Bank of Australasia Staff in Adelaide, 1917.
During the First World War, for the first time significant numbers of women entered the workforce, including into roles in banking which had previously been almost exclusively the preserve of men. ES&A (later Esanda, part of ANZ) was quick to embrace the increased diversity of its workforce " having previously been the first Australian bank to employ a woman (in 1880). ES&A was also the first bank to employ a woman into a front line role.
Former Bank Manager Percy Wallis said of Madge Mathewson, who worked in the bank's Caulfield East branch, as "most capable " the best teller I ever had."
