ANZ Retired Officers' Club (Vic)

NEWSLETTER MARCH 12 2015

WELCOME

Senior Vice President Eamon Veaney welcomed 50 members and Guest Speaker Gerry Cross to the first meeting in Queen Street for 2015 and Secretary Wolf Damschitz dealt with the formal matters of the day. Members not seen for some time included Cedric Coxsedge, Nev Greenway, Roy Harper, Bob Heinemann, Peter Keating, Anton Ponnampalam and Paul Tovey.

In future to make it easier for our senior members to attend our meetings carers accompanying members are welcome to attend any of the meetings of ANZROC.

Photos taken at the luncheon by Eamon Veaney are now posted on our Website and Facebook pages.

APOLOGIES

Graeme Ainscough, Clive Bayley, Diane Carew, Robin Cates, Don Davy, Phil Dunstan, Nola Forsyth, Norris Gale, Ray Gill, Stan Halbish, John Hawkins, Graeme King , Ken Lee, John McPhee, Fay and Gerry McPherson, Kevin O’Neill, Terry Parks, Alan Pearce, Peter Pritchard, Graeme Randall, Bill Robinson, Geoff Sandow, Doug Watson, Glenda White, Julie Wilkins, David Woods

NEW MEMBERS

Carrazza J.A. (John) 30 years ANZ

We met John at the Greensborough meeting and look forward to seeing him at some of our forthcoming meetings.

BEREAVEMENTS

Quirk J.R.(Ray) 92 years 21/2/2015

Brian Christensen reported that he noticed ANZROC members Wendy Black, Norm Dibbin, Brian Farrell, Neville Lewis, Wal McGillivray, Gerry and Fay McPherson, as well as Ray’s son John at the funeral Service.

John sent a brief resume about his father. Ray joined the Bank of Australasia, Brunswick branch in November, 1939 straight from school. In November of 1941 he joined 5th Infantry Battalion (Victorian Scottish Regiment) and in April, 1942 headed to WA in anticipation of Japanese landings on the west coast. In November, 1943 he embarked for Port Moresby as part of 5 Div

He was stationed at Milne Bay and served from Lae to Finschaffen and Madang and to a landing at Kelanoa. In March 1944 he was detached to “A” Company, Papuan Infantry Battalion as Platoon Sergeant in patrols from Militat. After the war, Ray resumed his banking career and accepted transfers and promotions to Horsham, Launceston, Hobart, Darwin, and Brisbane and of course many within Melbourne, finally retiring as Assistant Chief Manager, 388 Collin Street.

In retirement, he lived a happy and fulfilling family life and will be sadly missed by many.

Members at the meeting stood for a few moments in remembrance of our late Honorary Member Ray Quirk.

.

We have been advised by Jeremy Schreurs, Head of Product Solutions ANZ Private Bank that his uncle Brian Shipperlee passed away on 4/3/2015. Neville Pearson and Jet Jackson let me know that they played football with Brian in the ANZ Bank Football Club in 1964/65/66 - 33 games in all. Brian was the Treasurer for the Football Club following on from John Penhale. Geoff Ridgway was coach in 1966. Brian would be remembered by many members of ANZROC and ANZFC.

Past President John Stevens advised that Gavin Nailer passed away 10/3/2015 at the age of 73. From John’s knowledge Gavin joined the ANZ Bank in Perth and spent time at Derby Branch before coming to Victoria where he worked in country and suburban branches including Moonee Ponds, Myrtleford and Wodonga. John thinks that Gavin spent the last part of his career on the Audit Staff – a colleague on the Audit Staff, Tom Portelli has fond memories of Gavin as part of that team. Gavin would be remembered by many ANZROC members

