Media release - 2nd November, 2012

Georgian property represents a slice of Raine family history

• Raine & Horne Bathurst lists historic Rainham for auction, scheduled on Thursday 29 November at 7pm
• It is the first time in 154 years that Rainham has been listed on the market
• Rainham was built by Captain Thomas Raine Snr., father of Raine & Horne real estate co-founder, Tom Raine
• The four bedroom residence, which sits on 31 hectares of prime farmland, will appeal to renovators, tree-changers and history buffs –  and it also has commercial potential

For the first time in more than 150 years, Rainham, one of Bathurst’s most historic houses and former home of leading real estate family, the Raines, has been listed for sale.

“The sale of my Great Grandfather’s old home, Rainham, holds a very special place in the hearts of all of us here at Raine & Horne, and we are honoured to be entrusted with such a special slice of Australian history,” says real estate doyen Max Raine, of Raine & Horne.

Built in 1832, the historic two storey residence is a fine example of Georgian architecture, and contains four spacious bedrooms. 

The residence sits on 31 hectares of prime farm land and showcases sweeping views towards Queen Charlotte Vale Creek and the Blue Mountains.

“Horse lovers will appreciate the old stables building with its cobblestone floors and traditional swinging doors,” says Mr Raine.

“The property even boasts a well-preserved wing that once served as convict accommodation.”

Rainham was built by Captain Thomas Raine (b.1793, d.1860), father of Tom Raine, who co-founded Raine & Horne, one of Australia’s most recognised Superbrands.

“Captain Raine, the elder, was an extremely accomplished mariner and was one of Australia’s earliest entrepreneurs, setting up Australia’s first whaling station at Twofold Bay in Eden on the NSW south coast,” says Angus Raine, current CEO of Raine & Horne and great great grandson of Thomas Raine.

“He also explored and charted parts of the Great Barrier Reef and as a consequence, Raine Passage and Raine Island are named after him.”

In 1825, after a successful sailing career, Captain Thomas Raine was granted an allotment of land in Bathurst, where he built Rainham seven years later.

Rainham remained in the Raine family until 1854, just prior to the great Bathurst gold rush, when it was sold to the Boyd/Richardson families, who have been the residence’s proud owners for the past five generations.

During the gold rush, it was used as a popular inn and accommodated famous guests such as explorer and botanist, Richard Cunningham.

The home itself still bares many unique characteristics of early Australian colonial life including multiple open fireplaces, a sitting room and an enclosed verandah.

Furthermore, in 1969, the iconic Rainham was proclaimed a ‘home of historical interest’ by the National Trust of Australia.

John Fagan, selling agent and Co-Principal of Raine & Horne Bathurst, says Rainham still has prospects as a commercial property.

“This historic home has the potential to be a viable restaurant or even a bed-and-breakfast, and is likely to appeal to a renovator or business interested in preserving a special piece of Australian history.”

With such a unique property, interest in the sale is expected to be high and Mr Fagan says the home would also appeal to retirees and families seeking a tree-change lifestyle on acreage land.

Moreover, Mr Fagan advises that buyers will find that Bathurst has all the comforts associated with a big city in an idyllic regional setting.

“It is a booming regional city with great schools, a university, affordable housing and robust employment and industry,” says Mr Fagan.

Scheduled for auction on Thursday 6 December at 7pm, Mr Fagan says that the sale of Rainham is a once-in-a-generation buying opportunity.

“The home hasn’t been on the market for over 150 years and I would encourage all interested parties to take a look because, who knows, it might be another 150 years before we see it on the market again!”

For more information about the sale of Rainham, contact Raine & Horne Bathurst on (02) 6331 6555.

For further media information contact:

John Fagan, Co-Principal, Raine & Horne Bathurst on 0414 403 340

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator on (02) 9258 5400