Bundaberg icon demolished for $30m hospital development

Tributes are flowing for an historic house being demolished in Bundaberg West, with local residents saying they have “many memories” of the home once owned by a well-known local family with “many friends”.

The Friendlies Society Private Hospital has moved forward on the next stage of its master plan expansion in a bid to keep up with the demand for specialists and hospital beds.

Reliance Demolishing Pty Ltd took possession of the site at 64 Crofton Street, where asbestos removal and demolition works on the house are underway to make way for the development.

Bundaberg woman Cathy Gerrard published a touching tribute to the two-storey brick house her parents built on the site on the ‘Bundaberg: Remember When’ Facebook page.

The demolition site at 64 Crofton Street, Bundaberg West, where new offices will be built.

“Well today starts the demolition of our family home,” the post read.

“It housed our family and held numerous birthday parties, Christmas‘s and a wedding, not to mention the fun and laughter of a huge [number] of family and friends.

“I realise that it's just bricks and mortar and that it will be gone soon, but memories will last a lifetime.

“Farewell to 64 Crofton Street.”

Her post was met with an outpouring of stories and support by locals who remembered the house as “flash for its time”.

“Your home was considered ‘flash’ and stood out grandly. It will be sad for you all to see that history erased. However, your family history lives on in the memory of you all - as well as the extended community,” one post read.

Another local said “I remember your house so well - it is a beautiful home and I always admired it from the Friendlies Hospital when I worked there back in the 80s/90s.”

Others posted about having “so many amazing memories” about the home.

“It’s a beautiful home. I remember your dad standing on the verandah and throwing buckets of water down on us,” one post said.

Another local added that the house would be remembered as part of the local history, posting “I think the majority of Bundabergians would remember this beautiful home but more importantly they hold many great memories with the Gerrard Family. Thinking of you all.”

Previous occupant Cathy Gerrard thanked people for their comments on her post and added that the hospital expansion “makes sense”.

“Our town is getting bigger and medical needs are increasing,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Friendlies Society Private Hospital said that while the house would be demolished, the original materials were not all going to waste.

The demolition site at 64 Crofton Street, Bundaberg West.

“With most houses previously, we have been able to relocate them on a truck but with this one being brick it is more difficult,” the spokesperson said.

“The house is being brought down in pieces and a lot of the house is being recycled, providing second-hand items for home renovators.

“The community have always been very supportive of us expanding services and bringing new specialists into Bundaberg to avoid the need for patients to have to travel to Brisbane.“

The $30 million project will include more theatres, a 30-bed unit and extra parking for patients and visitors.

Construction of the next stage of the Friendlies Hospital expansion will start in the new year and take about two years to complete.

Vale, 64 Crofton Street.