For many years and until 1981 the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand Ltd. provided an annual Christmas luncheon for it's Super-annuitants but ceased to do so in 1982 at short notice. As a consequence, in that year three members decided that the luncheons should continue.
The first luncheon was held at the 'Flying Angel Club' (Missions to Seamen) then in Macquarie Place and 23 attended out of the 41 contacted who were on the Company's list. The luncheons have continued in November each year since that time.
The U.S.S.Co. Retired Staff Association - NSW was formed and held it's inaugural meeting at the 1984 luncheon with 26 foundation members present of whom only 10 were still alive in 1994. Sadly only six are still with us in April 2004.