As Australians embrace online shopping like never before, the dedicated team at Wollongong's Australia Post Delivery Facility is working tirelessly to ensure millions of packages reach their destinations during the busiest retail period of the year.
The New Peak Season
The traditional Christmas rush has transformed dramatically in recent years, with e-commerce reshaping delivery patterns across the country. According to the Australian Retailers Association in partnership with Roy Morgan, Australians are projected to spend a record $6.8 billion over the Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend alone.
Dean Hopkinson, delivery manager at the Wollongong facility, notes that the peak period has shifted significantly. "The end of October, early November, is extremely busy, and it does seem to peter off the closer we get to Christmas," he explains. "Only three or four years ago, it was the reverse - it would be the last two weeks of December that would be extremely busy."
Life on the Delivery Frontline
For posties like Matt Timpano, days begin as early as 6am during peak periods. The routine involves sorting mail, bundling packages, loading delivery vehicles, and embarking on runs that can stretch to five hours or longer.
"Our runs could take four to five hours, at the moment, managing the parcels could be longer," Mr Timpano says. "We help each other out. If someone is under the pump, you help them out, and that's how we manage it."
The Wollongong facility, which services areas from Helensburgh to Primbee and out to Kembla Grange, experiences a 60-70 percent increase in mail and packages during the Christmas period. In 2024, Australia Post delivered an astonishing 103 million parcels between November and December nationwide, including three million in a single day.
Changing Traditions and New Challenges
While parcel volumes have surged, some traditional items have seen a decline. Mr Timpano notes that Christmas cards aren't as prevalent as they once were. "Other posties have said 20 years ago, there used to be trays and trays of Christmas cards," he recalls. "There's a bit less now, but I still like delivering the Christmas cards. It's great to see a handwritten letter still."
Safety concerns have also emerged as a significant challenge for delivery personnel. Mr Hopkinson highlights the issue of unrestrained pets as a particular worry. "We, along with every site in NSW and Australia, are challenged with unrestrained animals and household pets," he says. "As recently as this week, we've had a postman receive a dog bite."
The facility has implemented the PAWS protocol to address this concern:
- Sit - When your Postie approaches your property, sit your dog safely in a place where they are contained
- Stay - Make sure it's somewhere they stay while your Postie delivers your parcel
- Secure - Keep your dog secure behind your door or gate until your Postie has left your property
Despite the challenges, the team of approximately 60 workers operating nearly 50 delivery runs from the Wollongong facility remains committed to their task. "It's more of a challenging period, but it's part of our job, and we know what we're leading into," Mr Timpano says. "Most posties here have been here for a while, so we know what we're getting into."
