This book is a legal reference book used by the Bank of Australasia after 1907. The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form the Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. The book has historical significance as it is connected to the Bank of Australasia which was established in Australia in 1835 by Royal Charter during the early Colonial period of Australia's history. The book was used as a reference to financial law by the Bank. The book is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Book, with black, hardcovers and embossed borders front and back. Title: The Law relating to Banker and Customer in Australia Author: F. A A Russell, M.A., Sydney, Barrister-in-law Edition: 1907 Publisher: The Law Book Co. of Australasia Ltd., 72 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Printer: Websdale, Shoosmith & Co., Sydney Pencil inscription.Pencil, handwritten "L37"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, australia, financial law, legal reference, banking law, bank law, legal practice, f. a a russell, 1907, the law book co. of australasia ltd, websdale, shoosmith & co.

This Banks' Agreement refers to one of several agreements made between the Warrnambool and district bank Managers not to exceed the stated rates of interest. The first section of the Agreement is dated 5th February 1877 and the last date is 15th May 1879. The Banks agreed to specific interest rates for fixed deposits and the terms of those deposits. The first page refers to a previous Agreement being terminated on 14th August 1875. A document from the ANZ Bank, Melbourne, refers to another Agreement dated 2nd April 1879. A transcription of the Banks' Agreement is attached to this record. The four banks subscribing to the Agreement are: - Bank of Australasia Bank of Victoria Colonial Bank of Australasia National Bank of Australasia The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867 to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated various historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 by investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building on Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery Club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. This Banks' Agreement has historical significance as it belonged to the Bank of Australasia which was established in Australia in 1835 by Royal Charter. One of the four parties of the Agreement was the Warrnambool branch, so the document is also a historical record of the financial agreements between similar institutions in the local area. The document is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Document titled the Banks Agreement; a four-page document handwritten in black ink with a nib pen on heavy cream-coloured paper. The document describes the agreement between four banks local to Warrnambool and the district. It specifies interest rates for fixed deposits, the period of the deposits and the penalty for early withdrawal. It includes banks in Warrnambool, Belfast (now Port Fairy) and Koroit and is dated from February 1877 to May 1878. It has been signed by the Banks' Managers. The contents are an agreement not to exceed the stated rates of interest. This copy belonged to the Bank of Australasia, Warrnambool."Banks' Agreement" "Warrnambool" "Belfast" "Koroit" "5th February 1877" "17th February 1877" "16th May 1877" "6th May 1878" "14th May 1878" "15th May 1878"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, australia & new zealand bank, anz bank, david charters mcarthur, banks' agreement, bank of victoria, colonial bank of australasia, national bank of australasia, belfast (now port fairy), koroit, fixed term deposits, interest rates, 1877, 1878, bills, promissory notes, current accounts

These specifications were for the Bank of Australasia building on the corner of Timor and Kepler Streets in Warrnambool. The two-storey stone Regency building was built by Roberts & Co. in 1859 and it still stands today, a hundred and sixty years later. Above the doorway, the words "BANK OF AUSTRALASIA" were etched into the stone. In 1856 Roberts & Co. built the Warrnambool Post Office on Timor Street, and in 1858 purchased land on Timor Street. The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. The document with the building specifications for the Bank of Australasia, Warrnambool has historical significance as it was the basis for the building housing the Bank from early 1860. The document is also a historical record of the specifications and the builders of the mid-1800s in Warrnambool. The document is also significant for its association with Roberts & Co. which also built the Warrnambool Post Office. The document is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Building Specifications; five large cream-coloured pages, folded in half to make a book. Handwritten text in black ink. Rectangular paper sheets were folded in half parallel to the short sides then stapled together near the fold A remnant of green tape suggests it was used to seal the binding. The specifications relate to the Bank of Australasia's Timor Street branch in Warrnambool, 1860.Handwritten in pencil on front cover "Completion date 18th March 1860" "Cost £2,860 sterling" Script handwriting, black ink on cover "Specifications / Bank of Australasia / Warrnambool"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, australia & new zealand bank, anz bank, david charters mcarthur, 1860, regency building, specifications, bank building, roberts & co.

