A repository of telecommunications material from the 1880s to the 1990s, the museum’s exhibits are maintained in working order by volunteers who worked in the Postmaster-General’s Department (PMG), Telecom Australia, Telstra and the Overseas Telecommunications Commission/Corporation (OTC).
The museum, now part of Heritage Telecommunications Ltd (HTL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telstra, hosted volunteers at an event earlier this month to present them with certificates of service.
Several weren’t able to attend, among them Peter Gill, 96, has just completed 35 years with the museum, where he has been involved with archiving historical documents linking Australia to other continents.
Others included: 30 years – Les Edwards, Maryann Paterson; 25 years – Trevor Cummins; 20 years – Peter Hack, Clem Lehrke, Ralph McIlwraith, Brian Mullins; 15 years – Bob King, Bob Phillips; 10 years – Trevor Anderson, Andrew Dower, Garry Murdoch; five years – Lindsay Amor, Geoff Gallaty, David Gordon, Sandra Hinchey, Graham Hoskin, Allan Mayo, Colin McDiarmid and John Mortimer.
Geoff said the passionate group felt lucky they could still be involved in the industry in a volunteer capacity.
“The museum is an amazing place to visit for any communications enthusiast and we run school or group tours for a gold coin donation,” he said.
Showcasing communications from 1854 to Telstra’s ‘Next G’ Network, the displays include Morse Code demonstrations, working switchboards, public phones, teleprinters, telex working units, working exchanges, post office memorabilia, cable and aerial line sections, and film and video theatrettes plus more.
Tour bookings: 9790 7624 or visit the museum at 12 Kitchener Parade on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am-2.30pm.
