TIME had not been kind to the historic Dunkeld Post Office since it was first opened in 1891, but some much-needed renovations and improvements have recently recommenced as the next phase of its upgrade gets done.

The overall result will see the return of many original architectural features as well as replacement of many structural and decorative elements, and the owners, Karen and Keith Arnold, have worked with Southern Grampians Shire’s heritage consultant, Trudy Rickard, to ensure the works are consistent with the character of the building.

“We are very pleased with the quality and detail of the work performed by local builders D. and I. Fitzpatrick,” they said.

Mr Arnold said the works have been a prominent “talk of the town” and was glad the end was in sight.

“It’s something that has been promised for a long time and we’ve been on the job for nearly four years on and off,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of restoration work done.”

After the first stage upgrade that was “not visible”, with some “mammoth restumping” and floor levelling, he was keen to see the next part – the façade – that was, “very visible”, get a spruce up.

He said people had already been stopping to take photos as the front of the building gets more sections repaired bringing it back to its former glory.

About half of the façade has been completed and painted and the other half is expected to be complete in the next few weeks, including some roofing, guttering and downpipes.

“We don’t expect (full) completion probably until October,” Mr Arnold said.

A grant gratefully received from Southern Grampians Shire for $15,000 from early last year to cover the cost of painting has gone a long way, but Mr Arnold admitted “the cost of the project has blown out to about 75 (thousand dollars)”.

He said they were both looking forward to it all being finished and said, “it’s well worth a photograph”.

“We are hoping to get the building into the best condition it has been in for many years,” they said.