ANZ Retired Officers' Club (Vic)

ANZROC Newsletter November 8th 2018

ANZROC NEWSLETTER 8th November 2018

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

President Eamon Veaney welcomed 55 members and partners to the 44th Annual General Meeting and paraphrased the Presidents report as a copy was to be posted in the Newsletter, see later. Treasurer Glyn Parry-Jones presented the Financial report for the year.

Newly elected President, Ken Crawford spoke on his appreciation for the trust by the committee and members on his office as President and a brief agenda for coming period. New committee member Anita Siassios was introduced to the members.

As part of the formal business it was unanimously passed by members present that Peter Prichard and Eamon Veaney be awarded Life Membership for their contribution towards the Club over many years. Ken Crawford presented Eamon with a certificate of appreciation. Unfortunately, Peter was unable to be present to receive his certificate and this will be presented to him at the February 2019 meeting.

Husband and wife team, Graeme Simsion and Professor Anne Buist were our guest speakers for the day. This was Graeme’s second presentation to us and together they provided further background to the writing of their novels and their walk of the Comino Walk (twice!) in France. From the questions to them, Graeme commented that similar to other talks given, the majority of enquiry was regarding the Comino walk. Members had the opportunity to purchase books ready for the Christmas period from Jaye  Chin-Dusting owner of the Mary Martin Book Shop.

Members remembered as a mark of respect the passing of two members, Fred Hornsby (22 Oct) and Frank O’Brien (23 Oct).

Members not seen for a while included Sue Brown (first time), Bryden Davis, Leigh Davis, Ray Gill, Neil Gladstone, Theo and Margaret Hall, Frank Hatfield with wife Joan, Louis Hebrard, Graham James, Graeme King with wife Sandra, Trevor King, Rod Macauley and new committee member Anita Siassios,

Our next meeting is our great annual Christmas lunch at the Victorian Arts Centre on Thursday 13 December. As previously advised, we have 320 attending and a wait list, as it is a popular event. Attendance is for financial members, so ensure your subscriptions are up to date.

Following our Christmas function our first meeting for 2019 will be held at 100 Queen St – on 14 February.

The guest speaker that day will be John Russo, an Ex AFL Umpire, Tribunal member and current Solicitor specialising in Property law, Will-Probate law. I am looking forward to this talk.

Another for the golfers amongst us – the next golf day is scheduled for 21 March so please add that date into your 2019 calendar.

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

APOLOGIES

Bruce Avent, Will Bailey, Sandra Brown, Diane Carew, Robin Cates. Harry Carrodus, Bill Collins, George Cooper, John Crough, Mike Devlin, Eric Dickson, Phil Dunstan, Helen Farnell , Reny Frighetto, Norris Gale, Mike George, David Gibb, Teresa Goldsbrough, Val Goldsworthy, Neville Greenway, Chares Griss, Roy Harper, Elaine Haw, John Hawkins, Erica Hayden, Keith Higgs, Wayne Hulbert, Carol Jukes ,David Knuckey, Elina Law, Ken Lee, Jaqualine Luckman, Rodney Manser, Gary Mason, Fay and Gerry McPherson, Mary Nicolazzo, Terry Parks, Ken Pattison, Alan Pearce, Cheryl and Neville Pearson, Ron Phillips ,Peter and Maree Pritchard, Graeme Randall ,Dietmar Reichert, Bill Robinson, John Stevens , Glen Twidale, Frank Valastro, Doug Watson, Glenda White, Julie Wilkins, Sue Willis.