The telegraph system of sending and receiving messages was developed in the early 1800s and improved as time went on. It sends electronic signals that represent letters and words along a wire. Those signals are then converted back to words at the other end of the wire. Morse code is a similar system. A fee is charged to send a telegraph, per letter or per word. The telegraph greatly improved communication, particularly in a large country like Australia. It was a fast way to send news and send out calls for help for people during a shipwreck. In Warrnambool, it was even used to set the correct time every day; a signal was sent from the time ball in Melbourne, and along the railway line to the Warrnambool Post Office. This 1896 telegraph tells a big story in very few words, only fourteen! The layout of the paper form includes a table with four columns and five rows, set out for writing just one word into each of the twenty spaces. The happy message is the approval to go ahead with the exchange/sale of the title from landowner Rutledge to Wilson. The Melbourne Legal firm Klingender Dickson and Kiddle sent this message on behalf of its client to the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool. The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. This telegraph has historical significance as it was sent to the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool. The parties involved in the message, Rutledge and Wilson, were involved in a land deal in 1896 when the district was importing and exporting goods into and out of Warrnambool Harbour via sailing ships. It is also a historical record of the nature of financial agreements between similar institutions in Warrnambool and the district. The telegraph is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Telegraph RECEIVED: Warrnambool Post Office, Wednesday 3rd June 1896. FROM: Klingender, Dickson, and Kiddle, solicitors, Bank Place, Melbourne FOR :the Manager, Bank of Australasia, Warrnambool, REGARDING: Rutledge to Wilson titleSTAMP: text inside circle "WARRNAMBOOL VIC", and in centre of the circle "JE 3 96" Telegraph No. "23", FROM :"Melbourne", FOR: "The Mgr, Bank of Australasia" MESSAGE (14 words): "Rutledge to Wilson title accepted by Purchaser's Solicitors settlement may be effected with auctioneers" TIME: "9:24" SIGNED: " Klingender Dickson Kiddle, Solrs, Bank Place"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, australia & new zealand bank, anz bank, david charters mcarthur, telegraph, 1896, rutledge, wilson, klengender, dickson, kiddle, warrnambool post office, klengender dickson and kiddle, bank place

This document is a receipt detailing the transfer of five documents from the Bank of Australasia Warrnambool to the security of the Solicitor E L Ardile (and W M Ardlie) of Kepler Street Warrnambool. The documents include a Title and are concerned with the bank's customer, W J Bell, deceased. They refer to Jas Bell and Mark Nicholson. The dates mentioned are from 1883 to 1885 and the receipt is dated 10 August 1890. The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. The Receipt from E L Ardlie documents names of local families and are of historical significance. The movement of the documents from the Bank of Australasia, to the security of the Solicitor, shows that the bank was relied on for more than just financial services. The document is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool, established in 1854. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Receipt, printed on pale yellow paper, an official form titled Solicitor's Accountable Receipt, with handwritten details. DATE 10th August 1898 FROM E L Ardlie, Solicitor, TO Bank of Australasia Warrnambool FOR CUSTOMER W J Bell decd. DOCUMENTS five (5) on loan, held for security.DATE: "10 August 1898" SOLICITOR: "E L Ardlie" CUSTOMER: "W J Bell, decd." TEXT: "... RECEIVED on loan from the BANK OF AUSTRALASIA ...documents held in security ... " DOCUMENTS: "Certificate of title to W J Bell" " Grant ... Mark Nicholson" "Conveyance .. Mark Nicholson to ... W J and J Bell dated 16th January 1883" " W J and J Bell to Mark Nicholson 17 January 1883 ..." "Conveyance Jas Bell to W J Bell dated 16 March 1885"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, david charters mcarthur, e l ardlie, solicitor, convenancer, w j bell, jas bell, mark nicholson, document security

This financial report was written by the Manager of Warrnambool's branch of the Bank of Australasia, Samuel Hannaford. The branch was established in 1854 and this report was written on April 16th 1855. The report on the form's front shows the Bank's Assets and Liabilities at that date and the handwritten summary on the back includes other figures including the Net Profit. The form was printed at the printing office of the local newspaper, the 'Examiner', by the well-known local businessman, R. Osborne (Richard). The Bank of Australasia was incorporated by the Royal Charter of England in March 1834. The bank began in Australia on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank later bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. This financial record for Warrnambool's branch of the Bank of Australasia has great historical significance as it is likely to be fhe first statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Bank's branch, which was established in Warrnambool in 1854. The report is signed by the Bank's first manager, Samuel Hannaford. The record's form is significant for its connection with the printer's office, the 'Examiner' which was an early local enterprise established in 1851. The printer, Richard Osborne, was a very involved community member and his name is well known even today. One of his publications, The History of Warrnambool, is a well-used local history reference. The report is significant for its association with the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool, the first bank in Warrnambool. The bank continued to operate until its merger in 1951 when it became the ANZ Bank, which is still in operation today. The Bank was an integral part of the establishment and growth of commerce in Colonial Warrnambool and throughout Australia.Report on a pre-printed form, white paper and black ink. Completed report of the Bank of Australasia, Warrnambool Branch, of the Bank's Assets and Liabilities as of 16th April 1855. On the reverse is a column of handwritten figures with a heading, For the half year to 16th April 1855. Signatures are on the front, including Samuel Hannaford, Manager. The form was printed at the 'Examiner' office in Warrnambool by R. Osborne."Warrnambool 16th April 1855", Total Assets "£83,.925.9.1.", Total Liabilities "£26,181.3.0" "For the half year to 16th April 1855" "Drafts on London" "do Drafts on Branches" "British Bills Remitted" "Net Profit" of "£3,106.12.4", "Average Capital Employed"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, commerce, banking, bank of australasia, david charters mcarthur, assets and liabilities, financial report, samuel hannaford, 1855, financial statement, examiner, richard osborne, bank manager