Pambula Supermarket, formerly Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store, Pambula:

Item details:

Current status*:	Unlisted. Formerly included on Schedule 6 of the 2002 Bega Valley Local Environment Plan.
Name of item:	Pambula Supermarket.
Former name/s:	Rural Distributing Store.
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Commercial
Item category:	Shop
Street number:	19
Street name:	Quondola Street
Suburb/town:	Pambula
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire
Property description:	Lot 14, DP 777556
Owner category:	Private
Current use:	Supermarket.
Former use/s:	Grocery and general store with attached residence.

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

Quondola Street, Pambula showing the original Rural
Distributing Store prior to destruction by fire in 1931.

Significance:

Statement of significance: The site of the present day Pambula supermarket has been associated with commercial retail activity for many years, and is reputed to have been amongst the earliest in the town sold for such purposes, giving it a significant level of social importance to the local community. It is now the only such facility in the township where once there were five or six general stores at any given time, making it an important tangible indicator of the impact of contracting populations and improved transport methods. The previous use of the building as a residence as well as store indicates the changing work and living practices of individuals and families involved with commercial activities. The significant association of the building and business with Eric Coorey, "Syrian" hawker turned general store keeper is important as an indication of the changing work practices and opportunities available to immigrants living in rural Australia after the turn of the 20th century. This is only added to by his involvement with numerous local community groups and his commitment to contributing to the maintenance and development of the town. The style of the building and materials used are unusual in the Pambula township streetscape and are reminders of changing styles used in and materials available for building activities in the 1930s and ‘40s. This is reinforced by its vicinity to the old Australian Bank of Commerce building, itself also a unique element in the Pambula streetscape, but vastly different in style and materials to that of the supermarket. The structure also provides a tangible reminder of how disasters such as fires can irrevocably alter the streetscape. Despite this, however, the awning does reinforce the veranda-lined streetscape that is a common element in Pambula’s main street precinct, whilst the scale of the building is very in keeping with that used throughout the township.    Particularly because of the wells and use of portion of the building for residential accommodation, the back yard may also yield some archaeological potential.

Level of significance:

Local.

Rural Distributing Store C. late 1950s.

Description:

Designer:	Probably Bernie Koerber.
Builder:	Bernie Koerber.
Physical description:	Single storey asbestos fibro sheet building with corrugated iron gable roof showing some decorative battening. Modern aluminium framed windows and automatic sliding door to the left at the front have replaced the original layout, which consisted of two windows which stood on either side of timber framed panelled double doors featuring two-paned windows at the top. The plain awning supported by thin timber posts appears to be quite similar to that which originally protected the front of the building. When originally constructed, a portion of the building was devoted to residential area, but today the entire building is devoted to the supermarket and associated storage area.
Physical condition:	Not physically inspected but appears sound.
Construction date/s:	1934/35;
Modifications and dates:
Further comments:

Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store C. late 1950s.

History:

Historical notes: From early in Pambula’s history there has been a store located on this site and according to an unnamed source, was said to be the first in Pambula to be sold for shops. From January 1907, the building on the site was occupied by John Kennedy as the Sydney Stores. In 1922, his son joined him in the business. In December 1931, a fire broke out in the building, destroying the original building then occupied by Eric Coorey’s general stores. The Eden Magnet reported: “By a fire which occurred at Pambula in Sunday night, the building known as Kennedy's Store was destroyed.” A "Syrian" (probably Lebanese), Mr. Coorey had reportedly commenced his business activities as a hawker before moving into the premises in Quondola Street on a permanent basis. After the fire, the site remained vacant until 1934 when he contracted local builder Bernie Koerber to erect the present structure. In 1935, a dispute was heard in the Bega District Court between Mr. Coorey and Mr. Koerber over the building contract, Koerber claiming payment for the balance due and Coorey cross-claiming on the grounds that the work had not been finished on time. The Judge found in favour of Mr. Coorey. Through his business, Mr. Coorey was renowned for his community mindedness, and always willing to donate goods for worthy causes. He was also very involved with the Pambula Progress Association. Nonetheless, despite running a successful business and being so involved in community affairs, Mr. Coorey was, for much of his life, unable to read or write. Kevin Wilks, son of one of the Pambula Public School Principals, recalls his father teaching Mr. Coorey to read and write during the evenings. Mr. Wilks said that this enabled him to develop an even stronger business. For a period after the Grand United Oddfellows Lodge was dissolved, Mr. Coorey utilised their club rooms further up Quondola Street for the drapery portion of his business and in 1934, he opened a branch drapery outlet in nearby Eden. His window displays became a popular talking point for local residents and the Rural Distributing Store was also popular with local sleeper cutters because, unlike other general storekeepers, Eric Coorey was willing to make grocery deliveries to their camps. Wells located at the rear of the building were reputed to be amongst the best in the district, although their exact location is unknown today. It is also uncertain as to whether they date back to the earlier Kennedy business or if Mr. Coorey had them constructed. Since Eric Coorey’s construction, the building has been continually occupied first by general stores and then later, their more modern counter part, supermarkets. Among those who have operated the business have been Allan Gill, the Hopkins family, the Davis family, Mark and Lauren Souris and the Olsen family.

