Queensland National Bank, Irvinebank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queensland National Bank, Irvinebank |
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Queensland National Bank, 2011
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| Location | Jessie Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1905 |
| Official name: Queensland National Bank (former) | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600678 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) c. 1905-19? (historical use as Bank) |
| Significant components | wall/s - retaining, banking chamber, pathway/walkway, steps/stairway, residential accommodation - manager's house/quarters, out building/s |
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The former Queensland National Bank building in Irvinebank is a special historical site. It is located on Jessie Street in Irvinebank, Queensland, Australia. This building was constructed around 1905. It used to be a bank and is now protected as a heritage-listed site. This means it is an important part of Queensland's history.
A Look Back: The Bank's Story
The old Queensland National Bank building in Irvinebank was built around 1905. It was put up by the Irvinebank Mining Company Ltd. A branch of the Queensland National Bank operated here from July 1905 until April 1923.
How the Queensland National Bank Started
The Queensland National Bank began in Brisbane in 1872. It was started by important people in Queensland. These people wanted to create a bank that was controlled locally. They didn't want it to be controlled by overseas companies. Within six months, the bank had opened three branches. Later, it opened branches in London (1878) and Sydney (1880).
The Bank's Power and Influence
In the 1870s and 1880s, many important public figures used the Queensland National Bank. This included Sir Thomas McIlwraith, who was the Premier of Queensland. In 1879, McIlwraith convinced the Queensland Parliament to give all government banking business to this bank. By 1880, the bank held 40% of all money in Queensland. This was more than any other bank in Australia at the time. The bank managed the government's money for 42 years, until 1921. It became the most powerful bank in Queensland.
Challenges and Growth
The bank faced some tough times, including a financial crisis in the 1890s. However, it still helped North Queensland grow a lot. It lent money to farms, sugar businesses, and especially mining projects. In 1948, the Queensland National Bank joined with the National Bank of Australasia Ltd.
Irvinebank: A Tin Mining Town
Irvinebank started in 1883 as a town focused on tin mining. It was the center of John Moffat's large mining business. Before 1905, there were no banks in Irvinebank. Another nearby town, Montalbion, had a Queensland National Bank branch. But it closed in 1893 when mining slowed down. Some Irvinebank residents, like John Moffat, used the bank in Herberton.
The Bank Opens in Irvinebank
The Queensland National Bank opened its Irvinebank branch on July 6, 1905. The bank didn't own the building. Instead, it rented the building from the Irvinebank Mining Co. Ltd. The building served as both the bank office and the manager's home.
Bank Managers and Their Role
The first manager was Mr. Harry Bathurst. He was followed by Mr. James Orr and then Jack Farquar, who stayed for a long time. Sidney James McCord Allison was the last manager until the branch closed on April 30, 1923. Managers of banks in remote places like Irvinebank had a lot of responsibility. This was because they were far from the main office in Brisbane.
The Bank and John Moffat
John Moffat's home and office were very close to the bank. A pathway connected them. This shows how closely the bank and the mining industry were linked. By 1912, John Moffat owed the bank a lot of money. To protect their loan, the bank asked Moffat to step down from the Irvinebank Mining Co. Ltd.
Changes Over Time
After John Moffat passed away in 1918, the main parts of Irvinebank's operations were sold. This included the Loudoun Mill and buildings like the bank, which were sold to the Queensland government in 1919. The bank building was later used as a private home from at least 1983. In 2004, some original parts of the building were damaged or removed. This included the old bank counter and some doors and window frames.
What the Building Looks Like
The Queensland National Bank building is a two-story brick building. It faces Jessie Street and is next to the School of Arts building. It has a special style called Federation style. The building has a corrugated iron roof and a wooden balcony on the top floor. The original bricks on the outside are still visible and haven't been painted. The building's design is typical for banks from the late 1800s. It had a banking area on the ground floor and the manager's home upstairs.
Unique Roof Design
The roof of the building is shaped like a "U". This design made the roof look lower from the street. Builders often used this method when good quality wood for framing was hard to find. However, this type of roof created a central gutter that could flood. This put extra weight on the building's inside structure. A wall in the hallway on the upper level helps support this weight.
The Manager's Home Upstairs
The top floor was where the bank manager lived. It has a wooden balcony with a two-rail balustrade. The balcony has square wooden posts and decorative wooden brackets. A curved, or "bullnose," corrugated iron roof covers the balcony on two sides. Several French doors with clear glass and a small window above (called a fanlight) open onto the balcony. These doors have a special flat arch design made from bricks. The upper level also leads to a separate wooden extension at the back of the building.
The Bank Area Downstairs
Concrete steps lead to a small porch at the front of the ground floor. This porch also has square posts and a two-rail balustrade. An outside staircase to the upper level connects to this porch. The entrance on the ground floor is a French door with a fanlight. The doors and windows on this level have a false quoin effect. This means the bricks around them stick out slightly from the wall. The outside walls are made of brick with quoins on each corner. The ground floor has double-hung windows. A white-painted awning hangs from the balcony, covering windows on two sides of the building.
The back wall of the ground floor is built into the hillside. This level has three rooms. Two smaller rooms open into a larger main room. This main room used to have a cedar bank counter that divided it in half. There is no inside way to get from the ground floor to the upper floor. The original unpainted bricks and stone on the outside are still there. Some parts of the back and side walls on the lower level use stone blocks.
Surrounding Area
There are no special plants around the building. A stone wall extends from the back corner of the building, following the slope of the hill. This wall is next to a pathway that goes between the bank and the School of Arts, leading up to Loudoun House. A short set of steps in the wall allows access to the upper area behind the building.
In 2004, inspections showed that some original parts inside the building were damaged or missing. However, some features like wooden floors, single-layer wooden walls, and cedar and glass panels still remain.
The building is an important part of Irvinebank's street view. Its unique roof, wrap-around porch, brick design, and clear view from the main street make it stand out.
Why This Place is Special
The former Queensland National Bank was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it meets certain important standards.
Showing Queensland's History
This building helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows the connection between the powerful Queensland National Bank and the growing tin mining areas in North Queensland. It also shows the types of buildings and services that were needed to support mining towns in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Beautiful and Unique Design
The building is important for its beautiful design. Its shape, size, and style add to the look of the street. It fits well with the nearby School of Arts, Loudoun House, and other old buildings. Irvinebank's location, nestled among the isolated hills of Far North Queensland, makes the building even more special to look at.
Connected to Important People and Groups
The former Queensland National Bank building shows the special link between the Queensland National Bank and the growth of mining in North Queensland. It particularly highlights the close relationship between the bank and the Irvinebank Mining Co Ltd.
