Post offices and alcohol don't usually have much in common. However, a local court decision 46 years ago drew a line between the two.
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Appearing on the front page of The Canberra Times in 1975, a Plata Petrou of Waramanga applied for a grocer's license.
The magistrate at the time, Kevin Dobson, delayed his decision to approve the grocer's license when it came to his attention that, if granted, a post office and a milk bar would be on a licensed premises.
The reason for his concern was the grocery shop was part of a new development which would give Mr Petrou a complex in Kambah that included a house, the shop, meeting rooms, a milk bar and a post office.
All these uses were conditions of the lease. Although the building was not yet complete, Mr Petrou wished for his license to be granted so that he could begin buying stock.
The solicitor representing Mr Petrou, Brian Morris, said it was against the law to drink alcohol on a licensed grocer's premises, and therefore, though the area including the post office and milk bar would be licensed, it would be illegal to drink in them.
"After all, we can't have stamps with beer on the back of them, can we," he said.
