Our Stories Our Places Heritage and Character Grant Program

A heritage façade in the centre of the CBD will be given a facelift after Bundaberg Regional Council approved funding for works at the site on 91 Bourbong Street.

Situated above Oasis cafe, the verandah on the top floor of the building will be revitalised by its owners with the help of a $10,000 grant, which was given the green light in Council's May Ordinary Meeting.

The grant application, submitted under the Council's Our Stories, Our Places Heritage and Character Grant Program, outlines a comprehensive plan to restore the upper floor verandah to its original condition.

This includes essential repairs and strengthening of the subfloor, replacement of hardwood decking and repairs to timber posts and framing.

Additionally, the restoration will involve repairing parts of the roof and installing new roofing, downpipes and flashing using materials to match the existing structure.

Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said the project was another positive step towards preserving the city's rich heritage and unique character.

He said the property at 91 Bourbong Street was situated within the Bundaberg Commercial Character Precinct, a key area identified in the Council’s planning scheme for its heritage and neighbourhood character significance.

“The approval of this funding application reflects the dedication to preserving Bundaberg's historical architecture,” he said.

“Restoring the verandah at 91 Bourbong Street will not only enhance the building's structural integrity but also contribute to maintaining the aesthetic and historical value of the Bundaberg Commercial Character Precinct.”

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A long-standing Bourbong Street building is set to receive much-needed roof renovations thanks to a new initiative aimed at preserving and enhancing the region’s historic structures.

Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our Stories Our Places Heritage and Character Grant Program provides a means for Council to deliver financial assistance to owners of eligible properties to undertake conservation works on local and state heritage places.

Situated at 98 Bourbong Street and currently housing Priceline Pharmacy, the key focus of the renovation is the installation of a new roof, with the current infrastructure severely rusted and leaking in multiple areas.

The local grant program awarded $10,000 towards the renovation work, which Priceline spokesperson Cassie Harradine said would assist greatly.

“We applied for the Our Stories Our Places grant as we wanted to improve the standards of the Priceline Building for our staff and customers,” she said.

“The grant has helped us afford the upgrades for this project and get organised within a set timeframe.”

Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said the Our Stories Our Places grant program was helping to preserve the region’s history.

“While the building itself may have undergone modernisation and change over the years this site remains significant to the region’s history as the site of Bundaberg’s first bank,” Cr Learmonth said.

“Having a national bank invest in our town and expand their services here is a recognition of the maturation of Bundaberg as a city.

“Through this grant program we are helping to ensure private building owners can continue to preserve and maintain this history on behalf of the entire community.”

Historical significance of Bourbong Street building

The Priceline building holds a significant place in Bundaberg’s history and Cassie, with the help of John Greenhalgh and Michelle Schwarzer, who are great grandchildren of FW Avenell, the founder of our local Avenell Bros store and Priceline's neighbouring shop, have been able to piece together some important milestones.

“I believe the original building on the site was constructed sometime during 1875,” she said.

“From approximately 1913 to 1938 it was occupied by Avenell Brothers Newsagents ‘sited in Bundy Daily News and Mail 24th Dec 1940'.

“After this point the building became home to the Bank of New South Wales, who purchased the site in 1938. ‘sited in Maryborough Chronicle Wed 22 June 1938.'

“The Bank of New South Wales operated from the site right up to 1982 when it was renamed to Westpac bank.”

Cassie said the bank had a long history in the region.

“They first opened in Bundaberg in a building on Quay Street in 1872,” she said.

“Originally it was thought that Quay Street would be the main street of Bundaberg, however, over time Bourbong Street became the main street which is why the bank purchased the site in 1938.

“In 1940 The Bundaberg Daily News and Mail stated that The Bank of New South Wales had remodelled the building extensively to suit their requirements.

“They removed an old awning and shop fronts, concreated the ground floor and erected a strong room with special bank fittings installed.”

Further research divulged that in 1972 the Bank of New South Wales mounted a plaque in the building to commemorate a century of continuous service by the bank of New South Wales in Bundaberg.

“When the building was remodelled for the Priceline Shop it was remounted and can be viewed on the left of the main entrance, ” Cassie said.

During the 1980's after the Bank of New South Wales was renamed to Westpac, the building underwent further renovations where the marble pillars, large window front, and awning was added to the building.

