The auction planned for an iconic Evandale fixture may not have gone ahead at the weekend, but it was not for a lack of interest.
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Built in 1898, the Evandale Post Office has operated as a one ever since. A tradition continued under the watch of Carol and Jim Brown almost 11 years ago.
Set to go to auction on Saturday, property agent Peter Dehnert said the event had to be cancelled earlier last week - though discussions were ongoing with a number of parties.
"We have a number of interested parties, a number of which couldn't complete due diligence in time," Mr Dehnert said. "So we had to cancel the auction under the vendor's instruction. And discussions are ongoing."
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That interest was coming from within the region, state and across the mainland. Some were considering the residence alone, other both the business and residence,
Further still were looking at a complete change of use.
The challenge with any change of use plans stemmed from the heritage of the building Mr Dehnert said. And it's location within a heritage area.
"They have to be very careful that whatever they are proposing will be able to fly, and fly within their budgetary constraints," he said.
The retail space sits alongside the three-bedroom residence on its 925 square metre High Street block.
Working behind the counter and delivering mail, the Browns moved from Western Australia for the opportunity in October 2008.
"Basically due to the response that [Peter] has had so far in the lead up to the auction it wouldn't have been wise to have [the auction]," Mr Brown said.
Being a postman was a change for him, a musician who had served in the navy and working as a prison guard. Mr Brown picked up the 153-kilometre rural mail run and Mrs Brown studied for a Certificate II in Retail Operations.
But the couple are now ready for something new.
In that time they have become an integral part of the community. Farmers expecting machinery parts often tell Mr Brown to "just drop it over the fence", he said earlier in the month.
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