For more than 28 years, Craig and Susan Ryde have been the friendly faces behind the counter at Cundletown Post Office, and now, for the second year in a row, they have been recognised for their outstanding customer service.

Australia Post recently announced Cundletown Post Office had been identified as one of this year’s Australia Post licensee award recipients, ranked number one out of 111 offices in an area stretching from Coopernook to Bulahdelah and out to Broken Hill.

“We were third in the state out of 843 offices and sixth nationally, out of 2867,” Craig explained.

“It means a lot to us to get cudos from our peers, and recognition from Australia Post is really good.

“To receive the award two years in a row means we have improved, as you have to continue to get better, it’s great to have our efforts appreciated.”

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The award recognised the office’s excellence in customer service and post office operations, as well as its contribution to its local community.

Craig and Susan came to Cundletown Post Office as a young family with three daughters aged nine, six and three. They had their son while living at the post house.

Their background running motels and newsagencies together in the Newcastle region set them up well to not only serve the people of Cundletown but for working side by side so closely.

“We’ve been married for 41 years and apart from two years, we’ve been working together every day since,” said Craig.

“I couldn’t have done it with anyone else.”

Fortunately the couple work well together and they obviously love serving their community.

“The people of Cundletown have been great,” admits Craig.

“And it’s a lovely place to raise a family.”

The couple have seen many changes over their 29 years with Australia Post.

They began their journey at the post office pre-technology and remember well the day – in 1994 – when they got electric scales to weigh the letters and parcels.

Today they offer a wide range of services and products and the internet has changed everything.

People might send emails more than letters but the popularity of online shopping has seen parcels boom.