Marking Memories
Iluka’s Postmistress, Lizzie Hickey
Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Hickey (1887–1965) was bound to become a well-known figure in Iluka, a small coastal village in northern New South Wales. Her parents, John and Eliza Hickey, arrived in the early 1880s and established a post office, weaving themselves into the fabric of the seaside community. For their efforts, the Hickey’s post office would become one of the longest-running family-owned post offices in the whole state.
Lizzie, who began collecting signatures, drawings, and notes in this book between 1910 and 1914, was in her mid-twenties. It’s easy to imagine her inviting friends, travellers, and acquaintances to leave their mark on its pages—perhaps as a way to connect with new people, remember familiar faces and mark fond memories.
The book remains remarkably well-preserved, with sentiments and illustrations that still resonate today. One page, for instance, features a sketch of a cat, hinting at how our love for furry companions has stayed timeless.
Lizzie eventually became the postmistress of the family business, serving the community at the Iluka Post Office for nearly forty years, until her death. In that role, she made sure Iluka’s residents could connect with loved ones far and near, handling everything from daily mail to important messages from other towns and government agencies. Lizzie never married, devoting herself instead to her work and the people it served.
In a way, it’s fitting that her own life is remembered through a book—a collection of warm thoughts and heartfelt messages, much like the letters she helped deliver to keep people connected.
