77-YEAR-OLD Jean Comley has proven that age is no barrier when trying to achieve something.
The result of Mrs Comley’s perseverance is the new Canungra Valley Medical centre.
Speaking with Jodie Shepard from Rebel FM, Mrs Comley said the idea for the new medical centre initially came about because the local doctor had to move.
“His lease was running out and he had to move somewhere,” Mrs Comley said. “I had a vacant block of land here, and it was the only commercial block left in town.”
“So, he asked me very nicely if I would consider building something.”
“I told him I can’t afford it, but I can talk to some nice people at the bank, and…my son and see what he can do. Between the three of us, we managed to scrape up the money and start the process. That was in February 2018, and it’s taken this long to get completed.”
The building, Mrs Comley said, was well worth the wait.
“Definitely for the doctors and…for me, I just had to suck it up and wait for the process to go through, which was very long winded, very expensive, but we’ve done it,” Mrs Comley said.
“They’re in, they’re happy, it’s brilliant.”
Canungra Valley Medical Centre
The name of the surgery, The Mill Park Legacy building, and a piece of granite on the sign, also has a story behind it.
“The piece of Granite is from Dartmoor, England,” Ms Comley said.
“It’s Dartmoor granite, and it’s part of the headstone that was being made for my parents who both passed away in 1999.”
As for the name, Mrs Comley’s maiden name is Miller, and her mother’s maiden name was Parker, which led to the The Mill Park Legacy building.
“It’s a legacy to them, my family, and a tribute to them as parents.”
The medical centre is now open, and is offering eye services, pathology, visiting allied services and podiatrists.
“We also have two treatment rooms now,” Mrs Comley said. “We only had one before in the old building.
“It’s a much bigger building, it’s three times the size that they had before, so [the doctors] are very happy little Vegemites.”
Mrs Comley says tourists visiting the beautiful town of Canungra are also very welcome to come along to the building to use the services.
“The doctors are always open to non-appointments and out-of-town [visitors],” she said.
“They are very accepting of anyone that needs their services.”
Canungra Valley Medical Centre
Mrs Comley, who moved to Canungra in 2000, also organises the yearly Canungra calendar.
“I started that in 2010,” she said. “I’ve just finished the one for 2021…and you can guess what’s going to be on the front cover.”
“The Mill Park Legacy building.”
