Listen out for the chime of the town clock in the coming months. A new era, including a fixed timepiece, is to come for local iconic building, Hay Post Office.

Catherine and Trent Cox (pictured) have bought the heritage-listed building and significant historical landmark.

Catherine is the daughter of Suzanne who runs the fantastic Black Sheep Coffee Shop – and was born right here in Hay before growing up in Balranald.

Trent is a born and bred South Australian who grew up in several country locations before moving to Adelaide in his early 20s, where he now works as a police officer with South Australia Police.

The couple have been married for close to 29 years and when the opportunity came up to buy the Hay Post Office, they jumped at the chance.

“We couldn’t believe it when the building became available. To now own a significant piece of the town’s history is something we’re still pinching ourselves about,” Trent said.

Originally built in 1882 as a two-storey building, the town’s mail and correspondence hub has undergone several renovations and additions since then.

The clock tower, housing its four-dial clock and bell, was added in 1901.

“The iconic building drew great interest from investors right across the country, the historic significance adding to the intrigue,” said Gary Brown, from Alpha 1 Realty Hay, who brokered the sale.

“Knowing the buyer has a connection to the town will ensure the building is in great hands for years to come.”

For Catherine and Trent, owning the Post Office means more than just a property investment.

“The feelings of peace and tranquillity that the township and surrounding areas provide and how that makes us feel is a very strong reason to make a more permanent connection with the community,” Trent explained.

“Catherine’s mum and her elder sister are also strongly connected to the town.

“It is wonderful that the Post Office building is something that brings the family together but also hopefully the town.”

The Post Office occupies a state heritage-listed building which is just a stunning landmark in the township.

While the business operations of the Local Post Office will continue indefinitely, Catherine and Trent are considering options for the upstairs portion.

“A major focus will be repainting the exterior in keeping with the heritage status and the building’s late Victorian era design and style,” Trent said.

“Also on the horizon are some minor repairs to woodwork and roofing to ensure the building continues to look beautiful for many years to come.”

But perhaps the most ambitious project, and the one closest to the community’s heart, is getting that iconic clock ticking again.

“We are aware that the clock has not been working for several years now.

“We are very much aware that there is strong community interest in getting the clock working again,” Trent said.

“We have located a local man who once worked on the clock and he has been fantastic in providing us information about the mechanics and electrical systems which drive the clock.

“Hay Shire has also been brilliant by locating records which may help to get the clock running again.”

It’s proving more complex than they initially thought.

“We will move heaven and earth to restore the clock to working order, as we appreciate what it means to the community,” Trent said.

As for the future of the building itself, the couple are taking a thoughtful, community-minded approach.

“The ground floor will continue to be the Local Post Office indefinitely.

“There are many opportunities for the upstairs part of the building and we are currently considering options and have collaborated with the Hay Shire regarding what these options might include,” Trent explained.

“Whatever is done, the community can be assured that it will be sympathetic and respectful to the heritage value of the building and its place in the community.”

Soon, if all goes to plan, that familiar chime will once again mark the hours in Hay – a sound that will signal not just the time, but the beginning of a new chapter for one of the town’s most beloved landmarks.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 6 August 2025.