Photo of the Mail Exchange Building with a cable tram loading prior to departure and a number of motor vehicles. The photo shows the monumental construction for the then Post Master Generals Department. This building was completed in 1917 to replace the mail sorting functions of the GPO on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth St. It had tunnels that connected with Spencer Street Railway station opposite and was designed for the sorting and transporting of mail.Yields information about the Mail Exchange building.Photograph - Black and White - Mail Exchange Spencer and Bourke Streets c1920tramways, trams, cable cars, bourke street, spencer street, post office, post master general, mail exchange

Collection of Newspaper clippings from Scrap Book 1960 - 1973Article about PMG and National Bank argument re $73,600 gone missing when sent in a mail bag from Cowes Post Office to the Mail Exchange in Spencer Street Melbourne.pmg cowes, national bank cowes, mail exchange spencer st melbourne, jean jamieson

Photos show W6 983 (Route 12 - South Melbourne St Kilda Beach) at the intersection with Bourke St. Tram has been diverted to run via La Trobe St, normally runs via Collins St. Has the Mail Exchange and The Age buildings in the background, 20-9-2002Yields information about a diverted tram during 2002.Set of two colour Sides - white Kodak KodachromeSlide marked with date and details.tramways, tram 983, w6 class, spencer st, mail exchange, route 12, diversion

Black and white photograph of W7 1012 at the then new Bourke St terminus. Tram has the destination of Exhibition and route 95. In the background is the Mail Exchange and the Spencer St. Station.trams, tramways, bourke st, opening, new tramway, w7 class, exhibition, route 95, tram 1012

historic building, built by Richard RennieSepia photo, Royal Exchange Hotel, (originally Royal Mail Hotel), SE cnr. Learmonth and Cornish Sts, Buninyong, in 1860's. W.S.Smith. licensee. Attached hall on left built as Adelphi Theatre, became known as Oddfellow's Hall.buninyong, hotel, royal mail, royal exchange, adelphit theatre, oddfellows hall

Receiver was obtained from Supply Branch of Telecom Australia. It was located by Harold Bakes (early member of the Nunawading Historical Society) at the Hawthorn Line depot and Society purchased. It was stored at the former City of Nunawading Depot in Station Street, Nunawading. It was noticed by Postal Services when they were building the Nunawading Mail Exchange and loaned to them whilst it remained in the City of Nunawading at the Mail Exchange. The had it refurbished and it stood in the Mail Exchange vestibule. When the exchange closed it was taken to Dandenong. It took much negotiation before it was returned to the Society.Alternative Name: Letter Receiver Large round cast iron Letter Receiver surmounted with a gold crown on domes to pointed top. Top has a gold cast iron fancy fringe and below on the main body a further gold plain fringe. Door follows the contour of the round receiver and cover about on of the body. Handle of door is in shape of a fist painted gold. Receiver is mounted on a cast iron base (could have been all cast together) approx 3/8 of the overall height of 250cm. Receiver is painted Pillar Box Red - base which is placed in ground is mid green. From a similar Receiver installed near the Prahran Railway it would appear that half of the base is above ground. Station It has five oblong holes. Cast into the body between the two fringes are a letter opening and two words POST OFFICE and Receiving Pillar.Cast into Receiver - POST OFFICE / Letter Receiver In door - transfer with crown and E11Rcommunication, postal, historical society

This item was originally acquired by Harold Bakes, together with a Fire Hydrant Stand And a petrol pump , from the P.M.G. depot in Hawthorn in the 1970s . It was stored in the City of Nunawading Council yard in Station Street, Nunawading, and later loaned to the Australia Post Mail Exchange in Rooks Road, Nunawading. On the closure of the Mail Exchange, it was transferred to the Australia Post Museum in Dandenong. After proving ownership it was returned to back to the Society's Museum.Coloured photo of an Australia Post delivering restored Post Box to the Society's Implement Shedaustralia post, bakes, harold arthur

