What a shame all round   Surely she realized messaging you at 8pm would be too late to request regular post.  Sad really that we have become more concerned about covering our own backsides these days than anything else.  But, you did everything you could, and made the best choice under the circumstances.  I guess next time she'll remember to look at the location, but I hope you're correct & the mail is sorted before leaving for Sydney .  As someone else said, buyers rarely understand or check the delivery times of Express with the PO and eBays estimates are far from factual and imply overnight.

Yes, I think the air declaration is a standard thing for all Express - I've always had to sign one for Express, even within Brissie