NEW MEMBERS

Carlisle Kathleen (Kay) 36 years ANZ

Carr Ronnald (Ron) 46 years ANZ

Delaney Brian 47 years ANZ

Fleming Jeanette 40 years ANZ

Jaworski Janusz 30 years ANZ

Lambert Peter 34 years ANZ

Merkus R.W. (Ray) 31 years ANZ

Philp Owen 43 years ANZ

Prentice R.A. (Bob) 23 years ANZ

Pritchard Neil 33 years ANZ

Rashleigh A (Mandy) 24 years ANZ

Salt Kevin 43 years ANZ

Stapleton John 38 years ANZ

Spencer Dr, J. E. (Jo) 10 years ANZ

Wong Tai M.M.(Madeleine) 31 years ANZ

We look forward to seeing our new members at one of our forthcoming meetings

BEREAVEMENTS

Hornsby F.C. (Fred) 87 years 22/10/2018

O’Brien F.W. (Frank) 79 years 23/10/2018

A large group of family and friends attended Frank O'Brien's memorial service on 29 October.

ANZROC (Vic) member and close friend, Graham Holt kept the gathering amused with many anecdotes from Frank's banking, sporting and recreational activities. Other ANZROC (Vic) members/friends in attendance were brother-in-law John Penhale, John Bloom, Roy Peake, Geoff Ridgway, Gary Stanway, Jim Lee, John Brown and John Pitts.

Graham Holt advised that he and Frank joined the ANZ at the same time and met at the annual induction course for new entrants in 1954 and they had been friends ever since. Frank and Graham played football for the ANZ.

Ken Parry emailed “. Frank was one of nature's gentleman who I had the pleasure of working with at Burwood Branch in the 70's. A big man with an even bigger heart Condolences to Di and the family. RIP Frank “

HONORARY BIRTHDAYS

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

Congratulations from our members for your birthdays: Frank Attard (83), Annette Baldwin , Dick

Barry (81), Bob Challis (81), Graeme Croxford (81), Theo Hall (87), Frank Hatfield (87), Keith Higgs

(84), Robert Jeffs (80), John Mangan (88), Gerry McPherson (94), John Osborne (81), Geoff Perdriau

(82), Jim Potter (88), Arthur Vale (88), Neil Warne (82), Ronald Williams (81).

INTEREST RATES

From 1/11/2018

Less than $20,000 1.18%

Greater than $20,000 1.52%

LETTERS

Russ Appleton emailed “I will not be coming to the Christmas Luncheon. It has been a bit of tough year having had a few bouts of asthma which has been a problem for me over the years even though I never smoked. Please pass my apologies to Kathy for not responding for the receipt of my birthday card. I do look forward to the newsletters and am grateful for the names being placed on photos.”

David Begg writing from Highton “Thank you again for my birthday card which arrived well on time. I had a good birthday with family and I really appreciated getting the good wishes of all at ANZROC. Pass my thanks on to our President and to Kathy Trace who does a great job.”

Kerry Dodds writing from Warrenheip “Please again thank Kathy for the birthday greetings. I imagine that there are 2 or so a day average, 7 days a week. I hope Kathy has some “relieving staff” to call on. I am still working the odd Caravan show with (Big) Ray Watson. At each show we reminisce about the old 927 Sturt Street (Ballarat) days where Ray was the founding member of Friday nights “Cowrie Club”. Attendance was arranged each Friday afternoon by placing your order of Crown Lagers, cheese and biscuits. Much frivolity followed. While the three “life” members were Ray, Graeme Daws and me other attendees included Cheryl Taberner, Ian Halbich, (Little) Ray Watson and Anita Salmon. The good old days. Of course, life goes on and the new “Head Office” of the club is Getaway Caravans in Geelong. Should you drive down the Bellarine Highway at the meeting time you are welcome to join in the frivolity.”

Teresa Goldsbrough emailed “Have been really challenged to attend an ANZROC get together this year! Four weeks ago, returned from 220km Coast to Coast, UK walk, and today returned from 50 km Surf Coast Walk this past week. On the day of this ANZROC function leave for 100km Great Ocean Walk. Please register my apology, appears very interesting speakers and best wishes for a great afternoon.”

Bob Grant emailed “We have had a busy year. Firstly, we sold our Town House in Nelson Bay in April and after spending 3 months with our daughter waiting for our new home to be built, we moved into a new Over 55 Community Village in Anna Bay on the 25th June. It is only 10 minutes from where we used to live. The Nelson Bay property was 2 storeys, and this was becoming a problem.

