Bank of New South Wales building, Helidon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bank of New South Wales Building, Helidon |
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Bank and attached residence, 2009
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| Location | 7 Railway Street, Helidon, Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1915 |
| Built for | Royal Bank of Queensland |
| Official name: Bank of New South Wales premises and attached residence (former), Bank of Commerce, Bank of Queensland Limited, The Royal Bank of Queensland Limited | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600512 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) c. 1915-1970 (historical use) |
| Significant components | banking chamber, residential accommodation - manager's house/quarters |
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The Bank of New South Wales Building is a special old building. It used to be a bank. You can find it at 7 Railway Street in Helidon, Australia.
It was built around 1915. The building was first used by the Royal Bank of Queensland. Over the years, it was known by other names too. These include Bank of Commerce and Bank of Queensland Limited. This building is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is an important historical site. It was added to the list on October 21, 1992.
Contents
What is the History of This Bank Building?
Early Banks in Queensland
The former Bank of New South Wales building in Helidon has a long history. It was built for the Royal Bank of Queensland. This likely happened between 1915 and 1916.
Queensland's first local bank was the Queensland National Bank. It started in 1872. Local people wanted a bank that was truly from Queensland. They wanted to help the state grow. The Royal Bank of Queensland Limited began in 1885. It also helped local investors. By 1889, it had many branches. These included offices in London and Edinburgh.
How the Helidon Branch Started
The Royal Bank of Queensland Limited opened a small office in Helidon in 1906. This office was run by its Gatton branch. In May 1910, another bank, the Australian Joint Stock Bank, planned to open nearby. To keep its customers, the Royal Bank made its Helidon office a full branch.
In 1911, the Royal Bank had a special agreement for the land. They bought the land in 1915. This is when the bank and home were likely built.
Changes and Mergers Over Time
In 1917, the Royal Bank of Queensland joined with another bank. This created the Bank of Queensland Limited. The Helidon branch was sold in 1921. It was bought by the Australian Bank of Commerce. This bank was actually the original competitor!
More changes happened in 1932. The Bank of New South Wales took over the Australian Bank of Commerce. So, the Helidon branch became a Bank of New South Wales. It operated under this name until 1970. The bank then closed. In 1971, the building became a private home. It has been used as a residence ever since.
What Does the Bank Building Look Like?
The old bank building is on the west side of Railway Street. It sits about 50 meters back from the road.
It is made of timber and stands on low stumps. It has two main parts. The front part was the banking area. The back part was the manager's home.
Special Features of the Building
The front of the bank has a central arch above the entrance. Above this arch is a triangular part called a pediment. This pediment is held up by double timber supports. It also has decorated timber columns. The roof above the pediment is covered with pressed metal.
The verandas of the manager's home have been enclosed. The roof is made of corrugated iron. The way the banking chamber's gabled roof meets the home's pyramid-shaped roof is very unique. It's a striking part of the building.
There are other buildings on the property. These include a house behind the bank. However, these other buildings are not part of the heritage listing.
Why is This Building Heritage-Listed?
The former Bank of New South Wales building is important. It was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. It meets several important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
This building helps us understand Queensland's history. It was built for the Royal Bank of Queensland. This bank was created to help Queensland's own people and businesses. It shows how the state grew as a self-governing colony. The building also shows how Helidon developed. Helidon was an important stop on the main railway line. This line connected Brisbane to Wallangarra. The bank is also linked to the Royal Bank of Queensland. This was one of Queensland's first three local banks.
A Good Example of a Bank Building
The building is a great example of a bank from that time. It was designed for a small country town. It combined a banking area with a home for the manager. This type of setup was very common for banks. It was used from the 1800s until World War Two.
Its Beautiful Design
The former Bank of New South Wales building is also important for its looks. Its design is very appealing. It adds a lot to the overall look of Helidon town.
