A view of the new Post Office & School of Arts, Bourbong St. Bundaberg from Barolin St., Augt. 1st 1891, Queensland 1891

Although the identity of the artist who painted this watercolour is unknown, the work is significant in establishing a sense of the growing civic pride of the regional city of Bundaberg at this time. The composition focuses on the Bundaberg Post Office, designed by Charles McLay, who was the primary architect in the Colonial Architect’s Office. Built in 1889, the clock in the tower was specially ordered from England and installed in 1892. To the left is the Bundaberg School of Arts building, which was completed in 1889 to the design of the partnership Hettrich and Champ (1888–91).