Our Building
140 Years of historyThe land was granted to Sampson Hain, store keeper and publican, in 1854 for the quit rent of one peppercorn by Governor Fitzroy. The house was built in 1864 by his brother, Joseph Hain. When Sampson died only 3 years later, the property was sold to Ezra Margoschis, store keeper and flour miller before being purchased by Charles Potter, a builder. He was commissioned by Benjamin Lipscombe, a solicitor to extend the house in 1869. Lipscombe (founder of law firm, Blaxland, Mawson & Rose) lived and practised there until his wife died in 1873 when he moved.
The Kiandra gold rush caused Cooma to develop and the Bank of NSW purchased the property. For 40 years, from 1874 to 1914, it served as banking chambers with a new facade, tiled palm court & fountain being added in 1909. The Bank moved to its present site in 1914, later changing its name to Westpac.
The building became a private residence and later a boarding house with weather board enclosure of the rear verandah.
In 1935 Dr. Kingsley Hudson purchased 184 Sharp Street and moved his practice from Commissioner Street where he had been renting for the previous 2 years. 184 Sharp Street became both his residence and his practice as was the practice at that time.
In 1938 Dr Hudson sold the practice and the building to Dr. Kenneth Wallace, who practiced there until he enlisted in the Army in 1941. After the war he did not return to Cooma and sold the building.
With the arrival of Dr. Harvey Dakin in 1946, the Wing's practice in Massey Street needed more room so they bought the premises and moved to 184 Sharp Street. The building was renovated in 1959 (when the portico was removed) and again in 1989, 1999 and 2005. It now has 8 consulting rooms, 4 nurse treatment areas and a minor ops theatre.
A more detailed history can be read in the framed story boards in the waiting room.
