When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on local Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and is situated on Pall Mall, it was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering communication and postal services until 1997 and is now the Bendigo Visitor Centre. The Dead Letter Office, aka Mail Distribution Centre's job is to reunite the mail with their owners and to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the mail. This item is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of the last postal manager at the Bendigo Post Office, Ted Rankins.Printed brown paper which folds into an envelope.O.H.M.S / Postmaster - General's Department / P.M. 29. / Dead Letter Mail / Date Stamp / Office of Despatch / to the / Dead Letter Office / Enclosed are Articlested rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established and the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. This stamped, addressed Commemorative Pictorial Postmark envelope celebrates the 1951 Bendigo Gold Centenary Philatelic Exhibition. Registered, postmarked 02 July 1951. Printed and stamped envelope featuring an image of a poppet head on the left and four commemorative stamps celebrating 100 years of gold top right. Letter is addressed.Obverse Top left; $30 Centre top and bottom; various pencil markings Lower right; T. Clark / 5 Princes St / Oakleigh s.12 / Vic Reverse- Two red pencil lines Centre - postal stamps bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection, making a nation exhibition

Electrical telegraphs were point to point text messaging systems primarily used from the 1840's until the late 20th century. It was the first electrical telecommunications system and were sent by an operator or telegrapher using Morse code. Social telegrams were also encouraged and special pictorial forms and envelopes were designed such as the special purple form and envelope which was used when conveying condolence details during World War 2.(fn. Powerhouse https://collection.powerhouse.com.au/object/163103). There was a brief resurgence in telegraphy during World War I but the decline continued as the world entered the Great Depression years of the 1930s.  Although telegraph lines continued to play an important part in distributing news feeds from news agencies post World War 2, the rise of the internet in the 1990s and the widespread installation of the telephones in homes saw the need for telegrams to greatly decline. When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and situated on Pall Mall was the central distribution centre for receiving and delivering telegrams and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about telegraphic services and the development of this unique form of communication up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life, coupled with the death Ted Rankins (the last Post Master and a long term telegraph volunteer at the Post Office). This belt buckle was used on the leather satchels used by Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to carry telegrams which were delivered by bicycle in the early years. The buckle is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted Rankins.Circular belt buckle from telegram delivery satchel belt. Inner buckle depicts the Greek deity Hermes who personifies the transmission of information and was adopted as an allegorical representation of the function of postal services. Outer buckle; Post Office / Communications / Australia. Centre top outer buckle; emu, kangaroo and shield Inner buckle; Hermes (left facing)bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection, ted rankins collection

When the Commonwealth Post and Telegraph Act was passed in June 1902, and a national Postmaster General's Department (the PMG) was established the responsibility for the nation's mail and telephone services fell on Post Offices. The Bendigo Post Office, built in 1887 and continued to deliver communication and postal services until 1997. Ted Rankins was the last Post Master at the Bendigo Post Office and a long term telegraph volunteer post his retirement. Now a Visitor Centre, dedicated volunteers at the Post Office continued to demonstrate and educate the public about the daily workings of the Post Office up until 2019 when Covid 19 disrupted every day life. This sign was issued to Ted during his time working at the Post Office and is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted. Yellow plastic desk plate. Made from one piece of plastic which has been folded to make the 'A' frame shape. Name printed on front.MR. E. RANKINSted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection

Black & White Newspaper Article Bendigo Advertiser November 19, 1971. ''Proposal for Bendigo Trust as a company.''bendigo, tourism, bendigo trust company application

Bendigo Advertiser November 6, 1971 Article: They'll Talk About Trams. On Monday the State Director of Tourism, Mr Harkins, will meet with members of the Bendigo Trust. Joining them will be Messrs. F.S. Grimwade, MLC, J.F. Granter, MLC, & Mr R.H. Trethewey MLA, for a visit to the Central Deborah Goldmine and a ride in one of the famous Birney trams along the proposed tourist tram route from Central Deborah to the Joss House, passing more than 30 points of historical interest. Mr D.. O'Hoy member of the Bendigo Trust announced there was a feeling of optimism among members that the trams could be saved.bendigo, tourism, bendigo trams

Bendigo Advertiser December 23, 1970 - Museum For Bendigo Proposal. Bendigo Museum Society plans to establish a museum of applied science and natural history in Bendigo, and hopes the City Council will provide a building for such a museum. President Dr. W. Straede and Secretary Mr. E. Wilkinson explain their plan to council. Mr Wilkinson, a geologist with the Mines Department , who formerly worked at the National Museum in Melbourne believes Bendigo would readily support such a museum providing a building was supplied by council for the venture to go ahead. Cr A.E. Galvin asked if the Bendigo Museum Society had any particular building in mind and an expression of interest in the Temperance Hall was raised. Cr. J.C.M. Jeffrey suggested the society apply for an area in the City Hall instead once council occupied its new administrative offices.bendigo, tourism, bendigo museum proposal

Bendigo Pottery Admission Tickets: Two green Admit One Adult tickets numbered 456 and 457. Tickets are 50c ea and the tickets are inscribed 'Australia's Oldest Pottery Workshop' Within a circle is printed Bendigo Pottery 1857 Epsom. Box 625bendigo, tourism, bendigo pottery, bendigo pottery. admit tickets

Joan O'Shea Collection. Bendigo Swap Meet 18-19 November 1989 Souvenir Guide. Booklet 66 Pages. Cost $3.00. Vintage Vehicles.Printers The Book Printer, Maryboroughbendigo, tourism, bendigo swap meet vintage vehicles

Joan O'Shea Collection. Bendigo Swap Meeting Souvenir Guide 1987 Booklet. 74 PagesPrinters J.J. & D.V. Mulqueen, Kangaroo Flat. Vintage Vehicles.bendigo, tourism, bendigo swap meet

Various documents relating to the Bendigo and District Tourist Association. Includes Minutes of five meetings of the Board (1970/1971); Notice of AGM 1969; Annual Report 1971; Articles of Association (as amended 14/9/1971); single page headed ''Development of Nell Gwynne and Victoria Hill Sites'' - extensive plans for a 'tourist site with museum, cemetery, chapple (sic), rotunda. Theatre, façade of Charing Cross, a flying-fox from Nell Gwynne to Victoria Hill (no date); Mining Sub-Committee Report and Recommendation (Tourist Development Committee) 1967 re Resolution that ''Quartz Hill'' be developed as a mining tourist attraction (details provided ($75.000 est.); Draft Proposals for Brochure (authored by Miles Lewis, Carlton) - brochure to promote the idea of a museum and tourist development at the Nell Gwynne site; letter to Bendigo businesses re seeking funds for tourist development - Daryl McClure, Hon Sec June 1970.;bendigo, tourism, bendigo and district tourist association

Bendigo Pottery - a. Booklet (text by Eric Page - Mullaya Publication) - has good coverage of history of the pottery and sections relating to 'Bottle Kilns'', local clay' potter's skill, use of moulds, firing, ceramic tiles - includes photos and line sketches; b. Bendigo Trust flyer re pottery with tour times and summary of history on reverse side.A Mullaya Publication. Designed and published for Bendigo Pottery (Epsom) Pty Ltd., by Mullaya Publications, 17 Griotte Street, Canterbury, Victoria. Printed by Humphrey and formula Press. Line Drawings by Jan Neil.bendigo, tourism, bendigo pottery

Bendigo The Golden Heart Of Victoria 22 pages with colour photos and maps.Rosalie Trower, Annette Boylebendigo, tourism, bendigo, sacred heart cathedral, sandhurst town, central deborah gold mine, talking tram.

