Fears Roebourne’s historic Post Office could close down as owner plans to retire

The Roebourne post office, a historic landmark that has stood tall for more than a century, is on the brink of an uncertain future as its owner, Garry Bailey, prepares to retire after 36 years of dedicated service. With no successor in sight, the service may face closure unless a new owner steps forward. Garry Bailey, a longtime Roebourne resident and City of Karratha councillor has been the custodian of the post office since 1987. However, with retirement plans set for February, Bailey has reluctantly put the property on the market, seeking around $700,000 for this piece of local history. The post office building, a symbol of Roebourne’s rich heritage, was among the first structures to grace the town’s landscape back in 1875. It was erected by Robert and Arthur Bunning, founders of the Bunning Bros. building and timber company. Despite enduring numerous cyclones, Bailey says that the building remains as resilient as ever, echoing the enduring spirit of Roebourne itself. “It’s a very sturdy and magnificent edifice, and it would be disheartening to witness it go unused. Even if it were transformed into a residence, that would be a fitting tribute,” he said. The current predicament is that Mr Bailey holds the license to the building. If a new owner is not found before his retirement, the license will revert to Australia Post, which will then attempt to identify a successor to manage the historic site. Mr Bailey has made it clear that he is stepping away from any involvement in the building’s future post-retirement. “Nobody has approached me yet. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but essentially, I’m selling the building more than the post office itself,” he added. While Bailey has cherished his time in Roebourne, he believes that 36 years of service is more than enough. His retirement plans include relocating down south to be closer to his family. “I have family down south, older and younger siblings. I want to spend my remaining time on this planet enjoying life with them.” As the clock ticks down to Garry Bailey’s retirement in February, the fate of the post office hangs in the balance, waiting for a new guardian to step forward and ensure its legacy lives on.