We are very happy in our new community and have already made new friends.

I didn’t seek re-election as Treasurer of All Saints Anglican Church in Nelson Bay, a position I had held for the past 7 years. It was becoming an onerous task and I was able to find a younger enthusiastic banker to take my place. I am still Treasurer of the Port Stephens Woodworkers Club and remain as Editor of their monthly magazine, both of which keep me fully occupied.

I have had some problems with my feet (again) which necessitated some special treatment in Newcastle, but all is now well and hopefully no further problems up the track.

Otherwise we are both well and looking forward to our new experience in Anna Bay.”

Jack Grant emailed ““I was surprised when my ANZROC Birthday Card did not arrived as expected in October and then realised that I had not informed the powers that be of my change of address since last year. Sorry about that Kathy. As reported last year, we have moved into a Lifestyle Village at Berwick Waters in Clyde North and are very happy here. There are plenty of activities to choose from and I have been involved playing outdoor bowls, both within our Village and against other Villages in the area. I have also been involved playing the piano and accompanying some singing groups and comedy routines. I am still having foot problems, but they are largely under control and as long as I wear a special boot, I can do anything I normally would or could. Robyn had a replacement hip operation early October and is doing very well. Otherwise, we are both OK.

I am still the treasurer of a local Probus Club but will be handing it over in February next year as I have been doing it for 4 years. I have recently become Secretary of the Homeowner’s Committee at our Lifestyle Village and we try and resolve any issues from homeowners that otherwise haven’t been resolved to their satisfaction by the Community Managers. I am also involved with leading the choir at our local Anglican Church, on special occasions, which is very satisfying and appreciated by all. We are still very much involved, spending time with and helping our daughter-in-law and our 3 granddaughters in various things throughout the year. Since the loss of our son David, life has been very difficult for them and we are grateful that we live only 4 minutes away.

I look forward to catching up with fellow retired officers at the forthcoming Christmas Luncheon in December.”

Frank Hatfield emailed “Thanks to Kathy and the committee for the birthday card on the occasion of my 87th...This year has presented my wife and me with several health issues which, fortunately, now seem to be clearing. We recently had a short holiday at the Club Mulwala Resort which was most enjoyable. I’m looking forward to both the ES&A reunion and the ANZROC luncheons and meeting up with old friends.”

Lindsay Iliff “just a short note of appreciation and thanks to Kathy and the Committee for their card and kind birthday greetings for my birthday in October.”

Elaine Jones writing from Wodonga said “Thanks for the card for Alan’s birthdays. We are both very well and enjoying travelling around Australia (almost always in the winter months). I enjoy reading and hearing from some of the staff we met over the years.”

Ken Lee emailed “Returned home from Queensland and found my Birthday card waiting. Please convey my thanks to Kathy and your committee. Since then I have been constantly out of action following the finding of a blood clot that I did not want.

Located in the calf of my left leg the doctors said there was no time for it to be dissolved, it had to come out and that is what happened over the next 6 hours under surgery, had to be as the alternatives were not acceptable. A couple of complications followed and now, 6 weeks later, I hope to be cleared on Wednesday to get back into bowls and to be able to drive again.

Never thought in my wildest dreams that I would enter my 90th year but thanks to the Royal Melbourne medical teams I am here to look forward to seeing my eldest granddaughter Sarah graduate as a Doctor of Medicine (pediatrician) in December.

As I am listed for reviews at RMH in the week of the AGM please convey apologies for my non-Attendance with my sincere appreciation for a successful day.”

Ian McRobinson wrote “Kathy, I thank you most sincerely for the good wishes of yourself and the members of ANZROC on the occasion of my birthday. The day was spent quietly with visits and phone calls from family members and friends. With winter now behind us (hopefully) Mel and I are planning to renew acquaintances with parts of our home state that we have not visited for a while. Later this month we will be attending a Primary School Reunion in our “home” town of Maryborough. The school grounds have been sold off for residential development with many houses having already been built, but the main school building remains intact and is the communal centre for the new residential community. The occasion will be quite a “trip down memory lane” and one that we are looking forward to.”

