By ANDY WILSON

Mid-afternoon on Monday 30 June was a sad day for the Longwood community with the closure of the township’s small post office.

With minimal warning, the post office closed its doors to sadness in the town along with whispered speculation about both a new proprietor and even new location, forcing customers to collect their mail from the Euroa Post Shop.

The closure was somewhat unexpected by the community with Australia Post informing residents via letter and a notice at the PO.

The Longwood post office was first opened in 1852 in what is now Longwood East, until the Sydney-Melbourne railway line was built in the 1870s, which saw the whole town move to its current location.

The post office has since moved location several times within Longwood.

A spokesperson from Australia Post thanked the people of Longwood for their patience and said a successor licensee for the service was being sought.

“Australia Post has been working hard to secure ongoing arrangements for postal services in Longwood following the previous licensee’s decision to cease operating the outlet,” the spokesperson said.

“We are exploring options to retain postal services in Longwood and will update the community as soon as there is further news to share.”

“Australia Post would like to thank the outgoing Licensee in Longwood for her dedicated service to the community.”

Longwood resident Liza Hearmon said the community felt it was a ‘bit of a shame’ the Post Office had closed.

“People would say that it’s been a bit of the heart of Longwood,” Ms Hearmon said.

“It affects mum and dad more than it would affect me, and some people at the pub of course are saying it’s a bit annoying to have to travel to Euroa to get your post, but that’s how it is.

“It’s definitely making it harder.”