GULGONG POSTMASTERS
- Mary ANGOVE, 15 Aug 1870;
- Robert ROBINSON, 15 Feb 1872;
- G A REID, 1 May 1877;
- G P PLUNKETT, 31 Oct 1879;
- Hugh MALONE, 28 Sep 1882;
- A W KELLY, 24 Mar 1888;
- Wm CLARKE, 1 Oct 1890;
- W MEAD 1 Jun 1906;
- T W C YOUNG, 8 Jan 1907.
ORIGINAL POST OFFICE - ANGOVE'S STORE
The post-office was at Angove's store, and the sight of the field after the mail coach had arrived and the letters, etc, sorted the postmaster, mounted on a packing-case, called out the names alphabetically, and each person answered his name and received his letters, after being passed over the heads of the assembled thousands.
Richard Angove's general store, Gulgong
Source: SLNSW
Hardware, grocery, and wine store of Richard and Mary Angove in Mayne Street, between the Bank of New South Wales and the Newmarket Sale Yards. The small room under the verandah on the eastern end was where Mrs Angove conducted Gulgong's first Post Office.
In February 1871 she gave the job of Postmistress away and Robert Robinson took over as Postmaster. In December 1872 the store was turned into Angove's Hotel. In July 1875 Richard Angove died and his wife Mary took over as licensee. The Hotel site remained in her name at least until 1880.
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)
Robert Robinson's Post Office
Source: SLNSW
Robert Robinson's Stationary Shop & Gulgong Post Office in Mayne Street next to O'Neill Brothers Bakery. Robert Robinson took over as Gulgong's Postmaster in February 1872 from Mrs Angove, and remained in the position at least until 1876. He built a new shop opposite this one on Mayne Street, on the site of the Greatest Wonder of the World in 1876, but before it was opened as the new Post Office the government requested the Post Office be moved to the Police Compound.
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)
Crowd at Robert Robinson's Post Office.
Source: SLNSW
1877 - POST AND TELEGRAPH
The Borough Council have received information to the effect that the Colonial Architect is now engaged upon the plans and specifications for a new post and telegraph office, and that tenders will be at once called for and the work commenced. This is indeed much needed, for the present accommodation is miserable, and the place has long been a standing disgrace.
Post Office, 1892 illustration
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 13 Feb 1892 Page 364
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 13 Feb 1892 Page 364
Gulgong Post and Telegraph Office, year unknown
Gulgong Post Office, 1907
Source: National Archives of Australia
Post Office and Court House
1902 - A Gulgong Sensation. The Mail Couch Capsizes. A Passenger Seriously Injured.
(From our own Correspondent.)
Those who were standing in the vicinity of the Post Office on Tuesday afternoon, just prior to the departure of Gawthorne's mail coach for Mudgee, were alarmed to see the vehicle fall over, while turning round near the Town Hall, where the road is not only narrow, but high on one side.
When those who had witnessed the accident, including your representative, ran up to the overturned vehicle, it was soon seen that the driver and most of the passengers had luckily escaped, but Mr. Stevens, traveller for John Hunter and Son, the well-known boot manufacturers, was in a serious position.
Mr. Steven had been riding on the box seat, and being thrown clear of the vehicle was pinned down by a heavy basketware case of samples, which had been on the roof of the coach. Willing hands soon removed the case, and the injured man was then carried to Blunt's Post Office hotel, and Dr. MaCreadie was summoned. The other passengers on the coach were Mr. C. H. Ward, a commercial traveller, who had a wonderful escape, his boot being torn off his foot, and another commercial traveller, named Mr. Cohen. After a little delay, the coach was righted and driver Little, who had escaped unhurt, and Messrs. Ward and Cohen continued their journey into Mudgee.
It was at first feared that Mr. Stevens' injuries were very severe, and a wire was at once despatched to the firm he represents. However, I am glad to say that the patient passed a good night, and that this (Wednesday) morning Dr. MaCreadie gave a very good report, and expressed the opinion that considering everything his patient had come off very luckily.
THE NEWS IN MUDGEE.
The first news of the accident was received in Mudgee by Mr. Haydock, the postmaster. The news quickly passed through the town, and, as is so often the case, lost nothing in travelling. Mr. Stevens had only left Mudgee that morning, and the news of his injury was received with regret by his many friends here, who will be glad to read the good report sent by our correspondent. The coach arrived in town only a short time late, and the mails were in ample time for despatch down the line.
Driver Little has the reputation of being very careful, and it is generally felt that it was one of those accidents which will occur in spite of every possible precaution. Without making any comment on the accident, we are certainly of opinion that, when granting coach licenses, the magistrates should exercise some sort of control on the weight of luggage to be carried on top.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 29 May 1902 Page 10
Gulgong Post Office, 1940
Source: National Archives of Australia
Gulgong Post Office, 1940
Source: National Archives of Australia
