This Agers Telegraphic Primer or skeleton telegram guide contains a list of 19000 words which could be used by a business firm to send telegrams overseas in code form. The book once belonged to the Warrnambool firm Cramond and Dickson on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets which opened a branch of their drapery business in London in 1868. By an agreement with the Reuters Telegram Company in 1899, the code word “sferalcea “ was used for the transmission of telegrams between the two shops. Messages of a general kind were set out at the back of the book: eg: the code word septicity stood for the message, “answer must be here not later than today twelve noon.” The selected words which were used by Cramond and Dickson’s have hand written entries beside the code word. These code books were used to save money and also to improve security.This book has significance on a number of levels. It has local historical significance, is well provenanced. It belonged to one of Warrnambool’s earliest and longest running businesses. The book itself, belonged to the era of early telegraphic communication and as such has wider historical significance.Black soft leather cover with gold lettering, pink inside front and back covers. 312 pages. Up to page 200 the book has words with spaces beside each word to make entries. The back section contains lists of words. Some loose pages and notes contained within the book. Typed page inside front cover from Reuters Telegram Company Limited. Ager’s Telegraphic Primer or skeleton telegram code: consisting of 19000 good telegraphic English words with appendix. Purple stamp inside front cover: Dr Ager 1 Foulden Road Stoke Newingtonwarrnambool, warrnambool history, cramond & dickson, agers telegraphic primer, reuters telegram company

Lake Bolac Post Office Glenelg Highway. Initially the Post Office was established at the Store in 1868. This official weatherboard building was opened in 1887 incorporating a telegraph office, money order office and post office savings bank. The Post Office business was relocated in 1944 and the building was used as a private residence with the front room leased to Dennys Lascelles. Note the horse hitching rail and kerosene street light.Photograph depicting a weatherboard building across a road. The building is fenced. In front of the building there is a telegraphic or electric post and a lamp post.lake bolac, post office, glenelg highway, dennys lascelles

From the collection of Ken YoungWas a very important method of communication from approximately 1910 onwards. Morse Code was used by the Armed Forces up till 1960Brass base plate with two coils attached by a metal bar screwed down with a cross bar. The silver metal bar has two brass screws, one of which moves the bar to tap on the brass frame beneath it to emit the signalcommunication, telegraphic

Morse key telegraphic printer, 250 ohm resistors inward and outward switch and teleprinter with tape reel to record messages spare wheel on wood base to collect and store full reels from teleprinter.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, morse key, teleprinter, telegraphic printer, codes, signals, communication, telegraphy

Used by Louisa Caroline Grigg (nee Spencer) during January and February 1924 to record events in her daily life. No entries after February. Mentions her daughters Ciss, Nell and Ena, son-in-law Gerald (Norris) and daughter-in-law Dora (née Sandow). Note: 'Ena' was Georgina Myra Grigg. 'Ciss' was Lilian Violet Grigg, who married Gerald Norris in 1914.1924 "Australian Commercial Diary" produced by Sands & McDougall. Dark green/brown cardboard cover with raised decorative pattern on cover and spine, front section contains information about postal and telegraphic charges and fees.diaries, louisa caroline grigg née spencer, mrs w. m. grigg

1924 dated telegram from Elizabeth Street Postmasters Generals Department, Vic to G Parry. 16 words. Murdoch what will we do immediate say ten pounds. Signed Braim Masonic hall.communication, telegraphic, telegram, telegram transmission

The Postmaster-General's Department (P.M.G.) of Australia was created in 1901 with Federation taking control over all six Colonies (States) Postal and Telegraphic services within Australia to form the national Postal and Telegraphic services within Australia. The Department was administered by the Postmaster-General. This manual was produced as a syllabus of training for Army Personnel units in P.M.G's Department schools.In war times the postal organisation was a vital link between the services, the community and overseas centres. The Postmaster-General's Department co-operated with service departments in the installation and operation of radio, telephone and telegraph systems. Its laboratories also designed, developed and manufactured vital defence equipment. This item reflects that contribution and history.A 31 pp buff colored book with orange cloth binding. Black print on the front cover - a oval shaped logo with Post Office Communication Australia around a small sketch depicting Mercury, the messenger of the gods below an Australian coat-of-arms. Below that is the title,"COURSE OF TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION TELEPHONY 1".manual-telephony postmaster-general's-training-department instruction-book communications

