About Our History

Our History in Taree

"Burnham"

25 Albert Street, Taree

Burnham was built in 1881 for the Boyce family, original proprietors of the Manning River Times. The house remained home to descendants of the Boyce family until 1997, when sold to the legal firm, Paton Hooke Lawyers.

The house was built with bricks and stone from Taree's original primary school. Many features of the house are still evident including chimneys, finials, cedar joinery, fireplaces and French doors. The well and water pump are intact, but no longer in use.

Burnham is also the birthplace of Sir Harold Lesley Boyce, a Rhodes scholar and member of the English House of Commons after service at Gallipoli. In 1951 he was appointed the 633rd Lord Mayor of London.

Today, Paton Hooke Lawyers provides a range of legal services including family law, wills and estate planning, business law and assistance with conveyancing. Along with Taree, we also service Wingham, Old Bar, Forster-Tuncurry, Harrington, Nabiac and beyond. Call us on (02) 6551 0355 for any enquiries.

Preserving Burnham's Heritage

Burnham is one of only six century-old brick houses remaining in Taree. During renovations undertaken by James and Margaret Paton in 1998, every effort was made to preserve the building's heritage. All rooms retain original doors, decorative plaster and timber lined ceilings.

The origin of Paton Hooke Lawyers is traced through Hooke & Co as well as Taree's oldest law firm, Murray M Hooke & Summerville Solicitors.

Paton Hooke Lawyers are a respected, traditional law firm in keeping with the historic "Burnham".