WA Bank (fmr), Bunbury

Statement of Significance

WA Bank (fmr), Bunbury, a two storey brick building with hipped roof in the Federation Free Classical style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place is a good example of a substantial two storey bank building designed in the Federation Free Classical style, which together with a number of other substantial buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries collectively form the significant streetscape that defines the commercial and administrative centre of Bunbury in the vicinity of the intersection of Victoria and Wellington Streets; the place was purpose built in 1896 to accommodate the Bunbury Branch of the Western Australian Bank and, from 1927/1928 to 1962, after the amalgamation of the two banks, was occupied by the Bank of New South Wales; the place was designed by eminent Western Australia soldier and architect Major General Sir John Talbot Hobbs, who was associated with the design of various public and private buildings throughout the State. It displays the principal characteristics of other two storey Western Australian Bank buildings also designed by him in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century; the place is associated with development of Bunbury and the Wellington district at the end of the nineteenth century, which resulted in the consolidation of Bunbury as the principal port and the minor capital of the southwest region; the place is valued by the local and wider community for its contribution to the built environment of Bunbury, and as a result contributes to this community’s sense of place. This is evidenced by its inclusion in all relevant heritage listings; and, the place is valued by the local community for its associations with the various charitable organisations and community groups who have occupied the building from 1989 up to 2001. The single storey rear toilet is assessed as being of little significance.

Physical Description

WA Bank (fmr), Bunbury is a freestanding two storey former bank building of brick and iron construction located at the north-west corner of the intersection of Victoria and Wellington Streets. WA Bank (fmr), Bunbury is a two storey brick building with hipped roof covered with Colorbond finished corrugated steel sheeting. The building is designed in the Federation Academic Classical style c. 1890 to 1915. The front (east) façade of the building is a symmetrical tripartite composition with a slightly projecting central bay with a flanking bay on either side of the central bay. The central bay has full height rendered rustication capped with a rendered pediment. The main entrance is within the central bay housed between layered piers with impost mouldings. The circular arch that contains the glazed fanlight above the door springs from these layered piers. The main entrance has a panelled, three-quarter glazed, double door. The glazed panel of each leaf has four panes. The window at the first floor level of the bay is enclosed within a flat-headed opening and is surrounded by a moulded render architrave with keystone. The window is a timber framed double hung sash. The upper sash is multipaned and the lower is a single pane. There used to be a "juliet" balcony in front of the central window. The flanking bays of the front façade are constructed of tuck pointed brickwork with rendered embellishments. The whole façade has been painted. Each bay is composed of a more solid base upon which sits the upper floor, giving it a lighter, more recessive appearance. The ground floor window is contained between layered pilasters that step back to make a recessed panel below the sill. Set within this panel is a raised panel. The impost moulding of the round arched window opening continues across the facade to line through with the transom of the windows and the main door to form a type of stringcourse. The upper panel of the bay is composed with ionic pilasters set at both of its edges to frame a recessed panel into which is set a single window. The pilasters support an entablature that has a balustrade parapet. The lower windows within these flanking bays consist of four casements set within a timber frame. A substantial moulded timber transom and a turned timber mullion divide the frame into its four parts. The upper windows are set within flat-headed openings with rendered architraves and windows that match the upper window of the central bay. The wall of the south façade of the building is predominantly of tuck pointed brickwork. However the brickwork of the upper rear section, which appears to be a later addition, has cut and struck pointing. The decoration is restricted to the rendered plinth that has a moulded top and a plain rendered stringcourse at first floor level. The parapet of the front façade is buttressed by a return that is about two metres long on the east face of the building, curving down from parapet level to wall plate level. The south façade is simply composed with windows set in walls and their spacing determined by the layout of the rooms behind. The windows on the upper floor are directly above the door and windows on the ground floor. The only exception is at the upper level towards the east end of the wall where there is evidence that the upper level window has been bricked-in. An entrance doorway is located towards the back half of the facade. The opening has a circular arched head. The timber door is three panelled with a glazed upper panel and two lower solid panels. The door is flanked by half glazed sidelights and is topped by a glazed fan light that has been divided into three. The windows at ground floor level are set within circular-arched openings whereas the first floor openings are segmental arched. All have rendered keystones. All windows are timber framed double hung sash type. The rear (west) façade is of the same construction as the south face of the building. A lean-to verandah runs for the length of the façade. The verandah joins the single storey toilet block at the north end and terminates as an arched opening at the south end. The verandah is supported on timber posts with fretwork brackets. The three upper level windows of the rear match those on the east face. The doors and windows at ground floor level are within segmental arched openings. The north face of the building is about one metre from the south wall of 99 Victoria Street. The façade matches the south except that there are no door or window openings within it. The front door is located centrally in the Victoria Street façade and leads into the original banking chamber. This description is based on the Register of Heritage Places assessment documentation prepared by Kris Bizzaca and Alan Kelsall for the Heritage Council of Western Australia, 2001.

