See also South Wagga Wagga.

1925










1977


Photo in Current Accounts Sep 1982








2002


2005 Sept. photo by John Roberts

2008 in Wikipedia


225 Baylis 2009

1927 Inspector's Report: Wagga Wagga

J.F. Liggins,  Manager.  A conscientious, capable, and good living Manager.

R.D. Hunter, Accountant.  Only here a week.  Shaping well.  Writing only fair.  Good presence.

A.J. McEwan, Teller.  Good teller. Good penman.
Willing and obliging.

E.A. Boles, Ledger Keeper. Good ledger keeper, writing only fair.  Good manner.

R.A.G. Shepherd, Junior

Good stamp of lad. Shaping well

Business active. Slack at present just now, but not in Summer.

Town continues to grow apace.
Population 9800

Office clean and tidy.

1934 Listed in Century of Banking;
1937 The building was remodelled at a total cost of £2,800. 
1976 the building was reconstructed, but the original façade was retained, so as to maintain the original external appearance as it was constructed in 1882.   (c) Wagga Wagga City Council
Note from John Roberts:
As you are probably aware the architect Mansfield Brothers designed this branch (Wagga Wagga Branch was built in 1881) , however, while I was Manager at Wagga Wagga the bank (with the Bank’s then architect Laurie and Heath Pty Ltd.,) had the interior stripped and made into a more modern banking chamber and the upper floor became CAGA’s local office.
The exterior had been “updated” many years before and it looked pretty dreadful, however, Laurie and Heath Pty Ltd., arranged for the contractors FM Constructions Pty Ltd of Kirrawee to restore the exterior to it’s original appearance, as near as possible.
While the original building was constructed by a local builder, Charles Hardy and Company for 6,030 pounds, the cost of reconstruction was $300,000.
A copy of Mansfield Brothers original plans for the building are hung on the western inside wall of the banking chamber for all to see.
My predecessor not only lived on the premises but he “died in the chair”!I was then Manager at Cooma Branch when appointed Manager Wagga Wagga branch in 1977 and the Bank asked me to purchase a home for ourselves and future Managers, so we did not have to live on the premises, however, as you are no doubt aware the NAB had different policies to the CBC and eventually offered the house to my successor for an agreed value.

CBC Bank (former), Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga, NSW
List: Register of the National Estate
Class: Historic     Statement of Significance:
The former CBC Bank has historical importance for reflecting Wagga`s development in the late nineteenth century, and it also shows the prominent place of banks in country centres generally. (Criteria A.4 and B.2)
The building is architecturally significant for its fine Victorian Free Classical design, and it is a good example of the sort of bank design used by architects, Mansfield Brothers, who created a number of bank premises in New South Wales rural centres. (Criteria F.1 and D.2)
Two storey Classically designed and sited on the crest of a hill, the bank is a vital streetscape element in this civic centre of Wagga. It and the neighbouring former post office, being of the same style and size, complement each other very well. (Criterion E.1)
Official Values: Not Available
Description:
Built in 1882, the former CBC Bank (now National Australia Bank) building in Fitzmaurice Street has historical and architectural importance. It is a reflection of Wagga`s development in the late nineteenth century when the town was growing as an agricultural centre, and it clearly shows the prominent place of banks in country town streetscapes. It illustrates many of the characteristics of Victorian Free Classical architecture, and was probably designed by Mansfield Brothers and bears strong similarities with other Mansfield banks (eg, Cootamundra, Narrandera, and also Forbes, Tumut and Adelong). Sited on the crest of a hill, the bank is a vital element in the streetscape of the civic centre of Wagga and it complements well the adjacent former post office which is built in the same style and is of similar proportions (the bank, post office and courthouse are also separately registered as a group). Built of stuccoed brick, the bank is two storey, with the banking chamber on the ground floor and the residence above. The ground floor facade`s main feature is an arcade with three arches either side of a central entrance arch which is rusticated. The arches have impost and keystone decoration and label moulding; columns with square bases (with cornices) support the arches. Behind the arcade the main front wall is rusticated and the round headed windows have prominent sills which are supported by brackets. On the upper floor is a verandah with columns grouped in threes at the corners; a patterned cast iron balustrade runs along the verandah. In the verandah`s centre, above the entrance arch, is a pediment supported on paired pilasters. There is a dentil course just below the verandah roof and another on the eaves of the main roof. The eaves are supported by paired brackets. Slate clads the hipped roof, and symmetrically placed at either end of the roof are chimneys with cornices. The upper floor windows are French and have shutters.
History: Not Available
Condition and Integrity:
In 1977 the 1930s facade and arcade infill was removed, restoring the original arcade. The interior of the bank has been altered. In 1984 the National Australia Bank took over the premises. (December 1992)
Location:
Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga.
Bibliography:
Information from the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales).
Apperly, Richard et al., "A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian
Architecture", Sydney 1989.   Article supplied by Genevieve Mott, Museum of the Riverina.

