Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223:front:0:p18
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021C01223
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 47969–50928

weathering and pollution, and asbestos was detected throughout the building.  Works began on an extensive program to repair the façade and internal refurbishment works were to upgrade staff facilities to meet standard office requirements to allow the Bank to continue operating from the site.[14]

The repair process of over-cladding the exterior of the building commenced in November 1993 using both Australian and Italian stone.  The system was designed to ensure the rhythm of the original fenestration was retained.  New stone was attached to aluminium trusses bolted to the inner frame of the building with a gap to allow for water to drain between the two skins.

Several subsequent changes were made to the upper levels of the elevations of the Head Office after 2001 to reflect changes in internal function.  These changes were again designed to have minimal impact on the presentation of the building to Martin Place and Macquarie Street.

Major internal changes carried out between 2001 and 2003 included the removal of two apartments, two squash courts, the relocation of risers and service areas, and the re-configuration of internal office areas generally.  Several floors[15] were leased to separate organisations resulting in the refurbishment of office and service areas to suit their individual requirements.

Works carried out since 2005 have addressed statutory compliance issues, access to premises requirements, security requirements and replacement of equipment at the end of its operational life, for example, replacement of lift cars.

3.7                Associated Individuals

3.7.1            Herbert Cole Coombs (1906-1997)
    HC Coombs was born in Kalamunda, WA, in 1906.  He attended Perth Modern School working as a teacher and on the wharves to pay to attend university where graduated with first-class honours in economics, and winning the Hackett Studentship enabling him to study overseas.  Following the completion of his MA, he proceeded to London School of Economics to undertake a thesis on central banking and was awarded a PhD in 1933, returning to his teaching career in Perth in 1934.

    In 1935 Coombs moved to Sydney, initially working for the Commonwealth Bank and later transferring to the Commonwealth Treasury in 1939, appointed Director of Rationing in1942 and in 1943 was appointed Director-General of the Department of Post-War Reconstruction by Ben Chifley.

    Coombs was appointed the Governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia on 1st January 1949.  In 1959 the Australian Government passed the Reserve Bank of Australia Act separating central bank's operations from the trading and savings bank functions of the Commonwealth Bank.  HC (Nugget) Coombs was appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1959, retiring in 1968.

    Following his retirement from the RBA, Dr Coombs served as the Chancellor of the Australian National University between 1968 and 1976, and was instrumental