City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Souvenir - Bendigo Post Office Centenary Ephemera, Ted Rankins, 1987
... When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices.
The Bendigo Post Office was designed by Public Works architect George W Watson and constructed between 1883 and 1887. The two story brick structure with basement has unpainted rendered facades and a 43m high clock tower...When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices.
The Bendigo Post Office was designed by Public Works architect George W Watson and constructed between 1883 and 1887. The two story brick structure with basement has unpainted rendered facades and a 43m high clock tower ...
When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices.
The Bendigo Post Office was designed by Public Works architect George W Watson and constructed between 1883 and 1887. The two story brick structure with basement has unpainted rendered facades and a 43m high clock tower complete with 6 bell carillon. The facades are elaborately decorated with Corinthian pilasters, balustrading, lions' heads and the state mansard roof with cast iron ridging and finials. (VHR #4739). Situated on Pall Mall it has always been called the Bendigo Post Office even though it was not until 1891 that the name Bendigo was given to the town. The Bendigo Post Office housed much more than just postal services and the building contained many early government departments and services needed for a growing district.
The building celebrated its centenary on the 30th September 1987 to much fan fare with Ted Rankins, the then Postal Manager planning many of the week long events including tours of the post office, a grand parade with cake and staff in period costume, a ball at the Shamrock and a barbeque in Rosalind Park.
The Post Office ceased providing postal services in 1997 after the privitisation Australia Post and Telstra but continues to play a central role for the community, providing important services to visitors and locals alike. Currently it is occupied by Bendigo Tourism and includes two exhibition spaces including the Living Arts Space and Djaa Djuwima a dedicated and permanent First Nations Gallery. Activities at the Post Office are supported by City of Greater Bendigo staff and a dedicated group of volunteers.
These items are part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of the last postal manager at the Bendigo Post Office, Ted Rankins.
0364.1: Single sided printed 'Order of Proceedings' flyer; Outlines the running of events for the celebrations on Wednesday 30 September, 1987 at the Post Office with the centenary logo centre top in crimson ink.
0364.2: Single sided, four-colour printed, DL size invitation for celebrations marking the centenary of the Post Office on Wednesday 30 September, 1987.
0364.3,.4,.5,.6,.7: Printed cake bag with centenary logo and image of Bendigo Post Office printed on front in crimson ink.
0364.8,.9,.10,.11: Square note paper with centenary logo and border printed in crimson ink.
0364.12 Envelope: Australia Post envelope with Bendigo 100th anniversary images. Date stamped and addressed to Mr Edmondston Postmaster, Elmore. bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection, ted rankins collection, city of greater bendigo volunteers
Melbourne Tram Museum
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection