DUNKELD POST OFFICE
85-87 Wills Street, DUNKELD VIC 3294 - Property No 0060
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Statement of Significance
The Dunkeld Post Office is a single storey asymmetrical timber building with a verandah, subsequently enclosed at dado level, which includes a projecting corner pavilion. The post office is located on the south east corner of Sterling and Wills Street in the township of Dunkeld. The first post offices were located in insubstantial huts, valued at less than half the rated amount for a simple house in the township. The present post office was not built until the 1890s when it also provided telegraph services. The telegraph had reached Hamilton from Portland as early as 1861 and came through Dunkeld in association with the construction of the railway line late in 1877. The post office is in good condition and retains a high degree of external integrity, although the interiors have been much altered and modernised.
How is it significant?
The Dunkeld Post Office is of historical and architectural significance to the township of Dunkeld and the Southern Grampians Shire.
Why is it significant?
The Dunkeld Post Office is of historical significance as the focus for communication services to the community for over 120 years. It is of historical significance because of its earliest associations with the important local identifies, including the first Postmistress, Miss Sophia Fisher, who was followed by a number of "strong characters" including Miss Olive Trompf, Miss Olive Stimson and Mr. Reuben Schache . The Post Office is of architectural significance as the free style of the building is typical of the late nineteenth century. It is of further architectural and historical significance as it reflects the attitude of the Public Works, in moving away from the very sober designs of public buildings upto the 1880s.
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DUNKELD POST OFFICE - Physical Conditions
The building is in good condition.
DUNKELD POST OFFICE - Physical Description 1
The post office is a single storey asymmetrical timber building with a verandah, subsequently enclosed at dado level, which includes a projecting corner pavilion. The large front gable formerly featured an extended pediment with its own gablet and space for a clock which was never installed. The ventilators in the roof, the finials and the main chimney have been removed. The paired arrised timber posts and brackets of the verandah survive as does some of the facade detailing. The building has steep pitched roofs of corrugated iron. There is a residence at the rear which has been altered. The free style of the building is typical of the late nineteenth century and in contrast with the much more sober designs of public buildings before 1877, such as the post offices at Coleraine and Penshurst, and the dismissal of William Wardell as Inspector General of Public Works.
DUNKELD POST OFFICE - Historical Australian Themes
Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies
3.7 Establishing communications
3.7.1 Establishing postal services
3.7.2 Developing electrical means of communicationDUNKELD POST OFFICE - Usage/Former Usage
Post Office
DUNKELD POST OFFICE - Integrity
High degree of integrity externally
DUNKELD POST OFFICE - Physical Description 2
Mrs. Fisher, first Post Master, Registrar of Births and Public Vaccinator
Miss Olive Trompf, second Post Master
Miss Olive Stimson, third Post Master
Mr. Reuben Schache, fourth Post MasterHeritage Study and Grading
Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study
Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
Year: 2002
Grading:
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LOCK-UPVictorian Heritage Register H1535
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LOCK-UP, STABLES AND WC (FORMER)Southern Grampians Shire H1535
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UNITING CHURCHSouthern Grampians Shire
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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"1890"Yarra City
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'BRAESIDE'Boroondara City
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'ELAINE'Boroondara City
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