It is known as the "Peanut Capital of Australia" because Australia's largest peanut processing plant is located in the town and peanut silos dominate the skyline.

The origin of the name Kingaroy is usually claimed to be derived from the Wakka Wakka Aboriginal word for 'Red Ant'. The local Kingaroy Rugby League football team is known as "the Red Ants" and a Red Ant features on the old Kingaroy Shire coat of arms. A Wakka Wakka Word List provides the following explanation: "Derived from 'king', a small black ant, and 'dhu'roi', meaning hungry."

Kingaroy itself is the largest town in the South Burnett and the region's commercial centre, offering all the services, shopping facilities and many of the industries generally expected in much larger centres. The town has its own hotels, motels, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts and cabins; and a range of restaurants, fast food outlets and petrol stations (including 24-hour petrol stations). Unlike many towns of its size, Kingaroy has its own shopping mall that includes Woolworths, Big W, and other retailers. Kingaroy also has an aerodrome a few kilometres from the centre of town and is regularly served by major bus lines.

Kingaroy has the most cosmopolitan feel of any South Burnett township but it's still a relaxed, friendly and informal country town at heart. It has the typical low-humidity climate of all South Burnett townships and is surrounded by extensive (and very picturesque) farmlands interspersed with low rolling hills. The Booie Range, home to several wineries and cellar doors, lies immediately north-east of the town and the Bunya Mountains about 55 kilometres to the south-west. The township is situated in the middle of some spectacular scenery, and is popular for bushwalking.

The Central Business District of the township is dominated by the Peanut Company of Australia's peanut silos (a local landmark). The Information, Art, and Heritage Precinct is located directly opposite the peanut silos. The complex includes the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery, Visitor Information Centre, Heritage Museum, and an interpretative arena which highlights local industries. The Heritage Precinct also includes a number of historic buildings ranging from Carroll's Cottage (the first building constructed in Kingaroy) through to the Carrollee Hotel and the Shire's earliest Council Chambers (built in 1913).

Kingaroy has a vibrant cultural and social life and is home to an art gallery and several local craft outlets as well as a range of well-maintained and attractive parklands.

Practice description:

Kingaroy Medical Centre (Formerly EduardStrete Medical Centre) has provided Medical Services in Kingaroy for 7 (27th July 2011) years. Originally located at 11 Edward Street, the practice has moved to a newly renovated facility at 187 - 189 Haly Street, close to the CBD. The facility is designed for integrated service delivery with General Practice, Pathology and Dental spaces as well as space for further development of Allied Health Services.

The medical centre is currently closed due to the recent retirement of its principal. Despite this, however, it remains fully accredited and equipped and offers plenty of room for potential development. It would present an ideal opportunity for a GP to commence work in the practice with the option to buy. The facility has previously been utilised as a training practice and can host registrars with a supervisor on site.

The practice will re-open under the management of Rural Health Management Services, and is up for sale. Expressions of interest are being sought for a GP to work in the practice - with an option to buy.

Kingaroy Medical Centre has: 4 consultation rooms, a reception area with capacity for 2 staff, 1 large treatment room, separate staff rooms, onsite staff parking and full server setup. One of the consulting rooms is set up for a dental practice. It is an ideal clinic for a small multi-disciplinary service or a new Practitioner beginning work in their own General Practice with room for expansion and future development.

The practice has traditionally provided Monday to Friday services plus Saturday morning clinics however it can offer extended hours with a new medical team. This is an ideal training practice for a team of 3 or 4 doctors. Appointments are booked 15 minutely. All computer systems and medical records are provided within the existing infrastructure.

The Medical Centre has one large, 2 bed treatment room with all the equipment in place, including many of the consumables, required to begin practice. The Treatment room is setup for general clinical support services as well as skin specialties. All of the standard treatment room equipment is ready for use, along with specific dermatology equipment.
Rural Health Management Services currently administer the practice and will ensure that the required administrative support and appropriate staff are in place to maintain the smooth operation of the practice. The reception desk has capacity for 2 staff, the practice is fully accredited and computerised using Best Practice. Management of recalls & reminders are also in place.

The practice has provided practice nursing services with separate facilities and systems in place to support on-site procedures and chronic disease management programs.

There are facilities for Allied Health Services to be co-located within this practice. The allied health services in Kingaroy are currently limited providing the opportunity to build up these services in the practice to meet unmet demand. The practice has a dental room already set up and ready to go.

Specialist services are provided through tele-health from within the practice. A full range of specialist services are available in Gympie (136km), Toowoomba (154km) or Caboolture (165km).

QML Pathology is co-located within the practice. X-ray and ultrasound services are located nearby in Kingaroy.

The practice is fully equipped to provide: Skin Cancer Screening, Cosmetic Injectables, Excisions and other minor procedures.

With a strong local patient base the practice services patients of a wide demographic from a rural lower social-economic community. Indigenous and immigrant patients are also part of the practice cohort as well as individuals with complex or chronic medical conditions.

The practice has traditionally been a bulk-billing practice but could move to a mixed billing model.

This practice offers the full spectrum of rural general practice services with the option for GPs to work within the local private or public hospitals, both admitting and those with procedural skills. Kingaroy currently does have a DWS status so doctors under 19AB restrictions are welcome to inquire.

Role description:

The practice owner has retired and would like to sell the practice either directly to a GP provider or with the option to lease the practice for a period until the practice is sold. Rural Health Management Services is able to support with practice management services if required.

A GP is sought to commence full time or part time employment at Kingaroy Medical Centre with a view to purchasing the practice after an evaluation period, or as a contracted GP. Rural Health Management Services will provide practice management services until the practice is sold and will continue if required.

GPs can choose to work within the practice as a contracted provider with the option to purchase the business, or continue to work in the practice as an associate or employed GP.

Terms will be negotiated directly with new GP staff. The practice has the potential to provide high percentage returns, flexible hours, teaching positions, nursing home services, and work within the local hospitals. This is an ideal location to develop a broad spectrum of rural practice.

This is an ideal practice for anyone wishing to purchase and operate their own practice with the support of an experienced management team if required.

This practice is well set up and close to Brisbane. It would be an ideal practice to develop as a strong rural General Practice. The practice has the support of the local community and hospitals.

The practice does not intend to provide after-hours services but may offer Saturday mornings and/or a clinic going later in the evening when there are a minimum of two GPs providing services. The Kingaroy Hospital provides 24 hour cover for the community.

Following successful placement eligible candidates may be entitled to receive support and financial assistance through Health Workforce Queensland's comprehensive workforce attraction and retention incentives. This position may also be eligible for a scholarship or bursary for ongoing professional development. For more information on scholarships and bursaries please click here: https://www.healthworkforce.com.au/scholarship-program/