General News
19 August, 2021
Terang Post Office to farewell familiar faces
FAMILIAR faces will soon be departing the Terang Post Office after more than four decades of combined service to the district.
FAMILIAR faces will soon be departing the Terang Post Office after more than four decades of combined service to the district.
Terang Post Office owners Scott and Jodie Dennis and long-time employee Lynne Coverdale will each be calling time on their careers when the post office, which recently hit the market, is sold.
Mr Dennis said he had enjoyed his 16-year career with the business, during which time he and Jodie have owned the business for more than a decade after “jumping at the opportunity” when the previous owner sold.
“We just feel it’s time to make a move and for somebody else to come in and hopefully make it work for them,” he said.
Originally from Melbourne, the couple moved to Kolora almost 20 years ago.
“Opportunity bought us here,” he said.
“Jodie is a country girl who has been in Colac and out towards Simpson, and we felt the need to move out of Melbourne and bring the kids up in a country environment.”
With their children now aged 15 and 18, the Dennis family felt it was the ideal time to spend more time with their children andeach other.
“We haven’t had a lot of time for ourselves for the past 10 years so it’s an opportunity for someone else to step in and make it their own,” Mr Dennis said.
The decision has not been an easy one, with the pair hesitant to leave a role which has allowed them to build such a close connection with the community.
“It has just been so amazing to meet the people,” Mrs Dennis said.
“It is sad to go and there is a bittersweetside of it.
“Once you get to know everyone it makes it a lot harder to make the decision to leave.
“I think at a certain time, you just have to say the time is right.”
Mr Dennis said it has been a “fantastic” experience.
“Serving the Terang community has been an honour,” he said.
“We’ve been treated well so we’re certainly happy with how it has turned out.
“We’re so thankful for our customers over the years and for trusting in us.
“It’s been great over the years and hopefully whoever takes on role next can continue the legacy Jodie and I have created.”
Long term staff member Lynne Coverdale will also retire with hopes to travel and spend more time with her family.
“I’ve been here for 15 years after starting off in Colac at the corporate post office,” she said.
In an ironic twist, it was a first run-in with retirement which had originally brought Mrs Coverdale to Terang.
“I lasted only eight months and when this position became available I applied for the job,” she said.
“I love it here, I love the customers and I am really, really going to miss everybody.”
Mrs Coverdale said her favourite part of the role had been getting to meet people.
“Everything has been wonderful,” she said.
“I could have retired years ago if I wanted to but I always said I would retire if Scott and Jodie sold the business.”
Mrs Coverdale hopes to keep busy in retirement, with plans to travel and enjoy the company of her family.
“I missed out on going to Scotland, Ireland and Iceland last year so hopefully that will eventuate,” she said.
“My daughter will be very happy because she has been encouraging me to travel.
“I’m sure my grandchildren with all their children will be happy, because I’ll be ababy sitter.”
Scott and Jodie have no plans to leave the region, and expect to continue rural mail runs after handing over responsibility of the retail and management aspects to the new owner.
“The business will continue as Australia Post and there won’t be any changes,” MrDennis said.
“Australia Post isn’t leaving the town, I can assure you that.”
