By Mark Macdonald
Two photographs tell the story of a changing Sunshine—one of the beautiful post office that stood proudly at the intersection of Dickson Street and Hampshire Road in the 1920s, and the other of the modern-day pedestrian and bus interchange that now loosely occupies the space.
Sunshine, originally known as Braybrook Junction prior to 1907, saw its first post office located at the Braybrook Junction Railway Station. In 1892, the service moved to Hampshire Road, operating out of a residential building where Sunshine Primary School now stands. As the community expanded, the need for a larger facility became evident.
In 1913, a purpose-built post office was constructed at the corner of Hampshire Road and Dickson Street, opposite the railway station. By 1915, it housed the Sunshine Telephone Exchange, further cementing its role as a crucial communications hub. Over time, the facility expanded to accommodate growing postal demands.
By the 1970s, postal services had shifted to a new location on Devonshire Road, and today, the Sunshine Post Office operates from Sunshine Marketplace.
The former post office remained until 1994 before being replaced by the pedestrian and bus interchange, integrating seamlessly with the railway station and reinforcing Sunshine’s role as a vital transport hub for Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Historic Image Credit: SLV, Sunshine Post Office [1917-1930]
Aerial view of Sunshine, Victoria / C. D. Pratt. 1954
