Page 45 - My Memoirs - Max Kurz

1974-1980 - A New Chapter in my Life
A kaleidoscope of events had occurred all of which was at times overwhelming; I had to rethink my priorities, first my health, my children, my work, Renee, and my finances.
If ever I needed to be in good physical and mental health this was the time, the challenges that lay before me were huge. Physically I was improving and reasonably disciplined with exercise and diet. Mentally, it is hard to recollect, as I was not aware of the mental health issues, however I am certain that I was suffering on that front. As to my children, they remained living initially with Renee. There were no limitations placed on me, I was free to see them as often and when I liked. Renee and I wanted to do the very best by each other and for our children.
On the work front I was picking up the remnants of the impact of the decisions made in relation to my real estate business and property developments. I continued with the Bay Village development; my equity was substantially reduced due to the need to raise capital to meet other commitments. I remained a shareholder and was appointed to manage the project with regards to the leasing and management of the 14 shops which the joint venture group retained.
The Edgecliff Road project was sold to the Ampol Property Group at a price to cover the debt owed which resulted in a loss of equity for me. The loss caused distress; I was angry at the joint venture group, I wanted nothing to do with them from that day on. I was asked by the CFO Jeff Brookes from Ampol to attend a meeting of the Ampol board to explain the concept for the project. They were considering either abandoning the concept namely townhouses which were new for the area or doing a complete redesign of the project for conventional high-rise units.
I submitted my presentation and walked out of there believing that was the end of the matter. It was 3-4 weeks later when I received a call from Jeff Brookes asking me to meet with him. At that meeting I was told the board’s decision was to continue with the project as proposed and they wanted to retain me as marketing and sales manager as well as the architect for the project. They asked me to submit my acceptance together with the terms and conditions in writing. I was taken back by the decision. It was revealed to me by Jeff Brookes that he and
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