Detail of the front of the Rural Distributing Store, C. late 1950s, showing door and window features.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Commerce – Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Forestry – Activities associated with identifying and managing land covered in trees for commercial timber purposes.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Technology – Activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences.
3: Developing local, regional and national economies.	Transport – Activities associated with the moving of people and goods from one place to another, and systems for the provision of such movements.
4: Building settlements, towns and cities.	Accommodation – Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Domestic life – Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.
9: Marking the phases of life.	Persons – Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups.

Blank receipt from Eric Coorey's Rural Distributing Store.

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Heritage Listings and reports:

Schedule 6, Bega Valley Shire Council Local Environment Plan, 2002

Urban design Guidelines for Pambula Commercial Area, Suzannah Plowman for Bega Valley Shire Council.

Information sources / bibliography :

Brown, Stella, pers. comm. Eden Magnet George, Allan, pers. comm. Munn, Chappie, pers. comm. Pambula Voice Plowman, Suzannah, for Bega Valley Shire Council, Urban design Guidelines for Pambula Commercial Area. Whelan, Betty, pers. comm. Wilks, Kevin, pers. comm.

Author and date:

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

April 2015.

JD's Meats, formerly Australian Bank of Commerce; Pambula Co-operative Creamery and Dairy Company offices, Pambula:

Item details:

Current status*:	Listed in Schedule 5, Local Environment Plan.
Name of item:	Pambula Butchery.
Former name/s:	Australian Bank of Commerce; Pambula Co-operative Creamery and Dairy Company office; Honeysuckle meats;
Item type:	Built.
Item group/collection:	Finance.
Item category:	Bank.
Street number:	21
Street name:	Quondola Street
Suburb/town:	Pambula.
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire.
Property description:	Lot 13, DP 777556
Owner category:	Private.
Current use:	Butchery shop
Former use/s:	Australian Bank of Commerce; Pambula Co-operative Creamery and Dairy Co. offices; temporary Pambula Post Office.

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

Significance:

Statement of significance: The present day Pambula butchery building is significant because of its associations with two important institutions in Pambula, the Australian Bank of Commerce (formerly the Australian Joint Stock Bank) which was the town’s first banking institution, and also the Pambula Co-operative Creamery and Dairy Company, the group that has been attributed with having perhaps the most significant impact on the town’s economic stability. The design of the building is considered significant in that it is unique to the village, whilst the material (brick) is unusual, being that it was not generally used locally in anything other than important public buildings. Situated on a prominent corner site in the centre of the township, the building has the capacity to make an important contribution to the town’s character and atmosphere.

Level of significance:

Local

2006.

Description:

Designer:
Builder:	George Tomkins (of Canterbury).
Physical description:	Single storey brick shop with a high masonry roughcast parapet featuring restrained decorative mouldings and an awning at the front overhanging supporting cement columns. The Toalla Street frontage shows the position of two window apertures, which have been bricked up. The building is painted in Mission Brown with the parapet and columns a deep cream and some elements picked out in white. The front façade has been altered to incorporate a modern aluminium framed glass shop front.
Physical condition:	Not inspected but the building appears structurally sound. Many of the original interior elements such as counters and safe have been altered and/or removed.
Construction date/s:	1913/14.
Modifications and dates:	C. 1928; C. 1976.
Further comments:

2010.

