Holidays away and other less exciting things kept a few of our regulars away but it was a most enjoyable gathering anyway. Sharing our experiences within AGC & Westpac was a highlight.
Just for the record: a lunch was held at Watara on 18th June but the member who usually organizes the photo wasn't there, so none was taken.
It says very much of Neville, and the company, that
a young lad of about 20 years can join the Orange office and rise to manage AGC’s
Thailand & New Zealand operations together with holding a sizeable number
of other senior positions. He had an incredible can-do approach to just about
everything – who could forget his “Eye Can” – and that surely inspired many to
achieve more than they otherwise would have done.
Outside of work, Nev loved his golf which he played
all over Australia and overseas. And in his early days he was a keen football
player and water skier.
Not long after he organized AGC’s 100th
year reunion at the Wentworth Hotel, Sydney in November last year, Neville suffered
a stroke from which he never fully recovered. Other ills beset him after that,
and through it all he had the wonderful support of his wife, Margaret. A
further stroke on May 29th saw him, sadly, pass away.
On June 9th, after a private funeral
service at Sutherland, about 160 of Neville’s family and friends gathered at
the Cronulla RSL Club to celebrate his life. Many tales were told of his
kindness, cheekiness, ability to engage and befriend people, practical jokes
and all-round positivity. He was clearly loved and admired by them all.
Farewell good friend. You will be missed.
As I remember it, Ian joined AGC in Canberra. I first worked with him when he was appointed District Credit Manager, Wollongong when I was there sorting-out a Wholesale mess. He later went on to become District Manager, Rockdale, and then on to manager some lending products at HO level.
In-between all that, there is a story that must be told. When AGC won the account of Peter Warren Ford (probably the largest Ford dealer at the time) it was a condition that there be a dedicated Acceptance Officer to handle the dealership’s business. Ian got that job and was stationed at Parramatta Office. After about four days, there was not an application to be seen, and there was a thought that the deal would be a white elephant - leading the then District Manager (Roy Whittaker) to name Ian: Sabu the White Elephant Boy. Ian was stuck with the nickname “Sabu” from that day on.
Anyone who ever met Ian will always recall how well he told a story. He was a born entertainer, and properly fitted the definition of raconteur. The annoying thing about him was that he would tell a joke that would have people splitting their sides laughing but it was never quite so funny when you told it to others. I can still remember with a smile a joke he told me over 50 years ago.
Added to that, Ian was a very accomplished guitar player. During his Canberra days he had his own band, and on occasion he provided guitar accompaniment to some well-known performers including Shirley Bassey.
Poor health plagued Ian in his later days but he never lost his sense of humour.
More than a bit of fun went out of our lives when you left us Ian. You will be missed.
John Leplaw
PS: If you have a story about Ian, please share it in the comments section.
Our first gathering for the year at Woy Woy is always a pleasure, and this year didn't disappoint.
Medical issues got in the way of a few of our regulars attending, and we wish them a speedy recovery.
Special mention must be made of the effort by Rob McPherson (and his lovely wife, Astrid) in driving all the way from Bundanoon via Lane Cove to enable Athol's attendance.
Because "The Gathering" was held on November 13th, it was decided not to hold our end of year lunch this year.
That didn't stop quite a few of us getting together on the 13th at The Wentworth - as the pics below show. They are courtesy of the AGC Australian Guarantee Corporation - Ex Employees Facebook page.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
As someone said recently, "We've never had a bad 1925 Club lunch" - and this one was not an exception.
A variety of reasons kept a few of our regulars away, and it's hoped that the health-related ones are quickly resolved. It was, however, great to see Graham Bird after a long absence, and to welcome Graham Curd to his first lunch as a member.
The traditional photo:
And a reminder from Nev:
Ex AGC Employee Get-Together
Another reminder to block out Thursday, 13th November, 2025 from midday to come and catch up face to face with some ex AGC employees for A Great Celebration for A Great Company.
It is also a reminder to please extend this invitation to your ex AGC friends as it is through your networks that word will reach others who may like to be part of this milestone. We know many have heard about this occasion through these channels – “Thank You”.
The arrangements are simple:-
Date: Thursday, 13th November, 2025
Time: From
midday, however, I will be there until about 6pm to welcome you as I know
some of you are coming after
work.
Where: Mordeo
Bistro & Bar
Cnr. Phillip & Hunter
Streets Sydney
(Entrance in Hunter Street)
(This is the site where AGC’s
Head/State/Branch Offices were for many years)
My details are as follows, however, Margaret & I will be holidaying in Sri Lanka for most of October.