Agfa colour slide, white blue plastic mount. Photograph by David Verrier. Two photos of Z40 at the Bourke St terminus, running Route 97, North Fitzroy Park St. Has the Mail Exchange in the background. Photos taken 22.4.1977.In ink: "Fri 22/4/77 40 Bourke St terminus"trams, tramways, bourke st, route 97, north fitzroy park st, z class, tram 40

Negative of a photograph of two cable tram sets waiting to shunt at the Bourke St terminus, 3-1-1939. Has trailers 237 and 379 and 262 in the photo along with the Mail Exchange, and the Sunshine Machinery Depot. One of the cars has lady passengers on the grip car.trams, tramways, cable trams, bourke st, tram 237, tram 379, tram 262

Negatives No. N345 to N348 and black and white prints made by a laser printer (stored in folder ) of AETA tour (Australian Electric Traction Association) on 25/6/1955 at Spencer St. terminus. Both trams have AETA tour signs and the slogan "Save traffic congestion, Move People not vehicles" 1611.1 - 980 at terminal with two buses (ET 330? and bus 585) alongside and Eliza Tinsley building in the background. 1611.2 - 980 and part of W7 1001. 1611.3 - 980 and 1001 at terminal with a bus standing alongside the Mail Exchange building. 1611.4 - 980 at terminal with tour passengers standing around. Negative scanned hi res and imaged updated 22/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, bourke st, spencer st, aeta tour, tram 980 tram w7 1001

.1 - Agfa colour slide, blue and white plastic mount, photo by Keith Caldwell 1/11/1978 - of Z3 turning from Flinders St into Spencer St, route 75. Has the Flinders St over pass, over King St and the railway viaduct in the background. In the background is the Great Southern Hotel. .2 - Kodachrome cardboard mount, same date of Z12 southbound in Spencer St passing Bourke St with the Mail Exchange in the back and Z 97 standing in the Bourke St terminus with another Z arriving. Taken from the 2nd floor of Spencer St station building. .3 - as above with Z23 northbound in Spencer St. The cable tram track in Bourke St, can perhaps just been seen.In red ink "1-11.78" and in pencil "MLB 10/78 BX".trams, tramways, spencer st, flinders st, z class, bourke st, tram 3, tram 12, tram 97, tram 23

Set of three hanimount light brown 35mm slides - December 1963 taken by Les Fordham. .1 - W6 981 (Route 96, East Brunswick, Blyth St) at the Spencer St terminus with a large mob or group of people waiting to board a tram. Note both trolley poles are in the up position. IN the background is the West Melbourne Police Station, The tramway building and Carlyon's Hotel. Alongside is a Newsday (newspaper) van. A policeman is on point duty. .2 - W7 1010 (Route 88 East Preston) at the Spencer St terminus, Has the Mail Exchange in the background. .3 - W6 988 waiting to enter the terminus (Exhibition), a crewman is changing the route number. In the Safety Zone is W7 (1008??), Route 97 with a conductor walking in front of the tram.trams, tramways, bourke st, route 96, east brunswick, police, w6 class, w7 class, route 88, tram 981, tram 1010, tram 988, tram 1008

Set of 4 digital images of W6 1000 on the opening day of the service in Bourke St via High St Northcote to East Preston on 26/6/1955. .1 - 1000 (East Preston route 89) at Spencer St, note the sign behind the tram and the newly painted safety zone. Has the Mail Exchange in the background. .2 - ditto at Spencer St with Carlyon's Hotel and the Spencer St Railway station in the background. .3 - tram arriving at the East Preston depot leads - has adverts for Milo, Kiwi boot polish and Pleshur's shoes. .4 - ditto with a Book Repairs Shop, R. P Evans, Goweville Hotel advertising Fosters Lager, and the Melody Picture theatre, In the background is Bell St with a set of clock traffic lights and two tower wagons and a Pura Milk truck just behind the tram.trams, tramways, w6 class, opening, route 89, bourke st, east preston, high st, northcote, tower trucks, traffic lights, bell st, tram 1000

