ANZ Retired Officers' Club (Vic)

NEWSLETTER JUNE 11 2015

NEWSLETTER JUNE 11th 2015

WELCOME

President Peter Pritchard welcomed 52 members and our guest speaker Thomas Heberling, Dealer principal of Mercedes Benz Melbourne the major Mercedes dealership in the city.

Members not seen for some time included Norris Gale, Carl Garley, Martin and Karen Hayden, Darrell Hodges, Harry Loucas, Ian Manley, Peter Nyga, Ken Pattison, John Renwick, Bruce Tickell also Committee personnel Wolf Damschitz, Kevin Mitchell and Neville Pearson who have just returned from overseas travels and Joan Nathan was welcomed after full recovery from a knee replacement.

Photos taken at the luncheon by our Photographer Carl Garley will be posted on our Website and Facebook pages.

Don’t forget that carers accompanying members are welcome to attend any of the meetings of ANZROC.

APOLOGIES

Graeme Ainscough, Clive Bayley, Noel Beanland, John Brown, Diane Carew, Robin Cates, Kerry Crawford, Cedric Coxsedge, Don Davy, Mike Devlin, Phil Dunstan, Nola Forsyth, Teresa Goldsbrough, Stan Halbish, Roy Harper, Frank Hatfield, Elaine Haw, John Hawkins, Sandra Joseph, Graeme King, Gary Mason, Fay and Gerry McPherson, Kevin O’Neill, Terry Parks, Graeme Randall, Don Ranyard, John Vanselow, Eamon Veaney, Doug Watson, Anne Wee, Glenda White, Julie Wilkins, David Woods

NEW MEMBERS

Alexander P.B. (Peter) 18 years ANZ

We welcome Peter to ANZROC and look forward to seeing him at one of our meetings.

BEREAVEMENTS: No notifications this month of any bereavements.

Kerry Jewell emailed from Peregian Springs QLD to say she was saddened to read in the last newsletter of the passing of Kevin Cleary. Kerry first met Kevin in 1960 when as an unsure seventeen year old she was appointed Ledger Examiner at the ES & A Bank 47 William Street,

Melbourne branch. Kevin at that time held the position of “Chief Clerk” and his encouragement, patience, and training was instrumental in setting her up for her future career. Unfortunately, we have lost another one of the good guys.

Ray Murphy emailed a note relating to our late member Kevin Cleary. Kevin was a “Scottie” and Ray had the honour of relieving him at 47William Street in the days of the classification of Bills Clerk now more upmarket title of International Clerk: the work is of course just the same. It was a heavy transaction Branch and Ray recalls during one of the reliefs of Kevin that Holdenson Neilson (Petersville) had 11 shipments of canned butter to Indonesia on the water when the Netherlands Handel Mach was taken over and froze repayments to the shipper but lucky for Kevin he was on leave in the late 50’s as it was a nightmare. The Australian client was screaming for repayment daily and Ray’s ears were burning. Eventually the ANZ Melbourne was able to arrange settlement of the transaction.

On a sadder note those that were fortunate to have met Ray’s wife Glenyce during their 9 years in Melbourne and 23 Years as a Country/and City Manager ,will be sad to know Glenyce passed away on 23rd April after a long battle with terminal inoperable Cancer, She is now at rest.

Eamon Veaney was advised by the London Pensioners Society that Morgan Polton passed away in UK in late May. ANZROC member Dick Milnthorpe who knew Morgan well writes that Morgan was a well known luminary amongst the ANZ fraternity and also a friend of Will Bailey and Tom Williams. There will be many who will miss him both here in the UK and in Australia.

Eamon also mentioned that Mike Bement known in both places is not so well.

Bruce Sanderson advised that Trevor Watts who spent time in ANZ and in Administration when Bruce knew him passed away 5/6/2015. Trevor left ANZ and joined the Army serving in Vietnam and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Trevor would be known to members of ANZROC.

HONORARY BIRTHDAYS

The following Honorary members will be enjoying a birthday during JUNE 2015

and we pass on Congratulations from our members for your birthdays: Les Ager (84), Bill

Gardiner (84), Bob Lamb (81), Geoff Meggs (87), Ray Murphy (85), Tom Portelli (81), Reg

Roberts (87), Roy Sloggett (83), Barry Theobald (91), Gren Tonzing (80), James Trimble (87),

Ern Walton (84), Roger Watkins (84), Kevin Watson (86), Ray Whitehead (89), John Williams

(85), Elaine Willmott, Brian Wills (84).

