Mirani Post Office postmaster Sue McNichol to move on after 30 years

A regional postmaster has said goodbye to her workplace and home of 30 years, where she raised her family and served as “a bit of a sounding board” for her community.

After a postie career spanning three decades, Sue McNichol has finally found someone to succeed her at Mirani Post Office.

Born in nearby Septimus, Ms McNichol has lived in the area all her life and said the community around her was “friends more than customers”.

It was the end of an era leaving the Alexandra Street family home and adjoining Australia Post branch, but new owners Shane Hoad and Trude Choyce said they looked forward to making a home in Mirani.

Ms Choyce said “everyone knows Sue” and that the former postmaster would be “on speed dial” as they “work all the little workings of a little country town out”.

The outgoing postie said she was keen on a semi-retirement and to “just be able to come and go” after 30 years of dedication.

Sue McNichol has been postmaster of Mirani Post Office for 30 years ever since March 9, 1992. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Ms McNichol said she was touched when a boy about 12 came in with “this big long spiel” to tell her he’d miss her.

“He was so sad that I was leaving”, she said.

“It was really, really lovely and (he was) so polite about it all.”

Trude Choyce and Shane Hood are the new owners of Mirani Post Office, handed over on September 26, 2022, after Sue McNichol’s semi-retirement. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Ms McNichol said she would miss the lifestyle of her home workplace and the “lots of general characters that come in”.

“You think about all the little babies and the little kids you’ve seen born,” she said.

“And now they’re coming in with their own kids – which is scary.

“You have time to talk here (so) it’s a good social job.

Sue McNichol received a 30 year certificate of recognition from Australia Post featuring a stamp from 1992, the year she took over Mirani Post Office. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“You just get to be part of the community.”

She recalled one customer who would “come in and have a bit of a talk and hang off the counter”.

“(I was a) bit of a sounding board sometimes for their problems,” she said.

Sue and Peter McNichol lived above the Mirani Post Office where they raised their three children. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“You learn to say very little and, sometimes, say a lot.”

Sue’s husband Peter McNichol said the emotional day was “a big change”, but they had “grandkids she wants to spend a bit more time with while she can”.

She received an acknowledgment certificate from Australia Post at the handover decorated with a stamp from 1992, the year she took over Mirani Post.