Negatives No. N358 and N359 and black and white prints made by a laser printer (stored in folder ) of AETA tour (Australian Electric Traction Association) on 25/6/1955 at Spencer St. terminus. Both trams have AETA tour signs and the slogan. 980 has "Save traffic congestion, Move People not vehicles" 1618.1 - 980 and 1001 at the then new Bourke St. terminal at Spencer St. Carlyon's hotel in the background. 1618.2 - 980 and 1001 with the Mail Exchange in the background See also Reg. item 1611 for other photos at the same time. hi res scan made and image updated 23/5/2020. Two prints or copies of the photograph, 101mm square, added 1/6/03. Photo used in the Melbourne Immigration Museum's "Trammies" Exhibition Feb to May 2003. Prints made by the Immigration Museum for use in the making of the display panels. hi res scan made and image updated 23/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, bourke st, spencer st, aeta tour, tram 980 tram w7 1001

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Modern postcard produced by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria. The photo is of a replica tram in Victoria's Tramway Museum, and was presumably purchased for display purposes for an exhibition relating to transport in Kew, and in particular to the Kew horse-tram which operated from the Victoria Street Bridge to the Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew.This replica tram, constructed by members Alan Antcliff and Newton Williams in Mildura represents the open car used between Sydney Road and the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gradens until 1923. The open "toast rack" type was use extensively on other horse and early electric tram systems. Photo by William F Scott. Produced by The Tramway Museum of Victoria Ltd Box 4916, Mail Exchange, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001. Operator of Victoria's Tramway Museum, Union Lane, Bylands (55 km from Melbourne off the Northern Highway) Open Sundays 11a.m - 5p.m. CS2036kilmore horse tram, tramway museum society of victoria, tramways - victoria, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s.Modern postcard produced by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria. The photo is of a replica tram in Victoria's Tramway Museum, and was presumably purchased for display purposes for an exhibition relating to transport in Kew, and in particular to the Kew horse-tram which operated from the Victoria Street Bridge to the Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew.This replica tram, constructed by members Alan Antcliff and Newton Williams in Mildura represents the open car used between Sydney Road and the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gradens until 1923. The open "toast rack" type was use extensively on other horse and early electric tram systems. Photo by William F Scott. Produced by The Tramway Museum of Victoria Ltd Box 4916, Mail Exchange, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001. Operator of Victoria's Tramway Museum, Union Lane, Bylands (55 km from Melbourne off the Northern Highway) Open Sundays 11a.m - 5p.m. CS2036 kilmore horse tram, tramway museum society of victoria, tramways - victoria, postcards

Set of 8 colour laser printed copies of colour 35mm negatives featuring photographs of trams taken by Ron Fluck in Melbourne on 27/1/1979 and 28/1/1979 (1758.6 and 1758.7). 1758.1 - (Negative No. 251) - W2 340 at Airport West terminus. Sleepered track section on inbound track - must have been running single line at the time, following changeover to new terminus from Essendon Airport to Airport west. 1758.2 - NN253 - Z16 at Wattle Park terminus. 1758.3 - NN252 - VR 700 at Footscray terminus. 1758.4 - NN250 - W2 340 enroute to the Airport West terminus. New freeway arrangement being constructed on the left hand side of the tramway. 1758.5 - NN254 - Z1 11 at East Burwood Terminus 1758.6 - NN255 - W2 234 at Batman Ave terminus - one of the trams painted in "Transporting Art Program" 1758.7 - NN256 - W2 234 and SW6 912 at Batman Ave terminus. 1758.8 - NN257 - Z1 88 and W5 726 at corner of Bourke and Spencer St. Melbourne, with the Mail Exchange in the background. See Destination City 5th Editionmelbourne, essendon airport, princes bridge, footscray, east burwood, wattle park, transporting art, tram 11, tram 234, tram 340, tram 700, tram 16, tram 726, tram 88, tram 912

