TELEPHONIST HEADSET WITH EXCHANGE PLUG ON LEAD, BLACK EARPIECES AND MICROPHONE, PLASTIC COVERED WIRE HEADPIECE. UNBRANDEDtelephone communications, telephone head set, manual switchboard accessory

Radio Telephone was minuted during the war. it was approved in 1944 for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria's use only. it was completed by the end of 1946. used by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria at Bogong during the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme to connect with head office in Melbourne. It allows one conversation at a time using traffic controls in an unusual system of radio telephone providing communication. At the time it was unique in Australia and installed by the S.E.C.V. technicians. It provided unattended shortwave radio link between two ordinary telephone switchboards, connecting any of the S.E.C.V.'s internal lines with the telephone system at Bogong and the construction camps beyond. From Bogong, radio phones connected to the outpost stations on the High Plains far above the snow-line. In operation, the service was similar to a normal telephone system but dispensed with the physical connection of wires and poles between the main terminals.Historical: This headphone set superseded headphones with two earpieces and those without a microphone. This one may have been used by operators on the switchboard at Bogong or Mt Beauty or one of the construction camps on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The S.E.C.V. installed this unique system of communication to operate their branches especially at Bogong and beyond where the distance was great and often limited by the terrain and weather.Radio Telephone for SECV switchboard. Black plastic earpiece with microphone. Ear side circular with inscription on outer side then formed into elongated shape narrowing to the curved speaker piece at the narrow end. On top of the narrow end a long rubber cord is attached to a thick brass pin. On top of the wider end a thin stiff wire is attached to curve around the head to a blank rubber earpiece. This head piece has a piece of rectangular rubber attached at the top for comfort.'4408A IW61 / 1'radio telephone, ear phones, head phones. head set. communications, state electricity commission of victoria. kiewa hydro electric scheme. bogong. switchboards

Set of six Black and White photographs of the MMTB Radio Centre (used in 1957 Annual Report?) .1 - Photo of the equipment and two people working in the room with multiple telephones, a map and a large book to record events possibly. .2 - as above but a close up of the main desk. .3 - ditto .4 - ditto but with another person at the desk .5 - Photo of one of the mobile cars - a Ford Zephyr - Mark II Saloon which was produced in Australia between 1956 and 1962   See - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Zephyr accessed 1/3/2021. .6 - internal view of the car with an Inspector on the radio handset and shows other equipment provided. MMTB Photostrams, tramways, radio centre, inspectors, mmtb, head office