History

The builder of Westbury, Doctor Edmond Henry Burkitt, was born in the village of Chartlon, Wiltshire in 1867. The town of Westbury with its famous chalk figure of a horse cut into the hillside is nearby and we can presume that Burkitt named his new and grand home in the antipodes after the English town.

Burkitt and three brothers migrated to Australia and studied medicine at Sydney University graduating in 1896 as Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery. Dr Burkitt began practice in Coonamble but arrived in Dubbo in 1901 succeeding to the practice of Dr de Moin. He completed ‘Westbury’ in 1915 – a noted building then, it was replete with a circular drive, tennis court, extensive gardens and orchard, servants quarters and cellar.

On 1st March 1916 Dr Burkitt enlisted in the Australian Medical Corp with the rank of Captain and after serving in France he returned to Australia on the 27th September 1917 and fathered three daughters and one son. 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’. 

The Westbury was later home to Dr Roberts who also lived here with his family having his Doctors Surgery downstairs. 

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.