History:

Historical notes: The Pambula branch of the Australian Bank of Commerce was constructed between 1913 and 1914. The bank had purchased the site in 1911, with the manager of the local branch of the CBC Bank writing to his Chief Inspector in April that year that “…the Australian Bank of Commerce bought a corner block the other day,” although he did not indicate whether he thought they intended building at that time. This report is supported by records at the NSW Lands Department, which show the conveyance of part of Lot 1, Section 40, to the Australian Bank of Commerce. Tenders for construction of the new building were advertised in October 1913, and the following year, a requisition was received by the Imlay Shire Council from the local Australian Bank of Commerce manager, Mr. J. N. Small, “…to erect horse rail in front of new bank premises at Pambula.” As with others throughout the colony, the local branch of the Australian Bank of Commerce began as the Australian Joint Stock Bank. Commencing business in Sydney in January 1853, the company continued to operate until the financial depression of 1893, when business was suspended. It was then reformed as a Limited Company, and continued to operate under this banner until 1910, when it was reconstituted as the Australian Bank of Commerce. The bank had commenced business in Pambula in 1883, leasing a building belonging to Mr. J. Behl. It is believed that this stood on the site now occupied by Pambula Plaza, very close by their eventual destination. This earlier building was described as “…of a modest design - long, low, rather pretty cottage, occupying a retiring position within a neat and sightly paling fence that marks the boundary of the allotment whereon the cottage stands, and adjuts on to the street.  The general appearance of the whole would indicate the quite serious business that is transacted within the building.” However, by 1887, dissatisfaction was being expressed with the premises, a writer commenting “The residents hope to see the bank erect a more pretentious building on the present site, and perhaps the directors will replace the little crib at present used when they finish the Bega building!” The site was eventually sold in 1915. The Australian Bank of Commerce continued to operate from the 1913/14 built structure until late 1927, when the local branch was closed down and business removed to the Bega branch. Early the following year, the Pambula Co-operative Creamery & Dairy Co moved their offices into the building. This proved a real boon to the township, with suppliers coming to town once a month for the Saturday meetings, collecting their supply cheques and then settling accounts with local businesses. This had the effect of almost ensuring that butter factory suppliers kept their business in Pambula and is considered one of the foremost reasons why the town was the commercial centre for so many years. Many older residents recall the people in the streets on factory meeting days, and the increased level of business done in those times. Around 1964/65 the Dairy Co. purchased the building, continuing to occupy it, along with the Pambula branch of the Primary Producer’s Union who had also been using the premises from at least the mid-1930’s for their various activities and meetings. Following destruction of the Pambula Post Office by fire in June 1936, the Department also moved in to the old AB of C building. Although this was only intended to be very temporary, the secretary of the Pambula Co-operative Creamery and Dairy Co wrote in November that year to complain of the ongoing situation, stating “We were assured verbally that it would be only a matter of four or five months time from the date on which the Post Office burned down until the new office would be erected, it is now over five months and nothing has been done to relieve us of the inconvenience. The present position is that two clerks and the Secretary are crowded into one small room, where all the work has [sic] done and all records kept in addition to this, the Board meetings of the Company are held in the same room, comprising seven directors, Manager and Secretary…” The same month, the local branch of Primary Producers Union wrote to similarly complain, pointing out “The premises at present rented by the Postal Department are in normal times completely occupied by our own and the Pambula Dairy Co organisation and at present, due to the part occupation by Post Office, we are greatly inconvenienced…” Once the owners of the building, Godfrey Brothers, indicated that occupation may not be available beyond the end of December that year, the postal department moved to have a new facility erected. Following the closure of the Dairy Co-op in 1974, the building was purchased by local resident Ian Robinson. It was he who erected the awning at the front of the building and undertook the other conversions necessary to house a butchery. This included removal of the cedar counter top and safe. The building has housed a butchery business ever since.

C. 1920.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
3: Economy - Developing local, regional and national economies.	Commerce – Activities relating to buying, selling and exchanging goods and services.
3: Economy - Developing local, regional and national economies.	Pastoralism – Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use.
3: Economy - Developing local, regional and national economies.	Industry – Activities associated with the manufacture, production and distribution of goods.
5: Working	Labour – Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour.
8: Developing Australia’s cultural life.	Creative endeavour – Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Listings and study details:

Merimbula Pambula Strategy Study.

Pambula Guidelines, Suzannah Plowman for BVSC, 1994.

Information sources / bibliography :

Bega District News Bega Gazette Bega Standard Brown, Stella, oral communication Candelo & Eden Union CBC Bank, Official records. Dunn’s Almanac George, Allan, oral communication Imlay Magnet Munn, Chappie, oral communication NSW Lands Department records Pambula Post Office, NAA Series MP33/1, item NSW/1938/348 Pambula Voice Robinson, Ian, oral communication Sand’s Sydney & NSW Directory Tetley, Kevin, Bega, information per. Whelan, Betty, oral communication

Author and date:

© Angela George. All rights reserved.

July 2006.