Holden Retirees Club News
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On a cold, blustery and wet Melbourne day, some 116 members and visitors braved the conditions to attend our 182nd Holden Retirees Club Lunch. They were rewarded by hearing two excellent presentations.
Our President, Bill Hooper, started the proceedings as usual by welcoming members and our Guest Speaker, Mike Simcoe, who is known to many in attendance from his time in Holden. Next to be mentioned was Matthew Lombard, the Curator of the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, Adelaide, who was to introduce us to the GMH Craftsman's Guild. Members warmly welcomed our speakers, and some special visitors: Malcolm Webster, the 1968 Craftsman's Guild winner, along with descendants of the 1969 winner, Robert Beasley.
The GMH Craftsman's Guild Exhibition
Matt took the stage to present a brief history of the GMH Craftsman's Guild and introduce a special exhibition set up for the day. The display featured six original winning models from the 1967, 1968, and 1969 competitions, alongside the authentic trophies presented to the winning modellers.
Matthew shared the story of how this display came together. His initial connection to the Craftsman's Guild began at Birdwood, where Malcolm Webster was visiting and mentioned that he still owned one of the original competition models. Malcolm brought it into the museum for Matt to see.
By coincidence, HRC club member Kevin Cox spotted the model during a chance visit to the museum. Upon seeing it, Kevin casually mentioned to Matt that he had actually run the entire Guild program back in the 1960s!
"It was these two who mentally pushed me to dig into this," Matt noted. "I realised it was incredibly important to get it 'sorted' now, while the original participants were still available to share their stories."
The good luck didn't stop there. Further conversations revealed that Kevin still had a copy of an official promotional film produced at the time. Matt quickly jumped on the opportunity to have the footage digitised.
To the delight of everyone in attendance, he then played the restored film for us.
Bill thanked Matt for his excellent presentation and reminded members that the models were available for viewing in the front of the room.
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We then moved on to our usual order of business.
We have four new members who have joined since the last Lunch:
Peter Williamson – Quality Engineering, Fishermens Bend & Elizabeth
James Clifford – Production Engineering, Fishermens Bend
Andrew White - Human Resources, Fishermens Bend
Tony Terrizzi – Engineering, Fishermens Bend
Bill named the colleagues who had passed away in the last three months, and we paused for a minute of silence to remember them.
Our excellent Lunch followed.
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After Lunch, Bill introduced our Guest Speaker: Mike Simcoe, recently retired Senior VP of GM Global Design.
Michael Simcoe serve
d as Senior Vice President of Global Design at General Motors, becoming only the seventh person to hold that role in the company's nearly 120-year history. As an Australian native, he was also the first to originate outside GM's Detroit headquarters — a distinction he credits as the very reason he rose to the position.
Simcoe holds an Associate Diploma of Art Industrial Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and was inducted into the Design Industry Australia Hall of Fame in 2018.
Michael is well known to many of the members, having joined Holden in 1983 as a Designer, rising to Senior Designer and then Chief Designer by 1987. In 1995, he became Director of Design for GM Asia Pacific, overseeing collaborative projects with Daewoo, Suzuki, Fuji Heavy Industries, and Isuzu.
Perhaps his most famous design for Holden was in 1998–2001, when he produced a rear-wheel-drive coupe concept for Australia's home market, which became the successful 2001 Holden Monaro, catching the attention of GM executive Bob Lutz. The design later reached America as the 2004 Pontiac GTO and inspired the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT.
In 2003, he was named Executive Director of Asia Pacific Design, establishing GM Korea Design Operations, and in 2004, was made Executive Director of North American Exterior Design, responsible for many products, including GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Equinox, and most importantly the Cadillac CTS, second-gen Sedan, Coupe and Sports Wagon. He also led the fifth-generation 2010 Chevrolet Camaro — a project that pioneered real-time global design collaboration.
2011 saw Mike appointed Executive Director of GM International Operations Design, overseeing studios in Korea, Australia, and India, and in 2016, he was named Vice President of GM Global Design — only the seventh person in company history to lead the organisation. He led the GM Korea Design Team in the creation of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, meeting ambitious range and affordability targets.
He established new advanced design studios in Pasadena, California; Leamington Spa, England; and Shanghai, as well as a production studio in South Korea.
Mike oversaw the GM landmark vehicles - 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray [GM's first mid-engine Corvette], the 2021 Cadillac Escalade with industry-first curved display technology, and the reborn GMC HUMMER EV. These were followed by leading the 2023 Cadillac Renaissance. He redefined the Cadillac Brand, launching the LYRIQ, Escalade EV, Optiq and the handbuilt CELESTIQ flagship, his self-described "dream job." Also oversaw the opening of Cadillac House at Vanderbilt on the Warren campus — a bespoke customer customisation space described as "the intersection of engineering and artistry."
Mike also championed the 360,000-square-foot Design West facility on GM's Warren campus, housing all four brand studios under one roof. The complex features a 55-foot, 78-million-pixel presentation wall and an underground tunnel lined with GM production colours spanning seven decades.
For his efforts, he was recognised in 2023 by promotion to Senior Vice President of GM Global Design.
On July 1, 2025, Mike retired after 42 years, succeeded by Bryan Nesbitt. GM President Mark Reuss remarked that he "elevated automotive design not just at GM, but the world over."
His parting gift was the Cadillac Opulent Velocity, the Sollei and Elevated Velocity Concepts as well as the C10 trio of Corvette concepts.
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Mike took the stage and sat on a bar stool, while images of GM models and facilities played on the screen beside him.
