My first employer was the Commonwealth Bank. During my first four years I was assigned to a number of branches with a variety of accounting systems from totally hand recorded records, through accounting machines and then computers. As soon as I had a car I was seconded to Relieving Staff, which meant travel to branches all over the state, including many branches in suburban Melbourne.
In 1967, on one relieving assignment, I was sent to the bank branch at East Brunswick, located on Nicholson Street. The branch was located at the tram terminus in Nicholson Street, at the corner of Blyth Street. The branch was closed many years ago, as part of the bank’s restructure program. (From internet images it appears that the building that originally housed the bank, has been demolished and replaced with an apartment building.)
The assignment to East Brunswick was for four weeks, as one staff member had to attend a training course, and another was going on annual leave. During my time there, I was filling in for one of the tellers, when to my surprise, Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John came into the bank. They were at this time performing as a duet under the name of Pat and Olivia. I had seen them on television, but never expected to see them in person. They were in the bank, because this was in fact their local bank branch. They were both living within walking distance of the branch. I accepted their money into their account, and could not wait to get home to tell my family and friends that I had met both Pat and Olivia. I received the usual reaction from most friends, “Yes, pull the other leg”, but my parents were suitably impressed.
I believe that during my time at East Brunswick branch, I spoke to them both at least three or four times, as they came in each week, or when they had cash payments, to do their banking.
For a young lad of 19 I was very impressed. In later years I do tend to forget certain incidents in my life, however the recent publicity surrounding the passing of Olivia, brought back a flood of memories.
In 1967, on one relieving assignment, I was sent to the bank branch at East Brunswick, located on Nicholson Street. The branch was located at the tram terminus in Nicholson Street, at the corner of Blyth Street. The branch was closed many years ago, as part of the bank’s restructure program. (From internet images it appears that the building that originally housed the bank, has been demolished and replaced with an apartment building.)
The assignment to East Brunswick was for four weeks, as one staff member had to attend a training course, and another was going on annual leave. During my time there, I was filling in for one of the tellers, when to my surprise, Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John came into the bank. They were at this time performing as a duet under the name of Pat and Olivia. I had seen them on television, but never expected to see them in person. They were in the bank, because this was in fact their local bank branch. They were both living within walking distance of the branch. I accepted their money into their account, and could not wait to get home to tell my family and friends that I had met both Pat and Olivia. I received the usual reaction from most friends, “Yes, pull the other leg”, but my parents were suitably impressed.
I believe that during my time at East Brunswick branch, I spoke to them both at least three or four times, as they came in each week, or when they had cash payments, to do their banking.
For a young lad of 19 I was very impressed. In later years I do tend to forget certain incidents in my life, however the recent publicity surrounding the passing of Olivia, brought back a flood of memories.
Barry O’Connor.
September 2023.
Barry O’Connor.
September 2023.
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