Historical information

Dr James Taverney set up practice in Wodonga on Monday 19th August 1946. His practice was initially located in rooms at the residence of Mr J. F. Turner in Beechworth Road. In the following years, Dr Taverney purchased a large part of the garden from the Turner family and built this two-storey building where he went into practice with Dr Schlink.

The building contained the surgery and a residence. It has features of Art Deco architecture. The exterior consists of painted brick with a curved parapet that conceals the roof. The windows are metal framed and the door frames are timber. The verandahs feature wrought iron balustrading and posts. There is also an upper balcony.

Dr Taverney - known to many as Dr Tav - was a loyal medical practitioner in Wodonga for 40 years, retiring in 1987. He was also a member of the committee which helped to establish the Wodonga District Hospital which opened with 60 beds in 1954.

Other doctors who practised from this site included Dr Fitzpatrick, Dr Leberne and Dr Robinson. In about 1991 the building was purchased by a group of local businessmen led by Tom Christiansen who named it Gundowring House after his hometown.

Significance

This photograph is significant because it depicts a building which was the location of two prominent doctors in Wodonga.

Physical description

A coloured photo of Gundowring House in Wodonga.