INTEREST RATES

From 1/6/2015

Less than $20,000 1.30%

Greater than $20,000 1.67%

Presidents’ Pen

Our June meeting had over 50 members in attendance and featured Thomas Heberling, Dealer Principal of Mercedes Benz, Melbourne. Thomas gave an interesting talk regarding the history of the motor car commencing from 1886. He spoke about the changes in the industry and also what the future may have in store. He elaborated on the different types of buyers of premium cars as Progressive (20-35 years), Climbers (35-50 years) and Established (50+ years). Did you know that nearly 900,000 cars are sold in Australia annually, covering 42 brands and over 380 models? Mercedes have been in Australia since 1957, and initially assembled their vehicles locally. Over

time this has changed to fully imported models. Members found the talk interesting with many questions of the speaker.

Members enjoyed a lunch of sandwiches, hot pies and sausage rolls, with a drink or two in hand. Fellowship continued well after the close of the meeting with lots of catching up.

Last month I mentioned that our ANZROC website will soon have a special page where you can go down memory lane. We have obtained copies of the Bank staff lists from “The Australasian Insurance & Banking Record” covering Bank of Australasia, Union Bank of Australia, English Scottish & Australasia Bank and Bank of Adelaide. We have had some difficulties in loading the material on the website, but we expect to have the material loaded in early course.

Finally, I look forward to seeing members at our next meeting which is at the Mulgrave Country Club on 9th July, commencing at midday. Hope to see members there. If you have not been to one of our monthly meetings, please don’t hesitate to consider coming along. You will be made very welcome by the committee. Details of who to contact are in the newsletter or if you are new, ring me on 0418 149 394 if you would like to attend. Until then.

Peter P

Our Banking History… events of the past 180 years. Over the following months we will continue to share in the newsletter some of the history. Perhaps find things that you did not know. This is the second of 10 articles……..

The Union Bank of Australia. The early years.

o Established in 1837.(an Anglo-Australian Bank)

o 1838 First office opened 1 May 1838 when the Launceston banking business of Tamar Bank was acquired.

o 1838 Opens its Melbourne branch in October 1838, located on the northwest corner of Queen and Little Flinders Street, a building formally occupied by the Derwent Bank Agency.

o 1839 Opens branch in Sydney 2 January 1839 at corner of Pitt and Hunter Streets.

o 1840 Opens an office in Wellington New Zealand.

o 1848 The Bank had grown to 9 branches in Australia and New Zealand

o 1850 Opens an office in Adelaide

o 1853 Opens an office in Brisbane

Next Month we will look at the English, Scottish and Australia Chartered Bank Ltd

Peter P.

LETTERS

Carole Bancroft emailed to say a big thank you to Kathy Trace and the Retired Officers Club for her Birthday Card in April which as usual was greatly appreciated. It is a huge effort and really a wonderful achievement in maintaining this tradition with ex-staff. So far the year has been fairly uneventful with husband Graham only having one visit to hospital early in the year following a very nasty fall. Thankfully he recovered reasonably quickly and in February they were able to have another most enjoyable visit to New Zealand courtesy of a friend who works with Princess Cruises. Unfortunately adverse weather conditions again prevented them seeing the Fiord lands – don’t know if they will try for a third time as it is doubtful as to whether Graham would be able to manage the travel. At the moment his physical health is relatively stable, however his memory continues to deteriorate and he now needs lots of prompting and reminders to be able to carry out

even fairly simple tasks. Fortunately Carole has wonderful assistance and support from the Alzheimer’s Association which has been of enormous help to them. April saw them meeting up with friends from Adelaide in Port Fairy. They rented a gorgeous little cottage there and spent a lovely week sampling the different restaurants on offer and of course the odd glass of wine or two. Carole and Graham are now back to the usual routine enjoying weekly History class with the local U3A and Carole continues to enjoy her volunteer work with the Peninsular Private Hospital cardio re-habilitation group and when time permits, her embroidery and quilt making.

