The property at 3 Old Chum Creek Road, Chum Creek, includes a large

1920s spreading double-storey bungalow residence, constructed of fibro

cement sheet with painted timber strapping and hipped and gabled roof

forms. The roof is of cement tile, there are chimneys, and shallow

gables to the most visible facades. The gables are infilled with

cement sheeting and painted vertical timber strapping with the apex

infilled in painted timber latticework. A long return first floor

verandah has infill glazing and screens, and a large modern timber

deck with timber balustrade is on the west side at first floor level.

The ground floor, or elevated undercroft area, has walls of painted

vertical timber planking and small timber-framed windows which sit

forward of the walling. The house is set on a large vegetated sloping

allotment, with vehicular access from Heath Road to the rear of the

property and also from the corner of Old Chum Creek Road. A sign to

the corner of the property, at the road junction identifies it as the

old post office. The focus of significance is on the historic dwelling.

The property at 3 Old Chum Creek Road, Chum Creek, is of local

historical and aesthetic/architectural significance.

The property at 3 Old Chum Creek Road, Chum Creek, is of local

historical significance. The subject dwelling was constructed in

1926-7 by Alexander (Alick) and Lyn Eddie, and in 1928 the Eddies took

up the local 'West Healesville' post office licence and ran the

operation from their property. Chum Creek was originally part of the

municipality of Eltham, before joining the Shire of Healesville in

1912. The hamlet had a school from 1897, a Methodist Church from the

early 1900s, and a post office from 1917, originally located in

another property on Heath Road. The name 'Healesville West' appears to

have been assigned to the Chum Creek area in conjunction with the

establishment of the post office, which operated out of the subject

property until 1971. The building is significant for providing

evidence of the services historically provided to an isolated and

outlying Healesville settlement. The property is also of local

aesthetic/architectural significance, as a large and prominent

building, on an elevated corner site. It has a large and spreading

double-storey bungalow form, with hipped and shallow gable roofs, and

timber strapping to the gables. The generous and in this case

habitable undercroft area combined with return verandah, are

Healesville characteristics. The former is typically in response to

sloping allotments, while the latter takes advantage of views, albeit

rural views of the Chum Creek area. While there have been changes to

the building, it still retains its overall 1920s form and detailing,

and its prominent corner siting in the historic Chum Creek

(Healesville West) settlement. The history of this property, as the

local post office from the late 1920s to the early 1970s, also

distinguishes it.

Integrity: The building at 3 Old Chum Creek Road, Chum Creek, is a 1920s large spreading double-storey bungalow residence, constructed of fibro cement sheet with painted timber strapping and hipped and gabled roof forms. The roof is of cement tile. There are shallow gables to the most visible facades, a long return first floor verandah with partial infill glazing and screens, and a large modern timber deck with timber balustrade on the west side at first floor level. The deck is part roofed with laserlite on an unpainted timber frame with a shallow gable roof which continues the roofline of the house. The ground floor, or elevated undercroft area, has walls of painted vertical planking with regularly-spaced vertical battens, and small painted timber-framed fixed or casement windows with framing which sits forward of the walling. Some alterations have occurred including replacement of some original windows, additions to the skillion awning and the extension of the deck. The gables are infilled with cement sheeting and painted vertical timber strapping with the apex infilled in painted timber latticework. There is a tall face brick double chimney with a stepped cap and terracotta pots to the centre of the roofscape and a further single brick chimney to the south side. A rendered brick or painted cement kitchen chimney is also set to this side of the house. The slope of the allotment means that the south and east sides read as two-storeys. The lower level is accessed by a painted timber and glazed door from the east, and there is a sloping metal-clad canopy above, affording weather protection.

The house is set on a large vegetated sloping allotment, with vehicular access from Heath Road to the rear of the property and also from the corner of Old Chum Creek Road. There are a number of sheds and open sided carports on the property, which are later additions and not of heritage value. A sign to the corner of the property, at the road junction identifies it as the old post office. The property's presentation from Heath Road is screened by a high grassed verge and low timber and wire fencing which supports brush screening or similar in the vicinity of the house.