In 2019, after a long history of banking from the building, the Westpac relocated to another shop on Bourbong Street and the lower level of the building was gutted internally and refit to accommodate the needs of the Priceline Pharmacy in 2021.

Local building preservation vital

According to Cassie, the preservation of the Priceline building is seen as crucial to maintaining the charm and heritage of Bundaberg’s CBD.

“Bundaberg has so much to offer not only as a tourist destination but also as a wonderful place to live,” she said.

“Preserving and improving the streetscape is vitally important.

“The unique, charming, and memorable strip shopping experience is like taking a walk-through time, making people feel welcome and connected with their environment.”

She said once the building's renovations were complete, it would not only be safer space but also a much more functional one.

“The upgraded roof will allow the upper-level offices to be utilised once again, potentially adding new services and increasing the building’s overall utility for staff and customers,” Cassie said.

“We are very grateful for the commitment Bundaberg Regional Council has made to help historical and character buildings maintain their standards.”

Applications for Our Stories Our Places grants will be accepted on an on-going basis until 31 May 2024, while funding remains available.

Find out more here.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The AMP building in Bourbong Street, Bundaberg has received a fresh look as part of its ongoing care, with new exterior paint in a heritage colour scheme.

A prominent building on the Bundaberg CBD streetscape, it has been repainted in grey, with features highlighted in charcoal and gold paint, reducing the blue tones that previously dominated.

The work has been assisted by Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our Stories Our Places heritage and character grant program, which supports private owners undertaking heritage or character improving works on eligible properties.

Built in 1928, the building at 180 Bourbong Street has been in the current owner’s family since 1991 after it was sold by AMP to Peter and Pietrina Felesina.

The current owner is the couple’s son John Felesina, who owns the building with his wife Dehlia.

“My dad actually gifted it to me and my brother back in 2001,” John said.

“I bought my brother's share out in 2006 and now it's owned by me and my wife.”

Building history

Though the building facade states ‘Est. 1849’, the building was designed in 1927 and opened in 1928.

John said it was a common misunderstanding, as the earlier date refers to the establishment of the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) in Australia.

“When I sold the shop, which was April last year, I found some old plans,” John said.

“1927 in February, the drawings were done, and it was done by AMP themselves.

“So even though up the stairs you'll see ‘established 1849’, that's when the AMP was established, not when the building was built.”

The drawings John found show the original planned layout of the AMP offices, including public counters, a strong room and manager’s office, and detail elements of the façade which once featured a large AMP emblem along with the building signage.

AMP building plans

Architectural drawings from 1927 show the planned layout of the AMP offices and facade decoration.

“They had a nice brass AMP emblem in there, but when they sold the building to my father, they took that away,” John said.

“A lot of people think the building's heritage listed, but it's not, which is pretty amazing, because it's a nice looking building.

“We kept all the AMP historic stuff on it, I think that's a really good thing.”

The building is located within the Bundaberg Commercial Character Precinct within Council’s Planning Scheme which recognises the building’s heritage features, aesthetic qualities and its contribution to the streetscape.

There were alterations to the interior over the years, and the ground floor converted to retail when John opened his coin business in 2001.

“I was here for 23 years myself, and I really enjoyed it,” John said.

“I always used to get people coming in saying ‘oh, it's a beautiful building, beautiful building’.

“And we often see people taking photos across the street, tourists, they will stop over there and take a photo of it.”

Our Stories Our Places grant

John and Dehlia received a grant of $7,325 from Council’s Our Stories Our Places heritage and character grant program, representing a 50% contribution to the cost of the repainting work.

“The Council's incentive was a very good one, because there are some beautiful buildings in the street that do need restoration and looking after,” John said.

“I think it's important to keep history going.

“You know, you can't stop progress, that's just how it is, but it is good to keep some of the history, whatever possible.”

John said he encouraged other eligible building owners to take advantage of the Council grant program.

“It's not a lot of red tape or hurdles to do, the Council works with people,” he said.

“I've always been happy with working with the Council.

“The Council had their input, but we come to a compromise, and it's worked.”

Applications for Our Stories Our Places grants will be accepted on an on-going basis until 31 May 2024, while funding remains available.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here

The long history of 80 Churchill Street, Childers will be honoured with a fresh repaint in a heritage colour scheme, with support from Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our Stories Our Places grant program.

Currently operating as a jewellery store, the building has been owned for almost 50 years by June Robinson, who bought it with her late-husband Earle in 1976.