John Campbell son of recently deceased Honorary Member Bruce Campbell sent me a note of Bruce’s career and his time in the AIF. In February 1938, Bruce Campbell was appointed to the Warrnambool Branch of the Union Bank of Australia Limited; however with the onset of the War, on the 5th of November 1941 Bruce left Warrnambool for Army Training at Ocean Grove where the office Sergeant was Ken Eales whom Bruce had relieved a few months earlier at the Union Bank, Hamilton. Eventually the Battalion was posted to the area 60 to 80 miles south of Darwin, where the Japanese planes strafed the camp, flying at tree-top height with machine-gun bullets. Bruce left Darwin to join ‘Norforce’ Army Headquarters and learn coding and decoding top secret messages to and from Army Headquarters in Melbourne. Bruce went to Trinity Beach, north of Cairns, to train for beach Assault Landings at Tarakan. With all his gear he had to climb a flat-bottomed landing craft to head for shore and wade through the shallow waters to the beach. He had to hold his cipher box of papers over his head, out of the water. At Balikpapan, he had to wade through water and waves waist deep. Bruce also saw service in Borneo. After the War, Bruce returned to the Bank where he made many friends over the years. At the end of his banking career he was the Senior Australian Bankers Association representative for the ANZ Bank. When John was a teenager he remembers visiting Bruce’s office a couple of times at 388 Collins Street, Melbourne and marvelling at the beautiful timber panelling and watching the city traffic from the gothic turret at 388 overlooking the corner of Collins and Queens Street, Melbourne. John started his career at the ANZ Bank and it was special to him that down the track he became a Relationship Manager located at 388 Collins Street working in the same area as Bruce had been in, including being near the gothic turret .

NOT SO WELL

Neville Pearson advised that ANZROC member Dave Phelps is not well and is presently at Kingston Centre, Warrigal Road, Cheltenham and is happy to see visitors at this stage.

HONORARY BIRTHDAYS

The following Honorary members will be enjoying a birthday during MARCH 2015 and we pass

on Congratulations from our members for your birthdays:

Ray Allsop (80), Lindsay Baglin (86), Will Bailey (82), Clive Bayley (80), Doug Carroll (82),

Kevin Cleary (84), Bob Delahoy (86), John Fairbairn (81), Graeme Hockey (80), Laurie Holland

(95), Bill Lacey (81) Tony Middleton (84), Ray Perry (86), Ron Pitt (92), Robin Pleydell (83),

Graeme Randall (80), Roy Sharman (83), Arthur Sheers (87), Murray Skelton (80), Peter

Weaving (81).

INTEREST RATES

From 1/3/2015

Less than $20,000 1.47%

Greater than $20,000 1.88%

PRESIDENTS’ PEN

ANZAC Day – 25 April 2015 – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the 100th anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is the day on which we remember Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of Anzac, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.

We also remember the sacrifices made by Bank staff (Bank of Australasia, Union Bank of Australia, English Scottish & Australian Bank, Bank of Adelaide and later ANZ Bank) particularly during the First and Second World Wars but also the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

During the First World War, nearly 40% of our male staff were volunteers and joined the various armed services. The Bank supported those who joined the armed services and made up the pay difference of men who enlisted to equal the salary that the men enjoyed in the Bank. With the loss of male staff, the Bank had to adjust to the novel experience of women bank clerks. Over time women joined the Bank to replace those who had gone to war, but women were not allowed custody of cash and were kept away from direct contact with customers.

During the Second World War, the Bank of Australasia, Union Bank of Australia, English Scottish and Australian Bank, and Commonwealth Bank (as well as four other banks) relocated their London head office to shared premises at Sandroyd School, at Cobham Surrey. Only a skeleton staff remained in London. Many bank staff again rose to the occasion. In Australia and New Zealand, bank staff enlisted or after 1941 were conscripted and replaced by women. By 1943 over 60% of pre-war male staff were in the services. A truly noble sacrifice.

At this time we remember those who have served in all wars and conflicts. Our April meeting will recognise those who served and also those who have made the supreme sacrifice. In the main banking chamber of 388 Collins Street, are Rolls of Honour that list those Australian Bank staff of Bank of Australasia, Union Bank and ES & A Bank who served in the First World Wars. If you are in the city, take the time to view and remember our fallen Bank colleagues. (Photos of the Rolls of Honour are also on our website).

