Beverley Post Office and Residence 1909-Current
The original Beverley Post Office (No.9) was a George Temple Poole design, located near the railway Station in 1892. By 1907 it had become inadequate and a site for a new post office was being sought. In 1908, three sites were on offer: part of the Education reserve - for £500; R. B. Smiths property £250; and land available free from a Melbourne owner, J. Martin. The Education Reserve was chosen. Although the Commonwealth had taken over management of postal services in Australia in 1901, some states, including Western Australia, provided design and construction services for Commonwealth buildings in the absence of a Commonwealth Works Office in the State.
Plans for Beverley Post Office and Quarters were prepared by the Public Works Department under Chief Architect Hillson Beasley, dated 20 February 1909. The tender to build the place was granted to J. G. Fettes, at a cost of £1,870.
In December 1909, it was reported in the Beverley Times that: The new post and telegraph office is now complete and ready for occupation and we understand that business will be conducted from the new office on and after the 1st January next. The building is one well worthy of the town and is a decided ornament to our main street.
The first postmaster to occupy the new Post and Telegraph Office was R. W. Graham who had a staff of thirteen. There was a weekly service to East and West Beverley; mailman C. Abbey did the 100-mile West route on a Tuesday and returned on the 50-mile East route on a Wednesday.
By 1923, staff numbers had been reduced to seven. The telephone exchange had to be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If Beverley exchange closed it meant that several connected exchanges could not operate. The telephonists at Beverley worked the day shift from 8a.m. to 9p.m. and the night shift rotated the sleeping shift, day on, day off for the shift from 9p.m. to 8a.m.
The 1950's had been a period of growth and prosperity for the farming sector throughout the State and the future of the Beverley district looked set to continue in the same vein. The PMG (Post Master General's department) considered that Beverley would become an important communications centre.
In 1957, plans were prepared by the Commonwealth Department of Works for substantial extensions to Beverley Post Office to provide for a significant upgrade in communication facilities. The expansive extension was undertaken in 1958.
An 'Australia Post' shop fitout has subsequently been fitted into the post office. Vicky and John Fregon have served the community since 2005, breaking the previous long-service record of any Postmasters by over a decade.
Beverley Post Office & Quarters comprises the 1909 single storey post office and adjoining two-storey Postmaster's quarters, with the 1958 telephone exchange at the rear.
Beverley Post Office and quarters is a fine example of the Federation Free style of architecture from one of the recognised exponents of the style; Hillson Beasley, the PWD Chief Architect. It has a strong visual impact in the Vincent Street vista, making a significant contribution to the historic townscape and character of the Beverley town, and is a landmark within the main street.
Beverley Post Office and quarters is recognised as a place of State significance on the Western Australian Heritage Council's register of Heritage Places.
Plans for Beverley Post Office and Quarters were prepared by the Public Works Department under Chief Architect Hillson Beasley, dated 20 February 1909. The tender to build the place was granted to J. G. Fettes, at a cost of £1,870.
In December 1909, it was reported in the Beverley Times that: The new post and telegraph office is now complete and ready for occupation and we understand that business will be conducted from the new office on and after the 1st January next. The building is one well worthy of the town and is a decided ornament to our main street.
The first postmaster to occupy the new Post and Telegraph Office was R. W. Graham who had a staff of thirteen. There was a weekly service to East and West Beverley; mailman C. Abbey did the 100-mile West route on a Tuesday and returned on the 50-mile East route on a Wednesday.
By 1923, staff numbers had been reduced to seven. The telephone exchange had to be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If Beverley exchange closed it meant that several connected exchanges could not operate. The telephonists at Beverley worked the day shift from 8a.m. to 9p.m. and the night shift rotated the sleeping shift, day on, day off for the shift from 9p.m. to 8a.m.
The 1950's had been a period of growth and prosperity for the farming sector throughout the State and the future of the Beverley district looked set to continue in the same vein. The PMG (Post Master General's department) considered that Beverley would become an important communications centre.
In 1957, plans were prepared by the Commonwealth Department of Works for substantial extensions to Beverley Post Office to provide for a significant upgrade in communication facilities. The expansive extension was undertaken in 1958.
An 'Australia Post' shop fitout has subsequently been fitted into the post office. Vicky and John Fregon have served the community since 2005, breaking the previous long-service record of any Postmasters by over a decade.
Beverley Post Office & Quarters comprises the 1909 single storey post office and adjoining two-storey Postmaster's quarters, with the 1958 telephone exchange at the rear.
Beverley Post Office and quarters is a fine example of the Federation Free style of architecture from one of the recognised exponents of the style; Hillson Beasley, the PWD Chief Architect. It has a strong visual impact in the Vincent Street vista, making a significant contribution to the historic townscape and character of the Beverley town, and is a landmark within the main street.
Beverley Post Office and quarters is recognised as a place of State significance on the Western Australian Heritage Council's register of Heritage Places.