09/12/2019
The grand and ornate Australian Joint Stock Bank (Parramatta branch) is one of many heritage buildings that were demolished in Parramatta during the "rapacious" mid-twentieth century. And, like St George's Terrace, Parramatta, the lost Joint Stock Bank was the handiwork of the Coates family.
In the course of his celebrated building career, George Coates was committed to passing on his knowledge to the next generation of builders of the district, “a goodly number of [whom] learned their trade under his supervision.” Among them were his own sons who went on to become “master builders” of Parramatta in their own right. Herbert became the contractor for the Australian Joint Stock Bank’s Parramatta branch, which once stood next to the James Barnet-designed post office on Church Street (present-day UNE Parramatta).
As contractor, when the new bank opened for business in early 1887, Herbert “had the gratification of drawing the first money across the counter. When Herbert is a grandfather,” wrote a journalist reporting the bank’s grand opening, “he will point with pride to that building, and no doubt relate this fact to his grandchildren.” Unfortunately, while Herbert’s grandchildren likely did see the building, subsequent generations would not have the pleasure. The sturdy, impressive building stood at 207 Church Street, Parramatta until it was demolished in the 1950s.
IMAGES: (1) "Parramatta and districts illustrated: with a review of chief municipal, electoral, industrial and commercial factors of Parramattan progress, (Parramatta, N.S.W: Cumberland Argus, 1899); (2) The Australian Joint Stock Bank, Church Street, Parramatta, ca. 1925 http://heritagecentre.parracity.nsw.gov.au/search.do?id=90492&db=object&view=detail&directoryResult=true
