By Oliver Lees
In 1871, one of Kyneton’s most distinctive buildings was opened to the public at 113 Mollison Street – The Kyneton Post Office.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the storied building, which over time has undergone renovation, but has remained a constant feature in the lives of Kynetonians.
As the author of ‘Kyneton, from Past to Present’ and long-serving member of the Kyneton Historical Society, Larina Strauch has studied the history of the town in depth, and says the site of the post office has always been a focal point for the community.
“Before it was a post office, it was the site of the finishing point for the Kyneton Races which were first held in 1853,” Ms Strauch said.
“They hoofed it around the Kyneton perimeter, zig-zagged around the town and onto Mollison Street.
“Nowadays whenever you give directions, you always say to come along High Street and turn right on to Mollison Street, the post office building provides the landmark.
“It’s a natural gathering place, everyone seems to stop and talk outside.”
Prior to the construction of the building on Mollison Street, the location of the Kyneton Post Office shifted several times.
Post Office Creek received its name due to the post office’s previous location at the waterways northern boundary on Ebden Street.
The current building has been used to serve the community beyond post.
The second floor was once used as the town’s telephone exchange. Residents could come and use one of the office phones before they were commonplace in households.
During the town’s first folk festivals in the 1980s, Ms Strauch recalls a Scottish piper playing a tune atop the building’s clock tower.
“Towards the end of last year, when there was some significant storms and wind around, the hour hand on the north facing dial of the clock tower broke off,” Ms Strauch said.
“It created a bit of a running joke. People would ask, ‘what’s the time?’ and someone would reply, ‘half a hand’”.
Kyneton Post Office’s postal manager Joanne Garreffa said the postal system had undergone a number of changes over the years, but the role of the post office was the same.
“Sorting has changed from a manual to an auto system and now we sell a lot of good like computer supplies in store,” Ms Garreffa said.
“The number of parcels we receive has grown massively, especially in the past 18 months with businesses selling online and shop fronts being closed. We get such a diverse range of things, from little parcels to thirty kilogram bags of dog food.
“Our customers are lovely and really make it enjoyable to work here. Being in such a historical building, right in the middle of town, it’s very special.”
