An impulsive act of kindness can change the world. That's the story of Mick Slocum, an Australian artist on a mission to revive a piece of history, one post box at a time. He's not just restoring metal; he's breathing life back into the Victorian era, one vibrant pillar box at a time.
This incredible journey began with a simple act: removing graffiti. Seeing the sad state of a local post box, Mick, a former member of the Bushwackers band, took it upon himself to clean it up. And that's when the magic happened. He realized he wanted to restore them all.
Now, two years into his passion project, Mick is traveling across the state, meticulously refurbishing colonial-era post boxes, known as pillar boxes. He's not just any restorer; he embraces the role, often donning a period costume – think a tartan three-piece suit and a straw boater hat. It's a job he believes is best done in style!
But here's where it gets controversial... Mick's quest isn't just about preserving old metal; it's about connecting with the community. He's found that people are fascinated by his work, and he's often greeted with curiosity and offers of help. He says that meeting the people is the best part of the job.
These pillar boxes, introduced in Australia in the 1850s, were once vital for communication. Imagine a time before phones, when horse-mounted postmen would stop multiple times a day to empty these boxes. The contrast between then and now is astounding, and Mick is bringing a piece of that history back to life.
And this is the part most people miss... When these pillars were decommissioned in the 1960s, they were sealed shut and covered in a dull red paint. Mick's process involves carefully removing that top layer to reveal the original colors – usually bright red, gold, and green. Each scrape of his knife can reveal hidden layers of the past, with breathtaking discoveries.
Over the past year, Mick's fascinating finds include a delicate golden crown painted on a pillar box in Collingwood, which he believed was likely added ahead of Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1954. In Jolimont, he uncovered a notice for collection times, which he estimated dated from the 1920s, or even the 1800s!
However, the number of pillar boxes has declined, with only about 180 left in Victoria, compared to the thousands that once existed. The rise of the internet and telephones has made letter-writing less common, and the number of modern post boxes has decreased as well.
In May 2025, Mick received a National Trust conservation award for his work in Ballarat, where he's refurbished 16 pillar boxes. Sam Westbrook, executive manager of conservation and advocacy at the National Trust, said that Mick has provided a real highlight of the joy that heritage can spark in people's lives.
Mick has already completed around 70 restorations and has about 100 pillar boxes left to go. But his passion doesn't stop there. Once he's finished, he's already planning his next project: restoring electricity boxes from the 1920s and 1930s in the CBD. He's already restored two, with about 50 more to go.
For now, he's focused on the task at hand, one pillar at a time, always hoping to find a key that opens one of the boxes and reveals mail from the 1890s.
What do you think of Mick's mission? Do you find the restoration of historical items important? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
