‘Best job I’ve ever had’: Saunders Beach postie Gerard Dillon drives off into retirement
Mailboxes in Saunders Beach were decorated with red ribbons on Friday as the community farewelled their long-time postie, Ged. We investigate why he’s accumulated such a devoted fan club.
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Mailboxes in Saunders Beach were decorated with red on Monday as the community farewelled their long-time postie, Gerard Dillon, as he completed his last ever run.
Known locally as Ged, Mr Dillon has been delivering the mail in Saunders Beach, southern Bluewater, and Purono Park for 19 years.
News of his retirement struck a chord in the semirural beachside neighbourhood, and local woman Sandra Hubert went to great lengths making a custom mug, sewing together a quilt, and printing off a three-metre long card full of farewell messages.
Mr Dillon said he was amazed by the gifts.
“I started as a mail contractor for Australia Post 19 years ago. I needed a bit of a change and a contract came up for delivering mail so I put in for it, and was lucky enough to get it,” Mr Dillon said.
“I had been working at Queensland Nickel for 10 years, but when I had young children I thought it would be better being home every afternoon rather than doing shift work.”
The Townsville Bulletin met Mr Dillon at the Australia Post distribution centre where he starts work at 6am, sorting the mail for three hours before beginning his run at 9.30am.
“I am out delivering the mail until around 2.30pm,” Mr Dillon said.
“Because I’m a contractor I have my own van and my own bike.”
Mr Dillon even has his own employee, a Saunders Beach woman called Michelle, who drives the van around for him delivering large parcels and acting as a restocking base while he delivers envelopes and small parcels on the bike.
Turning up to do the same run for 19 years straight has cemented Mr Dillon within the community.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he said.
“Everyone is excited to see you, especially when you have a parcel for them.
“Some people you’re the only person they see during the day. I had a lady I was delivering to for 19 years, and she just passed away very recently.”
Before his postie and QNI days, Mr Dillon was a woolclasser and shearer.
Raised in Wycheproof in rural Victoria, Mr Dillon moved up to Townsville to be near his brother, fell in love, married his wife Vicki, and settled down in Cluden.
“I may live in Cluden but I’ve been driving the same road to work for 32 years,” Mr Dillon joked.
“I’m so thankful and so grateful to everyone. I’ve never met so many generous and wonderful people.”
When asked what the secret to being a good postie was, Mr Dillon said “communication”.
“The first time you meet them, you introduce yourself and ask where they want their parcels placed.
“It’s all based on trust and once there is trust, it works.”
Mr Dillon finishes his contract on Monday, June 30.
His run will then be taken over by the posties already covering the Black River - Bluewater run.
Mr Dillon said he plans to spend retirement travelling, camping, and looking after his five-year-old grandson.
“I want to start up all the hobbies I’ve always wanted to do, such as gardening and camping,” he said.
“And I will be spending a lot of time with my grandson.”
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