BMC-Leyland Australia
Heritage Group Inc.
The Group’s Origins
After the closure, and after a period of being
occupied by the Navy, the demolition of the
plant buildings to make way for residential and
business development was scheduled to begin
in 1999. A nostalgic walk around the factory
site was then organised in 1998 which
attracted many former employees, many of
whom had not met in years. Although the BMC-
Leyland buildings were intact, the site had long
since ceased to be a bustling manufacturing
plant.
At the 1998 walk-around, strong support was
expressed to build on the foundations so
successfully laid by the Annual Reunion
gathering.
Roy South, who organised the walk-around, Bruce
Elson, Bill Shipway and Norman Prescott, all from
the Victoria Park Service Department were the early
initiators of the Heritage Group. Over 600 ex-
employees formed the basis of the Group’s initial
membership.
Historic Marker
On June 26, 2000, a function was held at Randwick
Racecourse to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the opening of the Zetland Plant and the 25th
anniversary of its closure in 1975. The event
attracted 300 people and was supported by a
wonderful display of some 50 cars mounted by Car
Club members representing cars made or
processed through the Victoria Park Plant. A
highlight of the Randwick event was the unveiling
of a bronze plaque in the form of a Historic
Engineering Marker awarded by the Institution of
Engineers, Australia.
© BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group Inc.
Present Activities
The BMC-Leyland Heritage Group continues to meet
regularly and has accomplished several major
projects, the most significant being the production
of a book entitled "Building Cars in Australia".
We are now searching for information from
ex-exemployees of the Enfield site. Please contact us if
you can help.
Greg Kean - President
2021
Our Shop
We have many books, CD’s, DVD’s which cover the life
of the plants and the products.
Our newest book, Secrets of Style, contains details of
the work of the stylists over the years, culminating
with the design of the P76 and P82 vehicles.
COMING EVENTS 2021
AGM postponed due to Covid Lock-down
Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club Ryedale Rd West Ryde
New Date to be Confirmed
Reunion Lunch also Covid affected TBA
Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club
Welcome
The BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage
Group
The BMC-Leyland Australia Heritage Group Inc. is
a non-profit organisation of some hundreds of
former employees and interested persons whose
mission is to preserve the heritage of BMC-
Leyland Australia and its associated companies as
a significant part of Australia's automotive
manufacturing history.
The Heritage Group had its origins in informal
reunions that followed the closure of the
Zetland/Waterloo plant in 1974. These reunions
comprised former employees determined to keep
in touch and to commemorate their days at BMC-
Leyland. Reunions have been held in December
each year since 1976.