History

The Western Australian Bank was formed by a committee of prominent citizens and businessmen in Perth in 1841. The bank’s first branch was opened in a former store building in Bunbury in May 1878. In 1882, the Bunbury branch moved to the corner of Victoria and Wellington Streets in buildings purchased from Mr Bibra for £1,200. It was here that the bank later built its own premises. In May 1895, architect J J Talbot Hobbs called for tenders on behalf of the Western Australian Bank for the construction of a new bank building. The contract was awarded to J G Baldock and Co at an approximate cost of £1,800. Building commenced in June 1895 and was to be completed by the end of December. Hobbs travelled to Bunbury several times during the build to inspect the work. The new building comprised banking facilities on the ground floor and accommodation for the bank manager and his family on the first floor. Local history has it that James Mitchell, who was to become premier and then governor of Western Australia, was a staff member of the Bunbury branch of the Western Australian Bank at some stage. However, the entry for Sir James in the Australian Dictionary of Biography says that he was posted to Geraldton when he joined the Bank in 1888 and was later manager at Northam. Further research is required to determine whether he worked for any time at the Bunbury branch. Talbot Hobbs supervised alterations and repairs to the building in January 1897. As part of a major shakeup of the banking industry following World War I, in 1927/28 the Western Australian Bank merged with the Bank of New South Wales. Formal ownership of the Bunbury branch of the WA Bank was transferred to the Bank of NSW on 23 April 1928. From this time until the early 1960s, the Bunbury branch of the Bank of NSW operated from 101 Victoria Street. The Bank of NSW decided to build new premises in Bunbury and in late 1962, the Bunbury branch moved to a new building in Victoria Street. The new bank was designed by the architectural firm of Forbes and Fitzhardinge. Ownership of their building at 101 Victoria Street was transferred to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and from this time until c. 1989, the building was used by the Bunbury District Employment Office. In November 1988, ownership of the building was transferred to the Lotteries Commission and the former bank building at 101 Victoria Street, together with the office building next door at 99 Victoria Street, became known as Lotteries House. The main offices of various charitable organisations and community groups share accommodation at Lotteries House, including the Bunbury Christian Education Council, the Bunbury Community Legal Centre, the Bunbury Youth Accommodation Service and Pregnancy Help. The groups have their own offices but share tea and bathroom facilities and counselling rooms. Extensive renovations were completed in 1992. The Bunbury Community Group acquired ownership of 99-101 Victoria Street in January 1994. At this time, the group was one of those occupying the building. It continued to lease space to various charitable organisations. At some stage, a first floor area was added to the rear of the building at 101 Victoria Street, two kitchens were installed and a single toilet block built. In 2009, Western Australia Bank (fmr) and Solicitor’s Office (fmr) continue to accommodate a variety of community organisation including the Bunbury Housing Association; Volunteers South West; Bunbury Community Legal Centre; Association for the Blind; Bunbury Community Group Inc; Bunbury Migrant Resource Centre; Conservation Volunteers Australia and South West Emergency Care. This history is partly based on the Register of Heritage Places assessment documentation prepared by Kris Bizzaca and Alan Kelsall for the Heritage Council of Western Australia, 2001.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity - minor alterations but with much original fabric remaining (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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