Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

It appears I could not add to my existing story, nor edit it.

One part I wanted to or read include was how and when I was selected for Natioinal Service for 2 years (in Army).
The actual selection occurred on 10 March 1965 when marbles where pulled out of a barrel with birthdates on them, thats the official version, I have not heard or read any other version.

Now to carry on....

Whilst being involved with shares and settlement of transaction, Perpetual was increasing the size of its Funds Management area. Plus the number of the funds, so shareholdings grew larger and larger in various companies from time to time.

Once a shareholding reached 5% of the issued capital of that company it was a requirement to lodge "A Substantial Shareholding Notice" with the company and ASX. As the holdings increased by 1% or more then more notices needed lodging, or if the shareholding moved below 5% of the issued capital then a "Cessation Notice" was lodged.
I became responsible for the daily monitoring and reporting as prescribed by the law.

The part of Perpetual I was working in was purchased by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and everyone moved to another building in Pitt Street Sydney.
Perpetual was situated at that time in Hunter Street Sydney, some time later the building was sold and Perpetual moved to a building in Pitt Street close to Martin Place.

The function of my Substantial Shareholding reporting was in fact a full time job, and after around a year the task was returned to Perpetual.
My new role was Compliance Monitoring of the various investment funds that Perpetual had, this was to ensure that various restrictions were complied with daily. (such as how much cash was not invested, and limits on shareholdings in companies and various types of investments).

Some time later I was retrenched along with many others.

Due to my knowing someone in Perpetuals Property Administration area I was offered a temporay role for 6 months.
That person on hearing that my role had ceased contacted a friend in the Fixed Interest and securities (various share types) area and I was after a interview offered the job of a settlement clerk for fixed interest securites. (Bank Bills Term deposits etc) The job also involved updating a very manual input system for other reporting.
This job greatly expanded over time so that for awhile I even worked half day on Sundays. The Global Financial System collapse made the role extremely busy as a flight of money was invested in Government Guaranteed Investments those being Bank Bills and Term Deposits.

They thought just in case I was not busy enough I was also involved in the collection of Fixed Interest assets of deceased estates and the liaison with the privare client area.

Each day I ran a report that listed all the Fixed Interest products that matured that day. Unless instructed as to their fate I had to obtain instructions from the private client area.
Then contact the various institutions to obtain their current interest rates that may or may not match the private client instruction if not redeem.

Therefore by 12.00 daily I had to process all the new Fixed Interest orders, process the roll over and redemptions.
Plus process cash that appeared in that particular bank account, as some went into new investments that day.

I think thats enough on daily functions to explain it was always busy.

Later I also was involved it a similar role with Funds Management products.

With the FI role becoming a bit overpowering I decided to resign the role as I was not assisted in any way even them knowing how busy I was. I resigned on a Sunday by email and on the Monday morning I was requested to stay on and another person would learn the role and further on if I wished I could reduce my work days to 3 days a week, the days at my option.

That I did and continued working until I started the 3 day working week.

On 2 May 2013 my role at that time plus around 40 others in the department were retrenched and all the functions went to the Macquarie Bank.

After that I did some short term roles in selling clothes in a city shop and assisting in a local dry cleaning shop.

That should end part 2 and part 3 should be about the period then to now being 18 May 2024.

My childhood was growing up in Dee Why West (changed to Cromer NSW) on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
I was not a beach living person as I sun burnt easily and received large blisters, hence I never learnt to swim as then in the 1940/50's there was no indoor swimming class's.
Attended Dee Why Public School and later Manly Boy's High School.
My early interests where Ancient Egypt, some drawing and French Painters, particularly showing paintings of Montmartre life style.

My school days ceased just before I turned 15 and graduated with Intermediate Certificate.

First job was with the ANZ Bank, various duties, various branches in suburbs and city.
My first car was a VW and I had a driving license by the age of 18 years.
Sold that for a MG Midget (soft Top) brand new one great to drive.

In 1964 the federal government decided to bring in National Service to provide troops to send to Vietnam at the behest of the USA.
My birthdate was drawn out of a lottery to be called up for a 2 year army holiday all expense paid to Vietnam.
So that journey started on 1 July 1965, at that time I was engaged to Merilyn McPherson and the plan was we were to marry on my discharge from the Army in 1967.

Army life was a bit of a shock for someone 20 years old and had always lived with my parents. Basic training was at Puckapunyal Victoria a bleak cold place in Winter, chill blains on ears and hands. But to survive you adapt quickly.
After the 3 month training I was assigned to 5RAR (recently formed) at Holsworthy in Sydney.
After some training in Sydney and other locations, on the 12 May 1966 most on us were taken to Richmond airfare base, in the evening for the free flight to Vietnam. Upon arrival all taken to Nui Dat ( a rubber plantation) our home for next 12 months (when not out on some patrol or searching for the enemy).
Had two brief holidays one in Hong Kong and the other Taiwan. The odd overnight stay to Vung Tau for swim to assist in (salt water) healing the leech bites.

The one Dramatic memory was spending the night in a minefield after the lead APC hit a mine, more soldiers were killed when the medics and officers rain to help the wounded by someone treading on a jumping jack mine.

There were numerous night ambush's and cordons of villages, plus some action.

Returned home on the AirCraft Carrier HMAS Sydney from Vietnam to Sydney, a brief stop off at Manus Island.

Upon arrival we were allowed to go home until late June when we reported to gain our discharge (national service persons only).

Then back to the ANZ Bank, to my knowledge I was the first bank officer called up (at least in Sydney anyway). Greeted by the General Manager and had photo's taken.

The marriage occurred and there was a brief honeymoon via holiday down in Bateman's Bay, and some other places.

During my employment we both did cleaning work at the Spastic Centre Allambie Heights and after that I worked at night for a stock broker doing clerical work.

Attended Seaforth Technical College where I obtained my Accounting Certificate after 4 years of study. (night time)

A chance arose after the 10 years with ANZ Bank (including the 2 year army service) to work full time for a stockbroker in. the back office. (MJ Hobbs & Co).
Then to ABS White and Co in back office looking after all the share entitlements for client purchases not registered in the clients name and fixed interest securities.

After some years there I went to work for FAI Insurance as a branch accountant, then working as a computer operator and later share registrar.

From there briefly a supplier to coal mines which did not work out.

Next was a job as Office Manager at stockbroker Jones Grice & Co after some years the stockbroker became Roach Tilley Grace & Co upon my resignation I went to work for Bain & Co as accounts manager after some years I was retrenched at the time of the 1988 stock market crash.
Obtained employment as a associate director at Intersuisse & Co a small stockbroker this was soon after taken over by another company and Andrew Forrest (Twiggy) became the CEO.

At the time I was going through a divorce (bitter one) and life was not pleasant.

The divorce was finalized in January 1990, the two children Stephanie and Karen went to Brisbane with their mum. (Stephanie born April 1973, Karen August 1975).

A period of unemployment but by luck obtained a temp 6 month job with Perpetual Trusttee's as a property clerk. Then invited to join the securities dept processing share transactions and settlements.