Traralgon Post Office and Court House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Traralgon Post Office and Court House |
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| Location | 161-169 Franklin Street, Traralgon, Victoria, Australia |
| Official name: Traralgon Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 106141 |
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The Traralgon Post Office and Court House is a very old and important building in Traralgon, Australia. It has been used as both a post office and a court house. This special building is located at 161-169 Franklin Street.
It was designed by architects John Thomas Kelleher and J. R. Brown from the government's Public Works Department. The building was finished in 1886. Because of its history and design, the whole building was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1982. The part that is still a post office was also listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List in 2011.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: Traralgon's Historic Building
The Traralgon court house and post office building was designed by government architects. It was built in 1886. This large building also included other government offices. Before this, mail services and court hearings happened in different places. For example, they were held at the Traralgon Hotel. Mail services started in the new building in May 1887.
Early Days of Mail and Law
When the building first opened, the main entrance for the post office was on Kay Street. The Post Master, who ran the post office, lived in rooms above it. His private entrance was also on Kay Street. There were special folding stairs that led to a platform. This platform was around the clock tower. From there, people could see great views of the town.
Adding the Clock and New Features
The clock in the tower was added in 1892. This was thanks to the local Progress Association. A telephone exchange was put in the building in 1920. Around the same time, the Kay Street entrance area was made bigger. This created a new public space inside for postal services. The clock faces were lit up at night starting in 1948.
Big Changes in the 1960s
Major changes happened to the post office part of the building in 1965-1966. The main entrance was moved to Franklin Street. This involved removing windows and adding new doors. The original living quarters at the back were completely taken down. A large new mail room was built instead. This new section had many private letter boxes. The old slate roof was also replaced with metal. The original clock parts were changed to an electric system.
Court House Closure and New Life
The Traralgon Magistrates' Court stopped operating in December 1989. This was because smaller local courts were becoming less common. The court house part of the building was empty for several years. It briefly reopened in 1993 for the Family Court of Australia. After that, it was empty again.
In 1995, a separate mail delivery center was set up elsewhere. The 1960s mail center wing was then rented out. The post office area on the ground floor was updated. This included new floors, counters, and lighting.
Community Efforts to Restore
In 2017, a community group called "Friends of Traralgon Court House" became caretakers of the empty court house wing. They worked to repair the building, fixing a leaking roof. In 2018, the group announced plans to make the court house a community space. The local council also hoped to use a newer part of the court house for businesses. In 2019, the Friends group held an exhibition there for Anzac Day.
What the Building Looks Like
The Traralgon Post Office and Court House is located on a mostly flat piece of land. It is at the corner of Kay and Franklin Streets. This area is a main street in Traralgon. The building is across from the old Shire and City offices.
The Clock Tower and Main Design
The center of the building looks the same from three street sides. It has a special clock tower with a sloped roof. Behind the tower is a platform with a metal fence. This platform is like a "widow's walk." The clock tower is covered with metal sheets, making it stand out. The tower has angled supports at its corners. The clock faces are like small windows on the sloped roof. Each clock face has a small pointy decoration on top.
The roof is covered with slate tiles. It has a strong wooden edge with brackets. The walls are made of salmon-colored bricks.
Franklin Street Side
The side of the building facing Franklin Street has a section that sticks out. It has a triangular top with a decoration. The space inside this triangle has a flowery design. The main windows facing the street are tall. They have rounded tops that look a bit pointed. These arches have special decorations at their top and sides. Each floor has two decorative lines. The base of the building is wide and steps out from the wall. The main entrance on Franklin Street was once a window. It was changed in the 1960s. It now has metal doors and a concrete ramp.
Other Parts of the Building
The north side of the main building has a single-story section in front. This part was changed in the 1920s. It replaced an older arched walkway. This section has a flat roof with a decorative fence. A similar design is on the open walkway that connects the post office to the court house.
The Kay Street wing was built in the 1960s. It has large glass windows facing the street. This part was originally one big space. It now holds a retail shop. At the back of this wing is a section with facilities. It is connected to the main post office by a back porch. This area has a concrete courtyard and a large loading bay.
The court house itself is a rectangular building. It is behind its Franklin Street walkway. It has a flowery decoration on its triangular top. Its brick walls are similar to those of the post office. The main post office section has two floors. The original walkway wing, back wing, and court house have one floor.
How Well It Has Been Kept
The outside of the building has changed over time. For example, the Kay Street walkway was made bigger in the 1920s. The original living quarters were replaced in the 1960s. The main entrance was also moved. Despite these changes, the original look of the post office and court house complex is still very good.
Inside, the original layout and materials have changed a lot. This is due to many updates and new uses.
Overall, the building seems strong and well cared for. However, there is some dampness in the post office public hall. A few parts of the brickwork need to be fixed.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Traralgon Post Office was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on November 8, 2011. Here's why it's so important:
- It was built in 1886. It was a combined court house, post office, and government office building. It has been very important to Traralgon. Traralgon is a big town in the Latrobe Valley. The size and quality of this building show how important Traralgon was. It was a main center for communication and government in the 1880s.
- This building is special because it had many uses. It is one of only a few post offices that were combined with a court house and other government offices. Even with changes, you can still see its original design from the outside. The different parts of the building are clear.
- The Traralgon Post Office is a unique example of a public service building. It had many original functions, including a court house. The different parts of the building work together. They share a similar design, walkways, and layout. The building's style is a mix of Victorian designs. It also has elements of the Queen Anne and Romanesque styles.
- Architecturally, the Traralgon Post Office is an example of the work of government architects J. R. Brown and J. T. Kelleher. Its design shows the changing styles of the time. It is an excellent example of a large public building. It mixes Late Victorian Italianate style with Romanesque and Queen Anne features. It is one of the most important 19th-century buildings in central Traralgon. It is a well-known landmark in the region.
- The Traralgon Post Office looks beautiful. It combines its different uses into a well-designed building. It mixes Victorian Italianate, Romanesque, and Queen Anne styles. The building has been a key part of the town for 120 years. It is a symbol of Traralgon's history and future. People in the area value it for its public and government uses. They also value its detailed design and beauty.
The heritage listing includes the entire property. The important parts of the Traralgon Post Office are the main postal building from 1886. Also important is the extension of the walkway to Kay Street from the 1920s.
- G S Warmington & A C Ward, Australia Post Survey of Historic Properties in Victoria, 1990; Register of the National Trust, B2722; Register of the National Estate, ID 15581; Victorian Heritage Register, H1488; Context Pty Ltd, Traralgon Heritage Study, Volume 2, 1992; J Horsfield, A compilation presented in tabulated form of sites and features of archaeological, botanical, geological/ geomorphological, historical, zoological significance occurring within the local government areas that comprise the Latrobe region of Victoria, 1987; Savills, APPD Property Valuation Report, June 2005. Traralgon & District Historical Society notes.
