Permanent settlement in Western Australia commenced on 26th December 1826, when a small military post was set up at King Georges Sound, later called Albany. However, the troops were withdrawn in 1831, by which time the newer Swan River colony had become well established.

This settlement had come into being following the arrival of a party of colonists at Swan River on 1st June 1829. The initial party was quickly reinforced and by January 1830, there was a total population of 1,300. Town sites were fixed at Fremantle and at Perth.

Postal services in the Swan River colony — it was not designated Western Australia until 1831 - were inaugurated comparatively quickly. The Harbour Master at Fremantle (Commander M. J. Currie, R.N.) or his deputy was appointed as postmaster for the settlers, conditions for the handling of letters were laid down and a scale of local charges determined~ All fees were retained by the Postmaster.

The position was reviewed in the following year and as from 9th May 1830, there were two honorary postmasters, James Purkis at Perth and Lionel Samson at Fremantle. The appointees retained the postages received as emoluments but as they had to pay the weekly wage of the Perth-Fremantle letter carrier, who travelled the route three times each way per week, the positions were not by any means profitable. Over the next few years, there were several changes in the offices. At times Perth was without a postmaster and postal matters at Perth were conducted by an agent of the Fremantle postmaster.

The postal service was placed on a firmer footing by a local ordinance gazetted on 14th January 1835. This enabled the Governor to make appointments and pay salaries and allowances, and to provide for the proper handling of the mails. At this time there were but three post offices - at Perth, Fremantle and Albany, an Honorary Postmistress for Albany having been appointed in October 1834.

The Postmaster at Perth was termed the "Principal Postmaster1’ but did not have jurisdiction over other postmasters, who were responsible to the local government authorities. This position was improved by a new postal ordinance in 1837 which made all postmasters responsible to the Colonial Secretary.

Captain E. Picking became Principal Postmaster in 1840 and in the following year was appointed Postmaster General, by which time there were five additional post offices, at York, Canning, Guildford, Pinjarrah and Bunbury.

Source: APO Bulletin February 1960