Newspaper page from the Melbourne "The Sun", Wed. 12 July 1972, column written/authorised by Les Shilton, member for Midlands, titled "Country Ignored", in a Section "Labor Says" of the newspaper. Item notes the stand by the Bolte Government against the retention of part of the Bendigo tramway system as a tourist attraction. Article written around decentralisation and regional development. Item and date has been circled in ink. On rear has advertisements for Kelvinator products and adjacent an advertisement for P&O cruises.bendigo, tourism, bendigo trust

Leslie John Bagust Collection. Black & White Photograph of Alexandra Fountain Bendigo in 1940. Image taken on the corner of Pall Mall and Mitchell Street looking north. Matthew Bros. Department store on the corner. Tram Line running all the way up Mitchell Street.bendigo, tourism, bendigo alexandra fountain

Dawn Smith Collection. Black & White Photograph Panorama of Bendigo taken from the poppet head in Rosalind Park. Williamson Street running north up the centre, Shamrock Hotel, R.S.L. & Law Courts visible. Tourism Souvenir Photograph Set. ?Rose Collection Series. 1934.bendigo, tourism, bendigo poppet head rosalind park

Leslie John Bagust Collection. Black & White Photograph Town Hall Bendigo 1940. View on corner of Hargreaves and Bull Streets. Surrounding landscape includes a hedge and three palm trees which no longer exist.bendigo, tourism, bendigo town hall, http://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/125/bendigo-town-hall

BHS Collection.Booklet with sepia text and photos of all aspects of Bendigo life; containing maps for half and full day trips around Bendigo. Produced in early1900s.bendigo tourism, bendigo buildings

This group portrait was taken at a City of Greater Bendigo function marking the 100,000th visitor entering the Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition.Colour photograph taken at the Bendigo Art Gallery of gallery staff and volunteers, Visitor Centre staff and volunteers, Mayor Sandner, CEO Craig Niemann and various other COGB staff.city of greater bendigo tourism, bendigo art gallery, mayor sandner

After the closure of the Bendigo Post Office in Pall Mall in 1997, the ground and lower floors of the building were transformed into a tourism and interpretation centre. The Bendigo Visitor Information Centre is staffed partly by volunteers and these pins are presented as a sign of gratitude from the City of Greater Bendigo for there services.Three metal pins, two silver, one gold, attached to printed card. Each pin is printed with a red 'V' and a year. 0337a Card; We thank you for / your efforts, they are / appreciated all year / From the / Bendigo V.I.C / Team. / ENJOY! 0337b Silver badge; Volunteering / V / 2010 / now, more than ever 0337c Gold badge; Inspiring the Volunteer in You / IYV + 10 / 2011 / V 0337d Silver badge; Volunteers / V / 2012 / Every One Counts 0337e Silver badge; volunteers / V / 2014 / Powering Communitiescity of greater bendigo tourism, bendigo post office

Souvenir Sandhurst Pouch: Brown synthetic suede material with white cotton draw string. On the front printed in black ink is:-* I Struck It rich At*, underneath within a scroll design is printed Sandhurst. Under the scroll is a picture of a steam train with *Town* written above the train. Box 625bendigo, tourism, sandhurst. souvenir.

Fold-out - ''Bendigo - the City of trees and sunshine''. Eight B&W photographs of Bendigo attractions; issued by the Advance Bendigo and the North League (in conjunction with the Victorian Railways). Includes back page information about Bendigo in summary and fares by rail from Melbourne.Boltons Print Bendigobendigo, tourism, brochure, post office, lake weeroona, the fernery, rosalind park. allans walk, pall mall, alexandra fountain, memorial hall.

