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Behind the Scenes

The Archives

Spanning nearly 200 years, the Reserve Bank of Australia Archives is a unique and rich collection of records about Australia's economic, financial and social history. The stories of our nation’s history can be found throughout the collection, providing new insights and alternative perspectives of the past.

Explore some of these fascinating histories with Bank Archivists Virginia Macdonald and Sarah Middleton-Jones, in a behind-the-scenes look at selected items from the collection.

Episode 1: Our Earliest Record

In Episode 1 of Behind the Scenes, Senior Archivist Virginia Macdonald discusses some of her favourite objects, from the oldest object in the RBA's collection to unique international gifts.

Behind the Scenes at the RBA: The Archives. Episode 1.

References

  • Savings Bank of New South Wales, Sydney (Head Office) Mortgage (Investment) Department. Land Release between John Austin and Thomas Wylde dated 2 September 1824, for 100 acres of land at Petersham in Sydney. It is the oldest document held in the RBA Archives. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, 5-1M-6-5-1.
  • A 1907 Halfpenny found just days before the opening of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in July 1912 and gifted to the Bank’s first Governor Denison Miller as a lucky charm. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, MU-000163.
  • Letter from Ernest Hilmer Smith to Governor Denison Miller. Written and sent from the Gallipoli Peninsula, 27 June 1915. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, D14/149977.
  • Two early experimental designs on polymer featuring a flock of native birds and the philosopher and Nobel Laureate Albert Schweitzer. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, NP-004233 and NP-004232.
  • Savings Bank of New South Wales, Sydney (Head Office) ledger featuring the accounts of depositors, general accounts, mortgages, prisoners and ships (Indexed) for the period 1832 to 1842, including the account of convict turned businesswoman Mary Reibey. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, 5-1-1-1.
  • A brass elephant on a wooden base, which was gifted to the Bank by participants of the first SEANZA (South East Asia New Zealand Australia) Course, Sydney, 1957. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, MU-000273.

Episode 2: Capturing the Moment

Explore a selection of the photographs with Archivist Sarah Middleton-Jones in Episode 2 of Behind the Scenes.

Watch video: Behind the Scenes at the RBA: The Archives. Episode 2.

References

  • Group photograph of staff at the Staff Reunion in Honour of the Return of Members of the AIF from Active Service, Clifton Gardens, 10 January 1920, (Plate 173). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001468.
  • Staff standing outside of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia branch in Bourbon Street, Bundaberg, 27 September 1915, (Plate 52). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000085.
  • Temporary premises of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia at Modern Chambers, 317 Collins Street, Melbourne, 1912, (Plate 30). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000307.
  • Construction of the 5th floor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office, Sydney, 11 January 1915, (Plate 579). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000641.
  • Construction of the roof of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s head office, looking towards George Street, Sydney, 8 May 1915, (Plate 396). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000679.
  • View of the construction of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office from Moore Street (now Martin Place), Sydney, 24 January 1916, (Plate 620). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000778.
  • Appeal from the model destroyer, HMAS Australia, outside the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s head office in Moore Street (now Martin Place) as part of the Seventh War Loan campaign activities in Sydney, 17 September 1918, (Plate 246). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001779.
  • The Mayor of Balmain, Alderman D McKenzie, delivering an address outside the Town Hall on Darling Street, Balmain, as part of the Sixth War Loan campaign activities, 3 April 1918, (Plate 296). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001750.
  • The Mayor of Waverley, Alderman HWF Rodgers, delivering an address at Bondi Junction, as part of the Sixth War Loan campaign activities, 5 April 1915, (Plate 221). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001751.
  • Staff Ball and presentation to the Governor and Deputy Governor, Paddington Town Hall, 19 September 1919, (Plate 185). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001437.
  • Reception for staff in the Luncheon Hall at the opening of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s new head office, Sydney, 23 August 1916, (Plate 719). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001434.
  • The Governor, Denison Miller, participating in the putting competition at the Staff Reunion, Clifton Gardens, 10 January 1920, (Plate 176). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001221.
  • Ladies sack race at the Staff Reunion, Clifton Gardens, 10 January 1920, (Plate 175). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001469.
  • EW Brainwood winning the 100 Yards Diggers’ Handicap race at the Staff Reunion, Clifton Gardens, 10 January 1920, (Plate 177). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001462.
  • A Commonwealth Bank officer receiving deposits from workers constructing the Trans-Australian Railway, 1914–1917, (Plate 640). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001984.
  • Camels on a sand hill during the construction of the Trans-Australian Railway, 1914–1917. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001992.
  • A Commonwealth Bank officer receiving deposits from workers during the construction of the Trans-Australian Railway, 1914–1917, (Plate 641). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001985.
  • HRH the Prince of Wales being received by the Governor-General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, and the Governor of the Bank, Sir Denison Miller, at the entrance to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s head office, Sydney, 16 June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-002046.
  • The Governor-General’s room in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office, Sydney, 24 March 1917, (Plate 369). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000869.
  • Staff luncheon room, Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office, Sydney, 6 September 1916, (Plate 765). Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-002139.
  • Staff luncheon room, Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office, Sydney, June 1921. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-002138.
  • The Governor-General’s dinner for the Prince of Wales, staff luncheon room, Commonwealth Bank Head Office, 16 June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-002047.
  • Decorations in Moore Street (now Martin Place) for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia, June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000921.
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office and Moore Street (now Martin Place) decorated for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia, June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000923.
  • Procession for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia passing through Moore Street (now Martin Place), 16 June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000925.
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office decorations for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia at night, June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000927.
  • Commonwealth Bank of Australia head office decorations for the Prince of Wales’ visit to Australia, June 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-000922.
  • Engraving the peace commemorative stamp, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1945. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-006590.
  • Examining sheets of the peace commemorative stamp, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1945. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-006591.
  • Operating the perforating machine on the peace commemorative stamp, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1945. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-006593.
  • Printing the peace commemorative stamp, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1945. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-006594.
  • Printing and interleaving of sheets of the peace commemorative stamp, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1945. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-006595.
  • First meeting of the Note Issue Board, Sydney, 17 December 1920. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-001879.
  • Intaglio printing machine showing delivery of printed sheets of stamps and interleaving, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1957. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-003036.
  • Perforating sheets of stamps, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1960. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-003041.
  • Guillotining full size sheets of stamps, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1960. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-003040.
  • Examining completed sheets of stamps, Note Printing Branch, Fitzroy, c.1960s. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-003034.
  • RMS Niagara. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004087.
  • Salvage ship Claymore delivering gold at Whangarei dock, New Zealand, 1941. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004086.
  • Salvage ship Claymore, 1941. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004085.
  • Cross-section of RMS Niagara showing the bullion room. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004089.
  • Salvage ship Claymore showing the specially constructed diving bell in use, 1941. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004088.
  • Commonwealth Bank officer VE Neilley issuing a receipt for part of the salvaged gold to Captain Williams. Also present are divers W Johnstone and JE Johnstone, 1941. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-004083.
  • Crew of the Claymore with gold recovered from RMS Niagara, 1941. Reserve Bank of Australia Archives, PN-003936.