Ron Browne writing from Avoca Qsld to say thanks for the birthday card reports that he spent much of last year travelling around Australia exploring this vast country.

Brian Day emailed to pass on his sincere thanks to the President, Committee & members of ANZROC, for their kind wishes on his recent birthday. Hard to understand that it is now over a quarter of a century since Brian retired from ANZ and that he is only two years away from honorary membership. Wow where did all those years go. As usual the card arrived "spot on." Thanks Kathy. Brian and wife Julie are travelling to Bali for a couple of weeks at the end of June with all their family and friends to celebrate their son's 50th birthday. Last count there will be a contingent of around 40+. Looking forward to Bali as it is nearly 10 years since they last visited.

Anne Dell widow of ANZROC member Lindsay who passed away in April emailed to say that it was wonderful to see so many of Lindsay’s colleagues at his funeral. Please pass on my thanks to them.

Norm Dibbin emailed on his 82nd to pass on to all concerned his thanks for the birthday card which again arrived on the day-as it has done for the past 26 years. As part of the “Growing Older Mode “ it is nice to sit back and reminisce about some of the great people we met and worked with over the years and some of the things and procedures that were part of our lives and that will never come back. Gone forever are the days of hand written bound ledgers ,hand written statements, blowers, cross casting, stinkers, sealing wax, bank seal, gold scales, press copiers & wet blotting paper, pens, nibs ,ink, no adding machines---- Norm could go on forever. They were great times and he does not think many s “Oldies“ would consider swapping working in those days with now.

Past President and long time committeeman Col Edwards emailed his thanks to the committee for the birthday card which arrived right on the day – no mean feat by Kathy in these uncertain times of mail deliveries. It would have been nice to celebrate in warmer climes, but circumstances dictate that Col does not wander too far from base these days. Thank goodness for all the travel and entertainment that Col and wife Ethel did in recent years. So they had a quiet day – had lunch at a favourite eatery (good) and then on to commence a fresh bout of treatment (not so good, but necessary). Next major milestone will be their 60th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks and that will call for a wider celebration with their wonderful family.

Jan Edwards wrote to thank the committee and members for her birthday card. It was nice to receive especially when she was not feeling very well. Jan does miss the ANZ days.

Rino Frigo writes that this year has been quite busy having gone on cruises to Port Lincoln in March then from Sydney to Singapore in April on the Diamond Princess where Rino and partner Joy met John Pape. In Singapore they changed ships embarking on Voyager of the Seas to Tokyo. They had planned to meet Athol Watkins ANZROC member from Clifton Springs and his partner who were cruising on the same ship but with 3,500 passengers Rino had doubts about meeting them. Surprisingly they found each other on the first night at dinner and spent the trip together. On that trip they also met Gordon Christensen and his wife another ANZROC member from Highton who were on another of their around 35 cruise trips. Rino says Tokyo was remarkable and he has never seen a city so clean, cheap, and green with helpful people and not gridlocked with traffic. Mt Fuji and Disneyland were great as was travelling on the bullet train. Rino and Joy have another one planned for August on a round trip from Perth visiting Bangkok and Cambodia but they return to Tokyo next year as they have a lot of yen left over and plan to visit some of the Japanese seaside cities.

Nev Greenway emailed to thank to Kathy Trace and the Committee for the good wishes for his birthday.

Teresa Goldsbrough emailed that she was so pleased to be able to catch up on the news via website and newsletter. She was experiencing the wonders of Turkey in May and in June will be exploring Croatia and Austria, returning home from Italy in July.

Mike Nickell emailed his thanks for recent birthday greeting he received from Kathy Trace on behalf of Club Members. The acknowledgement of these (hopefully recurring occasions) always adds to the celebration and is appreciated very much.2015 held so much promise for Mike and wife Lyn with a 6 week holiday planned, booked and fully paid, comprising 3 weeks self drive in Scotland then a flight to Seville in Spain to join a 26 day “Voyage to Antiquity” finishing in Venice. These plans came dramatically unstuck in February when Mike came off the 3rd step of a ladder onto his head. He woke in emergency at Knox and was discharged 24 hours later apparently shaken and sore but no other obvious effects. Things were good for 3 weeks but some “inappropriate behaviour” became evident and a further CT scan revealed a bleed on the brain. This, Mike is reliably informed is a classic occurrence following head trauma in “the elderly!” Moral for all ROC members of his generation is: “KEEP OFF LADDERS!” Recent outcome is very positive though, follow up scan last week confirmed bleed is receding and Surgeon doesn’t think he will need to intervene, which is most fortunate for Mike. No travel outside the country for 6 months though. They are looking forward to a very quiet winter in Victoria, very thankful that things did not turn out any worse.

