Summer content stocking: Elliott, Gonski, Dwyer

David Gonski - Chairman, ANZ

This year I enjoyed:

• Seeing the play Oslo at the Lincoln Centre in New York.
• The Australian Opera’s performance of La Traviata at the Sydney Opera House.
• Watching the movie Churchill with Brian Cox and Miranda Richardson.

Over Christmas I will be reading Paul Auster’s book 4321 and Hilary Rodham Clinton’s book What Happened.

Paula Dwyer - Non-Executive Director, ANZ & Chairman, Tabcorp & Healthscope

I particularly enjoyed some movies this year, notably:

• The Meyerowitz Stories on Netflix & Wizard of Lies, a biography of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
• Beyond the big screen, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Robert Harris’ Cicero  series -  Imperium, Lustrum & Dictator.
• I’ve recently rediscovered listening to BBC4 and Triple R on TuneIn Radio.

Tony Warren - Group General Manager Communications & Public Affairs, ANZ

• Over the year I have become a huge fan of Mike Duncan’s podcasts Revolutions. Starting with the English Civil War he chronicles in great detail - but in an entertaining and engaging way - some of the most crucial turning points in more recent history.
• As a result I have also grabbed his new book The Storm Before the Storm to read over the break. The blurb says “In 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled. Rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life. Endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights. Rampant corruption and ruthless ambition among the elite sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic”… Sounds vaguely familiar!

Sharon Zollner - Chief Economist New Zealand, ANZ

This year I have really enjoyed:

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman for a light holiday read. If you liked The Rosie Project you’ll like this.
• The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure - a story of WW2 drama.
• I binged watched 10 hours straight of The Handmaid’s Tale on a flight!

Warwick Smith - Chairman NSW/ACT/Thailand & Board Director China,  ANZ

• Victoria by Julia Baird is on my list with some other titles on medieval history I am yet to get... I am a history nut!
• Crocs in the Cabinet which is about Northern Territory politics. It’s a new book by Ben Smee and Christopher Walsh. I was once a federal minister for the Northern Territory which was hilarious as I am from Tasmania and had never heard of the place back then. Their politics were really tough and crocs were humans - never in suits and most often in shorts and thongs.
•  I’ll also be enjoying the great books by Bill Ferris, our home grown private equity guru and innovation tsar on venture capital. They still wear black skivvies! He just did a major review on innovation which is proof those of us over 60 can still be engaged, relevant, contemporary, adaptable and agile - and can even be barefoot in a polo and shorts and still think too!
  • Inside Private Equity
  • Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained
• Internet Trends 2017 by Kleiner Perkins. A deep dive into global usage trends just in case Gerard Florian and the ANZ team need help from the NSW chair of the NSW Fintech Knowledge Hub chair (me!)
• China Matters by Bates Gill and Linda Jacobson. This new book covers issues sensibly on our relationship with China - a key to our economy - and track influence in a sensible way (disclosure: I was inaugural chair of their organisation).
• My friend Narelle Hooper’s new book New Women, New Men, New Economy on how creativity, openness, diversity and equity are driving prosperity. Many of us have a strong values-focus and we arrived there without a human services division telling us how!
• Road to Ruin by Nikki Savva on how a prime minister lost his job by a hiring the wrong person. A sober reminder for leaders in public and corporate life about personnel choices.
• Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince. A selected chapter read again as a timeless reminder of the art of governance and corporate strategy!
• And a personal plug: I just completed a major report on Austrade global reach and strategy for cabinet.

Jane Halton - Non-Executive Director, ANZ & Chairman, Vault Systems

• This summer let me start with an observation: lurking inside the facade of an ABC journalist, Michael Brissenden (formerly of AM and now Four Corners), is a novelist. To quote Molly Meldrum, “do yourself a favour” and get into his book The List - a great crime/thriller. With spies, murder and more than a little intrigue, it is a great read.
• I will be getting into a sequel over the summer break.  Jimmy Barnes first autobiographical book was a searing look at poverty and a childhood of doing it very tough.  His new book Working Class Man should be no less compelling.
• I also intend to watch series two of The Crown.  Last summer my son and I watched series one and am looking forward to the next instalment.
• Finally, for a little light listening when doing other things, I will probably catch up on all those fabulous Richard Fidler Conversations from Radio National that I missed.  Some fascinating listening there, just the thing for a relaxed day over the holidays.

Enjoy this list? You can see our recommendations from 2016 HERE.