Details of our April ANZAC meeting are in this newsletter. Please consider coming to this special meeting.

Peter Pritchard

BIRDIES TWITTER

Brian Shipperlee’s funeral service was well attended at Heritage funeral Home Wantirna on 11th March. Brian worked 36 years with ANZ in various roles and enjoyed retirement playing golf and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Brian was a talented footballer and played three years with ANZ Bank Amateur Football Club and several years with Oakleigh FC. Neville Pearson attended on behalf of the ANZROC and ANZFC past players.

Neville would like to sincerely thank members of the ANZROC for their overwhelming and heart warming responses to his poem in last month’s ANZROC Newsletter regarding his health

Val Goldsworthy’s poem response was amazing and is as follows.

Hi Birdie on the wing,

Can you dance and can you sing,

As time goes on, we all will weather,

And suffer with the loss of a feather (or two),

But forget a name??

It’s all the same

We know the Bird

And he will be heard

Thank you Val (Neville can see his poet laureate position at ANZROC is at risk)

Neville Pearson.

GUEST SPEAKER

Our Guest Speaker Gerry Cross is a Provider of Professional Services to the Forest Industry Trading as VDFC Van Diemen Forestry Consultants and has a wide knowledge of the issues in the industry including specific observations on the future of the Tasmanian forest industry. Gerry is a qualified Forester and used a PowerPoint presentation to outline some of his experiences working in the forests over more than 40 years in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and overseas in Canada and New Guinea. Gerry also explained how some forestry investment schemes in Australia were oversold and poorly managed and eventually cost many Australian retirees a large part of their superannuation but there are many well managed forestry programs operating today that are making profits and focussing on regrowth of the timber assets particularly in Tasmania.

Gerry was asked a number of questions and continued to discuss forestry with members for some time after the meeting was closed.

LETTERS

Graeme Ainscough reports that he was particularly saddened when he received the February newsletter and he read of the passing of Col Renzow, Neil “Corny” Hamilton and Harry Trefz as he had worked with them during his time in ES&A/ANZ. Graeme met Col in the 50’s when appointed as a Ledger Keeper at ES&A Accounting Centre and Col was a highly regarded Senior Manager in the Clearing Centre for 388 Collins and Royal Bank Branches. Graeme met Corny Hamilton while playing cricket for ES&A team in the Prahran and Southern Districts “A” Competition in 61/62. Graeme said Corny’s bowling was almost unplayable on a matting wicket. ANZROC member Trevor Cookson a great friend of Corny Hamilton was the opening batsman when available for Graeme’s ES&A team and was a prolific hitter of 6’s for the team. Graeme met Harry Trefz when Graeme joined ES&A at Windsor in 1954 and they shared some very interesting and sometimes hilarious experiences .Harry was a good teacher and Graeme learnt

about the banks rules and systems relatively quickly and efficiently.

Graeme’s own health has been patchy with time spent in hospital while wife June has only recently left hospital after surgery and is now undergoing rehabilitation. On a brighter note Graeme’s Cheltenham baseball teams have had a mixed season with the senior team missing the finals but two junior teams featured in the finals. Graeme misses being able to attend the ANZROC meetings and chatting with his colleagues.

Bob and Val Bishop email their thanks again for the delivery of their cards on time for their recent birthdays. They are looking forward to more caravan trips now that Val has just completed a 3 year stint as Lady Captain at Sandhurst Golf Club. Luckily they are both keeping good health. It is always great to catch up with ANZ friends albeit sometimes at funerals.

Joe Busuttil emailing from Inverloch sends his sincere thanks to Kathy Trace, the Committee and members of ANZROC for this year’s birthday greetings. How the years keep rolling on at great speed. Last year saw Joe and his wife spending nine weeks holidaying in Europe, which included a two weeks cruise from the UK visiting Spain and Portugal, two weeks motoring in Southern England catching up with ex work colleagues and associates, with the remainder of the time travelling by train through Italy and Croatia. Not surprising their luggage seems to get heavier as they get older. In November Joe travelled to Thailand, spending time exploring villages in the North, around Chiang Mai. Unfortunately, he missed the Christmas party again last year. Hope to make it this year.

