THE ONLINE HISTORY OF GULGONG AND SURROUNDING DISTRICTS: COMMONWEALTH BANK

CommBank’s first branch in Gulgong opened on 16 January 1956 in a leased premises on the corner of Mayne and Medley Streets ... where The Fiddlers Hame is located today. It was leased from Mr. C. A. Lund. The first manager was Frank Poulden.
In 1961 the branch relocated to its current location.

Source: Commonwealth Bank Group Archives

Frank and Val Poulden arrived in Gulgong in late 1955 and Frank opened the Commonwealth Bank in early 1956. They initially lived upstairs from the bank.

Source: Warwick Poulden

Glass-plated building, February 1974

Source: Commonwealth Bank Group Archives

Facade for film set, February 1974

Source: Commonwealth Bank Group Archives

In 1960 the Commonwealth Bank showed their faith in the town by building a new bank. At that time very few appreciated the need to preserve the authentic nature of the town. The CBA gave their building a high, modern, all plate-glass facade. When a film crew was shooting "Between Wars" in 1974 they found the glass front of the bank didn’t fit with 1924 aspect of the set. They disguised it by erecting a temporary verandah. This was later replaced by a permanent one after prompting from the Conservation Society.
Source: Goldfields Motor Inn Gulgong