Last updated 15 Jun 2008 

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Songs by Mark Weeks

QCC Sydney Annual Dinner 2006

The Sydney chapter recently celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the formation of the IBMA Quarter Century Club at its Annual Induction Dinner held at the AJC Function Centre in Randwick, one of only 3 Sydney venues large enough to cater for our party (423 members and guests this year).  Being our Ruby Anniversary, special effort was made to make it a memorable occasion and thanks must go to Ian Miller, our President, and in particular to Valerie Percival who did the majority of the planning and organisation.

Ian did a great job of compeering the evening and successfully making himself heard above the hubbub at the tables. Highlights of the evening were an excellent address by Glen Boreham, the IBMA CEO, some witty and irreverent songs created for the occasion by our guest, the musical satirist, Mark Weeks (reproduced below with permission of Mark Weeks), the presentation of awards to two QCC  members who between them have racked up 76 years service on the QCC Sydney Chapter Committee (Maurice Bevington, 40 years, and John Watts, 36 years) and the drawing of the lucky door prize of 8 ruby coloured cut-glass champagne flutes and a very expensive bottle of bubbly, Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame - the lucky winner was Benno Kronberger.

A sincere thanks to IBMA for supporting the annual Induction Dinner and in particular for this year's special occasion, and to everyone involved in the planning and execution of the event.

Photo Gallery              (Click on a picture for a larger version)

Our "Barrel Girls", Rosie Iannelli and Valerie Percival, who officiated at the drawing of the lucky door prize.	Tables were beautifully decorated with ruby sash and a mirror tile centrepiece reflecting the flower arrangement	Tables set out for the 400-odd guests at the AJC Function Centre, Randwick
Glen Boreham presenting Maurice Bevington with a plaque commemorating his 40 years service to the QCC.  Maurice has been a Committee member for every one of it's 40 years.	Glen also presented a plaque to John Watts for his 36 years of service on the QCC Committee.	Glen Boreham about to pick the winning ticket for the lucky door prize, a set of six cut-glass, ruby champagne flutes and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame
Benno Kronberger, the winner of the lucky door prize.	Glen Boreham cutting the 40th Anniversary cake	Left to right: Ian Miller, the President of the QCC Sydney chapter , Betty Bennett, the daughter of the first IBMA CEO, and  Glen Boreham, IBMA CEO

Intro to Mark Weeks.

Mark Weeks does not qualify as a member of QCC, though he has told me this is one of his greatest ambitions. Unfortunately he first performed for IBM only17 years ago, so he still has another eight years service before he makes the grade. As he puts it, we need to keep on using him for at least eight more years.

Mark is a musical satirist, whose work has been widely broadcast on the ABC and commercial radio and television. He has been honoured to receive the top award in Radio Comedy on six occasions in the New York Festivals - the radio equivalent of the Oscars.

He has always enjoyed a close association with IBM, for whom his many performances included the launching of our Darling Harbour offices in 1993. On this occasion he performed his own rewrite of the perennial IBM song “Ever Onward”.

Mark is especially honoured to have been invited to present a song or two on this historic occasion of the Ruby Anniversary of the QCC, and he only asks that I advise you of his customary caution... If anyone is offended, it is entirely intentional.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Mark Weeks

 

A WELCOME TO THE QCC

I’d like to bid a welcome to all Quarter Centenarians,
all Leos, Virgos, Tauruses and even Sagitarians.
Who represent the IBM epitome of quality
and I trust you will indulge me in my moment of frivolity.
We’ve gathered here to celebrate a history of forty years
of fun and games and laughter, (there was never blood or sweat or tears)
we’ve seen our products come and go, and even as the memory fails,
we can’t forget the punch cards and the typewriters and weighing scales.
We’ve had AMP the DSS and Qantas as our clients
and every major bank has placed their faith in our reliance
we’ve played our part in history, those great events of yesterday
try the Sydney olympics mixed with GST and Y2K.

The QCC was born way back in May of nineteen sixty six
when certain people thought it wrong that work and play should rarely mix
they dreamt up an excuse to get together for a dinner
with the company to foot the bill they sure were on a winner.
They sent out all the invites and they organised a venue
I’m sure that Maurice Bevington could reconstruct the menu.
The lack of female members would today seem less than funny
until the dawn of Steintfurth, best remembered as Dawn Tunny.
And as the years proceeded so the membership exploded
and we had to chose new venues as each one got overloaded;
we soon outgrew the Hilton and to Randwick we’ve proceeded,
and it won’t be long before the Aussie stadium is needed.

And look at all the members who have cheerfully come along today.
In New South Wales alone we’re more than seven hundred strong today
and if we put an average of thirty years on each of them
that totals more than twenty thousand years they’ve served for IBM.
It’s said the QCC have a staked claim on immortality
the years have proved the quantity, and no one doubts the quality.
And even if a few of us are blessed with somewhat greying hairs,
I don’t see many zimmer frames or walking sticks or wheelchairs.
This clearly means that quarter centenarians are made to last
the youth of IBM today could learn a lesson from the past
that if you make your twenty fifth, then take it as a tip from me
you’ll surely live forever in the bosom of the QCC.

© MARK WEEKS 2006


A WHITE SPORTS COAT (IBM)

A white sports coat, and some pink flared trousers
that’s not the wardrobe for big blue.
More sober dress IBM espouses
if your job means that much to you.

A blue suit’s a must,
a white shirt, with just
a dark coloured tie,
thus clothed, you’ll get by

but don’t tempt fate with a bright green blazer
to compliment your blue suede shoes.
The fashion world may be quick to praise ‘yer
it’s just your job you’re gonna lose!

© MARK WEEKS 2006


WE’VE DONE TWENTY FIVE.

We’re getting older, we don’t give a damn
we’re the Q.C.C.
quarter of a century we’ve served big blue
that’s why we’re more worthy than you.

Another one gone, it’s forty years on
still all our members thrive
thanks to careers with plenty of years
and we’ve done twenty five.

We love to have a chat about the days in Wangaratta
or there’s Lidcombe in the flood
man that was a sight!
William and Palmer streets
and ladies of the night!

We’ve seen it all the good times and bad
funny how things change!
Splitting up of DP and the GBG...

And rolling back of DP and the GBG
seasons may come and seasons may go,
still all our members thrive
thanks to careers with plenty of years
and we’ve done twenty five.

Clocking on and clocking off and clocking on again
with the dear old bundy card
man, those were the days,
hats for the gentlemen
resist the hot pants craze!

Everyone sang the company song
slightly out of tune
“ever onward ever onward” went the verse
we’d sing it now, but we’d have to rehearse.
Forty years on is one hell of a feat
it’s natural to make a fuss.
So let’s be proud and sing out aloud
happy birthday to us......

Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us......
Happy birthday QCC, happy birthday to us......

© MARK WEEKS 2006
 

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