Perils of Paulina over letterbox

By Geelong Story Updates
Australia Post is in a standoff with an elderly Little River woman over her letterbox.
Paulina Bartolo said the organisation had threatened to stop delivering mail unless she moved the letterbox a metre closer to her driveway.
Australia Post wanted the letterbox moved so its postie did not have to step out of her car to deliver the mail, Ms Bartolo said.
“It’s three steps to the letterbox,” the feisty 72yearold said.
“Why should I move it? It’s stupid.
“She (the postie) just doesn’t want to get our of her car.”
Ms Bartolo has refused to move the 21yearold letterbox, with Australia Post threatening to cut off her deliveries from Tuesday.
“First of all, I don’t want to wreck my letterbox,” she said.
“Secondly, why should I let these people win – it’s a game they’re playing.”
Ms Bartolo, who lives on a twohectare block, said deliveries to her letterbox had never been a problem until a new contractor took over her service.
She said the new postie drove up the neighbour’s long driveway and blew her car horn to deliver mail hand to hand.
“When she complained about my letterbox I asked her to deliver my mail like next door, come to my house and beep your horn and I will come out, but she said no.”
An Australia Post spokesperson said occupational health and safety rules meant posties had to stay in their vehicles during roadside deliveries.
“Australia Post has been out to have a look and decided it’s a safety issue,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Ms Bartolo could collect her mail from Australia Post’s Little River office if she refused to move her letterbox.