Dr Colin Martin cut the ribbon to formally open the building at a function co-hosted by builders GWG Constructions and Gloucester MediCo. 

The function was attended by many of the local tradespeople that had contributed to the construction - David Collett (architect), GWG Constructions, CalCo Surveyors, Garners Home Hardware, Townsend Electrical, SBP Plumbing, Col Beattie and Stewart Wilson (bricklayers), Zac’s Glass and McCloy Enterprises. 

Building owners Don and Michele Dunlop and their family were joined by many of the doctors and staff who will be operating out of the building from both Gloucester MediCo and Symbion Pathology.  

“We have been impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition” the couple said. 

“We were unaware, when we commenced the project, of the complexity of regulations and requirements, but the team we had seemed to take everything in their stride and it all went really smoothly. 

“Initially it was expected that we would bring in builders from out of town, but we wanted to do as much locally as possible and we think it has paid off. 

“We were dumbstruck by the efficiency of the builders. If they said something would arrive on Wednesday, it did. When we were told the roof would be on next week, it was.

“Everyone seemed to take great pride in their work and seemed to take extra thought to make it all come together. 

“We appreciated the effort everyone put in, and hopefully the Gloucester community will now reap the benefits of their work, with an attractive, functional medical centre, with room to accommodate existing services, attract new services, and with the possibility of further expansion in the future if required”.

The new centre will allow for an expansion of medical services in town. 

“Our podiatrist, Sharon Hocking, is now able to lift her days from two per week to three and our psychologist, Colleen Wilson, will be available 2.5 days per week, up on 1.5,” the Dunlops said. 

“We are taking appointments for a geriatrician, Dr C Padmakumar, who will be visiting Gloucester one day a month starting next February. 

“We are also in discussion with physiotherapy, psychiatry and orthopaedic services and hope to be able to announce further services for Gloucester in the New Year. 

“This is incredibly exciting, as it was part of the motivation for building the new centre and to have it so quickly patronised is beyond our wildest expectations.”

Construction of another building on the site, which will ultimately be occupied by Gloucester Family Pharmacy, is well underway.

Other locals businesses involved in the construction of the new centre included Avon Valley Concreting, Laurie Earthmoving, Dataphone, Gloucester Engineering, Elliott Joinery, Martin’s Lime, Gloucester Garden Centre, Gloucester Ceramics, Barrington Signs and Trophies, Leading Edge Appliances, Furniture One and Trellis Earthworks.