Latest News (updated May 2010)

MAY 2010

NSW retains Cricket Shield

This year saw the carnival played outside of Australia for the first time. Teams from Queensland UniTAB, New South Wales TAB and New Zealand TAB played at the Petone Recreational ground in Wellington, New Zealand. Unfortunately Victoria TAB was unable to make this year.

Overall the carnival was a huge success and a great time was had by all. Everyone is looking forward to 2011 carnival to be held in Victoria.

MARCH 2010

Maree Boyd

It is with sadness that we advise the passing of Maree Boyd on 18^th February. Maree started at the TAB in 1969 as a casual at the Hornsby Agency. She moved to Head Office in the newly formed Operations Liaison (later known as SOS) and from there to Phone TAB where she became manager before going on to be Customer Relations Manager. At aged 38 she returned to study for the Higher School Certificate and went on to complete an Arts degree with a major in Statistics. Maree left the TAB in October 2004. She retired to a hobby farm in Kimbriki on the mid north coast. Never one to be idle, she became involved with the local community and secretary of the local Dexter Cattle association.

FEBRUARY 2010

TAB Inter-dominion Cricket Carnival

JANUARY 2010

Australia Day Honours

Allen Windross

Bill Galvin

DECEMBER 2009

TAB GOLF CLUB NEWS

Championship Results 2009

(Sponsored by First Option Credit Union)

Noel McPhail

It is with regret that we advise of the death, on 15th October 2009, of Noel McPhail. Noel was the TAB’s Communications Officer from 21st September 1964 until his retirement on 18th August 1980.

During World War ll, Noel was a pilot in Bomber Command and flew an extraordinary 38 bombing missions. One of the bravest of the brave, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). His DFC had a citation stating “High standard of skill and courage whilst flying” and was awarded by King George Vl on 30th October 1945.

Noel was a Squadron Leader in his flying days and was awarded the honorary rank of Wing Commander on his discharge from the services.

Message from John Robertson's Family

To all the ex-TAB people who contacted us after Dad's death or who attended the funeral:

Thank you for your support and kindness at this time. We appreciate this and it is wonderful to know that Dad was held in such high esteem and affection and had so many friends among his colleagues.

Jane & John Reid, David Robertson, Kathryn Hitchings, Max and Michael Robertson.

Elsie Rowles

Regrettably we record the passing of yet another member of our TAB team. Elsie Rowles died in hospital after a short illness on Sunday 11th October. Most in head office knew Elsie as the Secretary to the various heads of the Technology Division from Roy Lawrence in the 1960s to Peter Turner in the 1980s and beyond. In her latter years of service Elsie had an expanded role mentoring staff of other divisions in the use of the software and equipment. Elsie was also one of the many at TAB who became a mature-age university student completing a degree in Arts at Sydney University with a major in English & History. Elsie remained at TAB in the IT group until her retirement July 2000.

Anita Curry (previously Lawrynow)

It is with regret that we report the passing of Anita Curry. Anita, part of a family of TAB people that included daughter Nicole, sisters Judy (Bennett) and Lorraine (Collins) and nephew James (Bennett) had been the Agent at Roseville, Cammeray and Wynyard. Anita passed away on 26th September.

Shirley Arnold

Sad to advise of the passing of former TAB branch manager Shirley Arnold on 13th September. Shirley was on the permanent staff from 1970 until her retirement in 1988. Shirley’s daughter is former Raceday Operations staffer Diane Ungerer

Sandra King

Sadly we report the sudden death of Sandra King in Coffs Harbour on 31st August 2009.

Sandra had an association with the TAB from 1966 initially as a casual employee, then the permanent staff where she was a Branch Manager. However, she will be remembered for her long time as Agent at Russell Lea. Sandra was 1 day short of being retired a year when she passed away.

Eric Cole

It is with regret that we advise of the passing of Eric Cole on 14th July 2009.
Eric joined on 10th August 1964 and was one of the five original executives responsible for establishing the TAB. He was Secretary
and combined this function with the management of several other administrative areas. He did, however, become Internal Audit Manager for a short time before his retirement on 12th August 1980.

Eric was aged 88.

John Robertson

The unsurpassable founding Chief Executive of NSW TAB, John Percival Robertson AM, died on Monday 10 August, having taken ill on the previous evening.

John was a legendary figure for the many that he encountered at TAB, in the racing industry generally and in his other works of service within the community.

Born in Mayfield, Newcastle, January 1921, John was aged 88 years at the time of his passing. He commenced his years of service at the Department of Education in 1936 following education at Newcastle Boys’ High. John was to stay with the Department until 1955 except for a significant absence as a Flight Lieutenant with the RAAF in 1942-45.

