Pyrmont - 24 November 2016

Despite the absence of a few regulars, the usual good time was had by those who attended our last gathering for the year. And it was good to see some faces that have been absent for a while - notably Ken Small & Bob Clarke.

It is intended that we keep the tradition going and have our first lunch in 2017 at Woy Woy. More about that in the near future.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Pyrmont - 25 August 2016

Yet another enjoyable gathering at what seems to have become our headquarters - the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel ...

And the opportunity was taken to present TC with the usual memento celebrating his entry into the ranks of the 75+ brigade.

Roy presenting TC with his memento.

 

For those who plan ahead, the next lunch will held on Thursday, November 24th. Details later.

 

 

Cronulla - 19 May 2016

Thanks in no small part to the efforts of Neville Bayliss, this was one of the best gatherings we’ve had to date.

The weather was perfect - and that suited the small band of early starters who walked (well, strolled) the picturesque Cronulla foreshores before arriving at Northies Hotel.

Northies proved to be an excellent venue where Nev B had made prior arrangements to ensure or needs were met … and he provided each one of us with a “sample bag” containing various items that mainly promoted The Shire - of which he is justifiably proud. Among those items were the shire flags held by all in the accompanying group photo.

 
General consensus was that we’ll not be leaving it another five years before revisiting The Shire.
 

Yesteryear

Who remembers the “Today Room” and the “Yesterday Room” on the 15^th floor of 130 Phillip Street? One of my favourite items on display in the latter was this photo, captioned “Phillip & Hunter Streets 1911”:

Note the Assembly Hotel to the left - the site of the AGC House at 124 Phillip Street.

Athol tells the story that, during the demolition of the hotel to make way for AGC House, a cache of old bottled beer was discovered. The then HO Admin Manager, Norm Doggett, is said to have offered it to the female members of staff to wash their hair with - a not uncommon practice it seems. It’s not known how many of the ladies took up the offer.

The only building in the photo that would still be standing is St James’ Church right down the end.

Woy Woy - 3 March 2016

Although numbers were slightly down - with the absence of one of our number particularly noted - we had a most enjoyable "first for the year".  Thanks to Roy for organising.

Vale - Peter Crumlin

On January 11^th, it was nearly standing room only at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium when many of his friends joined his much loved wife, Joan, his four daughters, Nicola, Julie, Megan & Lisa, and their families to farewell Peter Robert James Crumlin who passed away peacefully at the Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle on 23 December 2015. His death, at 76, was sudden and unexpected, and a great shock to us all.

Peter was known as “Crum” or “Crummie” to most of us - and to some he was the “Mystic Star”, or simply “Mystic”. He gained this latter nickname during his time at General Credits (before joining AGC), and it came from him being a man of mystery who shone at night.

Many of us will have fond memories of Crum from the time we spent with him at Chatswood District Office where he served as District Sales Manager and, later, District Credit Manager … and where most of us would have witnessed his famous (infamous?) “Star Jump”.

After Chatswood, Peter went on to manage the Gosford and Wollongong offices before assuming a Credit role in NSW State Office.

Quite the raconteur, his many tales of his time in the UK, his Rugby mates, and his lawnmower-attacking dog, “Strawb”, are but a few that were always sure to amuse and entertain. For that, and many other reasons, he will be very much missed.

Please feel free to add your own memories of Crum in the Comments section below.