Historical information

Murray Comrie Collection.

This image depicts stores in the main street of Tarnagulla, including the two-storey bank building being used as a licensed general store.

The building on the left was also a bank, originally constructed by the Union Bank in 1859, and Is probably the first brick and stone building at Tarnagulla. It was used by the bank until 1888 at which time the Union and Colonial banks amalgamated. After this, the building was used for a variety of purposes. The milk bar section was constructed in the 1920s in an area at the front of what had once been the Bank’s manager’s residence.

The Two-story bank building On the right was constructed and used by the Colonial Bank of Australasia (from 1866 to 1888) and, following bank amalgamation, by the Union Bank (from 1888 until closure in 1942). The original site had been occupied by Joseph Foo's store, a large wooden building with attached theatre.
While the bank was being built, the Colonial Bank operated from the former Company's Hotel (soon after to become the Borough of Tarnagulla Council Chambers, then the Mechanics’ Institute, and finally, prior to final demolition in 1980, Burstall Hall) The new double-storey building was used by the Colonial Bank from 1866 until 21st February, 1888. The premises were sold to the Union Bank for £2500. The Union Bank moved in and commenced operations on 6th June 1888, continuing until 1942. The building was later used as a general store until the 1990s. It is a now private residence.

This is a reasonable copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s.

Physical description

Monochrome photograph depicting a section of Commercial Road, Tarnagulla near the intersection with Poverty Street, including two stores - one a bakery/milk-bar and the other a general store operating in the former Colonial/Union Bank building. Photograph taken from north of milk-bar. Two people walking away from photographer on footpath/curb between the two stores.
The building on the left was the Union Bank premises, constructed in 1859 and Tarnagulla's oldest surviving brick building.
The Union Bank absorbed the Colonial Bank in 1888, and the Union Bank moved operations next door into the much larger former Colonial Bank premises which had been constructed in 1865/66. After amalgamation, the old Union Bank premises was then used for a variety of purposes from visiting doctor's rooms to cafe, etc.
The Union Bank continued to operate at Tarnagulla until closure in 1942, at which time business had fallen away and Tarnagulla Branch had already been downgraded to sub-branch status.