This story is part of the November 15 edition of Good Weekend. See all 13 stories .

Over many years, I’ve been the MAIL-GATHERER for several neighbours when they go away on holiday. How do I politely but firmly say, “I’m over it”?

S.K., Canterbury, VIC

A: In capitalising MAIL-GATHERER, you clearly understand the importance of the role. Only the most respected members of the street get asked to gather mail when neighbours go away; the rest of us are only offered lowly jobs like Bin-Taker-Outer, Bin-Bringer-Backer and Pet-Still-Alive-

Checker (occasionally tied in with Bin-Taker-Outer).

But the Mail-Gatherer is a highly trusted individual. You have to safeguard your neighbour’s mail. You get to see who’s sending them what. And you can even Google the P.O. Box number on plain gover

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