Clive appeared at his desk with instructions from the Manager that if he did not go home immediately trouble would ensue. Of a staff of some 180 all were people Bob enjoyed working with and counted everyone a friend. Whilst we all age it is great to retain such wonderful memories!

Peter Nielepowiec writing from Strathdale says it was with great sadness to read of the passing of John Hallinan in our February Newsletter. Peter worked with John when John was Manager Ouyen Branch and Peter was the Advance/Security Clerk. John was his mentor in what was a happy Branch. Peter said on his move from Ouyen to Moe he was going through a difficult time and was on the verge of quitting the Bank but a quick trip to Ouyen to talk to John and Meryl Hallinan saved his banking career and John will be missed very much by his family, friends and colleagues.

Jack Moyle writes that it is always a pleasure to receive birthday wishes for his 89th which was celebrated with a lovely dinner with Jack’s family. Jack had the pleasure of meeting with Kathy Trace the overseer of ANZROC birthday cards at the last Christmas luncheon.

Phi Nguyen emails her thanks for the birthday card the Club sent in January. As always, it is a pleasure to receive it each year.

Ted Palmer emails his thanks to Kathy Trace for his birthday wishes which arrived bang on the day.

Robin Pleydell emails his thanks for the birthday wishes received for his 82nd and says he is off to Adelaide again to catch up with friends.

Mavis Ryan writes from Belmont with thanks to Kathy Trace for the birthday greetings and the bonus of Christmas greetings.

Dick Sanders emails his thanks to Kathy Trace for the birthday good wishes. During recent months Dick has taken the opportunity to visit Eddie Knight who is in the Nursing Home unit of The Kingston Centre, where he is a permanent resident. He would welcome any visits from old colleagues. On the home front it has been a difficult year. Just prior to taking off for an overseas holiday in May, Dick’s wife Joan had a fall when they were in the precinct of the Melbourne Arts Centre. She fractured her left fibula at the ankle and right femur at the knee. The attention of so many people was wonderful and the Paramedics arrived promptly together with a senior on his motor bike who took over from medical staff of the Arts Centre. Anyway, off to The Alfred Hospital in the Ambulance and there for two weeks undergoing surgery by top medical staff and surgeons (A good number of Pins in the left ankle and a plate in right leg above the knee). Then into rehabilitation at suburban Caulfield in a sister hospital to the Alfred. It was a long three and a half months and Joan was able to walk slowly with a walker. Progress has been made as Joan now walks confidently with the walker, sometimes with just a stick and around the house often without. Physio is weekly at the Kingston Centre - where he has visited Eddie Knight. Whilst Joan was at Caulfield, Dick was also visiting his best man who had leukemia and was in Cabrini East Malvern and Brighton. After twelve months he passed away in September. Some old friends from Methods South Yarra or Cotham Rd, boarding house may remember him – Mike Connolly – who had been a close friend since 1959 and sharing a flat for a few of those years. On the bright side, it has been a glorious summer for sport with a wonderful Australian Open Tennis tournament presenting new faces – particularly the pocket rocket in the ladies. The Australian Women’s golf was also great and Dick went for a couple of hours to Victoria Golf Club to watch the Ladies Open. Just fancy, a South Korean shot a ten under par for her round on the Saturday, a course and LPGA record. (If McEnroe were standing in the members lounge the cry would have been “That’s not possible”!!). Then of course there was the cricket. All of them amazing. Dick might hibernate for the winter and be ready for next summer! In the meantime the Winter Games have been fantastic and thrillingly dangerous – particularly Snowboard Cross. (It would suit Neville Pearson who no matter at what sport always landed on his feet). Dick also had his niece and some of her family visit from Carlisle in the UK for Christmas.

Bruce Tickell writes thanking Kathy for the card for his 85th which as expected with her magic arrived on the vital day. Bruce says these birthdays seem to be coming more frequently but he consoles himself with the adage that age is all in the mind.

Kevin Toohey emails his thanks for the birthday card and all the good work of the Committee. It’s nice to keep in touch.

Maurice Wells sends his thanks to Kathy Trace and the Committee for conveying the Club’s birthday greetings on the occasion of his recent birthday and the thoughts are much appreciated. Maurice likes the monthly newsletter as it allows him to keep in touch with events concerning ANZROC members and as he and wife Bev have limited opportunity to travel they enjoy reading of the variety of trips taken by others.

AND Dick Barry, Arty Booth, Damian Burgess, Geoff Christensen, Ken Crawford, Jim Ebsworthy, David Gibb, Wyn Greenwood, Serge Nayna, Geoff Perdriau, Graeme Plant, Wayne Taylor, Frank Valastro, Peter Weaving, Richard Weekes, Charlie Wierzbowski, Julie Wilkins

ANZROC QSLD, NSW, SA, TAS, WA

MATTERS OF INTEREST

ANZROC WEBSITE

The ANZROC website has been active now for over 3 years and we have tried to keep information up to date with newsletters current and archived, articles on club activities / events , obituaries and a growing gallery of photographs.

This month our ANZROC member Elina Law has set up a page on Facebook called ANZ Retired Officers' Club which will be open for anyone to 'Like'.

Over the next few weeks Eamon and Elina are looking at putting a 'like' button on our ANZROC web site which will connect directly to the Facebook page and allow our members to interact with each other if they so choose.

