AN ICONIC Stawell building will change hands for only the third time in history.
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Doctor Tyler Humphris purchased the old fire station when it went under the auctioneer's hammer on Saturday.
Growing up in Stawell, Dr Humphris returned in 2016 after five years of study at the world-renowned New Zealand College of Chiropractic in Auckland.
Dr Humphris has always admired the building, located at 1 Byrne Street and said he had plenty of ideas of what the icon landmark could become.
"When I saw it come up for auction I thought it would be nice to fix it up and it would be great to restore the building as an icon to the town," he said.
"My idea is to make it into a multi-disciplinary health clinic in the future. I've already had interest from physios, Chinese medicine clinics and remedial massage businesses to inquire about my vision for the building.
"It's only been in the first week and I've had so much support. It's important for the region to have access to natural health services as people travel long distances for treatment."
Mr Humphris has a long history with the building, waiting right next to it to catch the bus to Marian College every day.
"I've had an overwhelming response and support of my vision from family, friends and just the general public," he said.
"I had never been involved with an auction before. It was all very nerve-wracking trying to get things organised in between patients before the day arrived.
"My friend from Melbourne came up and actually did the bidding for me."
Monaghan's Real Estate director Terry Monaghan said there was an overwhelming response towards the sale of the building.
"There were over 50 people at the auction on Saturday with six bidders," he said.
"There were fourty bids all up and started at $200,00 and finished at $360,000.
"The sale of the building to Tyler and his ideas for the property means a building with an interesting past, now has an interesting future."
Mr Monaghan said the losing bidder was a building business from Werribee.
"They were talking about plans for the property which would have been suitable as well.
"But the outcome as it happened is really a win-win for the town. It will secure the building for the next 40-50 years."
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