Narembeen Post Office

Statement of Significance

The place is significant as the first and only purpose built Post Office in Narembeen. It demonstrates a continuity of function. The centre of communication in the Narembeen area is of considerable significance. The place is integral within the main street streetscape. The place is a representative example of Post Offices of the period.

Physical Description

The place is a red brick construction with a corrugated iron roof. It has a rectangular floor plan and a simple hipped roof. The assymetrical front facade faces Churchill Street and the entry is delineated by a rendered detail which includes openings each side of the main entry opening. The perimeter of the building is rendered above lintel height. Three double hung windows are balanced on the west side of the front facade. The interior fit out remains insitu.

History

The first Post Office in the Narembeen area was at harry Read's property at Emu Hill. Between 1910 and 1918 the mail coach travelled form Doodlakine to Read's at Emu Hill. In 1918 the post office relocated to Sanderson's Store in Emu Hill Town. Tom Savage opened an unofficial Post Office at the Narembeen siding railhead, as a receiving office for mail. On 15 September 1921 it was declared an official Post Office. Bradbury's Store became an allowance office in November 1922 under the charge of Tom Skerrit, and the operations later moved to Jamieson's Store until the official Post Office was built. In 1922 the Narembeen Progress Association purchased a rain gauge which was to be the responsibility of the Post Master. In 1922 the Post Master General's Department requested Hedges' permission to connect a telegraph/phone line from his Emu Hill line, to Narembeen. In 1926 the manual phone exchange began operating before the post office building was officially opened. Opened on 31 January 1927, the purpose built post office was located in close proximity to the railway station, at the top end of the Main street, opposite the hotel, and close to where Savage's post office had been. In 1926, the 165 mile road mail service was initiated through Graball, Mt Walker and Holleton. It was run by Francis lies who delivered the mail when he also delivered meat to Holleton. Later a Jitarning based contractor took over (Ben Woods). In 1930 Matt Sloss took over the contract, until 1937 when T Barlow, who had a shop in Narembeen, took over, Don Boyd was employed by Bartow , and he did the run until W Reid, a local farmer, helped out, and subsequently took over in 1938. Reid continued the run until 1967, with only a brief break during World War Two when Mrs Sergeant continued the service. It was not only mail, but mining equipment and goods from the Narembeen Railhead. In 1942, when the Holleton Mines closed there were 89 mail and goods stops on the route. By 1947, there were 130 stops. In 1964 the run was extended to include an area south east of Narembeen. In 1968 Bill Hills took over the contract, and his son Les Hills ran the 30 stop route on the south east mail service. In 1939 an automatic stamp machine was installed at the Post Office. On 23 January 1941 the automatic phone exchange replaced the manual system. In c1980 Post Offices throughout Western Australia were privatised. Narembeen Post Office has continued to operate as a post office facility, in addition to the introduction of more commercially viable services and goods.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Intact
Authenticity: High degree

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.