The Parkes Post Office is a heritage-listed former

post office A post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letter (message), letters and parcel (package), parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. Post o ...

and now offices at 39 Currajong Street,

Parkes Parkes may refer to: * Sir Henry Parkes (1815–1896), Australian politician, one of the earliest and most prominent advocates for Australian federation Named for Henry Parkes * Parkes, New South Wales, a regional town * Parkes Observatory, a radi ...

Parkes Shire Parkes Shire is a local government area in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The Shire is located adjacent to the Broken Hill railway line and the Newell Highway. The area under administration includes the town of Parkes ...

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

, Australia. It was designed by

James Barnet James Johnstone Barnet, (1827 in Almericlose, Arbroath, Scotland – 16 December 1904 in Forest Lodge, Sydney, New South Wales) was the Colonial Architect for Colonial New South Wales, serving from 1862 to 1890. Early life Barnet was born ...

and

Walter Liberty Vernon Colonel (Australia), Colonel Walter Liberty Vernon (11 August 184617 January 1914) was an English people, English architect who migrated to Australia and pursued his career as an architect in Sydney, New South Wales. In his role as the New Sou ...

and built during 1880. The property is privately owned. It was added to the

New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Heritag ...

on 2 April 1999.

History

Constructed in 1880 and designed by Colonial Architect, James Barnet. Major alterations were completed by his successor, Colonial Architect Walter Liberty Vernon that altered its appearance and further minor alterations were made in 1901-1903. The Post Office is one of an important group of buildings, including the Courthouse, Police Station and churches, which make up the civic heart of Parkes. The building was one of the first "grand" buildings erected in Parkes and a hub of activity. During its lifetime the building has evolved - catering to the needs of the community. Modifications over time are symbolic of the growth of Parkes - from a pioneering miners' settlement to a contemporary centre in the Central West. For just over 100 years (from 1880-1989) the building was continuously used as a postal and telecommunications facility and an integral part of the Parkes community.Jayet, 2016, 7 On 28 April 1989 the

Council wrote to the Heritage Council requesting that it give consideration to placing a Permanent Conservation Order over Parkes Post Office as Australia Post was constructing a new premises which would render the Post Office obsolete. Australia Post advised that it would make prospective buyers aware of the possibility of the Heritage Council making a Permanent Conservation Order. The site ceased operating as a post office in 1990 following the opening of a new facility in Welcome Street. To protect the original post office it was heritage listed and has been used since as offices. On 6 February 1990 a Permanent Conservation Order was placed over the Post Office. It was transferred to the State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The current owners Peter and Maddalena Sgarlata bought the post office in 1990 and have carried out major works including re-slating the roof, a mammoth taks. A facelift to the exterior of the building has recently been completed, with the assistance of the Heritage Council of NSW, Parkes Shire Council, heritage advisers and contractors. Future works will include a disability access ramp, designed to complement the building, lighting of the upstairs balcony, spot-lighting, repairing the clock and minor paint work.

Modifications and dates

10 December 1999 Heritage Council approval for internal partitions and external signage.

Heritage listing

As at 13 September 2005, Parkes Post Office is considered to be an item of the State's environmental heritage for its historical value and association with the development of Parkes. For its landmark value and its contribution to the streetscape. For its architectural value as an example of the work of the Colonial Architect and the Government Architect. The Parkes Post Office was listed on the

on 2 April 1999.

Gallery

File:Parkes Post Office (2712466868).jpg , Undated photograph

References

Bibliography

Attribution

{{Australian Post Offices, state=collapsed New South Wales State Heritage Register Parkes Shire Office buildings in New South Wales Post office buildings in New South Wales Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register James Barnet buildings 1880 establishments in Australia Government buildings completed in 1880 Walter Liberty Vernon buildings