Following the death of the then owner George De Fraine of Sydney, vacant land having frontages to Pulteney, High and Wynter Streets (Lots 1 & 2 Section B) was sold to John Joseph Stephens of Taree in 1908.1 Later that year, Stephens commissioned Henry Alcorn of “Tunbridge Wells” High Street, to build a substantial brick house on Lot 2 which was leased, on completion, to Dr Stuart Kay.2
A Sydney University graduate, Dr Kay had arrived in Taree in 1907 as an assistant to Dr Gormley,3 but left the district in 1910 having purchased the practice of Dr Lloyd in Mackay, Queensland.4 Dr Stokes then leased the property in 1913 followed by Warburton Thomas Baird, Shire Engineer in 1923.5
Over the years, the property changed hands several times. In 1944 John Francis Bradley purchased the dwelling.6 He and his family operated a bakery and shop nearby at 85 High Street.
The building is presently occupied by Taree Craft Centre Inc.7 and has been extended to provide space for a teaching area and café. Following damage caused by a vehicle in July 2017, substantial repairs were undertaken, together with the glazing of the front verandah.8 The building is a locally listed heritage item.
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 NSW Land Registry Services: Certificate of Title Volume 1064 Folio 223.
2 Wingham Chronicle Saturday 6 June 1908 Pg 6.
3 Manning Valley Historical Society Journal No. 49 – Medicine on the Manning.
4 Daily Mercury (Mackay Qld) Tuesday January 6 1953 Pg 3.
5 NSW Land Registry Services: Certificate of Title Volume 1064 Folio 223.
6 NSW Land Registry Services: Certificate of Title Volume 3679 Folio 136.
7 http://www.tareecraftcentre.com/
8 Manning River Times Friday 26 January 2018.
