Operations were suspended at the post office following the assault of postmaster John Burke on August 7.
Since the closure, the Strathmerton community, Australia Post and the Burke family have rallied to reopen the post office doors.
Strathmerton Community Steering Committee chair Kerry Murray said local residents did not want to lose the vital service.
“We have a large, older population that need the post office,” Ms Murray said.
“It’s not just about mail it’s about making payments when they have no other way, and it’s also hard for some people to travel to Cobram ― so it’s been really inconvenient for them.
“The post office has been extremely busy since we reopened and we’re astounded by how many parcels we have.”
About seven volunteers will donate their time to run the post office.
“The response from volunteers shows how much we value it and that we will do anything to make sure it keeps going,” Ms Murray said.
“We congratulate Australia Post and the Burke family for understanding the value of the post office.”
The post office will be open three days a week on Monday from 9am to 1pm, Wednesday from 2pm to 4.30pm and Friday from 10am to 4.30pm.
Friday’s will provide full post office services including banking, posting, stamps and gift cards.
“All the volunteers are trying to make sure we don’t lose the post office in our community,” volunteer Tania Bell said.
Mrs Bell said a community raffle raised more than $1,000 for the Burke family.
“We asked for donations and ended up with 11 different prizes ― we’re lucky we’ve got a great little community that supported it,” Mrs Bell said.
A GoFundMe page for Mr Burke raised more than $4000.
Strathmerton postmaster dies
The Strathmerton postmaster has died in hospital following an incident in Strathmerton in August.
John Burke, 73, died early Thursday in hospital in Melbourne.
Police said emergency services were called to Strathmerton Roadhouse on the Murray Valley Hwy about 1.15am on August 8.
Mr Burke, 73, who ran the Strathmerton Post Office, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police charged a 42-year-old Numurkah man with recklessly causing serious injury.
He was remanded in custody and was subsequently bailed at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to next appear on December 13.
Homicide Squad detectives are now assisting with the police investigation which remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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