Sound and colour. A film about the Shrine of Remembrance which was made in April 1981 (from the label). Documents the history of the Shrine by interspersing images of war with returned servicemen's marches. The film shows archival images of Australia in 1914 and accounts from WWI, which gave rise to the campaign to build the Shrine in the 1920s. Gen.Sir John Monash, after consulting with Legacy, lent his support and it was opened in 1934 by the Duke of Gloucester, becoming the focus of commemoration in Victoria. The forecourt with the Eternal Flame was added in 1954 to commemorate the fallen of WWII and was dedicated by Queen Elizabeth II. Junior Legatees are shown paying their respects at one of their annual commemorations. This film has been digitised to preserve its content. Melbourne Legacy gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria for making this possible.Legacy were instrumental in campaigning for the building of the Shrine. Blue plastic circular tin with fitted reel inside. Lid has a sticker with information about the film. Film is 700 feet at 16mm. Piece of double-sided paper loose inside the tin with information on run time and last checked for inspection.Lid sticker is as follows: KEY NO. 810422 / PRINT NO. 1 LENGTH 17 mins / TITLE "SHRINE" VICTORIAN FILM CORPORATION / 409 KING STREET, MELBOURNE 3000 / BOX 4361 MAIL EXCHANGE 3001 / 03-329 7033 Sticker underneath is as follows to the naked eye: VICTORIAN FILM LABORATORIES / VICTORIAN FILM CORPORATION / SHRINE / G STREET HAWTHORN 8180461 Documentation inside tin is as follows: Side 1: Details, Run 1 / BRK 1, 4:12 / BRK 2, 8:05 / Credits 41, 4:33 / TOTAL, 16:50 Side 2: TDX Date / Run 1: TO BE DUBBED, 25.4.81 / No. of Breaks: 2 Remarks: Fair, Light Int scratches, Light broken scratches / Total Duration / Run 1: 16.50shrine of remembrance, history

This framed print of the Loch Vennachar has been framed as a gift given by McPherson's Ltd. of Melbourne Sydney Brisbane Perth, as per the inscription below the print. Loch Vennachar made many journeys from Britain to Australia and was well-known in Australian ports. On one of its homeward-bound journeys from Australia, the ship sank in the River Thames. Its cargo included 850 tonnes of preserved canned rabbits from Warrnambool's Western Meat Preserving Company. The ship was raised and continued trading for another four years. On 14th June 1905, Loch Vennachar departed Glasgow for Adelaide and Melbourne. The last known sighting of it was on 6th September 1875 when overtaken by the SS Yongala; the captains exchanged the “all well” signals. After that, the ship disappeared with loss of all 27 lives, according to a list that was received by Fremantle through the English mail. The list indicated that there were no passengers on that voyage. Sadly, other Loch Line ships med with similar disasters. The list of lost crew on the Loch Vennachar included Thomas. W. Pearce, apprentice, Southampton. His father was Tom Pearce, one of the two survivors of the Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878. Also, Thomas’ grandfather, James Pearce, was the captain of SS Gothenburg at the time of her wrecking in 1875. Consequently, the wrecking of the Loch Vennachar and the Loc Sloy near the southwest point of Kangaroo Island, a lighthouse was erected, officially opening in June 1907. The northern headland of West Bay was named Vennachar Point in memory of the ship in 1908. The wreck was discovered in 1976 by divers from the Society for Underwater Historical Research, over seventy years after being lost off Kangaroo Island. The Loch Vennachar performed a significant role in Australia’s colonial trade, taking goods between Great Britain and Australia. These goods included locally preserved tinned rabbits processed at a factory in Warrnambool for overseas trade.Print of painting clipper ship Loch Vennachar. (aka Loch Vennacher, as spelled on this print). Print is under glass in white painted timber frame. The vessel was wrecked on Kangaroo Island September 1905 with the loss of all hands. There is an inscription below the print"Loch Vannacher" on right below print, "Compliments from McPherson's Ltd. Melbourne,Sydney, Brisbane, Perth" on left below printflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, loch vennachar, loch vennacher, loch line ship, glasgow shipping co, mcpherson's ltd. melbourne sydney brisbane perth, loch vennachar image., kangaroo island shipwreck, 1905 shipwreck, mcpherson's ltd. melbourne sydney brisbane perth, canned rabbits, preserved rabbits, western meat preserving company

On February 1, 1854, the first Eltham Post Office was established. At that time, the number of permanent residents would have been fairly small, probably less than 200. In 1855 Thomas Hunniford was appointed as Eltham's postmaster (replacing Frederick Falkiner). He operated the post office from his general store in Maria Street (now Main Road) near Bridge Street (originally facing Bridge Street but later altered to face Main Road). His daughter, Miss Anne Hunniford, was a teacher at Eltham Primary School in her early adult years. Sometime between 1864 and 1868 the management of the post office passed from Thomas Hunniford to his daughter, Anne who managed the Eltham Post Office until illness forced her to retire in 1928. A big improvement in communication was provided for Eltham residents when a telegraph office was established at the post office in 1877. During 1923 a manual telephone exchange was provided at Eltham, the first two subscribers being J.J. O’Connor and Eltham Police Station. Anne was succeeded by her nephew Neville Burgoyne whose family were then running the store, which had been rebuilt and modernised in 1926 to accommodate an expanded post and telegraph office. Anne knew everyone and was respected for her kindly actions in her official and private capacities. In her time there was no official letter delivery to houses; residents were expected to collect their mail at the post office. But if an important letter or telegram arrived, Anne would try to find someone willing to deliver it. Jock Read recalled he started his own private "mail run"; he would charge people 1/- per week to take their letters to the post office for mailing and would return with their mail. Anne died in 1928, aged 73. She is buried in Eltham Cemetery with her mother and with a Burgoyne child born much later. Burgoyne's store was further extended in 1940 and still stands though has undergone several modifications and businesses. In 1954 the post office moved to a shop in the main Eltham shopping centre, then in 1958 a purpose-built post office was opened near the entrance to the railway station. In Loving Memory of Anne Hunniford Nee Hamilton Burgoyne Born Ireland 1813 Died Eltham 1899 Also her daughter Anne Jane Hunniford Born Eltham 1855 Died Eltham 1928 Brenda May Burgoyne Born 16. 8. 1956 Died 18. 6. 1958 Rest In PeaceBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, anne hunniford (nee hamilton burgoyne), anne jane hunniford, brenda mary burgoyne

