Legal firm celebrates 50 years

Woy Woy legal firm Tonkin Drysdale Partners has donated $5000 to Peninsula community groups to celebrate its 50th Anniversary on the Central Coast.

The Bays Rural Fire Service, St Judes in Woy Woy, Umina Beach Surf Life saving Club, Woy Woy Aged Care, Woy Woy Peninsula Neighbourhood Service, Peninsula Community Centre, Peninsula Village, Umina Beach PCYC, Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club and Patonga Rural Fire service each received $500 from the firm.

The Woy Woy and Wyong based legal practice has donated a total of $10,000 to 20 community and sporting groups throughout the Central Coast, including 10 on the Peninsula.

"These donations are in addition to our continuing financial support of many Central Coast sporting and charitable organisations," Mr Paul Tonkin said, on behalf of his partners Darrell Pannowitz and Paul Quin.

The firm was founded in 1958 by Philip Tonkin when he commenced his practice at Woy Woy as PD Tonkin and Co.

There were several changes to the firm's business name reflecting changes in the partnership until 1992 when the current name Tonkin Drysdale Partners was adopted.

Philip Tonkin retired the same year and the partnership consisted of James Drysdale, John Fitzpatrick, Darrell Pannowitz and Paul Tonkin.

James Drysdale retired in June 2002.

John Fitzpatrick retired from the partnership in 2004 and remains as a consultant at the firms Wyong office.

The current partners are Darrell Pannowitz, Paul Tonkin and Paul Quinn.

"Our lawyers have a combined experience of more than 130 years in the legal field," Mr Tonkin said.

Over the years the firm has continued to operate from its main office at 77-79 Blackwall Rd, Woy Woy.

In 1992 Tonkin Drysdale Partners opened a second office in Wyong.

Mr Tonkin said the firm had provided pro bono services and financial sponsorship to local not-for-profit and sporting organisations.

Website, 14 Aug 2008 Tonkin Drysdale Partners