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
Postal Address: 12 Acacia Drive, Glenhaven, NSW 2156 | Email: secretary@bmclaheritage.org.au
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.
BMC-LA
Heritage Group
Mobile: 0410 688 886 Email: secretary@bmclaheritage.org.au
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.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 coare currently working on a number of projects. You are invited to look through our website and enjoy the history and the heritage left to us by BMC-Leyland Australia. 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.