Peter Nyga emailed to let us know that another birthday passed his way and punctual as usual was a card from ANZROC. Many thanks to Kathy Trace. On the day, Peter received a very nice surprise when his daughter, who lives in Perth, arrived unexpectedly at the front door. Ten minutes later a close friend also made an impromptu visit. Together they had a wonderful afternoon together. In the evening it was out for a nice Chinese dinner.

Alan Podger emailed to say birthday greetings were again received (on the day of course) with much pleasure.

Allan Richardson emailed from Kyabram to thank the Committee and members for his 75th birthday wishes. Not much has changed over the years still golfing and fishing. Caravanning is now a thing of the past but Allan and his wife still do a few short trips.

Terry Stapleton emailed from Cremorne NSW to thank the Committee for the birthday card, which arrived on the day of his 85th birthday, and the good wishes from the President, the Committee and Members. Another enjoyable year has gone by, all too quickly, for Terry and wife Maureen who both continue to generally enjoy good health....this year their family, who mostly live interstate, gathered in Sydney to celebrate Terry’s birthday and a good time was had by all.

He is still reasonably active mainly in his vegetable garden and with walking and tennis on Sunday mornings. It is a while since Terry worked in Melbourne but sees quite a few names in the Newsletter that he recognizes and to whom he sends best regards.

Geoff Stillman emailed just to record the arrival of his Birthday Card on the exact day, how does Kathy Trace do it!

Norma Thomas writing from Pialba (Qsld) said thanks very much to the Committee and members of ANZROC for the good wishes she received on the occasion of her birthday and it was much appreciated.

June Thompson sent her thanks to the Retired Officers Club for the kind birthday wishes and especially Kathy Trace for her timely attention. June spent the day happily with friends.

Jill Ward emailed a very belated thank you for her birthday card. Jill has been a bit out of sorts lately having a detached retina operation on 31st December at the Eye and Ear Hospital which escalated after an operation in May to remove a cataract on her left eye. Having blurred vision since December controls how she thinks. She is having her right eye operated on in JUNE.

Roger Watkins wrote to send his thanks to Kathy Trace and the Committee for his 84th birthday card that arrived on the day as usual. Roger misses being able to catch up with colleagues at the ANZROC lunches as his wife’s health does not allow him to leave her on a regular basis for meetings. Their 60th wedding anniversary will be celebrated in July with family which has grown to 4 sons, 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and they have been blessed with their family enjoying good health.

John White emailed to convey his thanks to Kathy Trace for sending birthday wishes from the Club and Committee. John and wife Debby are settling in at their new home at Patterson Lakes but, once again, John finds the garage too small!

AND Marguerite Barnsley, Ian Bell, Anne Dell, Tony Donahue, Ralph Drummond, Noel Harman, Ken Mahar, Lesley Orchard, Tom Phillips, Ray Pietsch, Kathleen Walsh, Russell Ward,

ANZROC QSLD, NSW, SA, TAS, WA

BIRDIES TWITTER

Neville Pearson reports that it was nice to be back from holidays for the ANZROC meeting. A very good roll up enjoyed a fine speaker, food and a nice wine or two.

Neville was drawn to pen a poem describing the rather exciting start he and wife Cheryl had to what was in total a fantastic trip to Honolulu :-

The “Carnival” cruise did not go without a hitch

A severe storm blew up and the ship started to pitch

It was touch and go, the Captain wore a serious frown

Would we be able to up anchor and leave Sydney Town

Some of the passengers had a touch of the dreads

As the waves were enormous just outside The Heads

We soldiered on in the cyclone force gale

Went down to dinner, but few people drank ale

A sound and light show like I have not seen before

As plates and cups danced across the restaurant floor

The decks were all closed to even the brave

As they were being swamped by the occasional wave

Now some people think cruising may be a bit of a bore

But not the couple that could not open their cabin door

Their window had given way to a wave of great force

And that allowed water to come in of course

The crew came to the rescue and forced open the door

To find two people traumatised and really quite sore

But as we book cabins in the centre of the ship

The most stable part in which you can kip

We slept through the trauma and woke next morn feeling fine

And at dinner that night got stuck into the wine

=================

But as we always “look on the bright side of life”, from there on it just got better and better, with the absolute highlights being the beautiful Islands of Moorea, Bora Bora (memories of James Michener Book Hawaii), and The Big Island.

