
At 85 High Street, Taree, stands Clancy’s furniture store which was established in 1979 by Martin Clancy.1 Walking through the store one wonders what was this building’s prior use? An old sign referring to a bakery is not an item for sale but instead a signal to the past.
Since 1913 this building has been owned by bakers.2 Albert Jones of the firm ‘Jones and Edwards’ bakers and confectioners, was the first to establish a bakery and home here before leasing the premises in 1917 to pursue his political career.3 In 1935 John Bradley bought the business and created a thriving bakery.4
The bakery industry was highly regulated and Bradley (along with many other bakers in Taree) was fined for breaches including baking before 6 am and baking and delivering bread on a public holiday.5 Bradley was highly respected in Taree having fought in Gallipoli and France during WWI.6 His sudden death in 1947 at the age of 50 was a shock. He suffered a heart attack while watching his beloved Old Bar football team play at Taree Showgrounds.7
The bakery was continued by his wife Catherine and daughter Mary before Catherine’s early death in 1953.8 In 1959 it was sold to Milligan’s Bakery and then to Gillespie Brothers. Phillip Passau bought it from Clancy in 1982 and still operates it today.9 When visiting the store keep an eye out for the old bakery sign.
Author: Janine Roberts
References:
1 NSW Land Registry Services Vol-Fol: 7743-238.
2 Ibid. Vol-Fol: 1962-180.
3 Clarence and Richmond Examiner, 19 July 1913.
4 NSW Land Registry Services Vol-Fol: 1962-180.
5 Factories and Shops Act No. 39, 1912 https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/acts/1912-39.pdf; Northern Champion, 19 June 1935.
6 NAA: MT1486/1, Bradley/John.
7 Northern Champion,30 July 1947.
8 Northern Champion,26 May 1953.
9 NSW Land Registry Services Vol-Fol: 7743-238.