On return from the European skies of war John took a degree in economics at the University of Sydney, graduating in 1952. In 1955 he was appointed Deputy Director of NSW Civil Defence. This was a role he held until 1963 when he was made an Inspector with the NSW Public Service Board.

Then in mid-1964 came his appointment as General Manager for the about to be launched Totalizator Agency Board of NSW. John stayed at the controls of TAB until 1981. He supervised its startup, expansion, conversion to computerisation and acceptance as a valuable and trustworthy part of the NSW community.

He acceded to roles in racing that were both statutory and voluntary: Racecourse Development Committee, Member and Deputy Chair Harness Racing Authority, Trustee of Wentworth Park and Member of various committees of inquiry established by Ministers of Racing.

Almost incredibly he also found time to undertake highly important tasks within the Legacy organisation and the Veterans’ Children Education Board. John remained a Legacy worker until his death.

While he was an awe-creating figure within TAB, John also had his human side and loved his frequent ‘cleansing ale’. He demanded high standards of work and had a keen eye - and a sharp tongue if he spotted a memo word that did not have a place in the Oxford Dictionary.

John was a genuine humanitarian and never missed an opportunity to help those in need. His interest in people, as reflected through his work for Legacy, saw TAB become one of the first truly ‘equal opportunity’ employers. Many of the first supervisory positions gained by women in NSW came through TAB. The disabled were also given a chance for ‘real’ employment and John never missed a call for the lowest paid in the building to join him for a Christmas drink.

Incredibly those who attend the retirees’ ‘Monday after Melbourne Cup Lunch’ have now seen the two primary faces of that event pass within the same 12 months. It is known that John would want to see the event continue for many years with those present having ‘an ale’ for him on the day.

Ken Holden

It is with regret we report on the passing of Ken Holden on 7th July 2009. Ken will be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Faults Desk area where he worked from November 1978 until October 1980. He spent the remainder of his TAB career working in the outlet of his wife, long term Agent Joy Holden. Ken’s daughter Lynn Holden (later Balfour) worked many years in TAB, mainly in Control Centre.

Mal Cusick

It is with sincere regret that we advise of the death of TAB Board Member Malcolm Cusick on 15th June 2009.

Mal was a TAB Board member from 9th April 1984 until the new Tab Limited Board was appointed in July 1997. While he represented the Sydney Turf Club as its Deputy Chairman he was also Chairman of Gosford Race Club for many years. Mal was a strong supporter of innovation at TAB and was the driver of much of the extended coverage of race meetings.

Keith Holder

Sadly, we report the passing of another long-term TAB person, Keith Holder, on 8th May.

Keith joined the TAB in December 1969 and became an agent in the Willoughby area in June 1973. He left his agency in June 1996.

2009 TAB Inter-Dominion Cricket Competition

Match 1

NSW v QLD

Unfortunately due to some wild thunderstorms the previous night this match was postponed till Saturday 18th April to be played only if it had a bearing on who would play the final.

Match 2

VIC v NZ

New Zealand batted first and scored 90 off their allotted 20 overs.
Victoria scored 93 for the loss of 4 wickets off 19 overs. Best performance was N Martin from Victoria with 44 not out.

Match 3

VIC v QLD

Victoria scored 123 for the loss of 8 wickets off their allotted 20 overs.
Queensland in reply were all out for 84. Best performance was S Hesline from Victoria with 49 not out.

Match 4

NSW v NZ

NSW scored 111 for the loss of 7 wickets off their allotted 20 overs.
New Zealand in reply were 5 wickets down at the end of 20 overs for 110. Important to mention that New Zealand was called for one run short in the 18th over. This could have been the competition’s first draw, except for the (NSW) umpire’s decision. Best performance was Matt Donovan from NSW with 35 runs and 2 for 20.

Match 5

QLD v NZ

Queensland scored 95 all out off their 20 overs.
New Zealand paced their innings perfectly and scored the winning run off the last ball of the 20 overs. Best performance was from S Durkson from Queensland with 44 runs.

Match 6

NSW v VIC

Victoria scored 130 all out off their 20 overs.
NSW found chasing this target beyond them and was all out for 64. Best performance was A Tressider from Victoria with 4 wickets for 16 runs.

Match 1

NSW v QLD

This match was now required to determine who would play Victoria in the final.
Queensland scored 122 for the loss of 6 wickets.
NSW scored 123 for the loss of 5 wickets in the nineteenth over. Best performance was Ben Folkard from NSW with 36 not out and 1 wicket for 11 runs off 4 overs.

