Sad to lose the Bass Post Office

THE POST Office at the Bass General Store has closed, forcing customers to go to Grantville, Kilcunda or San Remo to get their mail.

Dani Nolan was running the shop and post office with partner Phil and has stated personal issues as the main cause of the closure and acknowledges the impact on the community. 

“It wasn’t the best thing that we could do for the town, but things happen and there’s not much you can really do about it.”

“We’re sad that we had to close down,” Dani said.

Local Bass resident Carol now has to travel approximately a 32-kilometre round trip to San Remo to pick up her mail instead of a doing a round trip of approximately 10 kilometres to Bass. 

“We only have a small town, but we’re spread across a bit of a distance, so the Bass Post Office and Milk Bar or General Store encompasses a decent area.

“I like having a post office. I get a few parcels and I do not want them left out on the road. It’s a five-minute walk down to my letterbox.” 

Carol speculated that a recent alleged robbery which occurred approximately two weeks ago at the store may have been the final catalyst for the closure of the post office. 

“Somebody broke in, took the safe out of the cupboard and then took all the parcels,” Carol said. 

“They got whatever was in the safe, that wouldn’t have been a lot, but yes, someone did that.” 

While Dani will be stepping away from the entire trade, according to Carol – a confidant of the owners, Phil will try to keep the store running and has been talking with Australia post about potentially reopening the post office.

“He’s had a quote to be able to keep the post office. Its going to be $17,000 to put shutters on the shop. He’s in consultation with Aus’ Post, because Dani said she handed in her licence.”

Announcements were made on the stores Facebook page on Tuesday, August 29, stating,

…I’m Just letting everyone know that today I have handed in my licence for the post office and I am fully stepping away from the shop…

Dani also explained to the Sentinel – Times that, “Australian Post are doing the best they can to come up with a different solution. They’ve (locals) been offered a free mail direction to wherever they want to go, wherever they want to get their mail sent. Otherwise, they can go still go to San Remo.” 

An impending residential development of fifty houses in the area could see a delivery service put in place, according to Carol. 

“We’re supposed to be getting a development here and a Post Officer said something about this town will then qualify for no post office and we’ll just get deliveries.”

“I like having a post office because it’s secure. It’s supposed to be anyway,” Carol said.

“I suppose if there’s any parcel pickup, it’ll either be back at Grantville, San Remo or Kilcunda. They’re the three choices we’ve got around us.” 

The General Store will remain open for local produce, newspapers and household staples; however, it may also only be a matter of time until it also closes, according to Dani. 

“Phil will still be there running the shop… For the time being, I’m not sure how long he’s going to have it open or not,” she said. 

“Everyone was a really great support and everything,” Dani said, 

“Thank you from us and we appreciate everyone’s support.”

Carol is concerned about the Bass community losing all of their services, particularly with the pub closing down last year as well.  

“I come from a business background.

“If you’ve got a business, you have a responsibility for a community and our post office, milk bar was a decent little business that could have been a lot better,” Carol said.