Daphne Howard retires after 22 years of service to the Gladstone community

Daphne grew up in New Zealand before moving to Australia at the age of 21. She met her husband John not long after and the pair lived in Sydney, Wooli and Brisbane before they settled in Gladstone in 1996.

Daphne started at the Gladstone Post Office in 1998 and was in charge of around 160 post drops over the past 22 years.

"I worked in the post office as well as delivering mail, sorting mail and getting parcels ready," Daphne said.

"People in the community knew what time I would be expected at their house and they would wait at their letterbox for me.

"I like being involved in the community and helping others and my job allowed me to do that."

Daphne said there were only two days when she wasn't able to deliver the post in the last 22 years.

"During the 2001 floods we weren't able to get the mail sent up to us, that was the only time I haven't delivered the mail," she said.

The job, Daphne said, has been enjoyable except for the wildlife encounters over the years.

"Most people would think it's the Magpies that are difficult, but Peewee's are even worse. I've been chased by them all the way down the street.

"Dogs are also a problem for posties, but I've only been bitten once and chased out of yards a few times."

The Gladstone community came together on Friday for a morning tea to thank Daphne for her service to the community.

Organiser of the morning tea, Sue Phelps, said Daphne has always gone out of her way for the community and this was a chance to thank her for all of her hard work.

"She's always been very efficient in the post office and has always helped the elderly in the community by personally delivering letters and always being on hand," Sue said.

"It's really a community effort, we had 17 people and businesses donate and help with the morning tea."

Daphne said she was very grateful for the recognition from the local community.

"I'm not someone for a big fanfare but It's nice to be appreciated and to see that people care. It hasn't really been a job, but a service for people and I've really enjoyed it."

Daphne said she is looking forward to spending her retirement fishing and going on little holidays with her husband John.