Kullaroo House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kullaroo House |
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Kullaroo House, 2014
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| Location | 40 Goondoon Street, Gladstone, Gladstone Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1910 - 1911 |
| Architect | James Percy Owen Cowlishaw |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Kullaroo House, Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd (Gladstone Branch) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 5 March 1999 |
| Reference no. | 601330 |
| Significant period | 1910s (fabric) 1911-1958 (historical bank use) |
| Significant components | banking chamber, furniture/fittings, fireplace, strong room |
| Builders | A A Carrick |
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Kullaroo House is a special old building in Gladstone, Australia. It used to be a bank! This important building was designed by James Percy Owen Cowlishaw. It was built between 1910 and 1911 by A A Carrick. For many years, it was home to the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd. Today, Kullaroo House is recognized as a heritage-listed site. This means it's protected because of its historical importance. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 5, 1999.
Contents
A Bank's Story
Kullaroo House was built for the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney (CBC). This bank opened its doors in the new building in June 1911. The architect, James Percy Owen Cowlishaw, designed many buildings for this bank in Queensland.
Early Banking in Gladstone
The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney started in New South Wales in 1834. It opened its first Queensland branch in Maryborough by 1860. The bank finally came to Gladstone on June 9, 1897. Other banks were already in Gladstone by then. These included the Australian Joint Stock Bank and the Queensland Government Savings Bank. The CBC's arrival in Gladstone was linked to new developments. These included a meatworks opening and a railway line extension.
Overcoming Challenges
Around 1900, the local cattle industry faced problems. A tiny insect called the cattle tick caused big issues. A major drought from 1900 to 1902 also hurt businesses. Then, a new railway line opened in Rockhampton. This meant Gladstone lost a lot of its port trade.
But Gladstone found new ways to grow. A local dairying industry started up. A butter factory opened in 1905. These new businesses helped the town recover. By 1909, things were looking good again. This was when the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney decided to build its new, grand bank building.
Building the New Bank
The bank first rented shops on Goondoon Street. But as their lease was ending, they decided to build their own place. They bought land at the corner of Goondoon and Yarroon Streets in February 1909. This spot was right in the middle of Gladstone.
James Percy Owen Cowlishaw was chosen to design the building. He was the son of another famous architect. In May 1910, AA Carrick from Brisbane won the job to build it. The bank manager in Gladstone, Mr. WB Thomas, wanted a strong, impressive building. He believed Gladstone had a bright future. He was very happy with Cowlishaw's plans for a two-storey brick building. He said it would be "by far the best in town."
The building was finished and given to the bank on May 13, 1911. After adding the inside fittings, the bank opened for business in June 1911.
Kullaroo House Today
The brick building served as the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney for almost 50 years. In the mid-1950s, the bank moved to a new building. This new building was designed by JPO Cowlishaw's son!
In September 1958, a local businessman bought the old bank building. From the early 1960s, it became a boarding house. It was named Kullaroo House. The name "Kullaroo" is thought to be an Aboriginal word. It means "road that leads to water." From the upper balconies, you can see great views of Gladstone harbour.
Later, in the 1970s, lawyers bought the building. They fixed it up to use as offices. They kept many of the original details. In the late 1980s, Kullaroo House was even a restaurant! In 1993, the Gladstone Port Authority bought it. They refurbished it for their offices. Today, both floors of the 1911 building are used as offices.
What Kullaroo House Looks Like
Kullaroo House is a large, two-storey brick building. It stands out on Goondoon Street. You can see it clearly from Gladstone Harbour.
The building has a rectangular shape. A big extension was added to the back later on. It has a tall verandah on three sides. There's also a special entrance porch that sticks out. This porch has fancy classical designs. The roof is made of corrugated iron and has a sloped shape. You can see three tall chimneys on the roof. They have stripes of light and dark bricks.
When it was first built, the ground floor was the bank. The manager's home was on the upper floor. The building used to have exposed brickwork. But now it's painted, which changes its original look a bit.
Inside the Building
You enter Kullaroo House by walking up stairs to the entrance porch. The porch is covered in plaster. This makes it look different from the rest of the building. It has tall, decorative columns called pilasters. These support a triangular shape above the entrance.
On the ground floor, many of the original bank rooms are still there. The entrance porch leads into the main banking area. This room has its original wooden doors and windows. It also has a special pressed metal ceiling and a black marble fireplace. Part of the original bank counter is still there, but it's been changed for modern offices. The original safe is at the back of the room. It still has its strong, fireproof door.
A small room at the back of the banking area leads to the main staircase. This staircase is made of cedar wood. It also has a pressed metal ceiling. The staircase goes up to the second floor. This floor used to be the bank manager's home. Most of the original walls on this floor have been removed. This created a large open office space. Many rooms on this level had french doors that opened onto the verandah. The doors are still there, but desks are now in front of them.
The extension built in 1997 is set back from the street. It looks similar to the old building's design. This newer part of the building is not part of the heritage listing.
Why Kullaroo House is Special
Kullaroo House was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 5, 1999. This means it's important for several reasons:
- Showing History: Kullaroo House helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how businesses in Gladstone grew in the early 1900s. It was one of the bank's most important regional offices. This shows that Gladstone was seen as a very important town back then.
- Showing Design: Even with some changes, the building still shows what a grand, two-storey brick bank looked like in the early 1900s. It was designed to look impressive.
- Looking Good: The building is beautiful and sits in a great spot on Gladstone's main street. It adds a lot to the look of the town.
- Community Connection: Many people in Gladstone think Kullaroo House is one of the town's best buildings. It's a local landmark.
- Important People: It's a great example of the work of architect JPO Cowlishaw. It also shows the history of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in central Queensland.
