Below are the photos taken by the official ANZ photographer, Victoria Kanevsky at the anzroc lunch to celebrate Charles Rennie's 100th birthday

JOHN VANSELOW’S RECOLLECTIONS OF HIS TIME WITH CHARLES RENNIE

This is a transcript of John Vanselow’s presentation of his time with his great friend and mentor Charles Rennie:

“Charles joined the Union Bank in Melbourne 20th December 1928.

Very early in his career Charles was singled out by his ability and pleasing manner and moved up through postings in Vic and Tas Branches and extended period in GMO until enlistment in RAAF in 1942. He was a flying officer under the Empire Training Scheme in Canada.  Demobilised in 1945.

In 1953 he was selected to be the first member of ANZ Staff to attend the Administrative Staff College at Henley-on- Thames.

In 1956 he was selected as Manager of the Olympic Village Branch where he had the pleasure of meeting many sporting people from around the world including those associated with his interests in rowing and swimming.

It was during the final months before Sir Roger Darvall’s retirement and following Charles’s appointment Sept 1967, when in a position titled Secretary to GM I had the pleasure of serving two creative, dedicated and personable General Managers. . Their banking abilities were widely recognised throughout the industry and business circles as were their human relations qualities.

I experienced Charles’s friendly easy manner in many ways...

Shortly following Charles’s appointment a small gathering of business customers was held in the ante-room. I had arranged drinks and hors d’oeuvres. On arrival the guests were introduced all round and as usual I returned to my office until conclusion of the function. Soon after Charles came into my office and invited me to join them. After the guests departed I proceeded to gather dishes, glasses etc to wash and put away. Charles came into the kitchen and said “You wash and I wipe. I hate washing.”

Another occasion during a visit by the Chairman Lord Carrington a dinner function was held at the Chevron Hotel St Kilda Road. During the evening Charles came and said “Come with me “. We went to his car and listened to the final rounds of the Lionel Rose, Fighting Harada world title fight being broadcast from Japan. Charles also had a family interest as cousin Jack Rennie was Lionel Rose’s trainer.

Charles was notorious for frantic rushes to the airport. On one occasion following arrival at the Airport his driver Glynn Evans noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Charles after a quick glance “No flame all’s well”. He prefers cars with grunt and likes driving. Recently he was required to have a new photo taken when he renewed his driver’s license.

Charles’s career achievements.

-  On appointment to New Zealand in1960 Charles succeeded in growing the Bank’s NZ       business through supervision of structural change and policy within the merged Bank. In addition he fostered relationship between executive and staff by his involvement in Staff and Social Club activities. Over many years he retained contact with NZ Retired Officers’ Club. His ongoing interest and support of ANZ Retired Officers’ Club Vic is appreciated by all of us.

-  On appointment as Assistant General Manager 1964 responsibility for the Bank’s                       rapidly expanding International Banking business.

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

- Planning for the transfer of the Bank’s domicile from London to Melbourne.       Announced 1976.

-  Planned Construction of a new, modern headquarters at 55 Collins Street. Initially it      was a single tower and if I am allowed some liberty this construction was referred         to among staff as “Rennie’s erection”.

-  As General Manager ANZ Bank 1967-1970 and Managing Director ANZ Banking        Group 1973-1976.Charles was directly involved in the planned merger of ANZ            and ES&A. and subsequent implementation from 1970.

Charles your banking skills, friendly personal qualities whether in dealings with government, business, international and bank colleagues, also junior staff, all contributed to your successful career and personal achievements.

On behalf of all present thank you for your outstanding contribution to the Union Bank, ANZ Bank and ANZ Banking Group we wish you a very happy 100^thbirthday on 31^st March.”

120 anzroc members and their partners gathered on the 34th floor of 100 Queen Street to celebrate ANZ  former Managing Director Charles Rennie's forthcoming 100th birthday. Charles will turn 100 on March 31 2013. Anzroc Victoria Secretary Peter Pritchard opened proceedings and welcomed everyone to the lunch. Special mention was made of Kevin Watson who had flown in from Perth for the function and Dick and Pat Milnthorpe who are on holiday  visiting from London. Also in attendance were ANZ Chairman John Morschel, Deputy CEO Graham Hodges, ANZ Executives Susie Babani, Malcolm Perry and Paul Edwards and former CEO's Will Bailey and Don Mercer.  Anzroc Victoria President John McPhee hosted the function and introduced a variety of speakers who paid tribute to Charles' career with ANZ. Kevin Mitchell opened proceedings with an amusing series of stories relating to Charles and Kevin's time as his chauffeur ( not driver) as well as some of his incomparable ageist jokes. John Vanselow who had worked closely with Charles at ANZ related a number of stories of his time at the Bank and painted a picture of a remarkable man. John Morschel, presented a comprehensive summary of Charles' career at ANZ ,from entering as a clerk in 1928 to his retirement as MD in 1976. Nearly 50 years service including his involvement in two major mergers and transfer of domicile from London to Melbourne which helped make the Bank what it is today. John then presented Charles with birthday gifts from the Bank. Paul Guest and Peter Fraser , Executives of the Banks Rowing Club also paid tribute to Charles' long involvement with the club including over 20 years as President. Paul also mentioned that Charles would be the guest of honour to the club's 150th anniversary in 3 years time. Charles promised he would stay around to honour that commitment.

Charles gave an insightful speech of his time at ANZ and was very appreciative of the number of people who turned up to celebrate his big occasion and the many good wishes he had received. Everybody stood to toast Charles and his wife Joy and sang happy birthday and he's a jolly good fellow with gusto.

Finally John McPhee paid recognition to former President Neville Pearson who had played a large role in planning the function over the past few months.

CHARLES RENNIE BIRTHDAY ODE Penned by Neville Pearson

T’WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN YEAR NINETEEN THIRTEEN

THE VERY FIRST DAY CHARLES RENNIE WAS SEEN

CHARLES BIRTH FILLED HIS FAMILY WITH LOVE AND MUCH JOY

HERALDING THE ARRIVAL OF SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOY

CHARLES WAS A BRIGHT CHILD WHO LEARNED VERY QUICK

REALISED WORK VERY HARD AND YOU WON’T GET THE STICK

UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN

UNION BANK OF AUSTRALASIA WAS THE REWARD CHARLES DID EARN

CHARLES WORKED AS A 351 COLLINS STREET CLERK IN 1942

UNTIL WAR BECKONED AND THE RAAF SAID, CHARLES WE NEED YOU

ON RETURN FROM THE WAR CHARLES TACKLED SEVERAL POSITIONS

AND PERFORMED VERY WELL UNDER ALL SORTS OF CONDITIONS

OVERSEAS POSITIONS WERE TACKLED WITH ZEST

AND IN MANAGEMENT IT WAS CLEAR HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST

THE BANK GREW AND PROSPERED WHEN CHARLES TOOK THE HELM

LOVE OF PEOPLE WAS PARAMOUNT, DURING HIS REALM

ON 31 MARCH CHARLES COMPLETES HIS FIRST TON

WE WISH CHARLES GOOD HEALTH AND A DAY FULL OF FUN

WELL EARNED RETIREMENT AND MORE YEARS OF LEISURE

OUR LOVE AND BEST WISHES ARE WITH YOU FOREVER

A selection of photos from the event can be viewed below. An official ANZ photographer was also present and further pictures will be posted when received from her.