This snail mail has an intriguing tale - A parcel missing for 45 years

 

Australia Post found the oil-stained envelope hidden behind old machinery and tracked down its owner nearly half a century on.

Former committee member Irene Garrett posted the package almost half a century ago. Photo: 7 News

 “It shows you the postman always delivers,” said former Viewbank Tennis Club committee member Irene Garrett.

The parcel arrived at the Viewbank Tennis Club this week. Inside were uniform patches ordered by Ms Garrett back in the early 1970s. “It must have got lost somehow in the system,” she said.

It is believed the parcel was lodged behind a machine at the Sunshine Sorting Centre and only recently discovered when staff moved buildings.

The parcel spent nearly 50 years lost. Photo: 7  

“I thought it was a wonderful thing they didn’t just throw it in the bin,” Ms Garrett said. When the parcel was sent off it was the VFL, not he AFL and Carlton won the flag. John Farnham topped the music charts with one of his best known hits and Melbourne’s CBD looked just a little different.

The sorting room looked like this when the parcel first began its journey. Photo: 7 News

When the letter was posted in around 1970 Australia Post had a different headquarters. Nowadays it’s a shopping Mecca. Australia Post has apologised for the delayed delivery. And the tennis club is planning on using the patches for its 50th anniversary celebrations.

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