Commercial Bank of Australia (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The fact that Dowerin has two banks, of which Westpac is one, reflects the prosperous nature of the town and surroundings district. Built in 1910 - 1911, the brick building reflects a financial faith in the future of this particular part of the wheatbelt, thus it has both historic and social heritage values.

Physical Description

The bank originally had quarters attached to the office and the bank manager lived on site until the 1990s. Alterations have been made on more than one occasion to the interior and all rooms are now being used as part of the Community Resource Centre. The exterior remains largely unchanged and especially the facade on Stewart Street adds strength and character to the streetscape.

History

Gazetted as Open for Sale at an upset price of £32-0-0 on 12 June 1908, Dowerin Town Lot 42 was apparently purchased by Albert James Bower Bailey at auction at the Northam Land Agent's office on 10 September 1908, since the Crown Grant, dated 17 August 1909, is made out in his name. However, the Certificate of Title shows that this block was transferred to the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd. on 24 June 1909. ('Government Gazette' 12 June 1908, p.1598 & 14 August 1908, p.2307 and DOLA - CG 447/71 & CT 447/71)
Dowerin residents had a hard battle to induce banking institutions to open branches in their town, but both the Commercial and National banks advertised their branches open for business in June 1909. (The Northam Advertiser 9 & 23 June 1909) The Dowerin branch of the Commercial Bank first occupied a three roomed weatherboard building. During the latter half of 1910, N. Peterson of Subiaco won the contract to erect new brick offices for the bank and commenced work in October of that year. Bank officers moved into their new premises at the end of February 1911. (The Northam Advertiser 12 October 1910, p.2 and Goomalling-Dowerin Mail 3 March 1911, p.2)
Postal Directories through to 1949 list branch managers of the Commercial Bank at Dowerin as E.A. Brown 1909-10, J.C. Martin 1911-1917, F.J.F. Atkins 1918-1925, A.G. Thorn 1926-1934/35, Reginald Turner 1935/36-1937/38, and Thomas G, Parker 1938/39-1949.

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Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.