Emilio Moreno emailed “Dear Kathy, thanks to you and the committee for your kind birthday wishes, very much appreciated. Look forward to catching up at our Christmas lunch”

Alan Ryan writing from Warragul said “Thanks Kathy for your birthday card. The card as always arrived on the due date. We now confine our holidays to caravan trips but we still go to see our daughter in America each year. Kind regards to all.”

Maureen Walker widow of the late Bill Walker emailed “Thank you for sending me reports re Bill, family and I were so pleased, he truly was a lovely fellow and had a lot of good bank mates with the same standing. His sons and grandsons play cricket.”

And Will Bailey, Henry Barker, Harry Carrodus, Gordon Christensen, Brian Day, Keith Dimond, Helen Farnell, Barrie Gibson, Ray Gill, Tony Gledhill, Barb Griffen, Charles Griss, Gary Mason, Kevin Mitchell, Sue Nicholas, Alan Pearce, Gregory Scollo, Kath Walsh, Ron Wilkinson,

ANZROC NSW, Qsld, SA, Tasmania and WA

MATTERS OF INTEREST

2018-19 SUBSCRIPTIONS

All paying members, those of us less than 80 years of age, should have received a statement last month. If you’re a paying member and have not received a statement, please contact Glyn Parry-Jones at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0411 256 322.

Our thanks to the majority of members who have already paid their subscriptions. To avoid the cost and effort to our club in sending out reminders, we would appreciate the remaining members paying their subscriptions as soon as possible.

(Please note, if you have to pay in through a branch, ensure you enter your membership number in the 'Agent Deposit Reference' field and '60' in the TC field and check that the teller enters this information. This will ensure we can match the payment to your account.

ANZROC PROGRAM FOR 2019

Dates for your diaries: all ANZROC meetings are on the second Thursday of the month

14th February: 100 Queen Street Melbourne Guest Speaker John Russo AFL Umpire

14th March: Dava Hotel Mornington

21st March: Golf tournament RACV Torquay

11th April ANZAC Remembrance meeting

9th May Salvation Army Red Shield at William Angliss Centre

13th June: Moonee Valley Racing Club Tabaret

11th July: Mulgrave Club

8th August: ANZ 833 Collins Street.

12th September: Glasshouse Caulfield Racecourse

10th October: Woodend country visit

14th November: Annual General Meeting ANZ 833 Collins Street

12th December: Christmas Lunch at Art Centre

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER 2018……FULLY BOOKED

VENUE – THE PAVILION VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE, ST KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE

FULLY BOOKED

Peter Pritchard and Geri MacGregor have been able to negotiate with the Art Centre to increase the number of seats available to the absolute maximum of 320 this year to try to meet the significantly increased demand for a spot.

Notwithstanding it has still been necessary to set up a waiting list of members and those members on that list will be kept in the loop by Geri MacGregor and if for any reason there are cancellations those on the waiting list will be offered first preference for the seat.

Members will be aware that the Christmas lunch is heavily subsidised by the Bank and ANZROC and attendance is for financial members only. Attendees are asked to ensure that their subscriptions are up to date.

On the day Pre-lunch drinks from 11.30am, Luncheon commences at 12.30pm.

The toast to ANZ will be given by Jock McGregor. CEO Shayne Elliott will respond to the toast to the Bank. A number of Senior Executives will also be attending.

Dress for the luncheon is neat business attire.

Again, this year we will arrange for ALL members to be allocated a table.

All enquiries now to Geri Macgregor, 3/580 Warrigal Road, Oakleigh South 3167 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Geri can also be contacted on 0414 506 478.

REPORT ON THE ANZROC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2018

ANZROC COMMITTEE FOR 2018/2019

President: Ken Crawford

Immediate Past President: Eamon Veaney

Senior Vice President: Con La Fauci

Vice President: Noel Beanland

Secretary: Geri MacGregor

Newsletter

Editor/Asst Secretary: Ron Adams

Treasurer: Glyn Parry-Jones

Membership Officer: John Brown

Committee: George Cooper, Carl Garley, Vicky Genius, Dan Kirtley, Joan Nathan, Ken Pattison, Peter Pritchard, Anita Siassios, Kathy Trace.