Jim Ebsworthy emails his thanks to Kathy Trace for her great job in sending birthday wishes on Jim’s 79th birthday and indeed the great job she does in doing this for all members.

Saul Eslake reports that he and wife Linda have realized a 30-year aspiration of returning to Tasmania – they acquired a house originally built (by convicts) in the 1830s,in mid-2013, spent the following 18 months having it renovated and extended, and moved in just before Christmas last year. Saul is determined to show that the kind of work he can do can be done from somewhere like Tasmania.

Ray Gill letting me know he will be missing from the March meeting says he will be in Brisbane for a National Meeting of The Australian Veterans and Defence Services Association for which Ray is now the National Vice President.

Wyn Greenwood celebrated his 94th birthday recently and was delighted to receive a card from Kathy, the ANZROC Committee and members. When reminded that it was his birthday, he cheekily responded, “Did you bring me any presents?” This resulted in considerable laughter! Thank goodness daughter Shirley White had brought something! Even though Wyn can hardly speak, he can still remember people and shows an interest in what others are doing. He is very much loved and respected in the Nursing Home at UnitingCare Strathdon, Forest Hill. His wife, Margaret, is also a resident at Strathdon, but lives in the McGarvie Hostel. They are able to see each other about twice a week.

John Harrison reporting from Bega said he and wife Narelle were in SA Echunga/Meadows with their eldest son in October and he took a week off work to drive them through Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges.

John Hawkins reports that it is now the start of the tripping season and he and wife Helen will be touring Myanmar for 12days on a slow boat from Yangon to Mandalay when we are holding our March meting. Hopefully he will see members in April at the ANZC Remembrance meeting.

Martin Hayden emailed a few words about "Corny" Hamilton whose passing we reported in the February Newsletter. If there ever was a nice bloke that worked in the Bank, it would be "Corny".

When Martin joined the E.S. & A. Bank in 1961, he was posted to Clifton Hill Branch, where Corny was the No I Teller. He immediately "took Martin under his wing", protecting him from all the Insurance salesmen who called on new staff in those days trying to sell policies. He was a awesome teller, one of the best Martin has seen, and all the customers loved him. Martin can’t remember “Corny” without a smile on his face and he had a good word for everyone. Put simply, a lovely man.

David Jones emails an overdue note of thanks for the annual birthday card in January. David didn’t respond at the time due to a mishap involving a ladder – suffice to say a broken humerus isn’t funny. Well on the mend now having had a plate and a raft of screws inserted. Trips which involve going through airport scanners are going to be interesting.

Mike Lawrence writes about his time with ANZROC Honorary member Bob Hunter who recently turned 90. Mike worked with Bob at Croydon Branch in 1970 after the merger .Mike has also provided a few stories for Gary Mason’s Anecdotes Book which will be worth a look when the book is published.

Karl Mattingly was delighted to receive ANZROC's birthday wishes and he enjoys the regular newsletter. Since joining ANZROC in 2007, Karl has built his own Internet based risk forecasting business in Melbourne, London and Washington. The development years included working for IARPA in the USA, winning Australian government R&D funding and several patents. A 16 minute TEDx talk he gave in November 2014 in the UK talking about "trust networks" sums the last 7 years up quite well and you can hear it on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggUHOqq4dhw ... it is dry but bankers and regulators seem to like it. Karl now spends his time working equally between Australia, the UK and the USA where the start-up team are based. Importantly for ANZROC, in a team of almost 30, the youngest team member is 16 and the oldest is now 87 with several in their 70's and 80's amongst the highest performing team members!! Karl and his partner Anne-Louise are based in Melbourne where 5 of 6 children study or work. But they also spend time on the NSW south coast where they also have a place. Because work involves so much travel, they love retreating the NSW coast or to Lord Howe Island whenever possible. Would love to hear from old friends at big blue particularly those that think they still have a talent for risk forecasting and would like to keep their hand in.

