History
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The Westbury Dubbo was built in 1914 for Dr Edmond Henry Burkitt, who was born in the English village of Charlton, Wiltshire in 1867. The town of Westbury is famous for a chalk figure of a horse cut into a hillside nearby . We can only presume that Burkitt named his new grand home in the antipodes after his home town. The Westbury was described as one of the finest residences in the West, a monument to the genius architect Mr A J P Watson and builder Mr B T Hill. The use of materials and construction ensuring maximum coolness in summer and warmth in winter.
Burkitt and three brothers migrated to Australia and studied medicine and surgery at Sydney University graduating in 1896. Dr Burkitt began practice in Coonamble but arrived in Dubbo in 1901 and fathered three daughters and a son. The Westbury was replete with a circular driveway, tennis court, extensive gardens and orchard, servants quarters and a cellar along with the surgery. The front door for the main house was at the (now) rear, off the big circular driveway onto Brisbane Street. |
On 1st March 1916 Dr Burkitt enlisted in the Australian Medical Corp and after serving in France he returned to Australia in September 1917. In addition to his medical pursuits Dr Burkitt was a community spirited man and died on 14th November 1925 suffering from ‘inoperable cancer’. Dubbo flags flew at half-mast in respect to ‘a splendid citizen and a lovable man’. Dr Burkitt's youngest daughter was renowned Australian interior designer Marion Hall Best (1905-1988) who was influenced by the simplicity of life in Dubbo and by her mother’s use of colour in the home.
The Westbury was later home to Dr Roberts from 1938-1959 who also lived here with his family and also having his Doctors Surgery downstairs. Dr Roberts family and three maids all resided at The Westbury. There were separate maids for upstairs and downstairs along with a cook. The first powered refrigerator in the district was also located downstairs in The Westbury, covering a whole wall with many doors. In 1997 The Westbury was awarded the Daily Liberal Heritage award for restoration of a landmark corner of the Dubbo CBD and was updated to bed and breakfast accommodation and included an antique shop. |
