Post Haste

But You Don't Look A Day Over Sixty

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This mailbox – in an unfamiliar suburb – stopped me in my tracks last Wednesday afternoon.

Why? Two reasons, I guess. First, it’s not every day you see a light-blue mailbox. Second, it’s obviously seen better days, judging by the rust, the wonky orientation and the damage to the top.

But in totality, I saw a certain beauty here. Simply because it was, well, different. I saw something to be admired in the context of the way it fitted its surroundings – the painted picket fence, the garden and the unswept leaves that formed a beautiful bronze carpet.

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Post Haste

A Landmark That Rose From The Ashes

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

One of the many landmarks in graceful Melbourne is the GPO, a neo-Renaissance building that is Heritage listed. On 10 September, 2001, a day before the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, a fire ripped through this historic structure.

Although the blaze caused several million dollars' worth of damage, postal operations resumed the next day in an adjacent building. None of the 200,000 mail items was destroyed, although 600 items awaiting collection by visitors to the city were lost in the blaze and some other items sustained water damage.

But the edifice itself survived, despite the rubble and desolation between its walls. Less than three years later, it reopened in August 2004 - as a highly rated precinct devoted to fashion, shopping and cuisine.

These photographs were taken a few weeks ago. We took overseas visitors into the central business district and of course the trip had to include a quick excursion to the revamped GPO. There are many facets of the building that I find amazing, but these views, of soft floodlights accentuating its graceful lines, tell the simple story of a structure that defied the flames.


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Post Haste

Special Delivery, All The Way To The North Pole

Photographs copyright; DAVID McMAHON

Fair dinkum, I didn't know Australia Post had a special mailbox, just for Santa mail, in the City Square. For years, the various postal outlets around this beautiful city have always had special boxes for Santa mail and believe me, they have always been extremely popular.

But the City Square, as you can see from these images, is always a splash of vivid colour at this time of year. Not only is it the site of Melbourne's giant Christmas tree, but it is also a gathering place for young and old alike.


These native plants are in full bloom all round the City Square. On the afternoon that I took these shots, I didn't know which way to turn, for it seemed as though every colour of the rainbow was represented, no matter where I looked.

In fact, it was so sunny, and the shadows were so strong, that it was quite a challenge to take these shots. Look carefully at the image below and you'll see evidence, in the bottom half of the frame, of just how strong the sunshine was at the time.


It was a warm afternoon, the sky was blue, there was a band playing nearby. The cafes were full, and the pavement umbrellas were a sea of triangular hues. But yes, red was by far the predominant colour, especially on the special mailbox.

I couldn't resist one last shot. But as I composed the frame, I realised the sun was so strong that I could actually see my own reflection in the painted metal. You can actually see my white shirt, my arms and my striped tie.

Let's just say it was just my Santa pause.


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Marvel At My Ignorance

The Error Was Really Comical


My thanks to Diesel, Fletch and Victorya, who all pointed out that the illustration with Post Haste showed characters from DC Comics, rather than Marvel Comics. Thank you, all of you. And rest assured I have corrected the error. I have also enrolled in remedial classes.