A history of Eltham Post Office. Australia Post: Gold brought life to the township - Diamond Valley News, Tuesday July 2, 1985, p17 On February 1, 1854, the first Eltham Post Office was established, commencing an association between the township and the Postmaster-General's Department that has continued for 131 years. At that time, the number of permanent residents would have been fairly small, probably less than 200. The discovery of gold in June 1851, at Anderson’s Creek, some five miles away, and later at Caledonia Diggings, Queenstown (now known as St Andrews), about 14 miles to the north-east, brought large numbers of prospectors passing through the township, hopefully culling the creeks and gullies for the precious metal. This additional "floating population" brought a greater demand for supplies and for communication with the outside world, and so it helped in the development of Eltham. Today, Eltham is a thriving township. It boasts an excellent shopping centre, municipal offices, court house. post office and many other amenities. Eltham continued to develop at a leisurely pace. During 1860, a total of just over 8000 postal articles were handled at the Eltham Post Office. By 1862, the mail route was "to and from Melbourne by way of Eltham and Kangaroo Ground, three times a week, by coach". There was also a branch mail that operated between Eltham and Greensborough, three times weekly. This was also conveyed by coach. Some time between 1864 and 1868 the management of the post office passed from Thomas Hunniford to his daughter, Miss Anne Hunniford, who managed the Eltham Post Office until her death in 1928. A big improvement in communication was provided for Eltham residents when a telegraph office was established at the post office in 1877. During 1923 a manual telephone exchange was provided at Eltham, the first two subscribers being J.J. O’Connor and Eltham Police Station. In 1949 the manual exchange was replaced by an automatic exchange and there were some 150 subscribers. Following the death of postmistress Miss Anne Hunniford in 1928, B.M. Burgoyne was placed temporarily in charge of the office. In 1929, J. N. Burgoyne was appointed postmaster, and he in turn was succeeded by H. C. Burgoyne in 1951. The post office was moved to a new site in 1954, but continued under the charge of Mr Burgoyne. In January 1958 there was a further change of site when the post office was raised to official status and transferred to new premises in Main Rd. William Donoghue was acting postmaster when the new office was opened. In March 1958 Mr W.E. Tovey was appointed postmaster, followed by Douglas McG. Gilmour in 1959. William Donoghue was fully appointed in 1966 and Barry Reichelt followed in 1973, prior to the present postmaster, Peter Jolly in November 1982. Peter is a young man with 18 years' experience. He commenced his training as a postal clerk at the training school in Melbourne in 1968 and was promoted to postal clerk at the Brunswick Post Office in 1969. He was finally transferred as postmaster to Fawkner Post Office in 1980. He has been at Eltham Post Office for the past 2½ years. He is married with one child and lives in Montmorency. The Eltham Post Office employs a staff of 21, of whom seven are indoor staff, 12 are postmen and two are drivers. The postmen in Eltham have an uphill battle delivering mail because of the hilly terrain. Nine of the postmen deliver mail on motorbikes, and the two delivery vans are both four wheel drives. Eltham Post Office services basically a residential area, with deliveries to 5600 homes. This is growing at the rate of 600 homes every 18 months, i.e. about 32 homes per month. At the present rate we will need a new postman every 18 months.Digital file only - Digitised by EDHS from a scrapbook on loan from Beryl Bradbury (nee Stokes), daughter of Frank Stokes.anderson's creek, anne hunniford, b.m. burgoyne, barry reichelt, beryl bradbury (nee stokes) collection, eltham police station, eltham post office, eltham post office history, gold, h.c. burgoyne, j.j. o'connor, j.n. burgoyne, peter jolly, postmaster, telephone exchange, thomas hunniford, w.e. tovey, william donoghue

Eltham Gateway, Sweet D Lites, 820 Main Road, Eltham. Former Burgoyne shop and Post Office, now home to San Antonio Barbershop. Once affectionately known as the Hilltop milk bar, or Burgoyne’s, this is one of the only three remaining early twentieth century village shops in Eltham and as the community’s first post office. In the 1920’s, the post office was run from a tiny 6 by 6 corrugated iron shed at the side of the store. Miss Hunniford, the post mistress, would give you your mail or take your letters to send, as there was no postal delivery service at that time. In an emergency, such as illness, you could send a telegraph for tuppence (around two cents) a word. Later, this was the site of the Eltham’s first telephone exchange. Tomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, main road, eltham gateway, burgoyne's shop, sweeet d lites, hilltop milk bar