The Phoenix Wool Company was started in 1919 by Brigadier-General Robert Smith. The works were located on the Barwon River, near the end of Shannon Avenue; some remnants of the original buildings can still be seen at the site. Phoenix was one of the first to develop the wool carbonising process (the removal of vegetable matter from wool through the use of chemicals) and during its heyday in the 1930s-50s the company operated 24 hours per day and employed a workforce of over 100. The company closed in 1997. This box of carbonised wool samples may possibly have been used by a salesman promoting the activities of the company.Display case, brown cardboard printed with text in black on the lid at the top. Lined in blue. Interior divided into five sections, each containing samples of carbonised wool. There are five labels attached to the inside of the box lid.THE PHOENIX WOOL COMPANY / PTY. LTD. / WOOL CARBONISERS / GEELONG / VICTORIA / AUSTRALIA / TELEPHONE: 2241, GEELONG / CABLE AND TELEGRAPHIC ADRESS: / "PHOEWOOL" GEELONGphoenix wool company pty ltd, wool industry, wool carbonising, barwon river, geelong, company history, brigadier-general robert smith

Letterhead - quarto paper, with a Logan Vale, Parchment, Made in Britain watermark, for the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Has the Board Logo, telegraphic address, telephone numbers, post office box and address and the name of the Secretary, Mr. W. Aird. Where the letterhead was printed is questionable, likely Melbourne. Two copies held.trams, tramways, mmtb, letterhead

Letter typed on MMTB Letterhead quarto paper with the name of the Secretary, Telegraphic address and contact details - to J. Bounds of East St Kilda regarding this letter requesting advice on the Brill 21E truck at the Hawthorn Driving School. Advised that it had agreed to dispose it to the TMSV. Dated 6/11/1972. Signed R. M Brown (?) Assistant Secretarytrams, tramways, mmtb, brill trucks, hawthorn, tmsv

This card provided the bearer with the ability to park on the RVIB grounds. It reads as follows: Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind 557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia Telegraphic address: 'Royalblind". Telephone: (03) 529 3544 Fax: (03) 51 4735 Parking Authorisation Vehicle Reg. No. Date Time Authorised by Please display this card on dashboard1 white card with blue writing and spacing for handwritten detailsroyal victorian institute for the blind, office equipment and supplies

George James McFarlane was born on 19 August 1895 in Wodonga, Victoria. He was the youngest son of Charles John McFarlane and Emily Charlotte nee Ellis. He married Margaret Frances Kirley in Wodonga in 1918 and they had 6 children. George kept this diary for most of 1927. It documents his daily life and some local events. George worked part time with the local blacksmith and then on his own farm before and after work. He was later to take over the blacksmith himself, operating as a blacksmith and farrier from premises in High Street, Wodonga. George's diary documents his daily dedication to other jobs on the farm including trapping and shooting vermin such as rabbits and foxes, growing watermelon and vegetables and training horses. He also became a member of the Albury Coursing Club. In his later years, George moved to Euroa and then fo the Northcote and Broadmeadows area of Melbourne where he died in 1968.A small diary with cardboard cover including volume and publisher details within a border. A red and white retailer sticker has been adhered to the front cover. The diary includes a calendar for 1927 and 37 pages of information including postal, money order and telegraphic information, British weights and measures and Directions for Making a will. The remainder of the diary is divided into 3 days per page. Entries have been entered until 28 August 1927.On front Cover: INVICTA AUSTRALIAN 1927 ROUGH DIARY / No 6 WITH THREE DAYS ON A PAGE / Price 2s. /PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SANDS & MCDOUGALL PTY. LTD. / SOLD BY ALL STATIONERS. On a circular sticker adhered at lower edge: BLAKE'S BUSY BOOK BAZAAR/ AND MUSIC WAREHOUSE/ ALBURY Handwritten on front: G J. McFarlane/ Wodonga/ Jan 1st 27g. j. mcfarlane, mcfarlane family wodonga

