Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Former Bank of Australasia - Castlemaine Historic Area

Other Name Australia & New Zealand Bank Ltd Location 57 Mostyn Street,, CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450 - Property No B1958 File Number B1958 Level State

[1/1] B1958 Former Bank of

Statement of Significance

Built on land purchased by the Bank of Australasia, 1854, for the inflated price of 2,500 pounds, this stuccoed two level brick building adopts the typical Conservative Classical style developed in Switzerland during the early 18th century from prototypes in the Italian Renaissance. Castlemaine builder, James Kibble constructed the bank to the design of Melbourne architect, John Gill, to open in July 1857 for a building cost of 5,310 pounds.
This building is the second of five banks facing the Market Square, to be constructed during the gold rush period of Castlemaine.
Castlemaine grew as a result of the discovery of gold along Forest Creek in July, 1851. By December of that year the population on the field was greater than that of Melbourne. In 1852 Mr Templeton surveyed the township of Castlemaine and in 1853 the first auction of the town site was held.
The Castlemaine goldfield was allegedly the richest alluvial goldfield in the world. Such was the prosperity of the diggers that the townsfolk were optimistically expectant of Castlemaine becoming Victoria's second city. The prosperity and the optimism is reflected in the high number of imposing buildings erected in the first few years of the town's life. However, the rich alluvial diggings were worked out within 15-20 years. From the 1870's the town's population began to drift away, but they left behind a rich legacy of the town's former prosperity in the form of its buildings.
Within the Castlemaine Historic Area may be found many items of significance. These range from intact nineteenth century streetscapes composed of imposing public buildings to simple miners' cottages. Within the Historic Area there are a number of identifiable component areas, each telling an important part of the history of Castlemaine. In addition, there are many other sites of significance outside of these areas, but still within the Historic Area. These include the former steam flourmill, the Church of England, the Congregational Church and Forest and Barkers Creeks.
Despite the town's topographical confinements to the valley of the two creeks, the wide streets and large buildings convey an atmosphere of grand spaciousness in this central Victorian goldfields town.
Classified: 'Regional' 05/08/1982
Revised: 03/08/1998