Junee Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Junee Post Office |
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| Location | 119 Lorne Street, Junee, Junee Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect | Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Junee Post Office; Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 22 December 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1425 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Builders | Gatby and Flock |
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The Junee Post Office is a historic building located at 119 Lorne Street in Junee, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. The building was constructed by Gatby and Flock and is now owned by Australia Post. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000, meaning it's a very important building to protect.
Contents
How Mail Services Began
Early Mail in Australia
The first official mail service in Australia started in April 1809. A Sydney merchant named Isaac Nichols became the first Postmaster. Before this, ship captains would deliver mail directly. This system was not very reliable or safe.
In 1825, a special department was created to manage mail. It was called the Postmaster General's Department. This department used to be run from Britain.
Growing Postal Network
By 1828, the first post offices outside of Sydney were opened. These included places like Bathurst and Parramatta. By 1839, there were forty post offices in the colony. More offices opened as people settled in new areas.
The railway network also helped postal services grow in the 1860s. In 1863, it was decided that postmasters should live in the same building as the post office. This made the service more efficient.
Telegraphs and Telephones
The first telegraph line in NSW opened in 1858. Telegraph offices needed special equipment. They could not just be set up in a local shop. In 1870, the postal and telegraph departments joined together. New buildings were then built to handle both services.
The first telephone exchange in Sydney opened in 1881. Soon, telephones spread to country areas. The Post Office was in charge of public telephone services. This made post offices even more important for communication in communities.
Famous Architects
James Barnet became the Acting Colonial Architect in 1862. His office built and maintained many post offices and telegraph offices. Between 1865 and 1890, they built 169 such buildings. Each post office often had a different look, as local people liked variety.
Construction of new post offices continued even during tough economic times in the 1890s. After Australia became a federation in 1901, the Commonwealth Government took over postal services.
In 1975, the Postmaster General's Department was replaced. This led to the creation of Telecom and Australia Post. Since 1989, Australia Post has been a self-funded company. They started moving towards smaller, shop-front style post offices.
For a long time, post offices offered many services. These included mail, banking, and telephone services. The town post office was often a central point in the community. It was usually built in a noticeable spot near other public buildings.
Junee's Post Office Story
Early Days in Junee
On January 20, 1862, people in Junee asked for a post office. At that time, Junee was the biggest town in the area. A post office opened on May 1, 1862, in Mr. Edward Smith's store. He was also the postmaster.
The post office stayed in Smith's store until 1867. Then it moved to Mrs. Dacey's Inn. It was common for post offices to operate from a postmaster's home or business. Junee was still small, so a separate building wasn't needed yet.
The Railway Arrives
In May 1878, a new railway line was about to open. This line would connect Sydney to Junee. People asked for a new post office at the Junee railway station. A small office opened there on June 12, 1878. It was in George Dobbyns' store near the station.
In 1881, the Junee Railway Station Post Office was renamed Junee Junction Post Office. A branch of the Government Savings Bank also opened there. The "junction" referred to where two railway lines met. A small town grew up around this junction.
A New Building for a Growing Town
In 1883, a portable wooden building was bought. It cost £135 and was used as a temporary telegraph office. This "American Cottage" style building was later used as the post office too. The staff included a postmaster, a telegraph master, and a messenger.
Later in 1883, Junee Junction became an official post office. The town was growing fast. The population of Junee Junction, including nearby settlements, was about 1100 adults.
By 1886, the population of Junee Junction reached 2000 people. The original Junee (now Old Junee) only had about 100 people. People wanted the post office name to change to just "Junee."
Pressure grew to build a new, proper post office. In 1886, the Postmaster General approved construction. Land was bought from the Railway Department for £700. The Colonial Architect, James Barnet, sent the plans in January 1887. The Railway Department oversaw the building's construction.
The building was finished and opened on July 11, 1888. It cost about £1304. In 1893, the Junee Junction Post Office was officially renamed Junee.
Changes Over Time
In 1897-1898, the post office had major repairs and changes. The public area was made bigger. A new counter was added. The lobby was divided for postal and telegraph services. A balcony was also added along the front of the building.
In 1899, people discussed adding a clock to the office. It was decided to put the clock on the verandah. Repairs were also made to the ceiling inside.
Around 1909, a single-storey part was added to the north side of the post office. The front awning was also extended. More changes were made in 1927.
In the 1960s, the first-floor balcony was removed. The French doors were replaced with windows. The post office was repainted in the early 1990s. The inside retail area was also updated around that time.
What the Building Looks Like
The Junee Post Office is a two-storey building made of painted brick. It was built in 1888 in the Victorian Regency style. It has a sloped roof made of corrugated iron. There are five chimneys with fancy tops.
The building has been changed several times. These changes include adding to the northern side around 1897-1899. A verandah and first-floor balcony were also added then. The verandah was extended around 1909. The balcony was removed around 1960.
The front of the building has a wide verandah on the ground floor. It has a low roof and is supported by green painted iron posts. The building is painted cream with dark green details. It has simple designs, but the chimney tops are very detailed.
Inside, the ground floor has four main areas. These include a living area at the back, a retail area for customers, a mail room, and staff facilities. The ceilings and floors vary in different parts of the building. Some parts have original details, while others have been updated.
The first floor has bedrooms and a lounge room. Many of the windows and doors on this floor are original. The walls are painted cream.
The sign on the building says "Junee Post Office." There is also an Australia Post sign.
The Junee Post Office is on the main street of Junee. It is in a very noticeable spot. It is surrounded by other historic buildings. There are also some smaller buildings behind the post office.
The post office was in good condition in 2000. Even with all the changes, it still has its important features. These include its wide ground floor verandah and its overall style.
Why Junee Post Office is Important
Junee Post Office is important for many reasons. It shows how the town of Junee grew and became richer in the late 1800s. This was when it became a big railway hub. It is also connected to the earlier post office at the railway station from 1878.
The Junee Post Office was a key place for telegraph messages. It shows how postal and communication services changed in New South Wales. For over a century, it has been the main communication center for Junee.
The building itself is a great example of Victorian Regency style architecture. It also has additions from the Federation period. It is a beautiful and well-preserved historic building. It adds a lot to the look of Junee's town center.
The Junee Post Office is also linked to famous architects. These include the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. The later additions were designed by the NSW Government Architect's Office under W.L Vernon.
The community of Junee feels a strong connection to this post office. It is a local landmark. It has been the historic center for communication. The community has been involved in its establishment and development for a long time.
Archaeologists believe the site might hold interesting information. This is because the areas around the building could reveal old structures or how the site was used before.
Junee Post Office is a good example of its architectural style. It is part of a group of 19th-century post offices in NSW. These were designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet.
