Well, wasn’t it a nuisance when Bendigo Bank and Up Bank services weren’t working yesterday? Thankfully, all is well again now.
Today, we rely so much on the internet, ATMs and electronic supermarket checkouts. It is certainly different from the way banking was done many years ago.
Bunyip has been fortunate enough to have several banks over the years.
One was the State Savings Bank of Victoria, which later became part of the Commonwealth Bank. Its former bank building is still standing and is now home to Baw Baw Physio and Fitness.
The Commercial Bank merged with Westpac Bank in 1982. It was located in High Street, in a building that is barely recognisable as a former bank today.
Ray Veenstra remembers painting both the inside and outside of this building—and the difficulty of using ladders on the hill. It was always a worry!
We must also remember the extremely high interest rates of years gone by. Many people faced great financial pressure as home-loan interest rates climbed to levels that are difficult to imagine today.
Since the bank closed around 1990, the building has been home to Greenview Accounting and is now home to Findex Accounting and Finance.
Originally, on that site stood the Commercial Bank of Australia building from Bunyip’s pioneering years.
When I attended Bunyip Primary School, the State Savings Bank of Victoria offered savings accounts for children. Mum or Dad would place some money in an envelope with our little bank passbook, and we would take it to school. At lunchtime, the teacher would do the banking for us.
Isn’t that the sweetest memory?
Many children will also remember the Commonwealth Bank’s Dollarmites accounts and its different money boxes.
How wonderful it was for the community to gain its own Community Bank in 2008.
Community Bank Bunyip & District was incorporated in 2007, with its branch now located at 18 Main Street, Bunyip. It began with a community meeting, followed by local people buying shares—a wonderful example of genuine community spirit.
The bank supported—and continues to support—many local organisations and events.
I remember being invited to a lovely high tea at the bank. Over the years, it has also supported the Community House’s Bunyip Kids X Factor, children’s colouring competitions, the Bunyip Christmas Festival, and many other local sporting and community groups and activities.
A great deal of money has been returned to our community through the Bunyip Community Bank.
Some people may remember its little yellow pig money box, affectionately known as Piggy. The Commonwealth Bank also had its well-known platypus-shaped money box, while the green-and-yellow Bunyip money box is another lovely piece of our local banking story.
Today, Bunyip is fortunate to still have the Bendigo Community Bank and an ATM in Main Street.
Banking may have changed enormously, but these buildings, passbooks, Christmas Club accounts, school banking days and colourful money boxes remain part of Bunyip’s history—and our memories.Your memories are always welcome 🤗
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