Historical information

Telephones were mounted on the wall and were operated by turning a small handle situated in the middle of the phone. This connected the speaker to the switch board where they were 'put through' to the other end (speaker).

Significance

Wall phones were used by State Electricity Commission of Victoria workers and their families on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The SECV had a switchboard located at Mt Beauty.
Also refer to article in "This Week" Newsletter 30th June 2023 and attached to KVHS 0050

Physical description

Black bakelite wall mounted telephone with handset connected by black spiral plastic cord. The round dial in the centre has a small handle with knob for turning. The base is silver steel with screws to attach it to the wall. The handset has a circular end with 4 small holes for the ear and the other end, the speaker end has 3 rings of small holes and a curved protective mouth piece to direct speech into the holes.

Inscriptions & markings

On white circle in centre of dial: "To call turn handle and lift hand set. / When finished replace handset and turn handle"
Handset embossed on inner side: 164 55