Bob Maughan emailing from Perth says please pass on his belated thanks for the Birthday card. Still trying to work out where the 75 years have gone!

David Robinson emailing from Battery Point Tasmania sends his thanks to Kathy Trace for her effort in getting the card to him right on time again . . . the Late Max Bade would be very proud of her ongoing commitment to ANZROC members.

Mavis Ryan writes to thank Kathy Trace so much for her heart warming Christmas and Birthday cards. These cards and the best wishes are sincerely appreciated.

Dick Sanders emails his thanks to Kathy for the birthday wishes on time as ever. How strange the mail is these days when he also received a card from a sister in law in Queensland which also took one day and yet a while ago a letter from Glen Waverley took ten days! Dick always looks forward to the monthly newsletter and the doings of members. He was disheartened reading Neville Pearson’s recent Twitter but Neville faces up to adversity as he has always done like a difficult match on the tennis court. Dick was also saddened to hear of the death of Ray Quirk who was his Manager at 446 Little Collins Street – a fine and well respected man.

Dick continues to attend most bi-monthly meetings at the Mulgrave Country Club and looks forward to doing so.

Brian Wrigley sends thanks for his January birthday wishes. All has been well during the year except for the last Saturday in September. Brian and wife Jan went to the Commonwealth Veterans Fencing Championship, at Largs in Scotland where he was eventually eliminated from the men’s epee by a Canadian. They then spent some time in London and Paris. Family increased by one bringing the grandchildren total to ten.

Sheila Wylie emailed her thanks for the Birthday Card that she recently received. It was very kind and much appreciated.

AND

Jim Burke, Tony Cookson, Mike Cooper, Ian Davies, Malcolm DeBono, Mike Elliott, John Fairbairn, Des Field, Barbara Firth, Dick Hellard, Trevor Lewis, Bob Lyon, Tad Misiewicz,

Geoff Osborne, John Pearson, Roger Pickering, Alan Potter, Doris Ridett, John Ries, Ian Roberts, Alan Ryan, Brian Sanders, Arthur Sheers, Jack Shelton, Leon Stewart, Geoff Stillman, Nik Tsardakis, David Umphelby, Neil Warne, Doug Watson, John White, Ron G Williams, John Winbanks,

ANZROC QSLD, NSW, SA, TAS, WA

MATTERS OF INTEREST

CHANGES TO STAFF CONCESSIONAL LOAN BENEFIT

The Staff Concessional Loan benefit as detailed in the Staff Benefits policy was recently reviewed. As a result the Staff Concessional Lending product suite was closed to new lending and is no longer available for new applications or renewals/refinances. Officers leaving ANZ (including due to retirement, resignation or retrenchment) with 30 years or more service were formerly eligible for this product. The change that has been made relates only to a specific loan product – Staff Concessional Lending – and is now closed for new applications or renewals/refinances for all customers, and hence, has an impact to eligible Retired Officers. There are only a very small number of Retired Officers with a Staff Concessional Loan currently, and the terms of all existing loans remain unchanged.

Staff Banking benefits are also unaffected by this review.

If you have any questions regarding this change, please contact ANZ Priority on 1800 454 688, 8am to 8pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.

SUBSCRIPTIONS REMINDER

Reminders have been sent to those members who were in arrears for the year to 30 September 2015. There are still 75 members with subs unpaid but some within that number are members that have been in arrears for 2 years and we will have no alternative but to cancel their membership if not paid up by 30/4/2015. Contact John Brown, Hon Treasurer for all enquiries regarding subscriptions - Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 03 9802 1810, mobile 0425827540.

ANZ STAFF SOCIAL CLUB

ANZROC members have the opportunity to join the ANZ Staff Social Club and enjoy privileged access to exclusive discounts on a wide range of famous retail brands with amazing savings of up to 70% off RRP. The range includes kitchenware, home wares, wines, travel goods, perfume and beauty products, baby merchandise and much more. Whether you are purchasing groceries, buying clothes or furnishing your home, staff club has a gift card to suit you. They have discounted gift cards from various retailers throughout Australia helping you stretch your dollar further.

