What started out as a labour of love 18 months ago, has turned into a new career for Ascot Vale local Mick Slocum, as he revamps red heritage post boxes one at a time.
His latest stop was none other than Footscray, where he cleaned off the graffiti and retouched the sparkling paint.
“I was driving home one day when I passed a pillar which had always bothered me. I wanted to do something about it so I cleaned it up and then a lightbulb went off,” he said.
After the decision to keep going across the inner suburbs like WIlliamstown, South Melbourne and Elwood, Mr Slocum eventually got the support from Australia Post itself.
“They couldn’t believe what I was doing for free, so after a meeting with their bosses they decided to pay me a set free per box,” he said.
“I am doing good work for Australia Post and they’re really behind me, so It’s really taken off.”
At 75-years-old and with two other jobs keeping him busy, Mr Slocum has no plans to slow down and is determined to conquer all 123 post boxes state wide.
“I have done 30, so I have 90 to go. They’re beautiful pieces of work and have been around since 1880, right for restoration.”
