b'First Hedderwick,then Fookes, now AlstonIn the early 1900s things were far from harmonious in theBatman House was a dignified three-storey bluestone Melbourne firm of Lewis Hedderwick & Fookes. Now joinedbuilding. It welcomed visitors through an imposing foyer by a second generation of partners from both the Lewis andwith a chandelier that hung from the 23- foot-high ceiling. Hedderwick families, the practice found itself along familyThe warmth exuded by the buildings polished woodwork lines, with a brick wall constructed down the middle of thebelied what the partners and staff experienced as an office separating Lewis and his son from the other partners.extremely cold office. They were grateful for the regular This curious situation lasted until 1906 when the partnershipsupplies of coal provided by one of the firms clients, the was dissolved and those aligned with the Hedderwick familyMelbourne Steamship Company, to fuel the fires, and more formed a new firm, Hedderwick Fookes & Hedderwick. Thatgrateful still when electric radiators were finally installed in practice relocated to 420 Little Collins Street. 1946. While the firm had numerous corporate clients, the foundation of its practice continued to be conveyancing for By then, Henry Hedderwick was in his late seventies andthe citys growing real estate industry, as well as work for taking a less active role in the firm. In 1910 forty-two- year-Victorias pastoralists. old Thomas Cauvine (TC) Alston who had completed his articles under Hedderwick some years earlier was invitedDespite his official retirement in 1915, Fookes continued to join the partnership. The firm was renamed Hedderwickto visit the office to offer advice. He died in 1925, the same Fookes & Alston and later that year moved to Batmanyear as Henry Hedderwicks son Bruce. These deaths left House at 103105 William Street, Melbourne, where itAlston as the senior partner. He spent forty years with the would remain for almost sixty years.firm, through the tumultuous era of two world wars and the Great Depression. From left: Henry Hedderwick; William Fookes; Thomas Cauvine Alston; and Bruce Hedderwick.78'