He started by saying that he did not want to make a speech, but preferred it to be more of a "fireside chat", when he would answer questions that were put to him. Russel Nainie acted as moderator and put a number to Mike, which were answered thoughtfully and honestly. As he said, Mike was no longer speaking for GM, so he had more freedom in responding.
After the questions from Russel, it was thrown open to the members to ask anything they wanted a comment on.
Rather than try to convey all this in writing, you can hear a recording of Mike as it happened, on this link.
The members were very appreciative of Mike's responses, and very loud in their acclamation when Bill presented Mike with our usual small gift in appreciation.
General business followed.
- An unknown member has paid $20 into our account but neglected to put his/her name on the deposit, so we don't know from whom it came. If any member feels they paid in $20 and it has not been recognised, please contact the Treasurer.
- This October, there will be a weekend visit to Adelaide on the anniversary of the launch on the Monaro, and Mike Simcoe will be along to tell us about the inspiration and creation of the Monaro legend. A detailed itinerary was published in the newsletter. If any more information is required, please contact Russel Nainie [
- On Sunday, 14 June, there will be the annual Ex-Employees day at Trafalgar Holden Museum. All welcome 10 AM to 4 PM. Entry fee $20 Adults, $15 Concession, Children $10, Family $45. Food and drink available for purchase.
The Lucky Door prize draw was next, with the usual $30, $20 and $10 cash envelopes from the Club, plus two special prizes, for which we are grateful:
- Our March speaker, Peter Xiberras, owner of Premiair Racing, has generously donated three custom A1 size posters, each signed by his two drivers, Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser, Team Principal Roland Dane, and himself. These posters will be Lunch door prizes in June, September, and December.
- a $50 Fuel card from Trafalgar Holden Museum.
All prizes were happily received.
Bill thanked everyone for attending and closed the lunch at 3:40 PM.
Some Happy Snaps:
The Gold Coast Retiree Lunch was held at the Community Southport Club (CSI), on 4 June 2026.
The new host club was a success, so we have booked our next two lunches there for 3 Sepember and 3 December 2026.
From L-R :-
Pat Dryden, Garry Dryden, Ted Bryant, Sue Bryant, Sue Colman, Ron Colman, Graeme Roberts, Grant Hewitson, Christine Hewitson, Maureen Roberts, Rod Alford, Garry Newsome, Ron Stewart.
Thanks to Ted Bryant for this information.
Sydney group Lunch on 5 June 2026
Left to right, Stan Kennedy, Brian Kelly, John Arthur, Lenny Parry, Marcus McInnes, Tony Hamilton, John Geber, Peter Smith, Tom Southwood.
We meet on the first Friday of June and December at the Sydney Juniors Club, (South Sydney Juniors) in the Bistro.
Thanks to Marcus McInnes for this information
Ex-Holden Employee Discounts on GMANZ products
"General Motors Australia and New Zealand (GM ANZ) are pleased to now offer exclusive discount certificates on the full range of GMSV and Cadillac vehicles to all former Holden and GM ANZ employees, offering attractive savings.
Over the years, we’ve seen how much value an employee discount program has brought to our people, and we are excited to now be able to extend these discounts to all former GM Holden and GM ANZ employees."
For details of how the scheme works and how to apply, download the brochure here.
Trafalgar Holden Museum 2025 Ex-Employees day
Another great ex Holden employee’s day was held on 15 June 2025 at the Trafalgar Holden Museum. The incredible vision of its founder Neil Joiner, it is now the most significant and largest dedicated Holden museum in the country.
As was the case last year, the museum had another unique artefact of Holden Engineering history on display: the mobile dynamometer, used extensively around the globe for drivetrain testing of specific Holden models.
A fascinating insight into its build and data recording capabilities was delivered by Mathew Rossignoli and Stuart Redpath, who purchased it from Holden in the sale of assets from Lang Lang. Holden’s drivetrain guru Warwick Bryce then rounded off the talk with some interesting and amusing anecdotes on its journey with Holden team members.
Another great contributor to the afternoon was the duo of ‘Simply Bushed’ who performed a great rendition of songs including their popular track ‘No More Holden’s’.
Then, it was the retreat to the Kingswood room where everyone enjoyed some good food and good company with former work acquaintances - which is precisely the focus of the day.
As with any good museum, it is in a constant state of evolution. Trafalgar Holden Museum is very much one to embrace that approach with an incredible new wing, appropriately named the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre, opening for the first time to the public on Saturday the 28th of June.
The museum and its dedicated team of volunteers look forward to greeting you as you explore this great new addition.
Thanks to Brett Murray for this report.
Members who are users of Social Media might like to know that there are some pages of interest to both current and retired Holden employees. The first is the “GM Holden Alumni Group” on Facebook, which at the time of writing, has 1,647 members. This is a Private Group, so you must apply on the site to join, but only other members can see who is in the group and what they post. It is a lively group, started and moderated by HRC member, Thalia Abramzon.
The second is the “Holden Engineering Alumni” Group, which also a Private Group on Facebook, but you must have been a member of Engineering at some time to join. It currently has 465 members and is moderated by Sharmy Francis and Rod Pettit. Quote: “The aim of the Group is to share photos, news, stories & thoughts between past & current Holden Engineering team members. Any group member can invite others to join. All members MUST have been Holden Engineering Team members. Please ensure that people you invite to join meet this simple criteria. Posts must be positive, professional & appropriate. No GM Confidential information.”
Lastly, for users of LinkedIn there is a “GM Holden Alumni” page with 367 members in the network at present, again administered by Thalia Abramzon. The direct link to the Group is: www.linkedin.com/groups/12295307.
All these groups are recommended to interested members who want to keep in touch with current and past mates.