Auditor: Norris Gale

We welcome Anita Siassios to the committee and thank retiring committee members Wolf

Damschitz and David Knuckey for their valued efforts for ANZROC Vic.

PRESIDENTS REPORT 2017/2018.

It is my pleasure to present the annual report of ANZROC Victoria.

Meetings

It was very encouraging to see substantial growth in support for our meetings in 2018. 230 individual members and partners have attended our 9 lunches so far this year with a total attendance number of 568. We have enjoyed hearing from Guest Speakers ex ANZ Banker Terry Earle, Owner of Without Pier Art Gallery and Antony Wilson Ex R.A.N serviceman at our City meetings. Regional meetings at Mornington and Geelong were also well supported as were the Suburban venues at Caulfield and Mulgrave. The Yum Cha lunch in Chinatown was also very popular with 79 in attendance. Although a bit cramped the food and company was very good. We continue to commemorate Anzac Day and support the Salvation Army at our April and May lunches. We tried out the William Angliss cooking school restaurant for the Salvation Army Lunch and intend to go back there again in 2019 after receiving very positive feedback from attendees.

Newsletter

Our monthly newsletter continues to be the main means of communicating with our members. Ron Adams as newsletter editor collates all the letters and anecdotes from members. Anne Wee then creates the reformatted newsletter now with captions on the photos to help members identify colleagues they may not have seen for years. Vicky Genius organises the mail out to our members who are not connected to email. Thanks to Ron, Anne and Vicky for the hard work which goes into the production of the newsletter.

Social Media

In July we published a brochure detailing the history of ANZROC Victoria over the past 65 years. John Brown did a lot of research to produce the colourful document. This was handed out at our Mulgrave meeting and published on-line. Copies will be sent to members who are unable to access the internet. We issued an ANZROC website and privacy policy in February to clarify how we deal with your personal information. We have now reached over 200,000 views of the ANZROC Website over the past 8 years of operation. Over 400 people follow our Facebook page. A short video taken at the 2017 Xmas lunch was published on the ANZ Bank Blue notes site and on the ANZROC Website. This was also posted on the ANZ CEO’s Facebook page to illustrate that the Bank does value the past contribution of our members. We continue to publish a range of articles relating to ANZ which we think will be of interest to our Members. We also post Tributes to our members who have passed away. We encourage all Members and their families to catch up with what we are doing via these Social Media channels. Thanks again to Elina Law, for maintaining our website.

Committee Activities

All Committee Members have worked hard during the year to make our events successful. This involves Secretarial duties, Social and Welfare Committees, Sourcing venues and guest speakers, Organising special lunches such as Williamstown and our golf days. We are able to do most of our communication electronically with the exception of the 200 hardcopy newsletters distributed each month.

Joan Nathan and Kathy Trace provide support to members who have had various issues. Thankfully not that many this year. Kathy sends Birthday cards to all members which are obviously appreciated given the feedback we see in the newsletter. Christmas cards are also sent to our members aged over 90 years.

Ken Crawford continues to insert obituary notices in the Herald Sun as a tribute to our departed members.

Peter Pritchard and Geri Macgregor have worked on arrangements for our Christmas lunch this year with the Arts Centre and sent invitations to the ANZ Executives. As you will know by now the demand for the 2018 Christmas lunch has been exceptional partly due to the strong increase in Membership. We have done our best to increase the available places but have had to resort to a waiting list at a very early stage this year.

We had two successful golf events this year at Torquay, 27 players in April and Cheltenham, 20 players in September. We plan to return to Torquay in March 2019. Pam Hocking and Con La Fauci were the Torquay winners with Barb Weston and John Inglis taking the prizes at Cheltenham. Thanks to Glyn Parry-Jones and Aldo Faella for organising Torquay and Ken Pattison for making the arrangements at Cheltenham.

