Kiama Post Office

It was in January 1841 when Kiama’s first post office was opened, located in premises on Michael Hindmarsh's allotment in Shoalhaven Street (to the north of the old 'Kiama Independent' office).

Several decades later, in January 1878, a tender from W.R. Vaughan for £3,300 was accepted for the construction of a post and telegraph office on its current site. The building was completed in December 1878; however, in April 1879, Postal Inspector Davies reported that arrangements for posting letters in the new building were unsafe. By December 1879, alterations were completed to improve the new building that had thus far remained unoccupied. And so it was that on 19 January 1880, the new purpose-built post office building was finally opened for business. Mr Tyter was the postmaster.

Postmaster Tyter later requested that a stable be constructed for the horses that were used daily, which was granted (this still remains). However, Mr Tyter also requested a water tank, an outside lamp and a bathroom, but these additions were refused. In March 1905, it was requested that a counter be built for business transactions, as the public were still, at that stage, being served through a window. The new counter was made of cedar, and writing slopes were provided shortly afterwards.

The Post Office clock was installed by Angelo Tornaghi (born in Milan, Italy), who arrived in Sydney at the age of 24. He became a maker of scientific instruments and was appointed the position of being in charge of all NSW Government turret clocks, including the clock at the Sydney GPO.

The Kiama Post Office, c.1880/90s

Terralong Street, Kiama, with the quarry trains heading back from the harbour, c.1914

The Kiama Post Office, looking towards Blowhole Point and the lighthouse, c.1895

The Kiama Post Office, c.1970s