Telegram with coloured scene of trees,hills and water at the top of page with AWA in a circle at the top centre. Beam Wireless printed underneath. Stamped Telegraphic Office Bendigo Vic, dated 23 De 38. Telegram is from Baillie, 4 Ovington Gardens. London to Abbott, Bendigo Electric Company, Market Square, Bendigo. Message reads Scalebuoys having sold Italian Patent Want your signature to transfer stop May I sign.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, awa, beam wireless, abbott, bendigo electric company, telegraph office bendigo, baillie

Book is covered by green card and printed on the front with the title and a cartoon sketch/picture of a man standing facing away from viewer at a large industrial piece of machinery. Appears to be working. Picture includes an orange tiled floor and yellow wall. The book has 448 pages. Front cover: McPherson's FOR ENGINEERS & INDUSTRIALISTS MELBOURNE SYDNEY ADELAIDE PERTH Back Cover- McPherson's Ltd. 546-566 COLLINS STREET MELBOURNE * Telephone: MY270 * Telegraphic Address: "MERCHANT" MELBOURNEnon-fictionThis book is a catalogue issued for machinery merchants, tool specialists, suppliers of engineers' requisites, manufacturers of pumps, bolts, nuts, rivets, makers of high grade machine tools.

The Postmaster-General's Department (PMG) was a department of the Australian federal government, established at Federation in 1901, whose responsibilities included the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia. It was abolished in December 1975 and replaced by the Postal and Telecommunications Department. Telephone calls were transferred through exchanges by manual operators who staffed switchboards throughout the country. The clock was used to time calls in order to levy appropriate charge for telephone usage.The use of manual telephone exchanges played an important role in Australian telecommunications history, not just for day -to-day business and commercial use, but for social connections and communication during emergency. This timer has local significance as it was used at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange.A small clock used by switchboard operators to time calls at the Wodonga Telephone Exchange. Lever on the side operates timier.In centre of clock 'C. of A./P.M.G -50" Insignia of the Junghans Clock Manufacturers At the bottom edge of the time "Made in Germany",telecommunication, wodonga telephone exchange, p.m.g., timer, wodonga

A telegraph or Morse key, sends a series of electrical signals down a telegraph line or via radio frequencies; the signals are interpreted as Morse code, a binary form of language constructed of 'dots and dashes', combinations of which correspond to letters of the alphabet. The motion of the key acts to complete an electrical circuit between the sender and receiver, producing a short pulse 'dot' or longer 'dash,' the space between the code indicates a broken current or wave.Device used to transmit telegraphic messages in Morse code through the manipulation of electric signals. The metal 'key' sits in a central bracket on which it moves up and down aided by a spring, controlled by an operator pushing the black Bakelite knob on the protruding end of the device. The motion presses the key onto a circular metal disc, completing the circuit and sending an electrical pulse to the receiver. The apparatus is secured to a wooden base with wires attached to the terminals; a cut out section of the base suggests wires may have entered through this area, attaching to a battery.Printed ink on base: "PMG"telegraph, telegraphist, morse code, mechanisation

Modern communication technologyarrived on gabo Island with the construction of the telegraph line from Eden to Gabo Island in 1870. The insulator is associated with the telegraph station. Used at the H.F Radio Beacon. The items of telegraphic equipment comprise a number of ceramic and glass insulators of varying age and type. In addition to insulators, there is a telephone insulator bracket made of metal with wooden pins. It was once attached to the top of a steel pole and some of these remain in situ along the former telegraph line (0044). Telegraphic communication commenced at the Gabo Lightstation in 1870, just eight years after the lightstation opened. The line from Sydney reached Eden, NSW by 1868 and was then extended to Gabo with the costs shared equally by NSW and Victoria. It was initially carried on posts across the sea to the island but was changed to a line along the seabed after the posts were washed away. The first telegraph office was a timber building on east side of the assistants’ quarters. In 1887 a new concrete telegraph office was built which included quarters for the operator, with Victoria and NSW sharing the construction costs. The 1992 CMP identified remnants of the line from its various phases of operation,and these were seen in 2016. Other ceramic insulators in the collection are associated with lines supported on utility poles for the transmission of high voltage electricity. The various insulators have second level significance for their historic value and provenanceFour armed cross shaped insulator with two holes through diagonally opposite sections. It is ceramic with a clear glaze.