Sepia photograph of Hunniford’s Eltham Post Office, Main Road near Bridge Street, Eltham, c.1888 (Postmistress Anne Hunniford possibly on left). The building originally had a shingle roof. Anne Hamilton born 1814 Co Tyrone, Ireland married Michael Head Burgoyne (1820-1843) in 1839, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. They had two children, Charlotte Caroline (1840) and John James Thomas Neville (Londonderry, Ireland 1844) Whilst pregnant with John, husband Michael died. Following John’s birth, she emigrated to Victoria, Australia where she married Thomas Hunniford in 1854. Daughter Anne Jane Hunniford was born in Eltham in 1855. Anne (Annie) Jane Hunniford and John James Thomas Neville Burgoyne were half siblings. In the mid 1860s Annie Hunniford succeeded her father, Thomas Hunniford as Post Mistress for Eltham. Photo dated based on advertising on façade of the building by Annie’s half-brother, John James Thomas Burgoyne promotes his services as the area manager for John M’Ewan and Co, Auctioneers as well as him being agent for the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, National Insurance Company of Australasia, Federal Mutual Livestock Association of Australasia, and as a House, Land, Estate, Insurance and Financial agent. This was the time period that he placed advertising for same in the local paper. Australia Post: Gold brought life to the township - Diamond Valley News, Tuesday July 2, 1985, p17 On February 1, 1854, the first Eltham Post Office was established, commencing an association between the township and the Postmaster-General's Department that has continued for 131 years. At that time, the number of permanent residents would have been fairly small, probably less than 200. The discovery of gold in June 1851, at Anderson’s Creek, some five miles away, and later at Caledonia Diggings, Queenstown (now known as St Andrews), about 14 miles to the north-east, brought large numbers of prospectors passing through the township, hopefully culling the creeks and gullies for the precious metal. This additional "floating population" brought a greater demand for supplies and for communication with the outside world, and so it helped in the development of Eltham. Today, Eltham is a thriving township. It boasts an excellent shopping centre, municipal offices, court house. post office and many other amenities. Eltham continued to develop at a leisurely pace. During 1860, a total of just over 8000 postal articles were handled at the Eltham Post Office. By 1862, the mail route was "to and from Melbourne by way of Eltham and Kangaroo Ground, three times a week, by coach". There was also a branch mail that operated between Eltham and Greensborough, three times weekly. This was also conveyed by coach. Some time between 1864 and 1868 the management of the post office passed from Thomas Hunniford to his daughter, Miss Anne Hunniford, who managed the Eltham Post Office until her death in 1928. A big improvement in communication was provided for Eltham residents when a telegraph office was established at the post office in 1877. During 1923 a manual telephone exchange was provided at Eltham, the first two subscribers being J.J. O’Connor and Eltham Police Station. In 1949 the manual exchange was replaced by an automatic exchange and there were some 150 subscribers. Following the death of postmistress Miss Anne Hunniford in 1928, B.M. Burgoyne was placed temporarily in charge of the office. In 1929, J. N. Burgoyne was appointed postmaster, and he in turn was succeeded by H. C. Burgoyne in 1951. The post office was moved to a new site in 1954, but continued under the charge of Mr Burgoyne. In January 1958 there was a further change of site when the post office was raised to official status and transferred to new premises in Main Rd. William Donoghue was acting postmaster when the new office was opened. In March 1958 Mr W.E. Tovey was appointed postmaster, followed by Douglas McG. Gilmour in 1959. William Donoghue was fully appointed in 1966 and Barry Reichelt followed in 1973, prior to the present postmaster, Peter Jolly in November 1982. Peter is a young man with 18 years' experience. He commenced his training as a postal clerk at the training school in Melbourne in 1968 and was promoted to postal clerk at the Brunswick Post Office in 1969. He was finally transferred as postmaster to Fawkner Post Office in 1980. He has been at Eltham Post Office for the past 2½ years. He is married with one child and lives in Montmorency. The Eltham Post Office employs a staff of 21, of whom seven are indoor staff, 12 are postmen and two are drivers. The postmen in Eltham have an uphill battle delivering mail because of the hilly terrain. Nine of the postmen deliver mail on motorbikes, and the two delivery vans are both four wheel drives. Eltham Post Office services basically a residential area, with deliveries to 5600 homes. This is growing at the rate of 600 homes every 18 months, i.e. about 32 homes per month. At the present rate we will need a new postman every 18 months.Sepia photograph (two copies plus two black and white enlargements)Shop originally had a shingle roofpost office, eltham, main road, anne jane hunniford (1855-1928), federal mutual live stock insurance association of australasia, federal mutual livestock association of australasia, john j burgoyne, john m'ewan and co. auctioneers, national insurance company of australasia, national mutual life association of australasia