Yass Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yass Post Office |
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| Location | 101 Comur Street, Yass, Yass Valley Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Architect | Colonial Architect’s Office under James Barnet |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Yass Post Office; Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 22 December 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1422 |
| Type | Post office |
| Category | Postal and telecommunications |
| Builders | W.Bundock |
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The Yass Post Office is a special old building in Yass, Australia. It's more than just a place to send letters! This building is considered a heritage site, meaning it's an important part of history. It was designed by the famous architect James Barnet and built by W. Bundock. Today, Australia Post owns it. The Yass Post Office was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on December 22, 2000, because of its historical and architectural importance.
Contents
A Look Back: How Mail Started
Early Mail in Australia
Imagine a time without emails or text messages! The first official mail service in Australia began in 1809. Before that, ship captains just handed out mail when they arrived. This wasn't very safe or reliable.
In 1825, a special department was set up to handle mail. It was called the Postmaster General's Department. This made mail delivery much more organized.
Spreading the Mail Service
By 1828, post offices started opening outside of Sydney. Places like Bathurst and Parramatta got their own offices. By 1839, there were 40 post offices in the colony!
As towns grew, so did the need for mail services. The railway system also helped mail travel faster. In the 1860s, it became clear that postmasters needed to live right where the post office was. This helped keep mail safe and services running smoothly.
Telegraphs and Telephones Arrive
The first telegraph line in New South Wales opened in 1858. Telegraphs allowed people to send messages much faster than mail. At first, post offices and telegraph offices were separate. Telegraph offices needed special equipment.
But in 1870, the two services joined together. New buildings were then built to handle both mail and telegraphs. In 1881, the first telephone exchange opened in Sydney. Soon, telephones also spread to country areas. Post offices became the main place for all these new communication services.
James Barnet's Designs
James Barnet became the colonial architect in 1862. His office designed and built many post offices across New South Wales. He believed that each town wanted a unique building. So, post offices from this time look very different from each other.
After Australia became a federation in 1901, the national government took over postal services. This included building and maintaining post offices.
Modern Post Services
In 1975, the Postmaster General's Department changed. This led to the creation of Telecom (now Telstra) and Australia Post. In 1989, Australia Post became its own company. This meant they started changing how they managed their buildings. They moved towards smaller, shop-front style post offices.
For a long time, post offices did many things for the community. They delivered mail, handled bank savings, and helped with voting. They were often built in the town center, becoming an important part of community life.
Yass Post Office: Its Own Story
Getting Started in Yass
The people of Yass asked for a post office in 1835. On April 1, 1835, the first Yass Post Office opened! Mr. E. I. Abrahams was the first postmaster.
Soon, mail from Melbourne started coming through Yass. This mail was carried by horses in a relay system. The service started once a week and grew to six times a week by 1859. But the journey was tough and sometimes dangerous. Bushrangers (like old-time bandits) sometimes robbed the mail coaches!
Telegraphs and Full-Time Staff
The Yass telegraph office opened in 1858. It had its own special building. Before 1862, most postmasters were part-time. They often ran other businesses too. This sometimes caused problems.
In 1862, things changed. Post offices started offering money orders. Also, official post office buildings were built, and staff became full-time. This meant they focused only on postal work. George Robinson was Yass's first full-time postmaster, starting in 1862.
New Buildings and Services
In 1871, the Yass Post Office moved to a brick building. It was closer to the main shops. In 1872, Yass post offices also started working as agencies for the Government Savings Bank. The first iron letter box was also installed in Yass that year.
By 1874, people felt a new, bigger post office was needed. A site was chosen, but then an inspector said it wasn't needed yet. He thought the railway might move some postal business away from the town. He also worried about the site flooding.
Building the Current Post Office
In 1877, a local politician, Michael Fitzpatrick, pushed for a new post office. He said the old one was ugly and too small. The railway hadn't reduced mail business, so plans for a new building went ahead.
A new site was chosen on Comur Street, close to other public buildings. The land was bought from the Catholic Church in 1878. Funds were set aside for construction.
However, building the new post office was not easy! The first plans were too expensive. Then, the chosen site was debated again. Finally, a new design was approved in 1882. It included an office, living rooms, and bedrooms for the postmaster.
