There has been a Kellyville Post Office for 135 years and staff and guests joined owners Frank and Clara De Masi and special guests to celebrate the milestone and cut a specially baked cake.
It featured an image taken of Kellyville post office in 1932 when it was on the corner of Acres and Windsor roads and was cut to mark the occasion by long term resident and customer Beverly Green.
The De Masi family took over Kellyville Post Office in March 2013 and gave the outlet a new lease of life with a new team and refit and good old fashion customer service.
Joining them to celebrate and give the stamp of approval was Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke MP, Kellyville State MP Ray Williams, Hills Councillor Reena Jethi, former Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne, Sarah Coe, General Manager Australia Post Retail Operations North and Joel Boeman, Deputy Principal Kellyville Public School. Kellyville Post Office opened on 1 January 1889. It was established 16 years after Kellyville Public School opened its doors in 1873.
According to information in the Hills Heritage News, Hills District Museum archives and Daisy Ardley’s book Kellyville: The Pleasant Village (published in 1997) Kellyville Post Office began its life near Kellyville Public School and was run by Mary Pryce, the daughter of Edward Pryce who taught at the school. She resigned when her father resigned from teaching and left Kellyville.
Mrs Mary Ann Redden took over the position of Post Mistress in 1892 but operated it from her home in “Hillview” on the corner of Acres and Windsor roads which was not a popular decision.
The Post office remained in hands of the Redden family until 1934 with Mary Ann Redden holding the official position of Postmistress until she was 85 with family members sharing the duties.
Horace Faulkner took the position in 1934 followed by Reginald Brownhill from 1945 until his death in 1961.
According to Daisy Ardley’s history of Kellyville the Post office building moved to the village centre in 1973 and later to the Cecily Centre and then the Village Arcade.
To find out more about The Hills District Historical Society which publishes the Hills Heritage News visit its Facebook page. Hills District Museum is at Building 10 on the Balcombe Heights Estate (92, Seven Hills Rd Baukham Hills) Open days are on 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month between 12pm and 4pm. For information email [email protected]
