original_query: What is the historical significance of the Bank of New South Wales building in Townsville?
query: What is the historical significance of the Bank of New South Wales building in Townsville?
answer: The building's historical significance stems from its association with the establishment of the Bank of New South Wales in Townsville, its role in the city's growth as a major port, its use as a military communication center during WWII (housing the Royal Australian Corps of Signals and a cypher group), and its long-term association with the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) and other labor organizations.  Its architectural significance also lies in its well-preserved interior and exterior, representative of bank buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.