Western Australian Bank Greenbushes (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The Western Australian Bank (Fmr) is of particular significance for its design by Hobbs, Smith & Forbes; its aesthetic value as a well designed Federation Free Classical building; its historic and social values as the primary banking service in Greenbushes for much of the 20th century; its role as Community Resource Centre since 1995; and its high authenticity. The former bank building has aesthetic value as a well designed Federation Free Classical bank. Together with the Post Office and Store opposite, it is a landmark building along Blackwood Road, Greenbushes. The building has historic value for the role the bank played in the viability and success of the commerce and industry of the town and surrounding areas. The building also has historic value as a good example of the architectural work of Hobbs, Smith & Forbes. The scale and architectural style of the building illustrates both the success of the Western Australian Bank in the early 20th century and the promise and success of the Greenbushes Tinfields at that time. WA Bank (fmr), Greenbushes is of social value, not only as the only bank to have ever had a purpose-built branch in Greenbushes and as a Community Resource Centre, but also for the vital role that both institutions have played in strongly supporting both the local mining activities as well as the local residents. WA Bank (fmr), Greenbushes also has associations with the managers and staff who worked at the place, as well as their clients, during its use as a banking institution. Numerous newspaper reports detail the strong link that the various Bank Managers had with the community, and how well they were thanked by the community upon transferring to another branch. The place is relatively uncommon in the Shire of BridgetownGreenbushes as an example of a well detailed, and highly authentic Federation Free Classical building. The place is representative of the solid and prosperous image portrayed by bank premises in thriving rural and metropolitan communities in the period around the turn of the century. The bank is a representative example of the work of the architect, John Talbot Hobbs, who was a prolific and wellregarded Western Australian architect, both individually and in association with the firm of Hobbs, Smith & Forbes.

Physical Description

The Western Australian Bank (Fmr) is constructed of common brick (tuck pointed on façade) and a Zincalume hipped roof which replaced the original corrugated iron. The original chimneys remain intact and feature bands of render and tuckpointed brick. The former bank has a symmetrical façade, featuring a central entry (door modified), flanked by two slightly projecting rectangular window bays. The façade is dominated by projecting gables over each window bay, with moulded decorations to the pediments. Below the gables there is a deep cornice, with rendered eaves brackets and decorative mouldings. The three main openings have moulded segmental arches, with decorative key stones. Other rendered detailing includes moulded and plain string courses, window sills and plinth. Both front timber windows have leadlight highlights in three panels each. However the fanlight window above the main entrance is now clear glass, where it was presumably once also stained glass. Note Both the pediment motif and frieze are very similar to that shown on original design drawings for the ‘Balingup’ Bank (see above). A photo taken in the 1970’s, while the building was used for the R&I bank, also indicates that the original entrance vestibule was similar to the Balingup proposal, but in more recent years the internal glass door with wood frame has been removed, and the external door replaced. The original bank chamber occupied the front portion of the building, with the Managers Office in the front southern corner. The Counter appears to have run the length of the Chamber north to south, where it separated the two entrances to the Manager’s Office, with the public entrance in front of the counter (now an internal window) and the private entrance behind. Currently the Manager’s Office is used as a public Library, (subcentre of the Bridgetown Library), where the original safe still stands, and the Bank Chamber is used as a public computer room. From the back of the Bank Chamber runs a corridor the full length of the residence, to the rear external door. The westernmost rooms of the corridor are now used as a small private computer room to the north and a small meeting/ club room on the south. The southern side main entrance and corridor to what was the private Manager’s residence is now the main entry point for the Greenbushes Community Resource Centre, and retains the original doors and side panels with leadlight glass. As part of the additions and alterations made in 2014, an administration window was cut into the entry hallway wall (from what is now the administration office, previously the formal lounge/reception room of the residence) in order to receive clients/visitors. The formal lounge features a decorative dark stained timber fire surround and a full height double hung sash window with single panes, looking onto the rear verandah. This may have originally been an external door with fanlight window, as there is a wooden entry step at floor height onto the verandah, matching the same at the back verandah door. The remaining central rooms on the north side of the corridor include what would have been two bedrooms, now a private computer room and partitioned offices, an old kitchen, most likely not the original, which contains a Metters oven and is now used as a therapy/consult room, possibly an original bedroom. The current kitchen is situated in the room entered from the back verandah, which was most likely the original kitchen with open fireplace. The back verandah is semi enclosed by a new toilet block built in 2013/2014, which replaced the previous bathroom built under the back southern corner of the verandah. Adjoining the toilet block at the south east corner, a new meeting space and kitchen wraps around the southern verandah. These 2013/2014 additions included the removal of an early weatherboard addition on the south wall (in front of the entrance to the residence as seen by the remaining paint on the exterior wall). A new community shed at the rear was also added in 2014.

