It's tedious and painstaking but the work Maitland stonemasons Chris Marsh and Trevor Dyall are carrying out to an historic Singleton bank almost destroyed by a truck, will certainly rewrite history.
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The former Bank of New South Wales was damaged in 2017 when truck driver Rodney Johnson slammed into a power pole and crashed into the bank before the rig exploded into a fireball.
A mentally ill Johnson was sentenced to 12.5 years jail.
Mr Marsh and Mr Dyall whose business Hunter Heritage Stone Masonry was awarded the contract to repair the 135-year-old property, said the job is one of their biggest and they are proud to be a part of it.
"We've started putting the first pieces in place for the total restoration/rebuild of the old bank building," Mr Marsh said.
While it looks like any another construction site, there is much more to the rebuilding that meets the eye.
Sandstone used in the project has been sourced from an historic government quarry few people would realise was located under Sydney's bustling George Street.
"This stone is used for a lot of historic restoration works because it's known for its durability and oxidising qualities.
"It was used in Newcastle City Hall and the Hunter Street TAFE Campus," Mr Marsh said.
No strangers to historic restorations, Mr Dyall and Mr Marsh worked on the $5 million Newcastle clock tower repair.
"We decided after that to team up and start attacking work on our own," Mr Marsh said.
He said the Singleton job came up "through the grapevine".
"We're working with heritage architect Stephen Brooker and he gave us the task to undertake the heritage rebuild."
The truck crash ripped the facade off the building, now a private residence, and its cast iron posts and pillars which were holding the structure up.
It also wiped out balustrade and fencing.
"Everything was ripped out of position and had to be demolished because it was not structurally sound," Mr Marsh said.
"We're now working on the verandah and reinstating stone work. We've also worked on the stone portico, turned columns, fluting and carved pediments - some of the work carried out by hand. Gosford Quarries have helped us out there," Mr Marsh said.
"There aren't too many people that do this kind of work.
"We're also working with blacksmiths and window specialists.
"It's a pretty impressive project."