Probably acquired for use in Telegraphy courses run at the Ballarat SChool of Mines between 1875 and 1893. Telegraph relays amplified electrical signals in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages traveled as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. Short pulses made a dot, slightly longer pulses a dash. The pulses faded in strength as they traveled through the wire, to the point where the incoming signal was too weak to directly operate a receiving sounder or register. A relay detected a weak signal and used a battery to strengthen the signal so that the receiver would operate. This relay was made by the firm of Charles T. and John N. Chester, two brothers who successfully partnered in New York City. Charles (1826-1880) founded the firm and provided the expert telegraphy knowledge while John (1820-1871) kept the books and managed the business operations.(http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_706518, accessed 25/01/2018)Electromagnetic relay device used in telegraphy. The working parts mounted on a brass plate, attached to a wood base. Equipped with four terminal posts. Adjustable contactor mechanism. This electromagnetic Relay Device was used in Telegraphy at the Ballarat School of Mines. After a special meeting of the Ballarat SChool of Mines Council in 1874, a decision was made to offer instruction in Telegraphy, a subject not directly related to mining. Telegraphy was taught by W.P. Bechervaise, postmaster at Ballarat. On 07 October 1874 the Ballarat Courier correspondent reprted on Telegraphic training: "... these classes ... are a snare and a delusion, as there is scarcely the remotest chance of obtaining employment when the examination has been passed."scientific instrument, telegraph relayer, telegraphy relay device, telegraphy

Modern communications technology arrived on Gabo Island with the construction of the telegraph line from Eden to Gabo Island in 1870. This type of insulator was usually used with radio antennae wires, telegraph and radio antennae equipment. The items of telegraphic equipment comprise a number of ceramic and glass insulators of varying age and type. Five, knuckle-shaped white glazed ceramic examples are associated with radio antennae wires. In addition to insulators, there is a telephone insulator bracket made of metal with wooden pins. It was once attached to the top of a steel pole and some of these remain in situ along the former telegraph line. Telegraphic communication commenced at the Gabo Lightstation in 1870, just eight years after the lightstation opened. The line from Sydney reached Eden, NSW by 1868 and was then extended to Gabo with the costs shared equally by NSW and Victoria. It was initially carried on posts across the sea to the island but was changed to a line along the seabed after the posts were washed away. The first telegraph office was a timber building on east side of the assistants’ quarters. In 1887 a new concrete telegraph office was built which included quarters for the operator, with Victoria and NSW sharing the construction costs. The 1992 CMP identified remnants of the line from its various phases of operation, and these can still be seen in 2016. Other ceramic insulators in the collection are associated with lines supported on utility poles for the transmission of high voltage electricity. .The various insulators have second level significance for their historic value and provenanceFive white glazed ceramic insulators. Knuckle bone sized, oval shaped with one opening at either end. All five are the same.

