Thursday, 3 August 2023

Glenroy post office

Kathleen MATTHEWS-WARD (Broadmeadows) (10:03): I am furious about Australia Post’s decision to close the Glenroy post office. It is one of the busiest in the region and has over 200 transactions a day. You can walk in there and there is always a queue. Glenroy has a higher than average number of people over 80 and people with a disability and lower than average internet connections, income and car ownership. So many people rely on walkable access to the post office to transact and pay their bills. It is cruel and thoughtless of Australia Post to take away their access to services. Surrounding services are not easily accessible. Some of them do not have public transport access and one is up a big hill from the station, which would be impossible for someone in a wheelchair. Their heartless decision will also harm the viability of the whole shopping centre that gives so many of us walkable access to shops and services.

Residents, business owners, Glenroy Lions and the Broadmeadows Progress Association have come together and organised a rally for tomorrow, but it is not just a rally – it is a colourful celebration of walkable access to local services. Local business Viponds Paints are sponsoring world-renowned mural artist Julian Clavijo to paint vinyl shopping jeeps. We have got free face painting and henna art and a sausage sizzle run by the Lions, with snags donated by Al Haj Halal Meats, and live music by the incredible Kylie Auldist and local talent 1649, and perhaps even a guest appearance from actor Ian Smith, aka Harold Bishop from Neighbours. A huge thanks to all businesses and residents who have supported the petition, including Twenty One Days Later, the Spade, Dairy Queen, MaryLou’s Cafe, Chemist Discount Centre, Direct Chemist Outlet, Five Star Fabric & Garments, and Barry Plant Glenroy.