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

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.