Cronulla - 14 April 2011

The group’s first visit to The Shire can only be described as memorable - with many thanks going to Nev Bayliss for initiating & organising a most pleasurable event.

Drinks at “Northies” were followed by a pleasant walk down to the other end of the beach to a great Italian restaurant where a very tasty lunch was enjoyed by all.

A major feature of the day was the celebration of Athol Jenner’s 80th birthday (April 2nd) and, although not quite that old, that of Ron O’Neil (April 5th). The photos show the pain of the combined celebration of those events.

The attendance of Peter Rowland (80 next year) was a special bonus; and it was great to catch-up with a surprise visitor in the form of Peter George (who many will remember as AGC’s CFO).

It was also a delight to see Roy Whittaker - fully mobile after his recent knee-replacement surgery - and Rob McPherson who made the trip down from the wilds of somewhere out near Maitland.

Ken Small sent his apologies from Velassaru Resort in the Maldive Islands where he was visiting his grandkids. And just for the record, Owen Knight is missing from the group photo.

Although there was some vague reference to it, everyone was having too good a time to give due consideration to the date and venue of our next gathering. Suggestions anyone?

Don’t you just hate it when your knife gets stuck in your "sponge" birthday cake?

Woy Woy - 10 February 2011

As tradition would have it, our first lunch for the year was held at Woy Woy, and it did not disappoint - with a possible exception being the absence of Roy Whittaker who organised the event only to find that he had a conflicting family commitment.

As the photo shows, the gathering was well attended...mostly by the usual suspects.

Our next get-together will be on April 14th at or near Cronulla. Nev Bayliss is organising, and will provide details in due course (as they say in the classics).

Cheers,

Lep

Christmas 2010

The 2010 Christmas Lunch was held on December 9th at what has become a traditional venue: the NSW Rugby Club, Sydney.

A good turnout of some 16 members enjoyed the fine wine, food and company.

As the photo shows, Nev Hine volunteered to “do the numbers” on the bill - and he retained his sense of humour during most of the process.

After lunch, the group was joined by occasional visitor, John Salamonsen (ex Westpac), who had just flown-in from holidaying in Japan. A few of the guys joined John at a nearby pub for a cleansing Guinness.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all.

Vale - George de Jong

It is saddening to report that one of our favourite members, George De Jong, lost his fight against cancer on 27 October 2010.

George suffered a series of serious medical problems over recent years, but he never let them get in the way of him having a good time - be it with his much-loved family, on the golf course, or at one of our lunches. Woy Woy was a venue that he particularly liked.

George Willem de Jong was born in Holland in 1940. He migrated to Australia, initially to Perth where he worked for a bank. He once told Nev Hine that, at that bank, he rose to the position of Chief Teller which at the time was in charge of the bank's total cash holding. He thought it was rather unbelievable that such a responsibility should rest with someone so young. However, it did entail spending his whole working day sitting outside the vault in the dungeon, and George thought he might have been appointed because everyone else refused to do it.

George then moved to Sydney where he joined Lombard Finance. Then followed many years with AGC where he served in various positions within the NSW operation - including Manager Dealer Finance.

He is survived by Pauline, his wife of 37 years, and his daughter, Kathleen.

Many of his old AGC mates were there to bid him a fond farewell at his service held on 1 November. Farewell, George, you will be missed.

Newcastle - 14 October 2010

Many thanks to Rob McPherson for selecting an excellent venue - the Customs House Hotel - for our Newcastle adventure. Fair weather, fine food and maybe just a drop too much excellent wine made for a most enjoyable occasion.

In addition to the regular faces, we had the pleasure of the company of Brian Sheppard, who was passing-through the area on his way home from holidays. Just in case you don't recognise him in the photos, he is now sans beard.

Peter McDonald , who now lives in Newcastle, joined us for the first time. Peter, a.k.a. "The Duck", worked with quite a few of us at Chatswood District Office and brought to mind many happy memories from those days.

It was great catching-up with both of these old friends.

Ken Small will soon be in touch regarding the Christmas Bash. Stay tuned.

A bit big to be jockeys

The lunch of 10 June 2010 saw a return to an old haunt: Le Chiefly Cafe - better known as Fred's.

As the table marker shows, Nev Hine had a bit of a communication problem when he made the booking.

Little appears to have changed from the time when this place was a regular Friday lunch spot for many HO staff. There's something about it in an August 2009 post to this blog.

Unfortunately, Owen, Rob & John Mac had left before the camera was produced.

Woy Woy - 18 Feb 2010

As has become our usual practice, the first event of the year was held at the very popular village of Woy Woy.

Fine food, wine, weather and company ensured that it was a most successful gathering.

Once again, more photos can be found on Roy's Picasaweb page.