An oily, tattered parcel has been delivered in Melbourne, Australia, 40 years after it was first sent.

Viewbank Tennis Club received a package containing retro embroidered uniform patches, which the club believes were ordered at some point in the 1970s.

The committee member at the time, Irene Garratt — who luckily still lives at the same address — received the bizarre mail from the postman last week, according to Fox Sports. She asked him if he knew where it had come from.

"[The postie] doesn’t really know [where the parcel came from]; he thinks it must have fallen behind a machine because the envelope was oily, although the contents were perfect," she said.

Australia Post delivers after 30 or so years! This package was finally delivered after being found behind old machinery... Posted by Viewbank Tennis Club Inc on Friday, September 11, 2015

Australia Post has apologised for the mix up, in a statement emailed to Mashable Australia.

"Australia Post takes great pride in the timely, safe and efficient delivery of mail and we are confident that the vast majority of mail and parcels arrive on time," the company wrote. "It is clear however, on this this occasion, something went wrong 40 years ago. While we are pleased that the recipients are happy to have received the item, we are still investigating this very unique situation."

Seven News reported the club will use the patches for their 50th anniversary celebrations. "I thought it was a wonderful thing that they did, and not just throw it in the rubbish bin," Garratt said.

UPDATE: Monday, Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m. AEST: Australia Post response added.