Modern communication tecnology arrived on Gabo Island with the construction of the telegraph line from Eden to Gabo Island in 1870. These and other cylindricial insulators were associated with the original 1870 copper wire telegraph line and later the P.M.G. line. The items of telegraphic equipment comprise a number of ceramic and glass insulators of varying age and type. Two bell-shaped insulators are made of clear glass, one with remains of wooden dowel inside. In addition to insulators, there is a telephone insulator bracket made of metal with wooden pins. It was once attached to the top of a steel pole and some of theseremain in situ along the former telegraph line. Telegraphic communication commenced at the Gabo Lightstation in 1870, just eight years after the lightstation opened.The line from Sydney reached Eden, NSW by 1868 and was then extended to Gabo with the costs shared equally by NSW and Victoria. It was initially carried on posts across the sea to the island but was changed to a line along the seabed after the posts were washed away. The first telegraph office was a timber building on east side of the assistants’ quarters. In 1887 a new concrete telegraph office was built which included quarters for the operator, with Victoria and NSW sharing the construction costs. The 1992 CMP identified remnants of the line from its various phases of operation,231 and these can still be seen in 2016. Other ceramic insulators in the collection are associated with lines supported on utility poles for the transmission of high voltage electricity. The various insulators have second level significance for their historic value and provenance1. Clear glass insulator. Cyndrical bottle shape with smaller dome -like knob on top. Hollow with inscription on lower edge. Has remains of wooden dowell inside. 2.Clear glass insulator. Cyndrical bottle shape with smaller dome -like knob on top. Hollow with inscription on lower edge.Around lower edge on opposite sides,"C.C / 42"

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. Clocks such as these were issued by the Post Master General's Department which was a department of the Australian federal government, established at Federation in 1901, whose responsibilities included the provision of postal and telegraphic services throughout Australia. It was abolished in December 1975 and replaced by the Postal and Telecommunications Department.Wall clock with ceramic face consisting of twelve Roman numerals with hand and minute hand. Clock has a wooden body with glass viewing panel in centre and brass internal mechanism and pendulum. The clock is fitted into a wooden display case and held in place by wooden pegs. The lower case has a small drawer which opens and holds the winding key. PMG on ceramic face centre upper. '146' and 'PMG' stamped into wooden clock frame below the number six. Key is stamped front; '8' verso; 'Made in England / Popular / Progress' and an ace of spades with a "P" in the centre. Clock mechanism stamped verso; 146 / PMG / PMGcity of greater bendigo post office

The letter indicates that after several years (from 1916 to 1920) working for this company, Arthur Oswald Dixon resigned because of "private affairs".Typewritten letter in blue ink with signature on printed business letterhead from the New Zealand Shipping Company.Top left corner printed in black: The New Zealand Shipping Co. Ld (Incorporated in New Zealand)/ Telegraphic address: "Delectable, Led, London"/Telephone No 4258 Avenue/ All letters to be addressed to the manager Under is printed a round stamp with a crown and the Union Jack in the center and around "National Scheme for Disabled Men" Top right corner printed: 138 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3arthur oswald dixon, seafarers, officers, seamen, seamanship, merchant navy, new zealand, england, sailors, crew

990.1 -Typed letter from Chairman of M&MTB (Robert (Bob) Risson to Mr. John Grimwade dated 18 April 1963, concerning an letter in the Age written by J. Grimwade about Trams and Motor Cars. Written on M&MTB letterhead, with "Dear John" and author's signature "Bob Risson" handwritten in. Has been folded into four for posting. On quarto size paper, with watermark "Loganvale / Parchment / Made in Britain". Gives M&MTB phone numbers, postal and street address and telegraphic address on letterhead. 990.2 - Typed letter from Chairman of M&MTB (Robert (Bob) Risson to Mr. John Grimwade dated 29 April 1965, concerning tramcar design and deputy chairman (Mr. Kirby) forthcoming overseas trip. Written on M&MTB letterhead, with "Dear John" and author's signature "Bob" handwritten in. Has been folded into six for posting. On quarto size paper, with a watermark "? / RAG ? / Made in Australia". Gives M&MTB phone numbers, postal and street address and telegraphic address on letterhead, different design to 990.1, including phone number. Above the "Dear John" an imprint from of another sheet of paper, has been imposed on the sheet - grease mark? about 15 in diameter. 990.3 - Copy of interoffice memo from Deputy Chairman (Mr. Kirby) on yellow paper, dated 27 April 1965, replying to Chairmans memo of 26 April 1965, about the design of new trams, with steps inside the doorways. Signed by Mr. Kirby. Has been folded for mailing. Has left hand edge partly folded in. 990.4 - Copy of interoffice memo from Chairman (R. Risson) to Deputy Chairman, about a suggestion by Mr. Grimwade about running boards and the width of trams. Notes Chairman's view that the policy of running boards was deliberate in order that cars collided with them first rather than the tram body. On blue paper. Signed by the Chairman. Has been folded for mailing. Item 990.2 to 990.4 stapled in top left hand corner.Signatures and names tram, trams, melbourne, footboards, tram steps, mmtb, tramcar design

