Union Bank of Australia building, Orange facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Union Bank of Australia building
Former Union Bank of Australia
Location	84 Byng Street, Orange, City of Orange, New South Wales, Australia
Owner	The Trustee for Union Bank Property Trust
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Union Bank of Australia (former); Weymouth House; Hesley Gallery
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	230
Type	Bank
Category	Commercial
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).

The Union Bank of Australia building is a special old building in Orange, Australia. It used to be a bank and even a school! Now, it holds offices and a restaurant. This building is also known as Union Bank of Australia (former), Weymouth House, and Hesley Gallery. It's so important that it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history and unique look.

A Building's Journey: Its History

The Union Bank of Australia Building

The Union Bank of Australia first opened in Orange in 1857. In 1858, it moved into this very building, making it the first bank ever in Orange!

A few years later, in 1862, another bank took over the Union Bank's business. After that, the building became a police station. Imagine police officers working in what used to be a bank!

Later, a man named Mr. T. H. Richards started a school here called Weymouth House. Then, in 1893, it became a girls' school called Dombrane College. After that, it was known as Queen's College until about 1911 or 1912.

After its school days, the building became a boarding house, where people could rent rooms to live. Finally, it was divided into residential flats.

In 1980, there was a plan to knock down the building. But the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and the Heritage Council stepped in. They saw how important this old building was. They put special orders on it to protect it and find a new use for it.

In 1981, the building was sold, and money was given to the new owners to fix it up. On February 11, 1983, a permanent order was placed to protect the building forever. It was officially added to the State Heritage Register in 1999.

What the Building Looks Like

This building has two floors and is made of brick, covered with a smooth finish called "render." It has an iron roof. At the back, there's a single-story brick room that was added later, probably when it was a school. This room might have been a classroom or a hall.

You'll also notice a wooden porch at the front, which was added later in a style called Federation style. It helps shelter the main entrance.

Behind the main building, there are other smaller buildings. One was a separate kitchen, and another was a stable for horses. The stable still has its original horse "boxes" and wooden floors!

The bank building itself has a simple, classic Victorian style. Its front (called the facade) is made interesting by special decorations around the windows. These include fancy tops (called lintels), wedge-shaped stones (called keystones), and ledges (called sills).

Inside, the building is also quite simple. It still has its original doors, door frames (architraves), baseboards (skirtings), fireplace surrounds, and the main staircase. They are all basic but well-designed.

Changes Over Time

Rear view of the building

The building has changed quite a bit over the years:

• 1858: The main two-story building was built.
• 1880s: The single-story building at the back was added.
• 1981: The Heritage Council approved plans to change and restore the buildings.
• 1983: The ground floor was approved to be used as a restaurant.
• 1985: The property was divided into three separate parts, and its use was changed.
• 1988: New safety features like a fire escape and emergency lighting were approved.
• 1992: The front porch was replaced, and changes were made inside.

Why This Building is Special

The former Union Bank building is very important for a few reasons:

• It's Historic: It opened in 1858 and was the very first bank in Orange. This shows how important it is to the history of the town.
• It's Beautiful: Even though it's simple, its Victorian style and decorated windows make it a lovely building. It adds a lot to the look of the street, especially because it's on a corner.

Because of these reasons, the Orange branch of the Union Bank of Australia was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it's recognized as a valuable part of New South Wales's history and architecture.

See also

• Australian non-residential architectural styles