The story of Pyrmont’s first post office

The story of Pyrmont’s Old post office, located at 148 Harris Street. 

The Old Post office was first constructed in 1840 by the Stonemasons Society.

Stonemasons in Pyrmont quarries organised Australia’s first trade union in 1853– the Stonemasons Society.

Two years later they declared that they would work no more than eight hours a day. After a series of industrial actions, they won, and their victory inspired workers in other industries to demand an eight-hour working day.

The Society is closely associated with this site as meetings were held here.  

The building itself was constructed in 1840 and became Pyrmont’s post office. It was on the veranda of this building that the stonemasons met to form Australia’s first trade union in 1855. 

The building was extended and renovated in 1901 in the distinctive Federation Free Style and remains a landmark.

The Post Office moved to wheelchair-accessible premises and the Pyrmont Community Bank leased the building in 2009 for ten years. Because of its obvious heritage value it cannot be modified for access, and it has not attracted a tenant.  

This column is assembled by the Pyrmont History Group.  We manage an open website – pyrmonthistory.net.au – which contains further information and images.