The tender for construction was given to Mr. W. Bundock in March 1882. The building was supposed to be finished in 12 months. But there were many delays. The original builder even abandoned the project! The building took two and a half years to complete.
The post office finally opened in October 1884. But even then, some parts like the battery room (for telegraphs) and stables were still not finished.
The Famous Clock Tower
A clock tower was added in October 1888. A well-known clock maker, Mr. A. Tornaghi, installed the clock. In 1980, the clock was changed to run on electricity. You can still hear its bell chime every hour!
What the Yass Post Office Looks Like
The Yass Post Office is a grand building in the middle of Yass. It's a two-story building made of brick, with a special style called Victorian Italianate. The most noticeable part is its tall, three-and-a-half-story clock tower.
The roof is made of slate and corrugated iron. There are several chimneys on the roof. You can reach the clock tower by an outside ladder. Inside the tower, you can see the electric motor that runs the clock. The original clock parts are still there too!
Building Changes Over Time
The building has had many additions over the years. There are single-story brick buildings at the back. A covered area for loading things was also added.
The front entrance has new red tiles. Upstairs, there's an arcade with beautiful columns and arches. This area is accessed from the bedrooms.
The front of the building is painted cream with tan details. It has fancy decorative bands and arches over the windows. The clock tower has four clock faces with black numbers on a white background.
Inside the Post Office
The ground floor of the Yass Post Office has five main areas. These include the postmaster's living area, the retail area for customers, offices, and the mail room.
The ceilings inside are different in various parts of the building. Some have exposed beams, while others have modern suspended ceilings. Many original features like door frames and skirting boards are still there in the residence and mail room.
The main staircase is made of polished wood. It leads up to the first floor, which has bedrooms and a bathroom. Many original windows and doors are still present upstairs. Some fireplaces with marble surrounds can also be seen.
Outside, you'll see red letters saying "Yass Post Office 2582" and a large Australia Post sign. There's also an old cast iron hitching post at the front. This was used for tying up horses!
At the back of the building, there are other structures. These include a garage, a laundry, and an old brick building used for storage.
Condition and Changes
As of 2001, the Yass Post Office was in good condition. Some parts of the inside have been changed over the last 30 years to meet modern needs. However, it still has its important features. These include the clock tower, the arched arcade, and its overall grand style.
The clock tower and clock were added in 1888. The southern end of the building was also added early on, possibly for the telephone exchange. The clock faces were changed from black to white backgrounds at some point.
Over the years, parts of the building were changed to make more office space. A laundry was added, and the kitchen was expanded. In 1980, the front retail area was renovated, and post boxes were installed. More changes happened around 1996, including a new garage and moving the post boxes.
Why Yass Post Office is Important
The Yass Post Office is very important to the history and look of New South Wales.
Historical Importance
- It's connected to the very first post office in Yass, which opened in 1835. This shows how the town grew.
- The building's size and style show how wealthy Yass became from the wool industry in the late 1800s.
- It was a key part of the mail route to Melbourne, connecting important areas.
- For over 100 years, it has been the communication center for Yass. It shows how postal, telegraph, and telephone services changed over time.
- The challenges in building it tell us about the Yass community in the late 1800s.
- The old hitching post outside is a cool historical detail.
- It was designed by James Barnet, a very important architect of that time.
Beautiful Design
- The Yass Post Office is a great example of the Victorian Italianate style.
- Its round arched arcade is similar to other famous post offices like those in Forbes and Hay.
- The clock tower makes it a landmark in Yass. It helps define the town center.
- It's part of a group of important late 1800s buildings in Yass.
Community Connection
- Because it's a local landmark and has been the communication hub for so long, the Yass Post Office is very important to the people of Yass. It helps them feel connected to their town's history.
Hidden History
- The site might still hold archaeological information. This could tell us more about how the building and the land were used in the past.
Unique and Special
- The Yass Post Office is a particularly fine and special example of the Victorian Italianate architectural style in New South Wales.
Part of a Bigger Story
- It's one of many 19th-century post offices in New South Wales designed by James Barnet's office.
