We were driving at a fast (though still legal) speed along the Dukes Highway, when we came across this extraordinary derelict gem... We'd just past Bordertown in South Australia, and entered far West Victoria, when this unique structure caught our eye. It captured our historic imagination, and we were immediately drawn towards it. Such an interesting example of early outback architecture, with a genuine gothic presence, enhanced by it's ghostly condition. And the post to tie your horse up, right there at the front! How very convenient. We wondered what this place was and what stories it held.
By poking about outside and peering in for clues, with some degree of trepidation, we worked out that once upon a time this building was, in fact, the Lillimur Post Office. One wonders what twists of fortune led to it closing and being abandoned like this. And why does this teeny township, that was once significant enough to have its own post office, no longer even have a sign-posted name, as such?
With some tender loving care, a rough edged (but kindly) sanding block and a liberal quantity of fresh paint, it could be so readily transformed into a gorgeous cafe and gift store - the perfect pit-stop for people travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne. These things require some money, much imagination and reasonable capacity, of course, but it never ceases to amaze us here at Polly Provincial how many charcter-rich buildings are left to decay like this. If we could only give them some loving, this Lillimur Post Office could be a truly magical space - The outback equivalent of Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, no less. This approach (recreating spaces) is called adaptive re-use.
Sometimes perfect disorder creates a beautiful opportunity for the brave hearted to reconstruct and put new soul into built environments. It's also rather eco and planet friendly, at the end of the day... Resurrect! That's what we're all about here at Polly Provincial. Create new worlds on the ashes of the old. Celebrate built heritage and history where you can - It is precious (and often delicate) after-all. People must appreciate the promise of dear old buildings like this... Surely.
By poking about outside and peering in for clues, with some degree of trepidation, we worked out that once upon a time this building was, in fact, the Lillimur Post Office. One wonders what twists of fortune led to it closing and being abandoned like this. And why does this teeny township, that was once significant enough to have its own post office, no longer even have a sign-posted name, as such?
With some tender loving care, a rough edged (but kindly) sanding block and a liberal quantity of fresh paint, it could be so readily transformed into a gorgeous cafe and gift store - the perfect pit-stop for people travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne. These things require some money, much imagination and reasonable capacity, of course, but it never ceases to amaze us here at Polly Provincial how many charcter-rich buildings are left to decay like this. If we could only give them some loving, this Lillimur Post Office could be a truly magical space - The outback equivalent of Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, no less. This approach (recreating spaces) is called adaptive re-use.
Sometimes perfect disorder creates a beautiful opportunity for the brave hearted to reconstruct and put new soul into built environments. It's also rather eco and planet friendly, at the end of the day... Resurrect! That's what we're all about here at Polly Provincial. Create new worlds on the ashes of the old. Celebrate built heritage and history where you can - It is precious (and often delicate) after-all. People must appreciate the promise of dear old buildings like this... Surely.
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