Meet “the Middleton twins”
Colin and Laurie Middleton are 67 year-old twins who live in Melbourne, VIC, and have been Telstra shareholders since T2.
If I were Telstra’s CEO I would... Colin (left):I would put in Fibre to the Node and charge the so-called competitors a fair rate so Telstra can make some money on it, and not just give it away. I'd look after the staff, pay them well, and ensure older staff are treated with respect, and encouraged to stay on because their brains are still working, and people at 60 are still reasonably fit nowadays. I play the drums and would get together with John Stanhope (the CFO who I understand also plays the drums) for a jam session.
Laurie (right):Make sure that the staff were well looked after, and are well educated in the product range: that they get good training. I'd join in the jam session, because we are both good at the drums...we've slowed a bit as we've got older, but can still perform jazz music, though not so much of the rock and roll.
If you asked me what I did, I'd say...We're both retired (Colin worked in telecommunications, Laurie was a Telstra employee.)
I bought most of my Telstra shares in...T2
I bought Telstra shares because...We were firm believers in "keep it an Australian owned company" and thought it was a good deal. And because we were both involved in the industry, we knew it well, & had a lot of empathy for the business.
My first successful investment was... Colin (left):The first house I bought in 1987, for $96,000 and I'm still sitting in it. It's now worth $350,000.
Laurie (right):My first successful investment was getting a job in Telstra, 1966, as an assistant technician. It paid off for me over 34 years with a company that looked after me, plus good wages and a good package at the end.
The best investment I ever made was... Colin (left):The 1993 Holden Commodore I bought in 2002, and it's still looking good, and I'm still driving it.
Laurie (right):Buying my first house in 1974, with my father. I was 30 years old.
What I learned from my worst investment decision... Colin (left):Don't be afraid to push yourself forward, trust your own judgement of people.
Laurie (right):Don't buy cars from your friends - and you get what you pay for.
The best investment advice I’ve ever been given... Colin (left):To talk things through with my brother!
Laurie (right:)Do your research, get professional advice.