Demolition reveals a hidden part of Hay’s history

Roger McGrath in front of the historic advertising sign and a treasured Goldenia tea box carrying the same logo. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Kimberly Grabham.

By Kimberly Grabham

A piece of largely unknown treasure was recently unveiled in Lachlan Street.

Gwen Wall and Roger McGrath have painstakingly uncovered a vintage Goldenia tea sign on the Foodworks wall of their property in Lachlan Street.

Having already known the sign was there, every part of the process of demolishing the old ANZ bank building was carefully planned, and accounted for demolishing the building by hand.

“If left in its current state uncovered, it will only deteriorate,” Roger said.

“It is in such good condition because it has been protected by the building for all these years.

“We definitely plan to have it restored.”

Interestingly, there is a Lifebuoy Health Soap sign which is barely visible, behind the remaining building, on the same Foodworks wall.

Roger will ensure to preserve this sign also.

This old Lachlan Street scene shows the mural in all it’s glory.

Roger has a Goldenia tea box with the same sign on it as the sign on the building.

The box still has its vibrant royal blue and yellow colours.

Roger and Gwen’s plans for the old Fayle building and the site of the former ANZ building are impressive and exciting.

There will be a large inviting outdoor dining area, with the revitalised mural as a charming backdrop.

Tea boxes were the staple item in their time.

A decent sized box, the pound boxes of tea for sale were contained in size.

After the tea was taken out, they were used for a lot of different purposes, including domestic goods storage and house contents moving as they were low cost, light weight, robust and clean.

The Fayle building will be the restaurant, restored and retaining history.

“If and when we ever get it up and running, we have big plans for the space,” said Roger.

“It is our dream to have it run as a coffee shop during the day with a lovely open garden area to sit in, a restaurant at night, with the same open air dining space on offer,” said Gwen.

“We also have a lot of space, and a back room to offer for functions such as weddings.

“We would also like to incorporate a drive in section, where for instance if it was raining on a wedding day, the wedding party could drive through and then exit the car in a covered area, and go into the venue.”

The best plans are when the new carries with it the old, combining the current world with vintage charm.

It is believed, before the ANZ Bank premises were built, the vacant lot where it stood was owned by Meakes and Wheeler.

The lot had a wooden fence in front of it, with another sign advertising the iconic Billy Tea.