Wishlist House Gympie has reached a significant milestone in its construction journey.
Construction of the four-bedroom charity house has hit the halfway mark, reaching the lock-up stage and marking a crucial step forward in supporting Gympie Hospital patients through the proceeds of the project.
Once completed, the house will be sold by One Agency Gympie and proceeds will be directed towards funding a $256,000 service for the Gympie community - a Patient Transport Service connecting local hospital patients with public medical care on the Sunshine Coast free-of-charge.
Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe explained the new service would start in the new financial year, running five days a week, and bridging the gap for Gympie Hospital patients to attend specialist appointments at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Nambour Hospital.
"The halfway mark of the Wishlist House Gympie construction represents a momentous achievement for our community," Ms Rowe said.
"We are immensely grateful for the support we've received so far – from our award-winning builders AUSMAR, and all the tradies and suppliers like QEBS, Stoddarts, Steeline Frames and Trusses, Preferred Plaster, Reece Plumbing, Dowell Windows and Temper Troops – just to name a few.
“A big thank you to the businesses who have donated their time, skills and materials to make this project come to life and make a tangible difference to Gympie Hospital patients and families.”
AUSMAR Director Tony Bryan has been a driving force behind three previous Wishlist house builds, with the ongoing construction of Wishlist House Gympie marking the fourth project undertaken by the Queensland-based builders.
“The journey to halfway has been made possible by the dedication and generosity of individuals, businesses, and organisations that have rallied behind the Wishlist House Gympie initiative,” Mr Bryan said.
“We are now to the point of installing cabinetry thanks to Format Kitchens, internal fix out thanks to Sunshine Mitre 10 and internal tiles have just arrived thanks to National Tiles, before turning our focus on fencing, driveways and landscaping.
“We are still on the look-out for a landscaper to complete the landscape labour and a fencer for the boundary fencing.”
CV Services Housing Manager Daryn Fissenden is one of the teams getting behind the project.
"The reason we get involved with these Wishlist projects is because we believe they are benefiting our community built by local builders and local tradespeople," Mr Fissenden said.
"We also find it’s a good culture-building exercise with the managers completing the electrical, it gets us out from behind our computer screens and we feel like we are sparkies again…although a bit slower.
"There are lots of people that benefit from what Wishlist do and if we can help in a small way, it makes our community a better place for all."
Reece Plumbing Gympie Branch Manager Kent McKeon adds: “Reece Gympie is grateful for the opportunity to step up and help Wishlist House Gympie”.
“We admire everything that this charity does for those in need and love to offer our support where we can.”
The house is expected to hit the market in July with an Open Home event planned for July 27.
About Wishlist House Gympie:
Wishlist House Gympie is a community-driven initiative aimed at supporting Gympie Hospital patients through the construction and sale of a charity house. Proceeds from the sale of the house will support Gympie Hospital patients and families, such as a Patient Transport Service connecting Gympie Hospital patients with essential healthcare facilities on the Sunshine Coast. Wishlist House Gympie is built by AUSMAR and the local community.
