Bank of New South Wales

The Bank of New South Wales was the first bank established in Ipswich.

The Bank of New South Wales opened on the corner of East and Union Streets on 24th September 1853 with William Craies as manager until 1855. The property in East Street was known at the time as Moore's property. This first site would later be where the municipal swimming baths would be constructed. 

Later the bank moved to Brisbane Street, next to where Watson Bros butcher shop stood in 1903, below the Post Office.  Subsequently it moved to where the National Bank would stand on the corner of East and Brisbane Streets, diagonally opposite to its next home at number 76.

In 1863 the bank moved to the corner of Brisbane and East Streets (76 Brisbane Street). The bank offices were on the ground floor and residence on the first floor.  This site was used by the bank until April 1932. In 1902 a new brick wing was constructed at the rear of the premises providing a kitchen and two servants bedrooms. Construction was supervised by G. B. Gill with Messrs. Hastie and Halliwell being the contractors. At this time Mr A. F. Whitehill was the manager. A telephone exchange was built on this site ca. 1960. 

When the Australian Bank of Commerce was absorbed by the Bank of NSW in 1932 the site at the corner of Brisbane & Bell Streets became the Bank of New South Wales's new premises. Prior to the move the building was renovated, opening its doors Monday 18 April 1932. Building alterations and additions were performed by Messrs Harper and Vincent with fittings provided by Arthur Foote Ltd. George Brockwell Gill was the architect. 

William Craies owned the historic residence Rockton.