Onslow Post Office & Residence (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The former Post Office and Residence, single-storey timber and iron buildings, designed by the Public Works Department, have cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: the place and its close proximity to the Beadon Bay Hotel, at the Simpson Street and Second Avenue intersection, forms an important cultural element in the historic townscape character of Onslow. the buildings are good examples of a North West Vernacular Bungalow with their large simple roof planes, deep shady verandahs and unpretentious homely quality. the former Post Office building contains remnants of the original old Onslow Post Office including roof and roof structures, windows and doors and iron verandah posts. the place is one of the few early buildings, built soon after the relocation of the town to Beadon Point, that has survived the harsh climatic conditions of the North West, as cyclones and floods have destroyed many of the structures from the pre-1920s period. the place provided a continuous postal service to the town and the surrounding pastoral district from 1925 to 1994 and is important to the local community as a place of social interaction and communication.

Physical Description

The former Post Office and residence sit on adjoining lots on the north-western side of the Second Avenue and Simpson Street intersection. The Post Office, at No. 21 Second Avenue, occupies the corner beneath a large communication tower; the residence is next door at No. 19. The Post Office has a new timber picket fence and landscaped frontage, while the residence has no fencing or landscaping. Both buildings are examples of the North West Vernacular Bungalow style, characterised by simple hipped corrugated iron roofs, cyclone battening, and deep verandahs They are raised on stumps, and the verandahs extend along the front and sides. The residence’s verandah has been fully enclosed, obscuring the façade. The former Post Office is clad in shiplap-profile timber weatherboards. Its veranda has a timber floor and original veranda posts. The crossed balustrades reflect the early design seen in historic photographs.

History

The town and port of Old Onslow was gazetted in 1885, with a stone and iron Post and Telegraph Office built in 1894 near Merrow and Campbell Streets. As noted in the Old Onslow Place Record, the town struggled from the outset due to natural site constraints. A new sea jetty was later built at Beadon Point, isolating Old Onslow from district freight movement. By 1920 it was clear a new town was needed, and the new Onslow at Beadon Point was gazetted in 1924. Buildings were relocated between 1924 and 1927, including the Customs’ Quarters and the Bond and Goods Shed. According to the 2016 Old Onslow Conservation Plan, much of the original Post Office fabric was reused in the new Post Office, including roof framing, windows, doors and verandah posts. In 1925, Post Office services were temporarily moved to Beadon while the new building was established. The old Post Office Quarters held little value, and tenders were called for their removal. The new Post Office and residence were built circa 1925 by the Public Works Department, using the same plans as two nearby police residences. Close proximity of the residence to the post office allowed the postmaster to monitor telegram exchanges at all hours. Post office services moved to Postie’s General Store in 1994. The original building was later used by an employment group and by Onslow Salt Pty Ltd before being converted into a residence in the early 2000s. The Post Office Quarters continue to be used as a residence. Historically, post offices served as key community hubs for communication and social interaction and were also an important source of respectable employment for women.

Archaeology

Further investigation is required to ascertain the archaeological potential of the subject place.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium. The former Post Office no longer serves its original purpose, but the neighbouring house still serves as a residence. Further investigation is required with regard to the extent of original fabric. Imagery suggests that there has been significant restoration to the former Post Office building.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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