National Bank of Australasia in Maralinga

The following information and photographs were kindly supplied by David Jobson. He and his wife Helen travelled down to Ceduna and Smoky Bay to follow up on this little (but significant) piece of Maralinga history. John was a NAB/CBC, banker hence his interest. The following quote is taken from the NBA Archives.

The National Bank of Australasia (NBA) opened a branch in Maralinga on 8 July 1957, in a room 15 feet by 12 feet in the offices of the Range Commander and his Adjutant. Two bank officers were employed at the branch and were housed in the officers’ quarters and used the officers’ mess. The first manager was Mr Scofield and his assistant was Mr Phillips. In January 1958 the branch moved into a new building that was located closer to the canteen. The branch was closed on 9 April 1965, due the decline in personnel stationed at Maralinga. The manager at the time of the closure was Mr Dawson and his assistant was Mr Dodd.

An 18 inch bell to replace the existing bell in the chapel was donated by the bank in appreciation of the assistance given by the Range Commander in establishment of the branch. I wonder if this chapel and or bell still exist?

David Jobson (from the NBA Archives)

The church at Ceduna was, in fact, the original Lutheran one at Maralinga in the 1950s. Its bell, which is now at the Smoky Bay Community Church was on the Ceduna/Maralinga building and is still swinging away there.

More on the National Bank as well as a couple of other articles about the area in those years. They are from the Bank’s “Nautilus” staff magazines, which were published 1/2 yearly each December and June. John Dobson has dated them himself.

If anyone has more information or photographs, please add to comments or email to help@maralingatours.com.au