The MYOB Membership Management System is well bedded in now and has been used during the year for targeted messages to our members. Carl Garley and Glyn Parry-Jones do an excellent job in maintaining the software and the related IT platform.

Further Committee duties were covered by Noel Beanland – Venue selection, Dan Kirtley – Xmas function team, George Cooper, Con La Fauci, Ken Crawford and Geri Macgregor – Events co-ordination.

Wolf Damschitz ex- Secretary and David Knuckey, venue organiser retired from the Committee in 2018 so we thank them for their long and dedicated Service in the working of the Committee over many years. Vicky Genius is stepping down as Secretary having fulfilled the role very effectively over the past 3 years and we are pleased that she will continue on the Committee.

Christmas Lunch

Our 2017 Christmas Luncheon at the Arts Centre was fully booked with 300 members and bank guests enjoying the opportunity to get together. ANZ guests included Shayne Elliott, Graham Hodges, Kathryn van der Merwe and Bob Santamaria. We continue to be indebted to the Bank for their most generous financial support to ANZROC. At our Christmas luncheon Shayne Elliott, responded to the toast to ANZ given by Bernadette Lynch. This year Andrew (Jock) McGregor will propose the toast to the bank. As indicated earlier the 2018 Christmas Luncheon is now fully booked despite increasing capacity to 320 and a waiting list has been created.

Membership

We have been successful this year in attracting 39 new members in the year to 30/9. Another 28 new members have joined in October as a result of ANZ restructuring so we are heading towards a membership record of 1000.

Sadly, during the year 23 members passed away.

Financial

The club is in good financial position thanks to the good work of our Treasurer Glyn Parry-Jones. Member’s subscriptions and the Bank subsidy allow us to provide the resources to enable the club to function. We thank Norris Gale for undertaking the role of Hon. Auditor.

Conclusion

I have been privileged to be your President for the past 2 years and have got to know many of our members through the various functions held over that time. I thank all committee members for their contribution. I am pleased that Ken Crawford will take on the role for the next 2 years. Ken has committed a lot of time to the Committee over the past few years. On my and your behalf, I invite you to show our appreciation and thanks to the committee, for the achievements and results attained during the past year.

Eamon Veaney

SUBSCRIPTIONS

For the year from 1st October 2018 it was approved by members present that the subscriptions be maintained at $20 per year for Metropolitan members and $10 per year for Country and Interstate members. Honorary members do not pay a subscription.

AWARDING OF LIFE MEMBERSHIPS

Two members were awarded Life Memberships confirmed by members present at the AGM;

Peter Pritchard – Life Membership

Peter joined ANZROC in November 2008 and the committee in November 2011. He was Secretary for two years, 2013 & 2014 and then progressed to President in the years 2015 & 2016.

During his stewardship as President was instrumental in forging a closer link with the Bank cementing firm contact points of reference for ANZROC. He was also keen to further ensure that regional members were made to feel inclusive by introducing regional meetings.

His stewardship of the organisation for the ANZROC Christmas lunch has ensured that on handover a fully documented process was prepared and has been the main liaison point again this year with the Bank and the Art Centre.

He continues to be an active and effective committee member.

ANZROC has benefited by his presence on the committee.

Eamon Veaney – Life Membership

Eamon joined the ANZROC committee on 11 February 2010 and was the driving force behind the set up the current ANZROC web site. He has also remained the web site manager since commencement to date in a solo capacity.

The web site has proved to be valuable in maintaining contact with members, with the number of “hits” or site visits totally over 200,000 since the site commenced in 2010. In addition, he manages our Facebook page and includes frequent and pertinent postings related to ANZ, e.g. Bluenotes and announcements. Again, this is another valuable communication avenue for ANZROC.

During his stewardship as President he has maintained on outward position to ensure that ANZROC continues to grow but at least maintain membership numbers and that a balance between city and regional meetings, started in Peter Prichard’s Presidency, ensued.

ANZROC has benefited by his presence on the committee.

Ron Adams

Newsletter Editor