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Charles Rennie Obituary from The Age

Bank's managing director started his career at 15, sweeping floors

Date: May 16, 2014

Barry Lazarus

Charles Rennie.

Charles Rennie
Banker
31-3-1913 — 11-4-2014

From modest beginnings, Charles Rennie's drive for perfection and vision saw him reach the top of the commercial ladder as managing director of the ANZ Bank and as a board member of some of Australia's best companies.

As was the way of the era, Charles was born at home in Kew. He somewhat reluctantly attended school at Kew Primary and Albert Park Central. Early signs of commercial astuteness appeared when he happily accepted cash from his sister Madge and neighbours as an incentive to attend school. Later, when successfully completing University High School, Charles, apart from a busy sporting career, achieved skills as a violinist, becoming a member of the orchestra and an Associate of the London College of Music. Out of school this skill manifested as a member of the Joe Avwunsoon Dincreating Tincannist local dance band. History shows that the huge potential of this band was never fully realised.

Charles joined the Union Bank at 351 Collins Street at the age of 15, sweeping floors and struggling to carry a large mailbag. Building his career with the Union Bank took him to many branches across Victoria. In 1940 he married Joan Castell, a marriage that brought two daughters, Elaine and Louise. In 1942 he joined the RAAF and served in Canada and the UK as a flight officer. After the war, he rejoined the bank. After returning from a stint at the Administrative Staff College in London he was integral to the setting up of the Australian Administrative Staff College. In 1960, he spent a year as the ANZ chief manager in Wellington, New Zealand.

Returning to Australia he then drove the bank's transition to decimal currency before becoming assistant general manager in August 1964. He became deputy general manager in 1965 and general manager in 1967. In 1969, having managed the merger of the ANZ and the ES&A banks, he was appointed a director of ANZ. In 1973 he became managing director.

Having managed the considerable tasks of moving the domicile of the ANZ board from the UK to Australia and completing the construction of the landmark ANZ twin towers in Collins Street, plus overseeing amazing growth in the bank, Charles retired from the ANZ in 1976. He was awarded a CBE. for services to banking.

Sadly in that year Joan passed away after a long illness.

anzroc salvation army lunch photos

Link to Prostate Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Network

For anyone who is interested a link to Prostate Cancer Foundation and Breast Cancer Network Australia has been added to the External Links section of the website

http://www.prostate.org.au/articleLive/

http://www.bcna.org.au/

Charles Rennie Eulogy from John Vanselow

Charles Rennie Eulogy

It is an honour to be invited to speak on Charles’ career on behalf of colleagues in the Bank and Retired Officers Club.

Charles joined the Union Bank of Australia at 351 Collins Street on 20th December 1928 at the age of 15. He would not have envisaged then that he would achieve the position of Managing Director.

Very early in his career it was evident that Charles had the ability and pleasant manner to be a successful banker. He moved through various positions until September 1942, when he enlisted in the RAAF. He was posted to Canada as a flying officer under the Empire Training Scheme until demobilised in 1945.

Following his return to the Bank in June 1945 he continued to progress and in July 1949 he was appointed Manager of the Union’s branch on the corner of Lonsdale and Exhibition Streets Melbourne. In 1953 after the merger of the Bank of Australasia and Union Bank and while serving with the Bank in London he was selected as the first member of ANZ Bank Staff to attend the Administrative Staff College at Henley on Thames.

Between 1954 and 1957 he served in senior positions in General Managers Office Melbourne. In 1956 he was selected as Manager of the Olympic Village Branch where he enjoyed meeting and hosting many sporting people from around the world including those associated with his interests in rowing and swimming.

He was appointed Manager George Street Sydney in 1957. In January 1960 he moved to New Zealand where he rose to Chief Manager in 1962.

Returned to Australia as Assistant General Manager in August 1964. Promoted to Deputy General Manager 1965 and General Manager 1967.

He was appointed a Director and Chief General Manager of ANZ Banking Group in 1969 and Managing Director 1973.

Charles’s Career Achievements.

* As Assistant General Manager he was responsible for the Bank’s rapidly expanding International Banking Business.

* Direct involvement with Reserve Bank, Treasury and other major Banks leading to the introduction of Bankcard. Reserve Bank approval 1972.

* Responsible for the purchase of properties at the top end of Collins Street enabling the construction of new modern Headquarters at 55 Collins Street.

* As General Manager ANZ Bank 1967-1970 his dedication and ability were vital elements in the planning and implementation of the merger of ANZ and ES&A Banks which formed the ANZ Banking Group Ltd.

* Appointed Deputy Managing Director 1970 and Managing Director 1973 until retirement 1976. The driving force behind the transfer of the Bank’s domicile from London to Australia, a momentous decision in the history of ANZ Bank

* An amazing successful career for which he and family can be very proud.

Reasons for Charles’success by John Hobbs (94) Retired 1976 as Chief Manager Organisation and Personnel Development AHQ.

* His friendly and unassuming attitude in contact with all level of staff and people generally.

* His readiness to tackle problems and his expertise of sound judgement in decision making.

* His concern for the general welfare of staff and resolution of their human problems

* His warmth and infectious sense of humour.

On the occasion of a visit to a country branch and while having lunch with the Manager’s family Charles asked their young daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said “A Stripper”. The master’s reply was not recorded.

* Other Staff Impressions

* It was 1967 in a position titled General Managers Secretary I experienced Charles’s friendly easy manner in many ways.

* On occasions when evening hospitality was extended to Bank customers it was my task to arrange refreshments and welcome guests on arrival and after the function to gather dishes, glasses etc, wash and put away. On the first occasion following Charles’s appointment he came into the kitchen and said John “you wash and I wipe I hate washing”.

* Glynn Evans.

* Charles’ driver from 1965 said Charles was a wonderful person who was respected by all service staff. Charles was notorious for frantic rushes to the airport but Glynn was always able to get him there on time although on occasions there was smoke coming from the exhaust.

* Bruce Tickell.

* Charles was a keen tennis player who enjoyed his Sunday morning games with friends. Occasionally if a player or players were needed he would invite bank colleagues Bruce Tickell, Brian Murdoch and sometimes others to join them.

There are many more tales and individually we will cherish them.

Charles was more than our boss he was our admired and respected friend. He will always be remembered by those who worked for him over the years and by our Retired Officers here and in New Zealand with whom he maintained a close association during his career and in retirement.

We will miss you Charles. Rest in Peace.

Norma Fox

We were advised this morning by Joan Miles, niece of of our Honorary Member Norma Fox that her aunt passed away on 25th April 2014 at Foster .....Norma was 91 years of age....

her funeral is on Thursday 1st May at Foster Anglican Church at 2pm....

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