There were many humorous moments exacerbated by the bright side of my old-timer’s which provides a wonderful excuse for my (mis)adventures and stuff up’s. If there is any interest from the members I would be most happy to recount the highlights, including Cheryl and I swimming with the Rays and sharks, at a meeting later this year and if anyone goes to sleep during the talk I will buy them a wine

MATTERS OF INTEREST

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

GOLF DAY AT ROSEBUD COUNTRY CLUB FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2015

Huck Bourke has again secured Rosebud Country Club for Friday 27th November 2015 for this year’s ANZROC golf day which was a great success with our golfers in 2014.

This year he will try to arrange a suitable tee off time that would be helpful for those travelling from Melbourne.

Full details of this event will be included in Newsletters closer to the date.

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2015….

August Meeting: 13th August :100 Queen Street Dr. Andrew Remenyi is a Clinical Psychologist and amongst other things he also specializes in Hypnosis. He would be able to explain how hypnosis works and how it is applied. He was also posted to PNG in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War

September Meeting: 10th September 100 Queens Street Guest Speaker Ian Henry Bock from the Melbourne Camera Club.

October Meeting 8th October Ballarat

November Meeting: 12th November 100 Queen Street (AGM)

December Meeting: 10th December ANZ Pavilion Arts Centre Melbourne

NEXT MEETING

ANZ BANK RETIRED OFFICERS CLUB LUNCHEON AT MULGRAVE COUNTRY CLUB ON THURS 9th JULY 2015 COMMENCING AT MIDDAY

* The July ANZROC luncheon meeting will be held at the Mulgrave Country Club which is located on the North West Corner of the Wellington Road and Jells Road Wheelers Hill Cross Road

* There is considerable underground parking available as well as ground level parking on the North and East sides of the building

* Public Transport is not the best option and we suggest that any members who would require transport to attend the function, indicate such on the under mentioned acceptance slip and we will endeavour to arrange transport.

* We would also appreciate assistance from anyone who may be able to be called on to assist with car transport from the station should such be required

* Train travel to Glen Waverley is an option and if you intend to take this option please indicate such and we will endeavour to have a car pick you up from outside the North exit into Railway Parade at Glen Waverley Station

* We are delighted that several of the ANZ group known as the” Zedders” who hold a bi monthly get together at this venue will join us on this day

* The Mulgrave Country Club has an excellent reputation and the seniors two course lunch, consisting of either Soup and Main course or Main course and Sweets costs around $15 to $18

* Partners , ANZROC widows and ANZ Ladies Club members are most welcome to join us on this day and we are anticipating an excellent attendance

* Please post or Email the attached acceptance slip to Joan Nathan prior to 2nd of July.

* Contact details for acceptances: * Joan Nathan: email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: 7 Lightwood Drive Sunbury 3429...phone 9740 8001.

Ron Adams…ANZROC Vic

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ACCEPTANCE SLIP FOR ANZROC MULGRAVE COUNTRY CLUB LUNCHEON ON THURSDAY 9th July 2015 COMMENCING MIDDAY…..please advise by 2nd July 2015

* I / WE will be attending the luncheon

* Name.................................................

Partner’s name if attending...................................................

* I / We would appreciate assistance with transport: Pick up from Glen Waverley Station YES / NO

* I would be available to pick up (number: .......) members from the Northern entrance of Glen Waverley Station at 11.30am approx

* We may be able to arrange pick up from home given the number of retired members in this area. Please indicate if this would be necessary and we will endeavour to assist…..

Look forward to seeing a large attendance and a wonderful day

* Joan Nathan: email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. phone: 97408001,

* address: 7 Lightwood Drive Sunbury 3429..