CHEC AGANSTDEULNITERIYLE M1B0A RAG. OME. D
SPEECH BY THE PRIME M4INISTER
NINETEENTH NATIONAL HOUSING CONVENTION
THE SIR PHILLIP LYNCH AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE HOUS ING INDUSTRY
ADELAIDE 14 APRIL 1984
Mr President, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Whilst Sir Phillip and I may have somewhat differing
political views, I hold him in high regard and am saddened
that he is so unwell. I deem it both a pleasure and a
privilege to act on his behalf in the presentation of the
Award which bears his name.
This year the Award is to'be presented to a man who has
devoted 34 years of-service to home seekers and to the home
building industry through his work in the building society
movement in New South Wales, and both nationally and
internationally. Today he is Managing Director of one of Australia's largest
Permanent Building Societies. In this capacity, he has been
responsible for many financial innovations that have helped
home seekers to home ownership, and by this means he has
also helped New South Wales builders to build more homes. I
am, of course, referring to Jim Wills, A. M.
Jim pioneered flexibility in lending for housing in New
South Wales.
He developed the Joint Income Scheme; he made tangible
inroads into discrimination against women and lone parents
in the criteria for home lending; he was one of the leaders
who led the way for high ratio loans to assist young couples
to bridge the deposit gap; and he was responsible, more
recently, for the development and introduction of the
Deferred Interest Scheme, to help young couple's cope with
higher interest rates and attain home ownership..
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
2.
Jim has served the industry in various capacities. He is a
Past President of the Building Societies Institute of New
South Wales; Past President of the Australian Association of
Permanent Building Socities Advisory Committee to the New
South Wales State Government; a member of the Financial
Advisory Committee of the AAPBS; a member of the
International Union of Building Societies and Savings
Associations; and was Chairman of the International School
in Australia in 1979.
I would single out Jim's role in securing the prestigious
International School for Australia in 1979.
That event brought international recognition of the efforts
of the industry in Australia in the field of housing finance
and development. A recognition well deserved!
Jim Wills has been, and still is, a strong and innovative
leader in an industry which is vital to those in need of
housing, and to those who build homes. Many families who
now have homes owe their ability to finance t * hem to his
leadership in pioneering flexible home lending practices.
The effects of this leadership do not remain just with the
families who have been helped. The whole fabric of society
has benefited by such leadership and the economic benefits
to the broader community have been of major significance.
Many industry and government leaders who have witnessed Mr
Wills' tireless efforts over a long period of distinguished
service, believe that he is richly deserving of the 1984
Award. I congratulate him on his many outstanding achievements
within the Housing Industry, and on behalf of Sir Phillip
Lynch I now ask Mr Wills to come forward and accept the
Award.