We heard the sad news that Bill Collins passed away in July from his daughter Maree Tandon who was also a long term ANZ employee
Bill was mentioned in our recent articles on the birth of IT in ANZ as one of the pioneers. In 1964 Bill went on to lead the team which created the current accounts application. He then held a number of senior positions in the IT/DP area.
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Dad passed away on 11 July 2020, after a fall and a short illness.
Some of this information may not be factual from a date perspective, but is best to our recollection!
Dad joined ANZ in his hometown of Chinchilla Queensland in around 1954.
Dad took the opportunity of a secondment to New Guinea in the late 50’s, where he met Mum, Deanne, who was also on a secondment in New Guinea.
Mum and Dad married in 1961, and lived in Queensland, whilst Dad worked relieving in a number of country branches, like Kilkevan and Gympie. At this time, computers and computer programming became a passion for Dad, this continued right up and into his 80’s.The family moved to Melbourne, as ANZ started to set up their Data processing operations. Dad was part of the team who introduced Honeywell into ANZ. Dad worked at the “state of the art” 227 Toorak Road. I remember the previous building, which I think was like a house, 177 Toorak Road
Dad worked in Communications for ANZ in the 80’s, and was also a Senior Manager in Credit Cards, working out of the newly refurbished Bryant and May Factory in Richmond.
Dad “retired” in the early ‘90’s, purchasing Edithvale Hardware and Lotto, he and Mum worked until around 1997 when they properly retired.
They both enjoyed travelling, locally and overseas, and had a great number of friends who they loved to have over for a visit and much raucous laughter.
Dad’s health was always a concern, diagnosed with bowel cancer 20 years ago, he always bounced back and made the best of everything life threw at him.
Our household was the proudest ANZ household around, our whole lives were entwined with all of the ANZ milestones, Dad could not have been prouder to work anywhere else, and every milestone for ANZ was a celebration for us.
Embarrassingly, I remember when 55 Collins Street was in development, Collins Place, I naturally assumed it was named after Dad, and told all my friends so!!!
I have attached the articles I mentioned, which we found when emptying the house.
Our condolences are extended to Maree and Bill's family
Below are the articles sent to us by Maree
