Westpac Bank building, Normanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Westpac Bank Building, Normanton |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Westpac Bank, Normanton, 2010
|
|
| Location | Landsborough Street, Normanton, Shire of Carpentaria, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architect | Richard Gailey |
| Official name: Westpac Bank, Normanton, Bank of New South Wales | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600394 |
| Significant period | 1880s (fabric) 1886-ongoing (historical use) |
| Significant components | furniture/fittings |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Westpac Bank Building in Normanton is a very old and important bank building. It is located on Landsborough Street in Queensland, Australia. This building was designed by an architect named Richard Gailey and was built in 1886. It was first known as the Bank of New South Wales. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's a special place protected for its history.
A Look Back: The Bank's History
This single-storey building, made of timber, was built in 1886. It became the main office for the Normanton branch of the Bank of New South Wales.
Normanton's Growth and Banking Needs
By the mid-1880s, Normanton was a busy port town. It served a large area with farms and mines, including gold and copper fields. Because of this growth, having banks was very important. Banks helped Normanton become a key business centre for the Gulf of Carpentaria region. Normanton officially became a town in 1886.
Who Designed the Bank?
The Bank of New South Wales started its business in Normanton in 1884. At first, they rented a space. In 1885, they bought the land where the bank stands today. The building was designed by Richard Gailey. He designed many bank buildings in Queensland during the late 1880s.
Changes Over Time
For many years, the building was both the bank and the manager's home. This changed in the late 1960s when the manager moved to a new house. The part of the building that was once a home became staff quarters. In 1971, new staff quarters were built behind the bank.
In 1978, the inside of the bank was updated. This made the banking area more modern. The verandahs, which had been closed off, were also opened up again.
In October 1982, the Bank of New South Wales joined with another bank. It then changed its name to Westpac Banking Corporation.
A storage shed was added to the property in 1991. Today, the Westpac Bank is the only bank left in Normanton.
What the Bank Looks Like
The Normanton Westpac Bank is on the corner of Landsborough and Little Brown Streets. It is a single-storey building made of timber. It sits on timber stumps and has a pyramid-shaped roof made of corrugated iron.
Verandahs and Structure
The bank has wide timber verandahs on three sides. These verandahs have roofs that slope downwards, also made of corrugated iron. The main part of the bank is a simple rectangle. There is a small "book room" in one corner. At the back, there is a weatherboard annex and staff quarters from the 1970s.
Outside Details
The outside of the bank has simple but nice details. You can see the timber frame, studs, and bracing. The walls are made of tongue-and-groove timber boards. Under the main roof, there are paired, shaped eaves brackets. The doors and windows are made of timber. The verandah has square timber posts and a braced balustrade.
On the Landsborough Street side, there are central timber stairs. Above the landing, there is a timber pediment. On the Little Brown Street side, there are also timber stairs and new doors. Part of this verandah is still enclosed.
Inside the Bank
Inside the bank, you can still see some old items. These include gold scales and the manager's safes. These items show how the bank used to operate.
The sides of the building facing Landsborough and Little Brown Streets look much like they did in the past. The building adds a lot to the look and feel of Normanton town.
Why This Bank is Special
The Westpac Bank in Normanton was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on October 21, 1992. This means it meets several important rules for being a heritage site.
Showing Queensland's History
The bank building, built in 1886, helps us understand Queensland's history. It shows how the Gulf region of north-west Queensland grew. It also shows how Normanton became an important business centre.
A Rare Find
This bank is special because it is a rare example of a large timber bank building. It still has its old scales and safes. Not many buildings like this are left in Queensland.
Beautiful Design
The building has a look that people in the community value. It makes Normanton town more beautiful and interesting.
Important to the Community
This bank has been used continuously in Normanton since 1886. Because of this, it has a strong connection with the local community.
Connected to a Famous Architect
The bank also has a special link to Richard Gailey. He was an important architect in Queensland's history. This bank is one of many rural bank buildings he designed in the late 1800s.
