This Day in History: 1989-11-01

1989 November: Westpac celebrated 100 years of banking in Toodyay, by presenting an historical display in the Toodyay Westpac bank, on Stirling Terrace.  The Western Australian Bank (a precursor of Westpac) was opened in what is now Butterly House on Harper Road, Toodyay, in 1889. The staff dressed in period costume for a week. A cocktail party was held for long time clients and former branch managers. Westpac WA State Manager Bruce Alexander presented a cheque for $2,000 to the Shire President Bob Somers, for the proposed Youth Hall in the Toodyay Showgrounds. Mr. Somers also accepted, on behalf of the Shire, a silver tray to commemorate 100 years service to the Toodyay district. Syd Geary, the oldest client, cut the cake and was presented with the knife as a memento of the occasion. John Jones was the current bank manager.

Sources:
Toodyay herald, Dec. 1989, p.1 (photo).
West Australian, 2 Jan, 1890, p.2.
Email from Shelley Kingston, 6 Nov. 2014.