Kiama Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kiama Post Office |
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Kiama Post Office, 2017
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| Location | 24 Terralong Street, Kiama, Municipality of Kiama, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect | Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Kiama Post Office; Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 22 December 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1426 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Builders | W. R. Vaughan |
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The Kiama Post Office is a special old building in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. It's located at 24 Terralong Street and is known for its unique design. This important building was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet and built by W. R. Vaughan. Today, Australia Post owns it. Because of its history and beautiful looks, it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on December 22, 2000.
History of Kiama Post Office
Early Postal Services in Australia
Australia's first official postal service began in April 1809. Before this, ship captains delivered mail, which wasn't very reliable. In 1825, a special department was created to manage mail across New South Wales.
By 1828, the first post offices outside of Sydney opened in towns like Bathurst and Parramatta. By 1839, there were forty post offices. As railways grew in the 1860s, postal services expanded even more. It became important for postmasters to live at the post office.
Telegraph and Telephone Services
The first telegraph line in New South Wales opened in 1858. Telegraph offices needed special equipment, so they were built separately from post offices at first. In 1870, the post and telegraph departments joined together. New buildings then included both services.
In 1881, the first telephone exchange opened in Sydney. Soon, telephones spread to country areas too. The Post Office became responsible for public telephone services. This made it a central place for communication in communities.
Building New Post Offices
James Barnet became the Acting Colonial Architect in 1862. His office built and maintained many post offices across New South Wales between 1865 and 1890. These buildings had different styles because local people liked variety.
Even during the tough economic times of the 1890s, new post offices continued to be built. After Australia became a federation in 1901, the Australian Government took over responsibility for post, telegraph, and telephone services.
Over time, the Post Office offered many community services. These included mail, banking, and helping with elections. Town post offices were often built in important central locations. They became a focal point for community pride.
Kiama's First Post Office
The first mention of a postal service for Kiama was in 1840. Before that, mail came by ship from Sydney or overland from Wollongong. Kiama's first post office opened on January 1, 1841. This makes it one of the oldest postal services in New South Wales. George Hindmarsh was the first postmaster.
By 1848, mail delivery to Kiama was twice a week. By 1856, a steamer delivered mail three times a week.
Telegraph Comes to Kiama
The telegraph line reached Kiama in 1862. A separate Telegraph Office opened in a rented building. The Telegraph Master, William Camper, earned more than the Postmaster. This was because his job needed more technical skills.
In 1868, there were complaints about the Postmaster, Thomas Fuller. People said he was not polite and caused delays. An investigation found some issues. As a result, the post office moved to the telegraph office. Agnes Tyter became the postmistress.
In 1870, Agnes Tyter resigned due to health issues. Her husband, John Tyter, took over as both post and telegraph master. The office moved a few times before a permanent building was planned.
Building the Current Post Office
In 1874, local politician John Stewart asked for an official post office building in Kiama. Money was set aside for it in 1875. The chosen site was at the corner of Manning and Terralong Streets.
James Barnet, the Colonial Architect, drew up plans for the new office. The cost was estimated at £3000, which was a lot of money then! The tender for construction was given to W. R. Vaughan for £3300. The building was finished on December 13, 1878.
However, the new building wasn't used right away. There were delays with fittings and telegraph arrangements. Finally, the Kiama Post Office opened for business on January 19, 1880.
Postmaster Tyter kept asking for more additions, like a stable, shed, and water tank. He even asked for a bathroom and wash house, which were not common for official residences then. The department thought the expenses were too high for Kiama's income. A wash house was finally approved in 1900.
John Tyter retired in 1895 after 25 years of service. In 1911, a telephone exchange opened in Kiama, offering a full service by 1914.
In 1978, some rooms on the ground floor of the Postmaster's residence were used for office space. The residence was then only on the upstairs floor. The building was repainted in the mid-1990s to its current salmon-pink colour.
Kiama Post Office Design
The Kiama Post Office is in the middle of Kiama's main shopping and tourist area. It sits on a very noticeable corner at Terralong and Manning Streets. From here, you can see Kiama Harbour.
Building Style and Features
It's a two-storey building made of brick with a smooth, rendered finish. It's built in the Victorian Italianate style. A special feature is its three-storey corner clock tower with a small belfry (bell tower) on top. This was the first time a corner clock tower was used in a design like this in New South Wales.
The main roof is mostly hipped and made of corrugated steel. The tower has a pyramid-shaped roof. Four chimneys stick up from the roof. They are also rendered and have terracotta pots on top.
Additions and Details
Only a few major additions have been made since 1878. These are mostly single-storey sections at the back of the building.
The first-floor verandahs (balconies) have green timber railings. On the eastern side, there's a colonnade (a row of columns) with red, clay-tiled floors.
You can reach the clock tower from inside using ladders. The clock faces are white with black numbers. Below the clock faces, you can see the numbers "18" and "78," which likely refer to the year it was built.
Inside the Post Office
The ground floor has four main areas. These include the retail area where you buy stamps, a mail room, a lunch room, and other staff areas. The ceilings are mostly plasterboard.
Many of the original door frames and skirting boards are still there. The windows on the ground floor include old arched windows and some newer ones. Most of the doors are modern, but some original four-panel doors remain.
The main staircase is made of stained and polished timber. It has a curved railing and carved details.
The first floor used to be the Postmaster's home, but it's not used now. It has bedrooms, a sitting room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The walls are painted light green with dark brown trim. Three original fireplaces are still there, but they are covered up.
The building has "Kiama Post Office 2533" written on its eastern side. The area around the post office has other old civic buildings like the Council Chambers. There's also a large grassy area sloping down to the harbour with tall Norfolk Island pine trees.
A small timber shed is located at the back of the site. It might have been the original stables, but it has been changed over time. The Kiama Post Office is in very good condition and still looks much like it did when it was first built.
Why Kiama Post Office is Special
The Kiama Post Office is important for its history, its beautiful design, and its meaning to the community.
Historical Importance
It's connected to Kiama's first post office, which opened in 1841. This links it to the early growth of the town. For over a century, it has been the main place for communication in Kiama. It shows how postal and telegraph services changed over time. It's also the earliest building in New South Wales to use a corner clock tower in its design.
The Post Office was designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet. He was a very important architect known for the Victorian Italianate style.
Beautiful Design
The Kiama Post Office is a great example of the Victorian Italianate style. Its slender columns and arches make it stand out. Its size, style, and location, along with the tall clock tower, make it a landmark in Kiama. It's part of a group of important public buildings, including the Court House and Police Station.
Community Connection
Because it's a local landmark and has been the communication hub for over 100 years, the Kiama Post Office is very important to the people of Kiama. It helps them feel connected to their town's history and identity.
Hidden History
The ground beneath the site might hold clues about early buildings and how the land was used. Since it's near the harbour, it could also have information about Aboriginal people who lived in the area long ago.
Unique Features
The Kiama Post Office is a beautiful and well-preserved example of Victorian Italianate architecture in New South Wales. Its corner clock tower design is the earliest of its kind still standing in the state.
It is part of a large group of 19th-century post offices in New South Wales. These were all designed by the Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet.
