Back to search results

COLERAINE POST OFFICE
80 Whyte Street, COLERAINE VIC 3315 - Property No 1086

All information on this page is maintained by Southern Grampians Shire. Click below for their website and contact details.
Southern Grampians Shire
23076 Post office Coleriane 0499
23076 Post office Coleriane 0499
23076 Post office Coleriane 0499
23076 Post Office Coleraine old photo 2040
23076 Post Office Coleraine old photo 2042
23076 Post Office Coleraine old photo 2041
23076 Post Office Whyte St Coleraine 1482
23076 Post Office Whyte St Coleraine 1483
23076 Post Office Whyte St Coleraine 1484
23076 Post Office Coleraine 0433
On this page:

Statement of Significance

What is significant?

The Coleraine Post Office, located at 80 Whyte Streets in the centre of Coleraine is a symmetrical, single storey brick building which is now rendered. The building originally housed the Post Office, a Post Masters residence and a telegraph office. It was built in 1874 by James Nation & Co. of Melbourne to a standard design prepared by the Public Works Department. The post office was housed in the central section and the eastern side of the building, including an enclosed timber verandah. The western side was the post master's residence. The building passed to the Commonwealth after Federation in 1901. The facade was altered in the 1920s, again to a standard design. The building remains relatively intact externally to that date, although it is much altered internally. It is in good condition.

How is it significant?

The Coleraine Post Office is of historical and architectural significance to the township of Coleraine and the Shire of Southern Grampians.

Why is it significant?

The Coleraine Post Office is of historical significance as the focus for communication services to the community for over 140 years. It is of historical significance because of its earliest associations with the important local Trangmar family. The Post Office is of architectural significance as a representative example of a standard Public Works Department Post Office from the 1870-1880 period. Architecturally, it is significant for its relationship to the court house immediately adjacent and other civic buildings in the vicinity.

Show more
Show less

    • Physical Conditions

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Physical Conditions

      The building is in good condition.

      Physical Description 1

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Physical Description 1

      The Coleraine Post Office is a single storey symmetrical brick building, now rendered, and built on a bluestone base. The central pavilion has a triple arched window with an oeuil de boeuf in the gable containing a clock. The main roof is hipped and made of corrugated iron. Originally the side porches were timber with strong moldings and corrugated iron roofs. The eastern verandah was enclosed with timber panelling and double hung sash windows. The Interwar alterations to the porch have continued the Classical style, but with rather more formality.

      The building was in the simple Italianate style which, in the largest examples of Public Works Department Post Offices, such as Castlemaine, assumed the form of large villas, and, as at Maryborough, were the focus of town squares surrounded by other public buildings. In this sense, the post office must be interpreted in association with its immediate neighbour, the court house which is another standard Italianate design.

      The building originally included a Post Master's residence and a telegraph office.

      Historical Australian Themes

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Historical Australian Themes

      Theme 3: Developing local, regional and national economies

      3.7 Establishing communications

      3.7.1 Establishing postal services

      3.7.2 Developing electrical means of communication

      Usage/Former Usage

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Usage/Former Usage

      Post Office

      Intactness

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Intactness

      Intact to its Interwar condition. New glazed front doors. Unsympathetic Paint colour.

      Physical Description 2

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Physical Description 2

      Alfred T Snow, PWD architect

      James Nation & Co, builder

      Physical Description 3

      COLERAINE POST OFFICE - Physical Description 3

      Allotment 10 Section 2

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Heritage Study and Grading

      Southern Grampians - Southern Grampians Shire Heritage Study

      Author: Timothy Hubbard P/L, Annabel Neylon
      Year: 2002
      Grading:

Public contributions

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
Timeline browser

< to 1849
< - 1849
1850 to 1879
1850 - 1879
1880 to 1909
1880 - 1909
1910 to 1939
1910 - 1939
1940 to 1969
1940 - 1969
1970 to 1999
1970 - 1999
2000 to >
2000 - >