2002 October photo by David Jobson of the stables behind Wagga branch, sent in December 2017.

2008 May photo from Wikipedia by Bidgee. Former CBC Bank, Wagga Wagga (Built 1882) Currently the National Australia Bank (NAB) Wagga Wagga branch which closed in July 2008 after 126 years operating as a bank building.  John Beer comments "Some people are sad a branch is not now conducted in a building of such magnificent colonial design after 125 years of continuous use as a bank - only an ATM left at the site. The only other known building of identical design was at Bourke which had to be pulled down after hose left on to cellar area caused irrepairable damage to the foundations."

2008 Nov 23 nab locations search revealed:-225 Baylis St Business Banking Centre, Financial Planner, Financial Services Centre
2009 GoogleMaps photo of Business Banking Centre at 225 Baylis Street. 225 Baylis St nab BBC to where Fitzmaurice St Wagga business was transferred to after 126 years next to PO Wagga Fitzmaurice St the CBC building.  225 Baylis St has CBA on top, nab below, then also nab to the left
2021 Framed sketch.

1873
Fitroy St now McHatton Park

1877
Fitzroy & Meridian Sts

1909
45N Derby St
51 Oxley Highway

1st branch
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2nd branch in 1960s

2nd branch as club

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3rd branch
 

1960s



1979

1983

2009

2011


2017

Walcha is 563km NNW from Sydney
1067m above sea level (highest point 1493m The Flags)
1873 June 16 first branch opened in Fitzroy Street (50th Report).
1873 June 16 Fitroy St site is in 2001 known as McHatton Park
1873 John Johnston was first Manager who came from Maitland
1873 Mr J C Glass assisted with opening Walcha branch
“Tour Our Historic Buildings of Walcha” pamphlet states:-
“McHatton Park:- Walcha Cottage Bank (Commercial Bank of Sydney) also shared this site. This building was a ‘miserable structure, unsuited to the climate and built on low damp land’.
2007 November John Beer supplied a photograph of Fitzroy Street where first Walcha CBC building was, now McHatton Park - very wet.
===================================================================
1876-1877 Alexander Mitchell constructed the 2nd Walcha branch of CBCofS.
1877 CBCofS relocated to Fitzroy & Meridian Sts after floods.
1877 Fitzroy & Meridian Sts area was where other businesses moved to higher ground to escape floods
1960s photo showing some colour from John Beer including Walcha CBCofS 2nd building Fitzroy St further west which became Ex Services Club after 1909 erection of CBCofS building occupied by NAB 2007
John Beer says he has seen in a pamphlet: At Fitzroy and Meridian is the ex-serviceman's club, an unsympathetic extension of the 1876 Bank building (colour photo at left showing extensions in pamphlet).
1893 January Listed in 89th Report
=================================================
1909 45N Derby St
1909 land Derby & Apsley Sts purchased for $1600
1909 November erection of 3rd Walcha branch at cost of $7,400
B&w photos from historical records.
1909 is shown on an internet site as the date the current branch premises in Derby Street opposite Australia Post were built. 1990 or later Fitzroy & Meridian Sts site became the Ex-Services Memorial Club.

Managers:
1892 W H B Piddington became Manager
1894 C E Maltby became Manager
1911 P C C Mackay Manager CBCofS Walcha
1925 Max Solling Manager
1934 Listed in Century of Banking.
1935 R D Morgan Manager
1938 L H Hawken Manager
1945 Robert T BRYEN Robert was Walcha Manager (in 1959 R T Bryen was Manager Tamworth. His son Charles R Bryen was part of Patterson Byfield & Bryen, Solicitors, Walcha and Tamworth. CR Bryen passed away 2006).
1946 I H Scott Manager
1952 D L Harris Manager
1961 Alec J Richardson Manager
1966 Paul T Brown Manager
1970 John T Malone Manager from Maitland
1973 V Max Gillogly Manager (passed away whilst Manager Walcha)
1977 E Ian R Bezer Manager

1950 February Mr A S Nivison of "Mirani" Walcha pioneered aerial agriculture in Australia which changed a region into one of the richest and increased stock population more than fourfold.

