The historic post office has stood on Patho School Rd for decades.
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For generations, the only things visible on Patho School Rd were a scattering of houses, an old post office, and fields as far as the eye could see.
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That all changed last month when a new Australia Post parcel locker and letter box was installed opposite the old shed.
The move took Patho residents, including Denikka Greaves, by shock.
“The old shed is so much more than just a place to collect mail,” she said.
“It doesn’t look like much, but to the people around it, it has more meaning than most people realise.
“There’s not much out in Patho, so it’s this little hub everyone sort of knows.
“It’s got an old cork-board backing with all the local kids’ names from over the years etched into it — who loves who and what the crushes were.
“We’ve got a defibrillator in there, and it’s like our community’s little safe space.”
Ms Greaves said while she understood the need to modernise the area’s postal service, she was worried the new box might spell the end for the historic structure.
She also questioned why the new box had been installed across the road and not in the existing structure.
Residents are concerned the new post box doesn’t fit the rural character of the area.
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“It’s so out of place,” Ms Greaves said.
“It’s like a big red alien.”
In response to residents’ concerns, an Australia Post spokesperson said the organisation understood the structure was an important part of the area’s local history and heritage.
“We aren’t the owner of this building and have no plans to alter or remove it,” they said.
“Unfortunately, due to their age, the existing post office boxes can no longer be maintained as replacement parts are no longer available.
“To make sure locals continue to have access to their mail and parcels, we’ve installed a new community mailbox and are working to have this in operation from Wednesday, October 14.”
Though Australia Post has no plans to remove the old post office, its future remains unclear with the structure sitting, at least partially, on private property.
One thing’s for sure, though: if the call is made to knock down the Patho landmark, residents won’t let it happen without a fight.
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