Staff Club has holiday homes located at some of the most popular holiday destinations Australia wide, including:

* VIC - Cowes, Rye, Apollo Bay, Lakes Entrance, Anglesea

* NSW - North Haven, Batemans Bay

* QLD - Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach

* SA - Encounter Bay

PLUS, Staff Club has partnered with a number of major Australian leisure providers to offer exclusive access to fantastic holiday and accommodation offers for its members. Staff Club can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and their outlets in Melbourne are located at: Docklands, Level 4B, ANZ Centre, 833 Collins Street, Docklands ,10:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday: Dorcas St ,Level 6, 75 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne ,12:30pm - 4:30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Queen St , Level 4, 100 Queen Street, CBD .12:00pm - 4:00pm Monday to Friday .

If you would like more information then contact Ron Adams on 0408 136 100 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

RECOLLECTIONS OF FUN TIMES IN THE BANK

Gary Mason has been collecting humorous stories which happened over the years and will have a book published if sufficient entries can be obtained.

If anyone has a story or two they are prepared to share openly (with names included if no privacy concerns exist) would they please contact him direct on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (03) 9571 9575

Descriptive stories would enable other staff to appreciate the event.

If publication eventuates, the booklet will be made available at a nominal price.

MANSFIELD TRIP 2015

ANZ RETIRED OFFICERS CLUB GETAWAY 23rd/24th FEBRUARY 2015 ALZBERG Resort

The getaway was a great success and 24 members and partners enjoyed a couple of days relaxing, playing golf, cooking barbecues and entertained with a Chef prepared dinner on the last night. The Golf results were a mixed bag but David Schunke walked away with the Champions award for Men and Wendy Woods was successful in the Women’s tournament albeit only 8 players turned up for the early morning tee off. It was a pleasure to see Bruce and Glennis Robertson from Runaway Bay in attendance. No event is successful without the hard work of the organisers and thanks must go to Kevin and wife Bernice Mitchell for arranging the getaway and John Inglis and Dal Crocker for organising the golf tournament.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR 2015….

Our Secretary Wolf Damschitz has been busy arranging our guest speakers for meetings in June/August and September and the details follow:

11th June 100 Queen Street Thomas Heberling the Dealership Principal of Mercedes Benz Melbourne. His family has been involved for three generations with Mercedes Benz. He will talk about Mercedes Benz's engineering history, achievements and future

13th August 100 Queen Street Dr Andrew Remenyi, Clinical psychologist, and his talk includes his research and experiences with treatment by Hypnosis

10th September 100 Queen Street Ian Bock from the Melbourne Camera Club.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday 9th APRIL 2015 will be held in the MELBOURNE ROOM ON 34TH FLOOR ANZ 100 QUEEN STREET at 12 NOON .

This will be our ANZAC remembrance meeting and this year marks the 100th anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. We are arranging for a guest speaker with RSL background and the conduct of the traditional ANZAC remembrance ceremony will be in the capable hands of ANZROC members Kevin Mitchell and Brian Christensen.

Please consider coming to this special meeting and Returned Servicemen and Returned Servicewomen do not need to pay for this luncheon.

For our senior members, carers accompanying members are welcome to attend.

MEDALS MAY BE WORN TO THIS MEETING and REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED DURING THE MEETING.

If you intend to come to this meeting will you let Ron Adams know by Phone 98210444 /0408136100 , 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, 3144 by Friday 3rd April 2015 to meet ANZ catering requirements and so that a list of attendees can be provided to the ANZ Reception Desk.

Ron Adams

Newsletter Editor.

_____________________________________________________________________

ACCEPTANCE THURSDAY LUNCHEON 9th APRIL 2015 FROM 12 NOON MELBOURNE ROOM 34TH FLOOR ANZ HEAD OFFICE 100 QUEEN STREET

To RON ADAMS

PO BOX 579, MALVERN, VIC 3144 Phone 9821 0444 / 0408136100 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):…………………………………………………………………………………………

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

______________________________________________________________________________________