1960s view of Walcha from John Beer's mother's home including CBC with snow on the roof.
Photo from John Beer's mum's house facing east includes CBC building which is the largest brick building more than one storey. So it is a photo of the western side of CBCofS building, mainly of residence and garage whose door faces north. Brick building on right of CBCofS is Walcha Council.
Photo of Walcha main street in the 1960s showing first building on RHS is CBC built 1909 and first building LHS is Post Office.

1979 April Current Accounts:- Sketch by James Levingston from Patterson Byfield & Bryen Walcha Solicitors
1979 Walcha :-
Population 1665 with 3737 in district
rainfall varies from 780mm to 1125mm per annum,
1979 3rd largest stock carrying area in NSW
1979 Walcha district :-
1. holds one-sixtieth of NSW's sheep
2. is 4th greatest wool producer in NSW
3. cut per sheep averages 4.31 kg, heaviest in New England district
4. 2nd largest producer of cattle in New England region
5. 3rd largest producer of cattle in NSW

1983 photo by Garry Stewart, who says "I was Accountant at that Branch between August 1972 and April 1974 with John Malone and Max Gillogly, before he passed away".

2009 GoogleMaps photo sourced by John Beer;
2011 GoogleMaps photo sourced by John Beer.

2017 photo on realestate.com sourcvd by Geoff Chapman.  John Beer added these comments: This was 3rd building occupied by CBCofS Bank Walcha.
1st building was on swampy ground now a park
2nd building was Mansfield design now Walcha ExServices Club
3rd building was erected 1909 opposite Walcha Post Office which was opposite Erratts General Store

2011 October John Munro advised: "I am attaching a few pix of exCBC buildings I found on a recent visit to Lightning Ridge through Walgett. Walgett is the only one still operating as a Bank."

2015 November John Beer advised that Melissa Reynolds, NAB Executive General Manager Retail, says the bank is now able to remain open after the landlord committed to address structural concern with the building through repairs.

1995

2020

1911 listed in 125th Report;
1934 Listed in Century of Banking

1995 photo taken where I finished my banking career as a relieving manager. On that day I opened and closed the doors and made the girls morning tea, just like I did when I was a junior!  Just for old times sake." David Jobson, who relieved the Manager at Walla Walla and retired from nab on completion of his relief.

1996-07-19 NAB Walla Walla Service Centre was unified with NAB Lavington branch.
1998-11-18 NAB Walla Walla branch became service centre of Culcairn branch and the building became occupied by a branch of Hume Building Society

2008 Walla Walla branch building as at 7 July photos by David Jobson. There is one picture already on the website that I took when the day I finished up as a Relieving Manager there in 1995. These will complete the picture of the whole building.
The building was originally The Commercial Banking Co of Sydney, became NAB at merger until they closed it in about 1997. Then became Hume Building Society for a while and is now used occasionally as an office for a Memorial Stonemasons firm.

2016 July John L. Graetz advised: It was claimed the CBCofS building became occupied by Hume Building Society for a while but John Graetz states Hume Building Society did not ever operate in Walla Walla.  Rather, the Albury Murray Credit Union opened a branch, and subsequently it merged with WAW Credit Union. The Culcairn Shire Council initiated the construction of a Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) for the town and the building was officially opened in 2004. At that time WAW Credit Union occupied part of that building. I was Deputy Mayor of the Culcairn Shire Council at the time of the commencement of the building of the RTC and assisted at the official opening of the new building.

2020 July David Jobson provided 3 photos he took recently, 1 with an SLR camera and 2 from his iPhone. He went for a drive around the country last week and took this photo of Walla Walla branch. It has been nicely restored by the present owners including the nice lettering of the bank’s name on the front. No NAB signs anywhere! David says "I finished up relieving the manager at Walla Walla prior to my retirement from NAB in 1995."

2015 April Geoff Chapman advised:  Google Earth images of CBC Wallerawang branch then later agency premises. 

The bank opened in 1880 on what appeared to be a cottage and built premises in 1882, next to the Post Office which this building is and it is of that vintage.  It would in probability be that built in 1882.
Verification provided by Bill Morelli and Stephen Farrow.  Bill attended the Agency while on the relieving staff in the 1960’s and Stephen when he was on Lithgow branch staff in the 1970’s