CBC Bank Building, Bega facts for kids

Quick facts for kids CBC Bank building
Location	21 Auckland Street, Bega, Bega Valley Shire, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1865–
Owner	Bega Valley Shire Council
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: CBC Bank (former); CBC Bank
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	588
Type	Bank
Category	Commercial
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The CBC Bank Building is a very old and important building in Bega, Australia. It used to be a bank, but now it's a home. This building is special because it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's protected because of its history and unique design. It was built way back in 1865. Today, the Bega Valley Shire Council owns it.

A Look Back: The History of the CBC Bank Building

How the Bank Building Started

The CBC Bank Building was built in 1865. A person named Nicholas Bouquet built it. It was made for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. People believe it was the very first bank in Bega. It was also the first two-storey building in the town. In fact, it was one of the first important buildings in Bega.

The building stands on a hill. This spot was once the main road into Bega from the north. Over time, the main shopping area of Bega moved away. So, the building stopped being a bank. In recent years, it has been used as a home.

Protecting the Building

In 1980, the Department of Education asked for advice. They wanted to know how to protect the old CBC Bank. This building is actually on the grounds of Bega Public School.

To keep it safe, a special order was put on the building. This was called an Interim Conservation Order. It was first put in place on September 27, 1985. This order was renewed on September 25, 1987. Everyone agreed that this order was important. It would help show how special the building was to Bega. It would also make sure the building stayed safe for the future.

In 1987, the Bega Valley Shire Council took over caring for the building.

Restoring the Building

The building needed some work. So, in 1989 and 1990, money was given to help restore it. This money came from the Heritage Assistance program. They worked to fix up the building. They even put the front verandah back on. A verandah is like a porch with a roof.

In 1990, new things were added inside. These included a new toilet and a basin. The outside of the building was also painted. All these improvements helped make the building look great again.

What the CBC Bank Building Looks Like

Side and rear view

The CBC Bank Building has two floors. It has a simple design from the mid-Victorian Colonial period. This means it was built in the middle of Queen Victoria's reign. It has three sections, called bays. It used to have a two-storey verandah and a balcony. These are now gone.

The main entrance door has four panels. Above the door, there's a fanlight. This is a window shaped like a fan. On each side of the door, there's a large window. These windows have six equal glass panes. They are surrounded by a deep timber architrave, which is like a decorative frame.

Above these, on the second floor, are three pairs of French windows. These windows open like doors. They have decorative transoms above them. A transom is a bar that separates a window or door from a window above it.

Building Materials

The building is made of brick. The bricks are laid in a pattern called English bond brickwork. This is a strong way to lay bricks. The bottom part of the building sits on a foundation made of rough bluestone. The upper part of the front of the building has Flemish bonded brickwork. This is another brick pattern that looks very neat.

The windows usually have four panes of glass. They are double-hung, meaning both parts can slide up and down. The roof is made of corrugated iron. It has a simple hipped shape, which means all sides slope down to the walls. There's also a small skillion roof at the back. A skillion roof is a single-sloping roof.

The building is in a great spot. It's at the top of a hill. This was once the main road into Bega from the north.

The old CBC Bank building is still in very good shape. It looks much like it did when it was first built.

Why the CBC Bank Building is a Heritage Site

Heritage boundaries

The CBC Bank Building was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's considered very important to the history and culture of New South Wales.

Its Place in History

• It was built in 1865 for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney.
• It is believed to be the first bank in Bega.
• It was also the first two-storey building in the town.
• It was one of the first three important buildings in Bega.
• The building sits on a hill. This spot was once the main road into Bega.
• It shows where the original town center used to be, close to the river.
• The town center moved over time. This happened as shipping on the river changed. It moved more towards the coast and Tathra.
• The building helps us remember Bega's early business growth. It also shows how the town changed over time.

Its Special Design

• The building is in a very noticeable spot. It's at the top of a hill. This was once the main road into Bega from the north.
• It's a simple, mid-Victorian Colonial style commercial building. This style was popular during Queen Victoria's reign.

The CBC Bank Building is a strong reminder of Bega's past. It shows how the town grew and changed.