“My late husband and I, we were newsagents here from 1970 until 1984,” June said.

“You knew everybody, you talked to everybody, you heard everybody's funny stories, and some were sad, some were happy, and there were lots of wonderful incidents.

“That was 14 of the happiest years of my life, it was wonderful being part of the street.”

June’s family has lived in the Childers area for generations and she said she had taken a keen interest in the history of the area.

“I've always been interested in historical things, I've collected them forever,” she said.

“Right from a little child, anything that was old, I had to take home and try to make it new.

“The historical part of Childers really does interest me.”

Building history

On 23 March 1902, much of the south side of Childers’ Churchill Street was destroyed by a fire that burned through the original timber-constructed buildings.

Bundaberg architect F H Faircloth was commissioned to design a row of five new masonry buildings, three of which were owned by chemist Thomas Gaydon, and two by Alfred Gorrie.

Alfred Gorrie operated one of the stores as a baker and confectioner, while the other was occupied by hairdresser and barber William Lloyd, whose premises had been destroyed in the fire.

When June and Earle bought the property in 1976, the two stores were still on one deed, which they later separated when they sold 82 Churchill Street to the bakery occupant.

It is the former barbershop that they ran as a newsagent, and which now houses the jewellery store.

The buildings were designed with features such as decorative posts supporting awnings, large glass shopfronts and separate roofs over each shop façade.

F H Faircloth enhanced the features using classic revival pediments, lanterns, urns and balustrades.

These features contribute to Childers’ distinctive heritage streetscape that is notable for its cohesive architectural style.

“I think you'd go a long way before you would find a whole street of heritage buildings,” June said.

“We've got the most wonderful skylight inside.

“You might notice up and down the street, there's little bits of beauty, there's skylights and there's stained glass windows, and that's our little bit of decoration.

“And of course, the tiled floor, there's not too many of those around, and that's very special.”

Our Stories Our Places grant

The Our Stories Our Places grant program supports private owners undertaking heritage or character improving works on eligible properties, with Council contributing 50% of the cost of the conservation works up to a maximum of $10,000 per project.

June received a grant for $4,250 to assist in repainting the exterior of the building in a heritage approved colour scheme of Colorbond Classic Cream with architectural features to be painted Indian Red and Colorbond Pale Eucalypt.

Many of the buildings in Childers, including 80 Churchill Street, are protected by State Government heritage listing, and so the proposed work was also assessed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to ensure the colour scheme is compatible with the heritage value of the building.

Applications for Our Stories Our Places grants will be accepted on an on-going basis until 31 May 2024, while funding remains available.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

For 85 years the St John The Divine Anglican Church has played an important role in the Burnett Heads community with an Our Stories Our Places grant set to preserve its unique façade.

The Bundaberg Regional Council heritage grant initiative provides dollar-for-dollar contributions to preservation projects in defined areas which will positively contribute to the region’s streetscapes.

Listed as one of Council’s Local Heritage Places and located at 1 Paul Mittelheuser Street in Burnett Heads, the design of the St John The Divine Anglican Church is unique to this area with its Tudor-style construction and basalt base laid with locally-sourced volcanic rock.

In its February meeting Council approved a $6,356.45 Our Stories Our Places grant towards conservation measures for the church.

Valued at $12,712.90 the project will see like-for-like timber replacements on the bell tower, windowsills and front façade in addition to repainting of the front façade.

Anglican Parish representative Neil Phythian said he was grateful for the grant provided through Council’s Our Stories Our Places program.

“The short answer is we wouldn’t be able to do it [without the grant funding],” Neil said.

“Money is very tight at the moment and all the costs have gone up.”

He said, from Christmas Carols to community events, eight decades later the unique church continued to play a pivotal role in the community.

“It’s probably the oldest community building,” Neil said.

“The fact that it’s unusual, it’s got a stone base, it’s got that Tudor-style timber on the outside, it’s got a very unusual, curved roof.”

He said tourists and locals frequently photographed the building and the parish and ladies’ guild hosted regular community events.

“We do have a pet blessing service in October and that attracts a lot of people with dogs from Burnett Heads and everywhere really,” Neil said.

“We also ring the bells for the first turtle coming up in the turtle season.”