This tape is from the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia. This important event occurred on 21 June 1869. At this time the transmitted message was received on paper tape and later transcribed onto a telegram form for delivery. The original tape was presented to the Honourable Frederick Palgrave Barlee, Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, as a souvenir. "FPB" appears on an engraved shield on the lid. James Coats Fleming, the first telegraphist and later Superintendent of Telegraphs, sent the telegram. During 1875, Colonial Secretary Barlee transferred from Perth to Belize and then to Trinidad where he died in 1884. The fate of the case and spool, souvenir of that first telegram, was unknown. In July 1940, the WA Agent-General in London advised the Premier's Department in Western Australia that a Mrs EW Hillyer of Hertfordshire had the spool and case and was willing to sell it for ten guineas ($21). The Postmaster General's Department agree to the purchase and it duly arrived by registered mail. As a communications museum was planned in Melbourne, it was sent there to be included in the collection. Nothing more was heard until early 1980s when the relic arrived at the Post and Telecommunication museum in Perth. The case had been found in an old Melbourne strongroom where it had apparently been placed for safe-keeping and then forgotten. Initial attempts to decode the message on the tape were unsuccessful. Eventually, it was discovered that the Western Australian Telegraph Company, responsible for that first transmission, had devised its own code. A copy was obtained from the Battye Library and the message deciphered.This Morse tape is of historic significance as the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia. The occasion was momentous as the transition point between isolation and ease of connection for business and personal communications. The case is of aesthetic interest for the craftsmanship involved in the engraved text. Further, the tape has research potential owing to the unique information contained within this tape; that is, the code of the Western Australian Telegraph Company. This tape, may in turn be used to decode further messages sent by the Western Australian Telegraph Company. As the first telegraph message sent in Western Australia, this tape is rare. Despite a tumultuous journey from 1869 to the early 1980s, the tape's ceremonial wooden case provides provenance information which supports the tape's historic importance.Small wooden case (.1) holding a length of morse tape (.2) which was the first telegram ever sent in Western Australia . Wound onto a mother of pearl reel (.3). Accompanying signs and decoded message (.4,.5)..1 engraved on a metal shield shaped plaque on the lid: "WESTERN AUSTRALIAN / TELEGRAPHS / FPB" Inside: 'TRANSLATION OF REGISTER / TO THE CHAIRMAN OF FREMANTLE TOWN TRUST / His Excellency Colonel Bruce heartily congratulates the / inhabitants of Fremantle on this annihilation of distance / between the Port and the Capital, and he requests that this, / the first message, may be made publicly known. / GOVERNMENT HOUSE, / PERTH, June 21, 1869 / Transmitted 11 am / J.C.F."|.2: "Instrument Register / of the First / Telegraphic Message / in / Western Australia"|.3: "The first Telegraph Pole / in / WESTERN AUSTRALIA / was erected by / The Hon. Frederick P. Barlee / Colonial Secretary / on 19th Febr. 1869"telegram, commemorative item, morse inker, morse tape, morse code, code, postmaster-general's department

Letter to John Wilson from Colin Trumble accompanying an agreement between the Association and Mrs Parkins over the 'Last Line' competition and advising of taking additional precautions to ensure its success. 2 page typed letter in response to queryOn top left hand side: Malleson Stewart & Co Solicitors & Notaries Tom Compson Trumble Roy James Mc Arthur Herbert Fitzgerald Walsh Richard Francis Maplestone Clark Frank Stewart Dethridge Ross Morton Macdonald Maxwell Rupert Ham Peter Campbell Trumble Colin Campbell Trumble William Gerson Shmith Roy Ernest Ricker Bernard James Walter Sydney Bruce Powell Telephones 61 3431 (8 lines) 62 3594 (4 lines) 62 3111 (3 lines) Telegraphic & Cable Address: Mallesons, Melbourne On the top right hand side: 105 King Street Melbourne C.1. Victoriaassociation for the blind, fundraising, john wilson, emma parkins

