Boyce Street, Taree

In 1909 the Trustees of Taree Estate further subdivided land bounded by Wynter, Florence, Stevenson and Victoria Streets. The survey, carried out by Herbert Valentine Haynes and registered as Deposited Plan 5525, created a new street – Boyce Street.

Although seemingly subject to some drainage issues,¹ the investment potential of this close to town location was realised by the likes of local businessman William Alfred Hill. He purchased several blocks in 1921 and earned a reprimand from Taree Municipal Council when he commenced construction of three cottages prior to Council approval.² Many more cottages were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s.³

This handy location enabled enterprising residents to run small scale businesses from home. In 1929 Mrs Schmitzer was offering boarding facilities for high school boys;⁴ the 1930s saw Mr Parker advertising violin lessons,⁵ while Miss Pereira sought students for her dressmaking classes.⁶ (If sewing was not your forte, you might be more interested in near-by neighbour, Miss Johnston, who advertised her services as a dressmaker.⁷) For a while in the 1940s, Mr Lowe operated a mixed business,⁸ while Shirley Smith had a hairdressing salon.⁹

Although subject to some redevelopment, Boyce Street, home of Taree’s first female Mayor, Gertrude Richardson,¹⁰ still retains much of its old-world charm.

Author: Penny Teerman