Starting Beechwood’s first house to house mail delivery service, chatting to all-comers and being a confidante to countless stories.
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On Tuesday Beechwood Post Office’s legendary and long-serving Esme Waldron will step down from the role she has held for the past 23 years and four days.
She will, she says, read her catalogue of books purchased but never read, enjoy wandering to her former business to enjoy the sunshine and chat about the day’s events and travel to Cuba.
Along with her late husband Eric, Esme took over the business from Brian and Aileen Ogilvie in 1993 when the post office was located across the road.
As luck would have it, the Waldron’s in 1982 purchased the old blacksmith shop and moved the post office operations to the shed at the back of the property while they redeveloped.
”The new building was complete in 1994, so we moved the post office into the new place and Eric included the over-the-counter sales of de Bortoli wines,” Esme said.
The new post office building was a hit and Esme and Eric quickly took to their new role.
“This is the longest job I’ve ever had. I’ve worked in shops and clubs and did Eric’s books for the wholesale wine business for years.
“We also ran the smash repair business for 12 years too.
“But this job is about meeting people and being part of a community.”
As an accumulator of books, Esme has ‘a stack of books you can't jump over’ but said she would still come up to the post office, take a bench seat spot out the front and enjoy a good old fashioned chat.
You can understand that. But Cuba?
“I’ve always wanted to go there. I would like to see a memorial to (revolutionary and guerrilla leader) Che Guevara too.”
And while the lure of the job and talking with regular customers is still there, Esme admitted it was time to go.
“I’m 73 years of age. I’ve run out of steam,” she said.
I’m 73 years of age. I’ve run out of steam
- Esme Waldron
Footnote: The blacksmith shop was operated for its entirety by the late Lyel Shoesmith.
He purchased the land from PJ O’Neill, the first president of the Hastings Shire Council.
The Waldron’s had some luck when they were looking to build the post office when a patron from the nearby Beechwood Hotel accidentally reversed into the dilapidated old smithy's shop late one night.