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Jay

Amazing, Travel

Nelson’s Victorian Pillar Letter Box: A Historic Cast‑Iron Survivor

September 22, 2025

Nelson City, on New Zealand’s South Island, has a remarkable relic of nineteenth‑century postal history – a cylindrical cast‑iron pillar letter box in Hardy Street. Installed in the mid‑1860s as part of New Zealand’s transition to a prepaid postal system, it is believed to be the oldest surviving pillar box in the country still on its original site. The letter box is recognised as a Category 1 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand, meaning it has outstanding historical and architectural significance. Today it remains a working post box and symbolises both the beginnings of New Zealand’s postal service and the durability of Victorian…

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by Jay
Canberra

5 Inspiring Canberra Spots to Write a Letter

September 21, 2025

Canberra may be Australia’s capital, but it’s also a city filled with natural beauty, history, and quiet corners that are perfect for reflection. That makes it a wonderful place to pause, slow down, and write a letter. From lakeside views to heritage buildings, here are five family-friendly spots where you can enjoy a day out while finding inspiration for your next letter. 1. Lake Burley Griffi The heart of Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin offers plenty of scenic walking paths, picnic spots, and playgrounds. Sit by the water and watch the rowing boats, cyclists, and swans glide past as you write….

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by Jay
Guest posts, Sydney

Isaac Nichols, turned his home into Australia’s first post office.

September 20, 2025

The Genesis of Australia’s Postal System: From a Convict’s Home to a National Network. When the First Fleet anchored in Sydney Cove in January 1788 the new colony was cut off from Britain by oceans and months of sailing. Letters sent home were entrusted to captains of the occasional returning ship, while incoming mail was collected chaotically by anyone who could row out to a vessel pillarsofanation.com.au. Official news was proclaimed verbally, and by 1803 the Sydney Gazette began printing notices that told settlers where to leave or collect mailpillarsofanation.com.au. The absence of an organised postal service meant messages were delayed,…

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by Jay
Amazing, Destinations, Travel

Sending Postcards from the Top of Europe: the Klein Matterhorn Postbox

September 19, 2025

Visiting the Alps often inspires travellers to reach for pen and paper. Hand‑written letters and holiday cards carry a sense of intimacy that digital messages lack; they capture the moment when you paused to reflect on your journey and share it with someone far away. Switzerland offers a special place for such reflections — the Klein Matterhorn. At 3 883 m (12 739 ft) above sea level, this peak hosts Europe’s highest cable‑car station and an observation platform with sweeping views of the surrounding 4 000‑m summits. Hidden among the attractions at the summit is a small mailbox associated with a love‑lock tradition, reminding visitors that…

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by Jay
Melbourne

5 Inspiring Melbourne Spots to Write a Letter

September 18, 2025

Melbourne is a city full of charm, character, and creativity—making it the perfect place to sit down and write a letter. From leafy gardens to waterside views, the city offers plenty of family-friendly destinations where you can pause, reflect, and put your thoughts on paper. Here are five local favourites that double as wonderful outings with the kids. 1. Royal Botanic Gardens Just minutes from the city, the Royal Botanic Gardens are a green oasis with shady lawns, ornamental lakes, and winding paths. Families can enjoy a picnic while little ones explore the Children’s Garden. For letter writers, it’s easy…

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by Jay
Sydney, What to do

5 Iconic Australian Places to Inspire Your Next Letter

September 18, 2025

In today’s busy, digital-driven world, finding the right space to slow down and write a letter can feel like a gift to yourself as much as to the person receiving it. Sometimes, the right location provides all the inspiration you need—a beautiful view, a touch of history, or simply the calm to let your thoughts flow. Across Australia, there are iconic places that not only inspire creativity but are also unforgettable to visit in their own right. Here are five destinations that will make you want to pull out your pen and start writing. 1. Bondi Beach, Sydney Bondi is…

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by Jay
Inspiration

5 Iconic Places to Inspire Your Next Letter

September 18, 2025

In our fast-paced, digital world, finding the time and space to sit down and write a letter can feel like a rare luxury. Yet sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery to spark inspiration. Imagine sitting with pen and paper in hand while the world’s most iconic places surround you—spaces where history, beauty, and atmosphere combine to make your thoughts flow effortlessly. These destinations aren’t just perfect for letter writing, they’re also unforgettable to visit in their own right. Whether you’re seeking calm, reflection, or a touch of adventure, these locations invite you to slow down, take in…

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by Jay
Thank You letters

A Bondi Kid’s Thank You Letter

September 18, 2025

Letter writing is a timeless way to share joy, gratitude, and stories. For kids, it’s not only about saying thank you—it’s about capturing the excitement of a special moment and putting it into words that last forever. Here’s an example from Max, a Bondi local who recently celebrated his birthday with a very special gift. Thanks to his new skateboard, he now spends his afternoons at the world-famous Bondi Skate Bowl. Right beside the beach and the filming spot for the TV show Bondi Rescue, the Skate Bowl is an icon that attracts visitors and famous faces from all over…

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by Jay
Competitions, Inspiration

Canberra Writers Festival at MoAD: Stories, Ideas & Conversations That Shape Us

September 4, 2025

The Canberra Writers Festival returns to the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) on 25–26 October 2025, bringing with it a weekend of bold stories, fresh ideas, and conversations that matter. Set inside the historic halls of Old Parliament House — where letters, debates and decisions once shaped the nation — the festival invites readers, writers, and big thinkers to come together for two days of thought-provoking events. From diplomacy on the front line and conspiracy theories to untold stories of Australian women and the lasting legacy of Whitlam’s Dismissal, the program features an extraordinary lineup of writers, journalists, and changemakers….

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by Jay
Inspiration, Letter writing, Moving Houses

A Letter to My Lovely Neighbours: What Moving House Taught Me

September 1, 2025

By Sophie — a mum who found calm, connection, and a love of letter writing amid the chaos of moving. “So much of moving is about letting go — but letter writing helps you hold on.” Dear Neighbours, I hope this letter finds you well — and that the jacarandas are still blooming along our street. Writing this feels a little surreal. The house is quieter now, the boxes are (mostly) unpacked, and I’m finally catching my breath after what can only be described as the marathon of moving. Moving house when you’re a mum really is like running a…

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by Jay