Alright, you’re almost at the Old Geelong Post Office! Look to your right, and focus on spotting a grand and imposing building with a tall clock tower standing proudly on the corner of the street. The structure is a beautiful example of classic architecture, featuring lots of large arched windows and intricate detailing along its façade. The clock faces on the tower are particularly striking. If you hear loud chimes, you're definitely in the right place!
Now, let’s dive into its history:
The current Geelong Post Office, which opened in 1994, is located on the corner of Gheringhap and Little Myers Streets. But the tale of postal services in Geelong stretches way back! The very first post office, opened around June 1840, was nothing more than a corner in a store in Barwon Terrace, South Geelong. Fancy that, huh? If you think working from home is a recent trend, think again!
By August 1842, things had leveled up a bit when the Geelong Advertiser office doubled up as a post office. A more permanent post office was completed in 1857 on the corner of Ryrie and Gheringhap Streets, thanks to contractor William Crocker Cornish, but it was demolished in 1889 to make way for what you see today.
The new building, which opened in 1891, had one major hiccup: the clock tower was missing its clock! Seems like someone forgot to set the time. But don’t fret, because by July 1911, a London firm provided the clock and chimes as a memorial to the late King Edward VII. The clock faces are a whopping 2.5 meters in diameter, with hour hands measuring a meter and minute hands at 1.25 meters! Those chimes you hear are thanks to five bells, the largest weighing a solid 760 kg, first activated on December 2, 1911.
These days, while the main Geelong post office has moved to newer premises, this grand old building found a second life as a vibrant youth services hub, courtesy of the City of Greater Geelong. That’s history ticking away right in front of you! So, next time you hear those grand chimes, think of the journey this building has had from postal cornerstone to a modern youth haven. Enjoy the view, and don’t forget to say hi to the clock tower!
