Mick Slocum is bringing history back to the region, following the restoration of Geelong’s last remaining Victorian-era pillar box, with plans for Portarlington.
The Ascot Vale man has done close to 77 restorations of the free-standing post boxes across the state, including one that has been shipped over from Western Australia.
“I’m flat out like a lizard in a waterhole,” Mr Slocum said. “But it’s great as I feel that I’m contributing to history and the preservation of our heritage.”
“When I first started, I did it in overalls, but these days it’s transformed into a version of street performance, so I try and dress up to look the part as I’m doing the restoration.”
Mr Slocum travelled to Geelong in November last year to restore the pillar box on the corner of Swanston Street and Alexandra Avenue.
“I knew that I needed to get onto that restoration, and fortunately it was in quite good condition,” he said.
“It didn’t take me very long to restore it, as I only had to sand it back, give it a good solid wash, rub off the cobwebs, and give it a good two or three coats of paint, so it came out very well.”
Mr Slocum now has his sights set on Portarlington and will make the journey to the region in the next couple of weeks to restore the town’s pillar box.
“It’s just weather-beaten, so it’ll only require minimal sanding and washing, and then I can paint it, and it’ll look fantastic,” he said.
