Newspaper Article 2015 – Former BNZ staff banking on reunion

Former BNZ staff banking on reunion

BY BRENDA VOWDEN
[email protected]

Going to see the bank manager can be a daunting affair, but on November 7, it will be a happy occasion.

Plans are now well underway for a gathering of former employees of Hastings BNZ staff from 1964 to 1974.

Organiser and former BNZ staff member Don MacDonald says the idea of a reunion is not a new one.

“It was first suggested some 10 years ago and came to fruition following the funeral of one of our former colleagues last January. ”

Roughly 200 names are on the invitation list and around 70 people, including spouses, have answered the call. Half a dozen former staff are on the organising committee, including Sandra Sellwood, who is still working at the BNZ in Hastings.

So far a social event is planned for the Saturday night. Don says finding everyone on the list is the biggest hurdle.

“One of the main problems is when women in the 1960s got married, they had to leave their jobs. So we have a list of employees of the time, but names were changed and others are deceased.”

Don and co have been trawling through Facebook and the Old Friends website, plus using a tried and true method – word of mouth.

“One lady we found through family connections and then discovered another who was a friend of hers, and another who was a cousin.”

Four of those confirming their attendance hail from Australia.

“We’re probably not going to find everyone unless we luck onto someone who has had contact with them. ”

Don says the staff were a tight-knit bunch.

“It was like a family – we had a lot of fun times. ”

Hastings BNZ 1964-1974 staff reunion, Saturday, November 7, Elwood Park Function Centre. Contact Don MacDonald, 876 8873 or [email protected]

Photo caption – REUNITE: BNZ Hastings staff of about 1969. Don MacDonald (back row, second from left) is organising a reunion.