This manual telephone exchange console is an important piece of equipment which provided the most efficient method of long distance communications in the 1950's to the 1980's. Communications were critical, not only for the regional Hospital, but also for large construction sites i.e. the Kiewa Hydro Scheme, especially if they are in dense rugged mountainous regions. The degree of Occupation Health and Welfare on industrial sites were at a bare minimum compared to the work scene after the 1980's.This telephone exchange console is highly significant to both the Kiewa Valley and Mount Beauty region because it was so important in the communications field relating to operational safety and work related controls. The success of any large undertaken relies heavily upon good communications. In the hospital this method of communications is still used i.e. patient to ward station. This flag system link a patient's room to the controlling nursing station. Identification of the patient needing help is crucial for swift action from the available medical staff. Similarly in large construction sites such as the Kiewa Hydro Scheme, successful instant communications was also essential. This switchboard required a 50 volt supply to successfully operate and was in use when both telecommunications and postal were under the one Federal Government carrier i.e. The Post Master General. A benefit with a line communication system (such as the one that fed this console was that interference from atmospheric conditions did not impede the connection.This console telephone switchboard (manual) unit has a shutter operation (precursor to the light indicator) to identify the caller to the telephone switchboard operator. This switchboard has a ten point indication shutter system allowing the operator to clearly identify where the caller is located. The console has a 44 connection point holes with their configurations in a triangular shape. The shutters are held closed by a small lever at the top which is opened by a small electrical charge from the incoming call. The operator uses a wind up handle to power a magneto connector(handle on the console's right side). The telephone hand set is located on the left side of the console. sec vic kiewa hydro scheme, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth and communications

Has a strong association with the Geelong tramway system, yields information about the sealing or securing equipment from interference and demonstrates the type of equipment used. Exact use not known - could have been used for multiple purposes.Nickel plated steel sealing punch - with base unit, spring, handles, pins and punch or press that was used to seal or secure lead seals either on power meters, ticket boxes or circuit breakers. Placed letters "M.E.S. Co Ltd" onto the lead seal along with numbers "1". On outside of handle "PAT. 9682 1902" and in inside ".1" - the number of the press? Knowledge of manufacturer unknown - possibly the UK. Could research the Patent numbers - a quick search at the time failed to show something.trams, tramways, sealing, mesco, seals

Lady Clara R Lowe was elected Honorary Treasurer in 1938, a role she held until being made President of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) in February 1950 until late 1951.Lady Clara R Lowe became a Committee member of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) and After-Care Hospital in 1937. She became the Honorary Treasurer in 1938, a role she held until being elected as President in February 1950. She led the Committee of the Society in a time when the Victorian Hospital and Charities Commission wished to set up a separate District nursing service throughout Victoria, with the Society involved. The Commission, under the power of the Hospitals and Charities Act, planned to restructure MDNS and the After-Care Hospital. Lady Lowe was involved with these discussions and in the forming, in October 1951, of separate Boards of Directors for the Nursing division, and for the After-Care division Though the Boards would function independently they would be under the same Committee of Management. Now separate buildings were required for the housing of the District nurses and the headquarters of the Nursing division. The Commission became autocratic in this regard and Lady Lowe resigned as President in late 1951 as she felt she could no longer lead her committee without their interference. Black and white photograph showing the head and shoulder view of Lady Clara R. Lowe who is smiling and is slightly turned to her left. She is wearing glasses, and is wearing a close fitting patterned hat over her wavy grey hair. She has a double row string of pearls around her neck and is wearing a patterned grey frock. The petals of held white flowers are seen in front of her frock. melbourne district nursing society, mdns, after- care hospital, lady clara r. lowe, royal district nursing service, rdns