Former Gympie doctor’s surgery to be turned into function centre

A former doctors’ surgery historically linked to countless Gympie families and the city’s first mayor is expected to undergo a new massive transformation.

One of Gympie’s most storied homes at Amy St, which was commissioned to be built for the city’s first mayor in 1880 before becoming a doctors’ surgery, is about to enter a new era with plans lodged to transform it into a function centre with accomodation.

One of Gympie’s most iconic homes is in line for a new lease of life with plans to transform it into a function centre with room for guests or organisers to stay overnight.

Owners Michael and Caroline Arnett have asked for permission to use the historic property, which sits across the road from the St Peter’s Church at the intersection of Amy St and Lady Mary Tce, for a range of events including weddings, wakes, birthday and Christmas parties, team building events, and exhibitions.

In their application to Gympie Regional Council, they say the “versatile facility is designed to host a variety of events” and will operate under the name Proud Mary.

Four double bedrooms would be available for overnight stays.

The former building was destroyed in a 2012 fire, and subsequently rebuilt across the next decade. Photo Craig Warhurst / The Gympie Times

These would be “exclusively reserved” for these events and only available to attendees, the Arnetts say in their application.

It will be unavailable for booking any other time.

As a function centre it would be able to host up to 80 guests, with indoor functions running from 7am-10pm and outdoor events from 7am-7pm.

No commercial cooking will take place at the site.

If approved, the house will be able to cater for up to 80 guests and serve as a venue for a range of events including weddings, wakes and Christmas parties.

The property has been a storied part of Gympie’s history.

The land was first built on in the 1880s, having been commissioned for the man who would serve as the city’s first mayor, William Smyth.

Initially it was used as a doctor’s surgery, first for an unidentified professional, then as Dr Bill Lindsay’s rooms for many decades, and then Dr David Cairncross.

It was bought and then owned by the Department of Communities from 2009-2012, during which it was significantly damaged by fire.

It remained empty until 2016, was eventually rebuilt by the previous landowner before being sold to its current owners.

The council has not yet made any decision on the application.