This handset appeared via Australia Post Office and was to some degree manufactured in Britain just prior to 1939. During and after World War II these handsets were made in Australia. The handset belonged to the SEC Victoria and later the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme. As this unit has a winder arm (to notify the switchboard) it would have resided in a workshop/machine shop and not in an office. The durability of the bakelite covering gave good protection in any environment. In years later the bakelite came in colours. This type of handset being able to endure rough handling was ideal for the surroundings of the alpine terrain. It would have been at the various outside outposts or foreman posts as swift communications was essential and communications with all sectors of work in the Hydro Electricity Scheme was mandatory, not only for safety reasons but also for efficient operational day to day progress. Also refer to article in "This Week" Newsletter 30th June 2023. Article attached to paper copy.This Australian Post Office 184 black coloured bakelite wall mounted phone was initially developed by Ericsson Telephones Ltd Britain. It was used by the SEC Office based at Mount Beauty and therefore has a winder (for power and notification to the switchboard. The hand piece (large ear and voice receptors)is placed vertically above the dial up winder.On the winder plate in hand writing is" turn handle lift handset" and below the handle "when finished replace handset turn handle"sec communications, wall telephone, internal communications kiewa hydro electricity scheme

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

Radio telephones were used to connect people living or working in isolation with other people.This radio phone was used by ambulance officers,working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, to communicate with the doctor. The SECV had received an ambulance by April 1940. It had been modified for long and rough trips, departing from usual ambulance designs of the time. Ref. April 1940 SECV magazine. Mrs Beveridge (Skippy) lived and worked with her husband on the High Plains during winter. They had immediate contact with the outside world as they were connected by radio telephone with the Commission's (SECV) Bogong office. Hence, measurements taken of the snowfall and rainfall and observations from the experimental raceline are reported to head office of the Kiewa Hydro electric Scheme at Bogong. Ref. SEC magazine March - April 1948 page 25 and photo of the radio telephone in their home (different to this item) page 26. This radio phone is in a metal case with a separate steel lid attached with two large screws on either side. The front has a cream plastic face with open slits. It has a cover to protect the speaker behind it. There are 3 tuning knobs (volume, muting & channel) and a small red light. The phone cord is coiled and extends from the right hand side with a speaker attached. The speaker is for sending and receiving messages.'Radiophone / MTR 25 161 AG' 'STC' in a rectangle and 'Ser. No. 21480'.radio phone, transmission, 2 way radio, ambulance, communications, doctor, medical equipment

This phone was used at the Mt Beauty Primary School.Historical: The SEC used a switchboard to connect people in Mt Beauty and their workers stationed throughout the Kiewa Hydro Scheme. This phone enabled the Mt Beauty Primary School to ring parents etc. and for them to ring the school. Also refer to article in "This Week" Newsletter 30th June 2023 and attached to KVHS 0050Black bakelite telephone used to sit on a bench or table. Hand piece attached by a coiled wire coated with rubber. Front of telephone, in the centre, is a small handle that can be turned around in a clock wise direction - used to connect with the switchboard or, in some areas, used to connect with others by way of morse code eg. 1 big wind and 2 short winds.telephone. communications. mount beauty primary school.

SEC Building in Williamson Street. A variety of vehicles angle parked along Williamson Street, bas of the communications tower can be seen.bendigo, streetscape, williamson street

Photo of SEC Building at the corner of Williamson and Hargreaves Streets. Tree planted on the roundabout, Tall communications tower in the background, two people standing the safety zone, white station wagon, other cars parked along Williamson Street.bendigo, streetscape, williamson street