History

The Western Australian Bank established a branch in Greenbushes in 1899, 11 Years after David Stinton first began mining in the area. In August of that year it was reported that : The importance of the township was recognised last week when the Western Australian Bank opened a branch there. The bank observed considerable secrecy in regard to this matter, even the manager of the Bunbury branch who was sent to open the bank for business, not being aware of the intentions of his manager until he actually received instructions to proceed to Greenbushes, where a suitable building had been secured. Six years later plans had been prepared for substantial new premises on another site (at which time it was one of 40 Western Australian Bank branches in rural centres across WA): TENDERS are invited until noon of Thursday, 22nd inst., for the ERECTION of new Banking Premises for the Western Australian Bank at Greenbushes. Plans, specifications, etc., can be seen at W.A. Bank Greenbushes, or the Office of the Architects, St. George's-terrace. Perth. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. HOBBS, SMITH, and FORBES. Architects and Surveyors. June 10, 1905. The new building was officially opened for business on 15 January 1906: The most handsome recent addition architecturally to Greenbushes is undoubtedly the new W.A. Bank premises. These were opened for banking business on Monday last. Compared to the old banking premises they are an indication of the way in which Greenbushes is progressing. The building is a handsome structure with a solid frontage to the main street. The banking chamber is 18ft. by 20ft., and the manager’s office 14ft. by 10ft. 6in. The private residence for the manager attached is equally commodious. Messrs. Hobbs, Smith and Forbes we[re] the architects, and Messrs Parsons and Son, the contractors. The fittings in the banking chamber are solid and complete, and should provide for a considerable expansion or business in keeping with the prospects of Greenbushes. Subsequent newspaper articles and family notices indicate that Thomas Harris Parsons (c.1848-1910), contractor of Guildford, was facing bankruptcy proceedings in 1908. By the time of his death he had taken up farming at ‘St Erney’, in the Warren district. The firm of Hobbs, Smith & Forbes, Architects, had been established in 1905 by Joseph John Talbot Hobbs (1864-1938). Hobbs was a prominent Western Australian architect who was responsible for the design of numerous public and private buildings throughout the state including other Western Australian Banks in Perth, Bunbury, Southern Cross, York, Beverley and Midland Junction. Hobbs was a founding member of the West Australian Institute of Architect in the 1890s; president of the WAIA in 1909-1911; played key roles in the military during WWI; and was awarded a knighthood in 1918. In the early 20th century, the Greenbushes branch of the West Australian Bank was an important contributor to the operations of the local mining industry, providing financial services, capital support and export arrangements. In fulfilling this role the branch also extended its services for the benefit of the mining community. For example, on 21 June 1905 it was reported that it was common for the local manager to open for business of an evening, in order for the local miners to fulfil the fortnightly consignment of minerals by night train, with cash in hand. In 1927 the Western Australian Bank merged with and became the Bank of New South Wales. In around 1972 the Greenbushes building was bought by Greenbushes Tin Ltd and made available to both the Commercial Bank and R&I Bank for use as a part time agency. Greenbushes Tin was later absorbed by gold miner Sons of Gwalia, which collapsed in 2004. In 2007 Talison Lithium Pty Ltd bought the Greenbushes mining operations and local assets from Sons of Gwalia, which included the Bank building. The building was leased to the Greenbushes Telecentre in 1995 and since been renamed the Greenbushes Community Resource Centre. Talison retains a very strong link with the organisation, as both the owner of the building and a strong user of the facilities and services made available by the CRC.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low to Medium The place has not been used as a bank branch with an attached residence, or as a bank agency, since the 1970s. However, its original use can still be readily understood through an interpretation of its design. Authenticity: High The building has had some minor modifications internally but the original layout has not been altered. The exterior of the building has had very little modification and strongly retains its original Federation Free Classical character.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update