By Simon Leo Brown and Fiona Pepper
Australia Post has been delivered a message by residents of a Victorian town upset by demands their local postie tone down the Christmas decorations on his motorbike.
Cam McFarlane has become well known in Torquay for decorating himself and his bike at both Christmas and Easter while delivering the town’s mail.
But Australia Post recently ordered Mr McFarlane remove the elaborate decorations, citing safety concerns.
Local resident Phil Brancatisano said the decorated postie bike was an “icon of Torquay”.
“Cam’s bike is basically like a beacon in the dark for anyone who’s feeling a bit sad, or who just wants to see what the Christmas cheer is all about,” he told the ABC’s Nicole Chvastek.
“To think of him delivering without any decorations at all is quite heart-wrenching.
“I’m led to believe that there was one person that had made a complaint about him, which is just unfathomable.”
Facebook group set up in protest
Given Mr McFarlane’s local celebrity status, it was not surprising that many Torquay locals have taken to social media to voice their outrage over the request from Australia Post.
A Facebook group — Cam the Postie brings so much more than just the mail — has been set up in protest.
People posting to the page have mourned the loss of Mr McFarlane’s Christmas cheer.
“Mail delivery was drab and boring today. Cam’s smile was missing. No decorations. Australia Post you have shot yourselves in the foot big time,” one resident wrote.
Mr Brancatisano said Mr McFarlane was “always really spreading a positive message” and made a special effort to make sure children’s letters to Santa were delivered.
“Cam goes down to the local schools and collects all the letters personally,” he said.
Australia Post says safety a priority
Australia Post responded to questions about the issue posted on its Facebook page, saying “besides delivering mail, our main priority is staff safety”.
“We love it when our people share the Christmas spirit, but safety is our highest priority and we expect them to adopt safe work practices.
“We’re very happy for Cam to apply some decorations as long as they don’t obstruct his visions, pose any risk of becoming tangled in his wheels or compromise the handling of the bike.”
Mr Brancatisano said the response was “political”.
“They’ve said that he can [have the decorations], but he actually can’t,” he said.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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