Neville Bayliss
0417088800
What’s App: Neville Bayliss
Facebook: Margaret Bayliss
Hoping you are looking forward to catching up half as much as I am and to think it was 23 years ago AGC was sold to GE Money.
Ex-AGC Employees, don’t forget Thursday 13th November 2025 from midday at the Ex-AGC Head/State/Branch Office site Cnr. Phillip & Hunter Streets, Sydney.
Will it be “The Great Gathering of 2025” and/or “A Great Celebration”. For A Great Company???
I hope it is both, however, that is up to all of the Ex-AGC Employees who are interested in catching up with some ex-workmates.
The invitation started with those who are either:-
On the AGC Facebook site.
Members of the AGC website called “The 1925 Club”.
It was recommended members extend the invitation to their ex-AGC workmate friends who may be interested and why not organise a group of their friends to come along and celebrate together. We are already aware of groups who are doing that. Thanks and keep using your networks.
Responses have been very pleasing and we would greatly appreciate confirmation to make sure they have enough glasses at the bar!
This note is also going out to those we have heard from and appreciate your interest. Unfortunately, there are a small number who are unable to be with us due to health reasons and we wish them all the best and we are sure they will be thinking of us on the day.
Testing your memory for those who were with AGC 50 years ago – remember T.F.C., Traders Finance Company, our “sister” for the Ford Dealers. We can use TFC initials in the future for Thanks For Coming.
Remember “it was you and your workmates who built AGC to a level of pride, comfort and respect over the years”.
Come and celebrate a “toast” to a part it played in your life.
The arrangements are simple:-
Date Thursday 13th November, 2025
Time From midday, however, I will be there until at least 6pm to welcome you as I know some are coming after work.
Where Mordeo Bistro & Bar, Cnr Phillip & Hunter Streets. (Entrance in Hunter Street).
My details are:-
Neville Bayliss
0417088800
marg.nev@bigpond.com.au
Whats App: Neville Bayliss
Facebook: Margaret Bayliss
AGC was incorporated in 1925 (100 years ago this year).
Join us for “The Great Gathering of 2025” at the old AGC Head Office site on
the corner of Phillip & Hunter Streets, (entrance off Hunter Street) to The
Mordeo Bistro & Bar on the ground floor.
2. AGC 1925 Group website. I am a member – “The 1925 Club”.
There is only the Date, Location and Time Set.
Athol Jenner, AGC’s Longest Serving Employee of 50 years plans to be with us.
AGC played a big part in many of our lives and it was “The People” who built
the name and reputation it held for a very long time – It is timely to get back
together and celebrate.
Hope to see you on the 13th November, 2025 at Mordeo Bar &
Bistro to be part of “The Great Gathering of 2025”.
My details are:-
Neville Bayliss
0417088800
marg.nev@bigpond.com
What’s App: Neville Bayliss
This lunch was special because it allowed us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of AGC on 18 June 1925.
It was amazing to see the great range AGC memorabilia that the members brought along. And we were treated to some wonderful insights when Athol told us about the people he had encountered within the company since he joined it in 1948. Great memories for all of us.
And another reason for it being special was that Doug Craighead was admitted into the 75th Birthday Club have reached that age on the very day.
Trips away and a rash of health issues (including a broken arm) saw our numbers severely reduced this time around ... but it was still very enjoyable.
And the occasion was made special with the celebration of Nev Bayliss reaching his 75th birthday which was marked with the usual presentation (made by Ron O'Neil).
In case you were wondering, Nev didn't "walk into a door" - he'd had a biopsy taken from his face that morning.
Trips away and, of course, Athol's hospitalisation, saw lower numbers on this occasion - but that didn't make it any less pleasurable!
And it was good to see Ron Matthews after a considerable absence.
It's always a pleasure to start the 1925 Club year with a visit to Woy Woy, and this year was no exception! Thanks for organising it Rob.
Based on appearances, the team are seemingly fit and well - although some discussion about various medical conditions was to be heard around the table.
After transport issues denied us the pleasure last year, it was great to continue with our traditional first-of-the-year gathering at Woy Woy. And it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone to learn that Woy Woy hasn't changed much - if at all.
Here is the usual group photo together with some videos (as requested):
(Don't forget that you can left-click on these to make them larger.)
Many thanks to Nev Bayliss for making our third visit to The Shire a memorable one - Santa hats included.
Those present unanimously agreed that we should continue with the Woy Woy tradition; so, let's look forward to seeing each other there early next year.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
Although the numbers were down, the spirits were high.
Sadly, some of our members are no longer able to make it to the lunches whilst, on this occasion, others were overseas or interstate.
