Were you invited? What was on

ON 14 APRIL & 16 April 1951,  THE BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES’ CELEBRATED ITS CENTENARY OF DOING BUSINESS IN MELBOURNE. The Potters were invited to some of the events marking the centenary. They were both invited to the Buffet Dinner in the Bank’s Luncheon Room, dress informal. Mr Potter was also invited to the plaque unveiling in the banking chamber. Mrs Potter might have gone to the Afternoon Tea Party at the Oriental Hotel.

Who were the Potters? A Trove search found only one strong possibility recorded in the Riverine Herald 17 October 1929:

Mr Robert Potter teller for eight year at the Bank of New South Wales, Echuca, has been appointed accountant at the Colac branch, and will leave for there next week. His place in Echuca will be taken by Mr. J. L. B. McCormick, from Kerang.

The Buffet Dinner was an important affair warranting its own menu illustrated with caricatures. The food wasn’t skimped on but there is no alcohol on offer. It may have been an in-house event for staff only. (Yes why are the three pages of this one item different sizes – technical issue in the scanning. The menu was probably a standard size 24.5×15.5cm.)

The most salubrious event seems to have been the Commemorative Dinner held at the Menzies’ Hotel on 16 April. The Potters weren’t invited; it was an era when no women were on this sort of guest list.

The best part of the ephemera here is, in my opinion, the Seating Arrangements. We have reproduced the list of guests in a large size so that you read the who’s who for a big business event in Melbourne in 1951.

IF THERE IS ANY PAID UP MEMBER OF THE ESA WHO COLLECTS IN THIS AREA LET ME KNOW AND YOU CAN HAVE THIS SET OF BANKING EPHEMERA – FIRST IN BEST DRESSED.   It has been sent out to an ESA member.