Thanks A Million: Melbourne postal worker of nearly 48 years continues to lift spirits

Aboard an “old red rattler”, postie John Augello has been an unlikely source of comfort during Melburnians’ darkest days.

Postie John Augello, 62, rides an “old red rattler” bicycle 30km a day, delivering about 70 letters and parcels in Melbourne’s southeast.

The veteran postie has been delivering mail for almost 48 years — in that time he’s seen generations of families grow up, published a book about his job and been bitten by six dogs.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Mr Augello said.

“You develop so many really strong friendships.”

And while Mr Augello is one of many Australia Post employees working on the frontline to deliver hundreds of thousands of parcels to isolated Australians, he’s also an unlikely source of comfort during their darkest days.

“Seeing people struggle, it was terrible,” Mr Augello said.

“Especially a lot of the older people who were missing their children and grandchildren.”

Postal worker John Augello. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mr Augello’s deliveries and friendly smile were the bright spot in many residents’ days during lockdown.

Mr Augello, who has been nominated for the Sunday Herald Sun’s Thanks A Million campaign (a Pride of Australia initiative now in its 16th year), also helped elderly residents by dropping off essential supplies and food after work hours with a local church and Rotary Club.

“It made me feel proud to be a part of that, we (postal workers) were the connection with the community,” he said.

In tomorrow’s Sunday Herald Sun you will find a special way to say thank you to all our frontline workers who have helped Australia through a year like no other.

John Augello has been nominated for News Corp’s Thanks A Million campaign. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Australia Post has partnered with the Sunday Herald S un — and newspapers across Australia — to give our readers a free postcard to send to a frontline organisation, community group or caring individual who has gone above and beyond in 2020.

In the past month, Australia Post delivered a total of 52 million packages as hordes of online shoppers drove extraordinary growth in Christmas parcel deliveries — an almost 20 per cent increase on the previous year.

“Our postal workers have worked incredibly hard to deliver to Australia,” said Australia Post executive general manager of community and consumer, Nicole Sheffield.

“We’re incredibly proud of them and all of the frontline workers in our country and extremely grateful of all the work they’ve done.

“We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to send a ‘thank you’ card to the unsung everyday heroes in our community.”

Get your postage-free postcard with your Sunday Herald Sun tomorrow and say Thanks a Million to the people who deserve it.

To nominate someone and say thanks, go to thanksamillion.net.au and they could receive a $200 Woolworths Gift Card.

Terms and conditions apply. For full terms and conditions, visit thanksamillion.net.au

Originally published as Thanks A Million: Melbourne postal worker of nearly 48 years continues to lift spirits