General News
6 September, 2024
Lismore PO turns 100
LISMORE Post Office is marking a special milestone today (Friday).
The building was opened on September 6, 1924, meaning today officially marks 100 years since the building first opened.
The original site was located at 26 Ferrers Street, which is now private housing.
Licensee Stephen Baldock, who has been working with wife Gail at the site since October 2, 1995, said the current site was opened by the then Federal Treasurer Dr Earle Page.
“Mr David Oman introduced Dr Page to a gathering of about 200 persons,” he said.
“Dr Page was presented with a gold key by the progress association.
“At the time of opening, business at Lismore was more than a number of larger centres.
“The postmaster general of the day, Mr William Gibson, had originally planned to open the office himself but unfortunately was overseas on business at the time.”
Mr Gibson was the postmaster general from 1923 to 1929 and had served as Member for Corangamite.
He also owned property near the town of Lismore, which is still owned by his descendants Elizabeth and her daughter Marguerite Gibson.
Mr Baldock said the Gibson family still has a presence in the community.
“They’ve always owned property just outside of town, even from when he was postmaster general, and the fact that he was a local politician as well,” he said.
“The Gibson family has continued in town – most people would know Christopher Gibson.
“His father John was involved in the golf club.
“John’s wife Sandy has been involved in the progress association and still runs the Wooltrack Store. David Gibson was a local councillor and was involved in a few groups.
“They’re all still involved in and around town.”
Mr Baldock said, while the milestone was not being celebrated in a big way, it was still “something that should be celebrated”.
“There are a few buildings that are a similar vintage, and basically, they’ve just been let go – they’re something else, like they’ve become a private home or whatever – and nobody’s done anything about it,” he said.
“I think the post office is the most important one of the lot because of the Gibson connection and the way it’s still here.
“In my opinion, it’s the most impressive building in town by quite a bit.
“They way Lismore is – she’s not a big town, and the cost-of-living has sent a few people away.
“It’s not as busy as it was five or 10 years ago, so we’re not going to do a great promotion for it as such.”