{"id":351121,"date":"2024-07-22T20:22:33","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T10:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=351121"},"modified":"2024-07-23T13:17:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T03:17:57","slug":"daphene-and-jeff-wont-be-forgotten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/07\/22\/daphene-and-jeff-wont-be-forgotten\/","title":{"rendered":"Daphene And Jeff Won’t Be Forgotten"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dr Daphene and Jeff Connor at the naming of “Connor Corner” on Friday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 22, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blackbutt residents gathered to thank a much-loved couple on Friday whose impact on the local community will last for decades.<\/p>\n

Dr Daphene Connor and Jeff Connor have been the heart and soul of the Blackbutt and Benarkin area for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n

Dr Connor provided much-needed GP services while Jeff managed the clinic.<\/p>\n

But their community involvement extended far beyond the walls of their GP practice.<\/p>\n

For many years, Jeff was president of the Bloomin’ Beautiful Blackbutt (Avocado Festival) committee.<\/p>\n

And he is still chairing the Blackbutt and Benarkin Aged Care Association which opened two new two-bedroom independent living units at the Scott Haven complex four years ago.<\/p>\n

The couple took over the former Nanango Council-run Timbertown Medical Centre in 2005.<\/p>\n

In 2013, they built the new Blackbutt Medical Centre at the corner of Pine and Coulson streets at a cost of $750,000.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The new building incorporated spaces for more GPs and included a co-located pharmacy.<\/p>\n

The couple sold the practice to the Medical First Group in 2022, however Dr Daphene remained on site.<\/p>\n

Jeff has now decided to retire, so the couple are moving full-time to Brisbane where Dr Daphene plans to continue working part-time.<\/p>\n

However, Jeff – who is a Life Member of the Bloomin’ Beautiful committee – has promised he will be back to help at this year’s Avocado Festival.<\/p>\n

“This is not the end. It is the beginning of a new road,” he said.<\/p>\n

Blackbutt Medical Centre practice manager Sharyn Smyth said the Medical First Group had decided to name the waiting room as “Connor Corner” to honour the couple and leave a lasting legacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A plaque was unveiled by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington at the afternoon tea on Friday.<\/p>\n

Staff members, patients and Jeff’s colleagues from the Avocado Festival and Aged Care committees joined with South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff and local councillor Linda Little in congratulating the couple.<\/p>\n

“On behalf of our community, I thank both of you from the bottom of our hearts,” Mrs Frecklington said.<\/p>\n

“I also want to thank the new owners of the medical centre, and Sharyn and her team.”<\/p>\n

The Medical First Group currently operates 14 medical practices, and recently took over the South Burnett Medical Centre in Avoca Street, Kingaroy, which has five GPs.<\/p>\n

There are currently four GPs at the Blackbutt practice.<\/p>\n