Uncertainty for Merrigum mail as post office closes up

The community postal agent (CPA) post office closed up shop at its Waverley Ave location on Monday, June 16, with Australia Post committing to finding a solution in the coming weeks.

However, a permanent location for a post office with full postal services has been up in the air since it transitioned to a CPA in August 2024.

The change from a licensed post office to a CPA meant residents were no longer able to pay bills or send international parcels, among other full-service options.

It came after Mrs Spedding experienced a severe infection from a past surgery, and her doctor told her she had to have surgery to remedy the problem immediately.

“I had to close the LPA to be a CPA just to keep the mail here because I didn’t want the mail to go out of the town,” she said.

“As much as people don’t give a crap about me, I actually cared about them. I didn’t want them to go 16km to pick up a parcel.”

She said following her recovery from that surgery last year, and the emotional stress alongside her sickness and running the post office, she decided it was time to step away from her duties.

More than just a post office

The Merrigum Post Office was more than just a few holes in the wall for residents to pick up mail at their PO boxes, it was also a community gathering place and a spot to buy a few extra groceries.

Weekend football was a common talking point for Monday morning mail pick-ups, backdropped by Mrs Spedding’s Collingwood FC shrine.

“A lot of people, they just come in for a chat,” Mrs Spedding said.

“When I used to sell papers, a lot of them used to come in at 6am and buy the paper, and we would just stand around chatting and people would come and join in as they got here.”

Mrs Spedding said she was going to miss her job, but most of all, would miss the people.

“I don’t know where it is going to go, but at least I know when I leave here, they’re going to have the mail in town. What happens after that? Not my business any more,” she said.

“I worry about these people, and I have got some very, very beautiful friends I’ve met since I’ve been here for 10 years.”

Hope on the horizon

While Mrs Spedding is optimistic about the Merrigum Gardens Estate development potentially bringing back full postal services, she cautions that the reinstatement of an LPO may take several years to materialise.

“This place is growing so much … but I think (an LPO) is a long way off. I don’t think it’s an overnight thing,” she said.

She did hint that Merrigum Gardens Estate developer Mick Stewart had been fighting to put the post office near the development.

Mr Stewart said he has pitching for an LPO to be built near the block of shops proposed for the estate.

“Everyone I speak to says they want a post office — and not some half one, a full licensed post office,” Mr Stewart said.

“We’ve got a childcare centre going in, parents will drop their kids off, go to the shops, do their banking, pick up their parcels, go to the supermarket — it’s a social thing,” he said.

The estate has sold 54 lots, made plans for a childcare centre and for seven retail shops and a bakery along Waverley Ave.

Mr Stewart said he could build a brand-new shop for Australia Post to be ready in “one year’s time” if they wanted a client to move in.

“It just makes sense, and we’re willing to do it,” he said.

In the meantime, Mrs Spedding believes a large hole will be left without a dedicated post office for Merrigum residents.

“It’s really a need for this town; I mean, why take (post offices) out of the little towns?” she said.

“I know they’ve got other places, but Merrigum has an older generation … they can’t go travelling to Kyabram for parcels or to pay bills.

“I’m sure if people push hard enough, they will reinstate another LPO here.”

An Australia Post spokesperson confirmed that negotiations were under way with a potential operator for a new CPA in Merrigum, following an expression-of-interest process.

“We understand the importance of these services for Merrigum locals and remain focused on maintaining ongoing postal services in the town,” the spokesperson said.

“We would like to acknowledge the current operator for their service to the community, following their decision to cease operating on 16 June.”