Love of community and sound business acumen behind Kelly’s decision to keep the Newdegate Post Office running

A love of community and sound business acumen are behind Kelly Richardson’s decision to buy the Newdegate Post Office and don the iconic red Australia Post Shirt five days per week. Mail services, banking and a newsagency are just some of the things a modern day post office offers the regional communities across WA, and for many the facility is a lifeline. Kelly takes the reins from long-term former owners Lena and Brian Rassmussen put the shop up to sale after 22 years last year. Residents were pleased it would be taken on by another local family keen to invest in the town 375km south-east of Perth long-term. Kelly and her husband Hayden first moved to Newdegate in 2017, when an opportunity arose for Hayden to manage the local Landmark branch, now called Nutrien. At the time, they had just completed a six month stint at the Lake King branch and quickly developed a love for the Lakes district with its wide open spaces and strong community. “Newdegate residents show it time and time again, if someone needs a hand or kids picked up, everyone is very helpful,” Kelly said. “For me, particularly, I like Newdegate for that.” Before moving to the Lakes District, they had lived in Katanning where Hayden worked at the local Landmark store for nearly 13 years. Kelly and Hayden grew up in regional WA and so understand how important it is to immerse themselves in the local community. Their two children Hayley, 12, and Rhys, 10, settled right into life at Newdegate. Hayden grew up on a small sheep farm at Broomehill until his parents moved to Katanning. There, he met Kelly, who grew up in Northcliffe and was working at the then-Department of Agriculture and Food WA. With Hayley in Perth at her first year of boarding school this year, and Rhys heading off at the end of next year, Kelly started to wonder what she would do with her time once both were away. The post office was perfect. “We crunched the numbers and talked about logistics and had a chat with the kids because it was going to affect their lives as well,” she said. The Richardsons put their offer in last September, had their finance approved in November, and then it was on. With the Christmas break done and seven weeks of training under her belt, Kelly officially opened the post office under her new ownership on March 21. “It is such a vital service, and all of the locals were very supportive and happy,” she said. “That in turn made me happy, and like I had made the right decision. “We’ve had so much good feedback and support from the community.” Having the local post office stay open has saved residents a 50km drive to Lake Grace. Taking on the business has provided a rare insight into how many people still appreciate a hand-written card sent by snail mail. “You would be amazed by how many birthday cards are sent,” Kelly said. “But it is not just about letters and cards anymore. Australia Post offers a whole plethora of services and our store also acts as a newsagency selling newspapers, magazines, cards and stationary.” It is almost by default that anyone who lives in or moves to Newdegate becomes involved with the town’s premier event – the Newdegate Machinery Field Days. Kelly joined the general committee as soon as she arrived to town and Hayden has been integral in co-ordinating Landmark’s display each year. In 2017, Kelly stepped into the role of event co-ordinator and held it for five years. “We used to come over from Katanning to have a look at the event,” Mr Richardson said. “The Newdegate Machinery Field Days is a fantastic event for the entire community.” While she has stepped back this year to focus on her new Australia Post venture, Kelly is still on hand when new event co-ordinator Alison Spencer needs a hand. “The role was quite extensive, and you can’t just hand over a folder and walk away… so I’m still helping out in the background,” she said. “Alison is definitely doing all the grunt work. And I’m just the little voice in the background helping out when required.” But Kelly is the first to admit she’s looking forward to being able to wander around Field Days as a visitor this year, to finally take in all the sights. ‘It will be good to be able to walk around and enjoy the event, rather than rushing and doing 50 million things,” she said. “I actually can’t wait.” The Newdegate Post Office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, at 9 Maley Street. The Newdegate Machinery Field Days will be held September 7 and 8.