100 year old Rathdowney Post Office for sale in the Scenic Rim

FOR SALE: Dubbed the ‘community meeting place’ this 100 year old hinterland post office could be yours, with the current owner selling due to health issues.

Known for being the ‘community meeting place’ this hinterland post office needs to change hands with the current owner saying she’s devastated to be leaving.

The 100-year-old Rathdowney Post Office in the Scenic Rim is for sale. Tracey Kerr said she bought the business three-and-a-half years ago.

The 100 year old Rathdowney Post Office is up for sale. Photo: Facebook.

“I was taking on the care of my elderly mum at the time and I was looking for a home based business so I could make some money while living there and caring for my mum,” she said.

Ms Kerr said she has never felt more welcomed by a community than when she moved to Rathdowney.

“I came from the Gold Coast and I know for sure there is no way I’m ever living in the city again after this,” she said.

“I’ve just loved it so much and have felt incredibly welcomed.

“The post office really does play a large role in this little community. It’s where everyone runs into everyone.

“It’s a very social place and locals migrate here for long chats.”

Tracey Kerr, owner of the 100 year old post office. Photo: contributed.

In an unexpected turn of events Ms Kerr damaged a disk in her neck and is unable to do the psychical work required for running the business.

“I’m having surgery soon and it will be quite a long recovery,” she said.

“The original plan was to sell beforehand but it’s getting worse and I’m in a lot of pain so we’ve had to move the surgery forward.

“I’m devastated to be leaving.”

It’s a package deal, with the adjoining home and cottage also being for sale.

The business and two homes are situated on just over a 1/4 of an acre.

The post office has it's own community library. Photo: contributed.

Ms Kerr said she believes the post office and main home were originally built in 1920, making them more than 100 years old. However, the cottage is a more recent addition.

The Auspost business has a solid annual turnover over of more than $200,000 and 89 post boxes. The owner would also be responsible for a mail run to Palen Creek, Barney View, and Running Creek.

The post office also provides; bill payments, banking, gifts and boutiques, and there is a community library too.

Ms Kerr said she had a wonderful time owning the post office, and is incredibly grateful for her staff.

Post office owner Tracey Kerr (middle) with her two staff members Trudy and Dave Ives. Photo: contributed.

“Dave and Trudy Ives live in the local community and are very trustworthy and reliable,” she said.

“Dave does the mail and parcel run five days a week and Trudy works part time three days a week.

“They both love working for the post office and have a good rapport with customers. Dave is also an ex police man and has previously won a bravery award.”

The 100 year old Rathdowney Post Office is up for sale. Photo: Facebook.

Ms Kerr said she believes it will be a great community business investment for whoever takes over next.

Once she has sold and recovered from her surgery, Ms Kerr would like to buy a motor home and travel around Australia. However, she said this all depends on her health moving forward.

You can view the property listing here.