This ornate building housed the Bank of NSW and was located on the corner of Bridge St East and Carrier St, Benalla. This photo is part of the Howship collection.
The Benalla Family Research Group is entering into an exciting and comprehensive new project for the Heritage Celebrations in April.
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BFRG president, Bill Willett, said the Heritage theme for this year is ‘change’, and the group are looking for photographs of replaced early buildings, and any other examples of change for an exhibition, and a modern-day collection of what Benalla Rural City looks like today.
“We are asking the Benalla and District public to look through their old photographs and pick out those that show change in the local community over time,” Mr Willett said.
“If you have a photo of an original and a replacement building, or just a replaced building, black and white or coloured, would you please lend it to us so that we can scan and exhibit it in our collection.”
The group has a collection of photographs taken between 1900 and 1930 by one of the first photographers in Benalla, William Howship.
Many depict the early buildings in Benalla, some of which have been destroyed and replaced by more modern, contemporary structures.
For example, the picture of the Bank of NSW, shows an older building that was replaced in the 1960’s with the present-day building which formerly housed the Westpac Bank and is now home to Bare Aesthetik.
The corner of Bridge St East and Carrier St showing the old Bank of NSW circa 1950, and the building which replaced it. The middle photo shows it as Wespac in 2010, and the bottom photo was taken in 2025.
Another example on the opposite corner was the Arnott’s Motors Showroom, that is now the Thirsty Camel Bottle shop.
Does anyone have a photo of Arnott’s showroom? If so, this is the exact type of photo BFRG is looking for.
“Time is of the essence so we need to act quickly to accommodate the Heritage Festival in April,” Mr Willett said.
“If you can help with any photograph, please contact us on 0429 947 696.
“Or come to the Family Research rooms in the old St Andrew’s Hall at the end of Mair Street on a Tuesday and Wednesday between 10am and 4pm.
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