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were statements displaying the corporate pride of the Bank and the vital economic role it aspired to play in the Nation.

Sydney was the first project in this significant building program.  A site for the new head office building was purchased from the Council of the City of Sydney in Martin Place in December 1958.  Dr Coombs was determined that the head office would be an impressive structure, built to reflect the bank's prestige and leadership of the financial system.  It was to be the flagship building, proudly built from largely Australian materials.

The Head Office building was completed in 1964 but did not open for business until the 14th January 1965.  Built of polished marble and glass with granite paved public spaces[3], the building was dubbed the "Marble and Gold Palace".  Public criticism of Commonwealth expenditure on Public Works was largely a result of a 'Credit Squeeze' that coincided with Dr Coombs' building programme.

Planning for the construction of the Bank's new buildings in the other capital cities also occurred during this time and the suite of buildings form a cohesive group of designs reflecting a common design philosophy.  Also contemporary with the building and complimentary to the Bank's design aesthetic was the Commonwealth Centre at Chifley Square, now demolished.

The nature of the work of the Reserve Bank of Australia began to change significantly during the 1980s.  The agents for change came from a number of different directions including the introduction of new technology, such as mechanisms for wrapping coins and counting notes.  In 1983, deregulation of the Australian dollar eliminated the Bank's Exchange Control function.  The findings of two government enquiries further changed the Bank's structure[4].  Many of the original functions of the Bank also altered significantly resulting in a reduction in staff numbers[5].

3.3                Construction of the Head Office Building
The Reserve Bank of Australia Head office building was designed and documented by the Special Projects Branch of the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Construction.  The design team included CD Osborne, and RM Ure, GA Rowe and FJ Crocker from the Sydney Branch.  The Department was authorised to engage private architects or consultants to provide specialist knowledge or expertise, and in this instance consulted Professor Harry Ingham Ashworth, Professor of Architecture at the University of Sydney for advice in relation to the Head office building.

The Head Office was located in Hawthorn (Vic), and included three divisions – Architectural, Engineering and Management Services, with branch offices in each capital city and several regional cities.  CD Osbourne headed the Architectural Division in Melbourne however the Sydney Branch Director of Works was responsible for approving the design and documentation of the Reserve Bank of Australia Head Office building