48 paged booklet - ''Bendigo in 74 - The Tourist Centre of Victoria'' - compiled as a community service by Bendigo Jaycees. Comprehensive information about Bendigo and attractions - Index: Accommodation; Additional information; An introduction to Bendigo; Aquarium; Art Gallery; Bendigo Trust; Caravan parks; Dai Gum San; Directory; Eaglehawk Museum; Entertainment; Emergency services; Joss House; Lake Eppalock; National Trust classified buildings; Natural history; Map of Bendigo; Map of city centre; Pottery; Picnic areas; sporting facilities; 'Talking Trams'; Thanks; Tours; Tourist attractions; Victoria Hill; What's on in Bendigo.Bendigo Jaycees. Espress Printers Bendigo.bendigo, tourism, guide 1974, bendigo jaycees, radio 3bo, city family hotel, don murray's hotel motel, cambrian hotel, charlies craft & lifestyle store, powneys authorised newsagent, the bendigo trust, white hills panel works, bendigo pottery, bendigo racecourse, homestead motor inn, peter wade, the persian room, sandhurst trading co. pty. ltd., bendigo air services, bendigo sec, geo. r. innes & sons, cohns, the copper pot, sandhurst travel service. golden hills motel, welcome stranger motel, brian boru hotel, john lindsay's pharmacy & photographic centre, alf morris motors

''News from Bendigo Victoria'' 1972 - 4-page sheet published by The Bendigo Development Committee - various activities and manufacturing initiatives described. Back page article on the restoration and planned opening of the Central Deborah Gold Mine.Published by The Bendigo Development Committee. Printed by Cambridge Press, Bendigo.bendigo, tourism, guide, central deborah gold mine, applied science building, bendigo commonwealth laboratory, d. smyth's & son refrigeration pty ltd., g. w. healey & son, golden city joinery pty ltd., decentralisation program

40 paged booklet - ''The Ruskin All-about'' (covering the Municipality of Bendigo facilities and activities), printed by The Ruskin Press, 1955. ''assisted by the Municipal Council and its officers and office-bearers of other organizations and associations''. Contents: Abbreviations; Baby Health Centres; Bus services; By-laws and regulations; Churches; Classified advertisers; Community activities; Doctors and surgery hours; Facts on the city; Friendly Societies; Hospitals; Magazine section; Maps; Message from the Mayor; Miscellaneous; Municipal services; The Municipality; Public and semi-public utilities; Schools and kindergartens; Sporting and recreation. Information on the forthcoming Olympic Games.Ruskin Publishing Pty. Ltd., 37 Swanston Street Melbourne.bendigo, tourism, guide

The 'Bendigo Flee' car. Black and white photograph of a small van, possibly 1930s, with white painted words and phrases on the chassis. Include Bendigo, Sydney, Bathurst, Brisbane - Nothing but the best for the best, Atlantic is trouble free - the Artful Dodger - Sad Pat & Mick fill her up with Atlantic - Bertie the Bitza the one and only. Possibly involved in a motor rally sponsored by Atlantic Oil. On the reverse is printed in blue ink- Use Atlantic. See research field.bendigo, tourism, postcard, motor rally. atlantic union oil company., bendigo flee

Coloured postcard showing crowd gathered at Alexandra Fountain, with Chinese dragon in procession. On back of card: Nu-Color-Vue, Bendigo Victoria, Sun Loong ( New Dragon ) at Charing Cross.Nu Color Vuebendigo, tourism, easter procession, bendigo, charing cross, alexandra fountain, sun loong, chinese, easter

Bendigo 1987. Almanac and tourist guide. Contains advertising by supporters of the promotion of Bendigo. Brief descriptions of places of interest in and around Bendiogo.bendigo, tourism, guide 1974

Small booklet, green cover with golden writing. Bendigo in large letters, Victoria Australia square ornate around. Photos inside: Charing Cross and Pall Mall. Conservatory grounds. Post office and Law courts. Botanical gardens, White Hills. The fountain Charing cross, Pall Mall. Chinese procession on Easter Monday. School of mines and industries. A group of Bendigo mines. View Point. Boring on a gold bearing reef. New chum railway gold mine. Queen statue, Rosalind park. Soldiers 'statue near post office. Conservatory, Rosalind park. Gold Jubilee statue, Pall Mall. on the back cover in pen: Miss E. Briggs, Locksly P.O N.E. Lina(?)bendigo, tourism, various photos