Match 7

The Final

NSW v Victoria

Having beaten NSW the previous day Victoria were a short priced favourite to win the final: 7/4 on
Victoria batted first and scored 120 for the loss of 4 wickets.
NSW having already played a match in the morning came out with a lot of conviction and managed to score 121 with 9 balls to spare.
Best performance was again Matt Donovan with 40 runs.

Result

New South Wales retained the First Option Credit Union shield that they won the previous year.
Next year the carnival moves to New Zealand. It will probably be played around late February to early March.
Anyone interested in participating next year should contact Bill McCarthy on 0432237378.

Many thanks to the NSW TAB CRICKET CLUB’s major sponsors

TABCORP

FIRST OPTION CREDIT UNION

Bill Galvin

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of one of the most caring individuals ever to work in TAB – Bill Galvin. Bill slipped away peacefully late on Easter Sunday (12/4/09) finally succumbing to cancer which he had successfully beaten twice previously.

Not quite an “original” Bill joined TAB on 7th June 1965 managing a number of branches before his rapid promotion to Area Supervisor - a position he held, although renamed several times, until his unwilling retirement on 7th May 1989. (TAB policy then required staff to retire at 65). Bill argued chronological years should not determine when a person retires and he proved his point by working in the more physically arduous role of agents’ relief right up until September 2007 – another 18 years!

Bill has been a keen supporter of causes and a determined and often under-estimated organiser of people. He led by example when tasks had to be performed but had no difficulty cajoling others into providing support. Prior to his TAB days he was heavily involved in charity fund raising. This skill was later utilised in the TAB when he organised the Cyclone Tracy appeal, the Brisbane Flood appeal and many other events.

TAB management had taken the decision to hire a professional event organiser to stage a TAB Ten Year Anniversary Ball. However, this decision was, wisely, changed and Bill was released from his regular duties and organised what many regard as the best TAB Ball ever.

Even after his supposed retirement, he continued to involve himself in a range of activities that would daunt much younger people. He took over the running of the annual TAB re-union and ran this for 16 years. He worked for Legacy, was a driver of the Olympic officials charged with selecting the 2000 venue and continued his involvement right through to the actual Games. He organised a team of drivers for World Masters Tennis tournaments and then a huge team of drivers for events associated with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Always willing to help, he joined the hard working group that organised a most successful benefit night for Peter Brennan.

A non-drinker and non-smoker all his life, he enjoyed joining his mates at the local hotel for a lemon squash while he inhaled the sometimes thick smoke common in such venues.

Always a gentleman, he achieved much by quiet persuasion and sound argument. He mixed freely with people from all walks of life. If you went anywhere with Bill, you had to always allow extra time for discussion with all the people who knew him.

There would be many who have received direct or indirect assistance from Bill. Perhaps it was in the form of good advice, use of the facilities his fund raising had provided or just benefitting from the warmth of his friendship.

It is perhaps fitting that Bill’s final days were spent in St Joseph’s Hospice at Auburn – a facility which had benefitted from his charitable work.

Farewell Bill. There are no more like you.

TAB Cricket Club

The Inter-dominion TAB cricket carnival is fast approaching. Sponsored by First Option Credit Union and Tabcorp all matches will be played on Bankstown Memorial Oval (Chapel Road South). The draw has been completed:

Day 1 Wednesday 15th April 2009

09.30am NSW V Qld

01.15pm Vic V NZ

Day 2 Thursday 16th April 2009

09.30am NSW V NZ

01.15pm Qld V Vic

Day 3 Friday 17th April 2009

09.30am Qld V NZ

01.15pm NSW V Vic

Day 4 Saturday 18th April 2009

11.00am Final played between the two highest placed teams.

Go along and support your team.

John Bock

It is with deep regret that we advise of the passing, on Tuesday 24th February 2009, of John Bock. John had been battling with cancer for some time before his passing at the young age of 58.

John began working with TAB in 1965 as a casual employee, becoming an agent in 1971 and then joining the permanent staff in January 1972. He left permanent staff in November 1999 following a reorganisation.

Always a gentleman, he will be sadly missed. John's mother Nancy was also a long term TAB employee.

Eddie Kennedy

Sadly we report the passing of James (Eddie) Kennedy, long term TAB agent at Rydalmere. Eddie died on 9th February.

His association with TAB began when he joined the permanent staff way back in December 1967. Eddie became an Agent in April 1969. Always a lovely gentleman, he will be missed.

TAB Golf Club News

2008 Trophy Results

Championships

A. John Csosz
B. John Colville
C. Frank Feneck

Pairs

Ken Page - Bob Peoples
Ian Beatty - David Hillerman

Most Consistent

Dean Stephens

Most Improved

Frank Feneck

Fixtures for 2009

More Information