UFS Dispensaries' History

UFS Dispensaries was formed in 1880 with the first dispensary opening in 1881. The first dispensary operated from 84 Armstrong Street South with Mr Thomas Treloar appointed as Dispenser. The dispensary moved to the corner of Dana and Armstrong Streets (current Doepel, Lilley and Taylor building) before in 1902 building their own premises in Dana Street (next door to the Ballarat Club). The dispensary remained there until 1952 when it was relocated to the present site at 717 Sturt Street.

 

In 1957 a branch dispensary opened at 40 Main Road and was relocated to Bridge Street in 1976. The dispensary in Howitt Street, Wendouree opened in July 1973 and a fourth dispensary opened in Sebastopol in 1980. Almost eight years later in 1987, the Buninyong Dispensary was opened. This was followed by the Victoria Street Dispensary, in 1991.

Today, the organisation operates fifteen pharmacies, with pharmacies located at Bacchus Marsh (1999), Mt Clear (2004), Beaufort including pharmacy depots in Skipton and Willaura (2004), Ballan (2004), Melton Central (2005), Melton South (2007), Delacombe (2008), Golden Point (2009) and Tarneit (2011). UFS also owns and operates Cherub Cards & Gifts (1996) and our well-being centre Peace & Quiet (2004) which are both located in Sturt St, Ballarat. In 2009, Peace & Quiet opened Studio P&Q at Level 1, 719 Sturt Street.

 

UFS Dispensaries operated the UFS Medical Institute from 1919 to 1939. In 2008, UFS Medical was established with the first centre opening above the refurbished Bridge Mall pharmacy at Level 1, 40 Bridge Mall.  In 2009 the Gillies Street Medical Clinic and Sturt Street West General Practice joined UFS Medical at 452 Gillies Street and 1008A Sturt Street.

 

UFS Dispensaries also has a central office facility for administration and warehouse functions. The administration and warehouse teams were historically based at the back of 717 Sturt Street and above 719 Sturt Street, but new premises were constructed in 2003 at 206 Armstrong Street Nth.

 

The full story of UFS Dispensaries’ history is shown in timeline format at the entrance to the Bridge Mall pharmacy.