Post Office & Court House (Former)

The former Berwick Post Office & Court House, designed by JT Kelleher of the Public Works Department and constructed between 1884-85, at 102-104 High Street, Berwick.

The former Berwick Post Office & Court House is of local historic, social and aeshetic significance to the City of Casey.

Historically, it has regional significance as a combined Public Office, one of a small number of such buildings in Victoria. The designing architect, John Thomas Kelleher, was responsible for the Fitzroy and Benalla Post Offices, as well as a combined Post Office and Court House at Traralgon. (AHC criteria A4 and D2)

Aesthetically, it is architecturally significant as a superior example of combined post office and court house building. The symmetrical facade skilfully unites the two functions whilst providing for secondary functions (the Postmaster's residence) in the rear timber section. The use of polychrome brickwork is especially highlighted in the Lombardic arched loggias and fenestration. The loggias are enhanced by cast iron columns with decorative capitals on tooled bluestone bases. The architectural quality and high level of intactness of the whole building is important to its significance.
The building is a landmark and forms part of an important nineteenth century institutional precinct with the adjacent former Rechabite Hall and former Christians Meeting House, and is an important element in the Berwick High Street precinct. (AHC criteria E1 and F1)