History of St John the Divine Anglican Church Burnett Heads

In the 1930s Burnett Heads was a small fishing village on the south bank of the Burnett River, which consisted of men’s cottages and fishermen’s holiday homes.

Neil said the attraction of the coastal lifestyle and the possibility of growth in the area made it the logical place to expand the Anglican Parish of Bundaberg.

Mr Christie Mittleheuser donated a block of land near the coast for a church to be built, although it remained vacant for some years until 1939 when Rector of Bundaberg the Reverend Harold Osborn decided it was the ideal location for the church, named for Saint John the Evangelist.

Neil said the parish was determined not to build a wooden building on wooden stumps, which was the usual construction for country churches at the time, which led to the English Tudor design on a base of basalt rock.

At the time volcanic rock was abundant in the area and served as a cheap material for the building's base.

“All hand-split rocks, and the front fence is made of them too,” Neil said.

According to Council’s Local Heritage Places report, the foundation stone was laid by the Most Rev. J.W.C. Wand on 6 August 1939 who described the site as “the most beautiful of any church throughout the diocese”.

It’s not just the building’s façade which holds unique heritage features.

Inside visitors will find original furnishings, including kerosene lamps that were installed when the church was first erected.

“These are the same lights that lit the original Christ Church in 1878,” Neil said.

“We light them now on special occasions such as when we hold the Christmas Carols at the end of the year.”

Find out more about the Anglican Parish of Bundaberg on the website.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The historic Childers Post Office, built in 1890, will receive some tender loving care to ensure the ongoing protection of this iconic part of the Childers streetscape.

Building owners Janet and Peter Anderson received a grant for $10,000 under Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our Stories Our Places grant program, an initiative that supports private owners undertaking heritage or character improving works on eligible properties.

The timber building, at 65 Churchill Street, will receive a full exterior repaint including the roof in the existing traditional colour scheme, with the grant funding comprising approximately one third of the total cost of the repainting works.

Owner Janet Anderson said she did six months of research and obtaining quotes to find the right company to take on the job, such was the importance of getting it right for the town.

“It is very expensive to maintain and look after a large timber structure such as the Childers Post Office,” Janet said.

“It is important not to let it deteriorate as its historical value is very important especially given its location in the centre of town.

“We always felt that the people of Childers ‘owned’ the Post Office and we are just guardians.”

With four grant applications awarded under the Our Stories Our Places program to date, Mayor Jack Dempsey said he was pleased eligible building owners had embraced the initiative.

“It’s fantastic to see the work being done with the support of Council’s Our Stories Our Places grants will have such a positive impact on our heritage streetscapes,” Mayor Dempsey said.

Building History

The Childers Post and Telegraph Office was built in 1890 and opened 17 September 1890.

The tender to construct the new office was awarded to John Jones in the amount £436, with six months given for completion.

The Post Office’s location on the north side of Churchill Street meant it survived the devastating fire of March 1902 that destroyed most of the then timber-built buildings on the south side of the street.

The Post Office was extended in 1910 by the Queensland Government Architect’s Office.

Janet and her husband Peter bought the building in 1990 after Australia Post began to sell some outlets to be run as Licensed Post Offices.

The Andersons ran a gift shop and Post Office until 2022, when they sold the business but retained ownership of the building.

Given the building’s prominence and importance in the town’s history, it was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 January 2003.

Peter was born and raised in Childers and has a long family history in the region including a distant relative, Mr W Beale, who the family believe was the first Childers Postmaster in 1890, and who was later station master at the Childers Railway Station.

Janet said they thought it was extremely important to preserve the character of the region’s heritage and character buildings like the Childers Post Office.

“Not only because they represent particular architecture of the time but also because they embody a rich history during the development of our region,” she said.

“There have been many modifications over the years to bring it to where it is today.

“It is still a functioning Post Office after 133 years!”

Under the Our Stories Our Places program, Council will contribute 50% of the cost of the conservation works up to a maximum of $10,000 per project.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

A Bourbong Street building façade will be repainted to restore its historic charm and add to the heritage character of the Bundaberg CBD main street, where it has stood for over 100 years.

Owner of 69 Bourbong Street, Ben Neilson, received a grant for $9,025 under the Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our Stories Our Places grant program to repaint the building’s exterior in a traditional colour scheme of white and grey.

Our Stories Our Places is a Council initiative that supports private owners undertaking heritage or character improving works on eligible places.