The intent would be for any members to post information that could be of interest to others in our community on the Facebook site including old photos/ memorabilia related to ANZ. Eamon has got the ball rolling by extracting some albums from our photo gallery which have already attracted a number of comments.

In the 2 weeks since it was created we have 55 page likes and in the past week 1500 people have seen the posts, 300 people engaged, 172 likes, 26 comments, 3000 post clicks. Interestingly many of the connections are from friends of friends, family etc. Whilst the majority of members may not be on Facebook it is likely that your family and many friends are and they may be interested in seeing the gallery of pictures which have been loaded. Also, any of you who are on Facebook should be able to add pictures; articles etc. and tag the existing photos.

Feedback to Eamon is welcomed as we make every effort to provide value for money for your membership and he can be contacted on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MANSFIELD TRIP 2014

Thirty members and partners travelled to Mansfield on 24 & 25 February and made the most of the comfortably warm days/evenings while staying at the Alzburg Resort. The Resort pool was popular with many and the evening BBQ on the first night continued until late in the night.

The golfers played 18 holes of social golf on day two, while non-golfers checked out the shops and visited local points of interest. The Resort catered for an excellent evening meal on day two and Kevin Mitchell's Trivia Competition was fiercely fought out by teams on each of the tables.

Golf Results Men - Winner - David Schunke 39 Pts. Runner up - Gordon Paulett. Women - Winner - Cheryl Pearson 30 Pts. Runner up - Pam Hocking 28 Pts. Nearest the pin - Gordon Paulett .

It was great to see David Woods and Geoff Cook slugging it out on the golf course over 9 holes and John Vanselow said it was his first hit of golf for many months.

Eamon has uploaded the Mansfield photos to the Website and Facebook

ANZROC 2014 MEETINGS AND EVENTS

MAY 8th…….100 Queen Street….Salvation Army Meeting

JUNE 12th……Greensborough RSL Club meeting with partners

NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 10th APRIL 2014

To be held at ANZ Bank Building in the Melbourne Room, on the 34th Floor/100 Queen Street Melbourne from 12 noon to hear guest speaker Dr Geoffrey John CHRISTOPHERSON, AM KSJ who will be speaking on the subject ANZAC Day and its place in the commemoration of World War 1'. As you are aware, 2014 is the centenary of the start of WW1 and there has been at least one recent book questioning the fact that the Western Front battles appear to have been given a lesser degree of importance than the Gallipoli Campaign despite the fact that they had far more influence on the outcome of the war.

It is certainly a contentious issue and one we hope ANZROC members may find interesting.

CV of Dr Christopherson

Geoff is married to Leonie and they have three sons and three grandchildren.

Born in Brisbane in 1936 Geoff Christopherson was educated at St Columbans College and Marist Brothers College Ashgrove. Joining the ARA in 1955, he graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon into the Australian Staff Corps in December 1958 and was allotted to RAASC.

Lt Christopherson was posted to 16 National Service Trg Bn Adelaide. At the end of 1959 he was transferred to Brisbane, first as Cadre officer with Northern Command Troops, then OC/CI of N Comd Trade Trg Centre RAASC. In 1960, accompanied by his wife Leonie, he was posted to 55 Coy RASC (Air Dispatch) in Malaya-Singapore, remaining until 1963 when he returned to the RAASC Centre Puckapunyal as Senior Instructor of the Air Dispatch Wing and OC 1 Air Supply Control Section.

In 1965 he was posted for a year to the US for training at the QM School Ft Lee Virginia and the US Army Transportation School at Ft Eustis. Promoted to major on return he became OC HQ 26 Coy RAASC, which was deployed to South Vietnam at the end of 1967 to 1 ATF at Nui Dat: additional duties of the OC included command of the Task Force Maintenance Area – the logistic support group for the Task Force.

Major Christopherson returned to Australia at the end of 1969 to command 1 Army Air Supply Organisation at Wallgrove, after which he attended the 1971 course of the Army Command and Staff College at Queenscliff and the Joint Services Staff College in 1977. Then followed a series of staff postings, including Colonel, Movements and Transport at HQ Logistics Command Melbourne 1980-82, and Corps Director 1982-85. He was then promoted Brigadier as Director General Movements and Transport Department of Defence 1986-89, receiving an AM for services to Defence transport.

In 1990 he became the first Defence Research Fellow at RMIT University Melbourne, and on retirement from the ADF in 1991 took up appointment as a RMIT lecturer in the Logistics Management Group, also completing a Master of Business and a Doctorate of Education

MEDALS MAY BE WORN TO THIS MEETING

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED DURING THE MEETING.

If you intend to come to this meeting will you let Ron Adams know by Phone 98210444 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail on the attached acceptance notice to Ron Adams,

PO Box 579, Malvern Vic 3144 by Thursday 3rd April 2014 to meet ANZ catering requirements and so that a list of attendees can be provided to the ANZ Reception Desk.

A reminder that the luncheon fee of $10.00 will be collected at the door to partially cover the cost of catering.

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ACCEPTANCE THURSDAY LUNCHEON 10th April 2014 FROM 12 NOON MELBOURNE ROOM 34TH FLOOR ANZ BANK BUILDING 100 QUEEN STREET

To RON ADAMS

PO BOX 579, MALVERN, VIC 3144 Phone 9821 0444 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I/we will be attending the Luncheon function

NAME(S):…………………………………………………………………………………………

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