Page 42 - My Memoirs - Max Kurz

Whilst we had a wonderful holiday, I felt the purpose of the trip was not achieved; I was still none the wiser and left with many unanswered questions.
1974 was the year of our separation, covertly it had been evolving for some time unbeknown to both of us. We just grew apart living separate lives; there may well have been a catalyst, but it was never the cause, we were the cause, we were young, inexperienced, fully absorbed in our own interests, we did not live or share as a couple, we failed to see the signs or any remedial steps, there was no role model, we were a product of the times. What we did share was the love and concern for our children. We did care for each other and that has proven to be sustainable even to this very day.
Separation was difficult, it was hard on our children who were 11 and 9 years old, too young to understand, although Leanne maintains today that she always knew that we were destined to separate. The impact of separation on all of us was long- term. We had to kick start our adult life in our early thirties with very little experience or maturity which was again hit and miss. For our children it was an upheaval, they were divided between parents, especially Wayne who eventually ended up living with me. The impact for me was far reaching both personally and financially.
1974 was the year of the global recession, the catalyst being the middle east oil embargo. I was at the peak of my career, fully committed both personally and financially in my real estate business and property development. I was committed with loans on projects where I held equity. My two major projects were Bay Village, Shoal Bay and Manning Gardens on Edgecliff Road, Woollahra. The banks and lending bodies were tightening their loan agreements. The reaction from the marketplace and its impact on the joint venture groups that I was a part of were of more concern. I soon learnt the meaning of the saying “United we stand and divided we fall”. The joint venture groups were made up of wealthy clients for whom I had represented on several previous projects all of which were completed successfully. I had a standing policy previously, of not taking an equity position, however that changed with Manning Gardens, because it was a large project in terms of financial as well as concept. The joint venture group insisted that they would only proceed if I took an equity position, which I did of 10 percent.
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