By undertaking the work, Ben said he wanted to help foster a sense of cultural identity and pride among Bundaberg residents.

“The preservation of Bundaberg's heritage character and buildings is an investment in the community's future,” he said.

“It creates a sense of continuity, fosters civic pride, and enriches the quality of life for residents while attracting visitors who appreciate the unique charm and history that Bundaberg has to offer.

“Preserving these structures also fosters a greater understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by previous generations.

“It allows for the recognition of diverse cultural narratives and histories that have shaped the community.

“By valuing and safeguarding these assets, Bundaberg ensures that its cultural heritage remains a living, integral part of its identity.”

Under the program, Council will contribute 50% of the cost of the conservation works up to a maximum of $10,000 per project.

Ben said he appreciated the opportunity to be supported by Council to complete the repainting.

“The local Council acts as a capital partner and their willingness to contribute suggests they too are interested in preserving and enhancing the unique character of Bundaberg,” he said.

“We are deeply appreciative of the support and resources provided through this grant, which will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on the character and charm of our region.”

Mayor Jack Dempsey said the repainting works would make a valuable contribution to the heritage profile of Bourbong Street.

“It’s fantastic to see the work being done with the support of Council’s Our Stories Our Places grants will have such a positive impact to the streetscape,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“We appreciate the commitment of heritage building owners, like Ben, who are preserving and enhancing our region’s unique character, and for ensuring these buildings continue to play a role in civic life.”

Bourbong Street heritage researched

The colour scheme planned by Ben was the result of his research into the history and former appearance of the building.

“We used research through access to local archives and historical records to help identify the most critical aspects requiring attention to retain the initial characteristics that have been forgotten over time,” Ben said.

“It can be seen in many of the historical main street photographs and has played host to various businesses over its time.

“It was the original Bundaberg supermarket in the mid-1900s and still has the original crane used to lower supplies down into waiting carts.

“Out the back (Quay St entrance) we have maintained the original brickwork and hitchrack where folks used to tie their horses before entering town, today it is often used as a popular location for wedding photos.”

The repainting is just part of the heritage-sympathetic changes Ben has planned for the building, including removing advertising signage in the upper windows.

“She boasts beautiful hardwood floors, and the entire upstairs area is about to undergo a major renovation to bring it back to its original setting and make the most of this relaxing space,” he said.

“These buildings often embody architectural styles and craftsmanship that reflect the values, aspirations, and skills of the communities that built them.

“In addition, heritage conservation contributes to sustainable development by promoting adaptive reuse of existing structures.

“It serves as a tangible link to the past, allowing current and future generations to connect with the history and cultural identity of the region.”

Applications for Our Stories Our Places grants will be accepted on an ongoing basis until 31 May 2024, while funding remains available.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

The $100,000 Our Stories Our Places grant fund has been established to support conservation works on local heritage places and main street commercial character buildings.

The Bundaberg Regional Council initiative, announced as part of Council’s 2023-24 budget, has been developed to support private owners of eligible heritage and character places.

The Our Stories Our Places grants will see Council contribute up to 50%, dollar for dollar, towards eligible conservation works up to a maximum contribution by Council of $10,000 per project.

Mayor Jack Dempsey said applications for the Our Stories Our Places grant program would open on 1 September 2023.

“There are many buildings within our region that, through their architecture and heritage value, help to tell our community’s stories,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“By maintaining these buildings we’re preserving our community’s unique history and spirit, but it can also come with an added cost burden.

“Council is committed to partnering with property owners to support the upkeep of these beautiful buildings and streetscapes which are much-loved by residents and much-admired by visitors.”

The Childers Chamber of Commerce welcomed the availability of funding when it was announced, after meeting with Council in November 2022 to discuss the possibility of a heritage incentive scheme being introduced.

Eligible properties for Our Stories Our Places funding include:

• Local heritage places as identified within the Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme
• Heritage places and commercial properties located within the main street commercial character areas in Bundaberg and Childers

The mapped main street commercial character areas of Bundaberg and Childers generally reflect the commercial character areas identified within the planning scheme, modified to include state heritage places.

State heritage places are only eligible for the grant where they locate within these mapped main street commercial character areas.

Publicly owned buildings are not proposed to be eligible for funding under this program.

Subject to the availability of funding, applications will be accepted on an on-going basis within the application period which closes 31 May 2024.

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Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.