After years of precursory surveying, debate and proposals the most ambitious civil engineering project of the day, the Overland Telegraph Line, began construction in September 1870. Superintendent of Telegraphs, Sir Charles Todd led the construction through “terra incognita,” guided by the precursory surveys of John McDowall Stuart and technologies such as his prismatic surveying compass. The unknown and hostile landscape claimed the lives of several men and scores of transport animals in the dogged pursuit of telegraphic connection to the rest of the world. Completed in August 1872, the Line connected Australia to the world via telegraph wires running 3,200 kilometres from Port Augusta in South Australia, to Darwin, then connecting via submarine cable to Java and beyond. The “earth [had been] girdled with a magic chain” according to the then Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Robinson. How does it work? For use in surveying, the sight vane and prism are turned up on their hinge and the instrument is held horizontally either in the palm of one's hand or on a tripod. Two small discs of red and green glass attached to the prism can be flipped down over the sight line to reduce glare. The objective is to bring the subject into the sightline created by the prism, aligning with the thread of the sight-vane until the subject is bisected evenly. Once aligned, the division on the card may be read through the prism. This reading provides the magnetic azimuth, used for calculating the bearings of distant landmarks. Circular instrument mounted in a brass case with glass window and brass lid. The compass card face four black compass points printed on mint green paper; on the underside the magnetic needle would be affixed, all held in place by a brass knob at the centre. The arched labels of "Sawtell" and "Adelaide" and the Prince of Wales feathers appear to have been affixed with adhesive which has since yellowed in the areas of application on the compass card. The compass face is printed with numbers, every 10 degrees from 10 - 360, printed in reverse indicating this compass would have once held a mirror at the sighting bracket. On one side of the brass case is a brass hinged sighting-prism, possibly of ebonite. The sighting-prism is mounted in a hinged brass bracket on one edge of the brass case. It has two flip-type filter glasses (red and green) and folds down into a retracted travelling position. A hinged brass bracket on the opposite edge would have held the sighting bracket - carrying the sighting vane and mirror - which is now missing or removed. Under the hinge is a lever, possibly related to the movement of the bracket. Underneath the brass case is an indented circle with screw threads, possibly for attachment to a tripod, and indistinguishable marks scratched into the surface.Etched on to the centre of the lid, "Sawtell ADELAIDE / No 792." Affixed to the paper compass face, possibly from separate pieces of paper, "SAWTELL / ADELAIDE" with the Prince of Wales Feathers above "SAWTELL". Underneath on remains of white tape in red: "159."surveying, compass, charles todd, overland telegraph line, telegraph

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 satchel was used by Junior Postal Workers in Bendigo to carry telegrams which were delivered by bicycle in the early years and is part of the postal collection donated by the Rankins family in memory of Ted. Small, dark coloured rectangle, leather satchel with attached belt and ornate buckle. Satchel is made of four pieces of leather: two side pieces, one piece which is folded to create the front, bottom, back and flap and one piece for the central strap. The central strap has a single hole through which a metal toggle is inserted to secure the flap closed. Stitching is evident around the side seams, around the metal toggle and inside flap where strap is attached and has been reinforced. Satchel has four metal tabs to secure the top front to the top sides and an internal pocket on inside. The leather belt is attached to the back outside of the satchel with four metal press studs. The left side buckle also has reinforced stitching. Both sides of the buckle have decorative elements with the words Post Office / Communications/ Australia on the left side around outer circular edge. Underside of right side of buckle end has the words AROS pressed into it. Inside flap of satchel; Australia / Post / Telegram / Boys written in marker. Buckle; Post Office / Communications / Australia. Underside of right side of buckle end; AROS Internal; Gold address sticker with Ted Rankins contact details.ted rankins collection, bendigo post office, bendigo tourism, city of greater bendigo tourism, post office collection