The Office opened as a Receiving Office on 14 January 1918 and was reclassified as a Post Office about 1924.

1. RO2-TO.

Used: 6 May 1982 to 21 April 1983.

Size: 28 × 44 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

2. RO2-TO.

Used: 13 August 1985 to 20 February 1987.

Size: 37 × 57½ mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRR.

13 August 1985 (earliest recorded date).

Bass.

The Post Office opened in June 1862 while the Telegraph connection was made in the mid 1890s.

The Great Southern Advocate of 6 January 1899 reported:

"At about 3 o'clock on Saturday morning, 31st December, the Post and Telegraph station was burnt to the ground. Miss West held the position of Post aud Telegraph Mistress. Every thing connected with the above government department was destroyed. Nothing was saved from the burning ruin and all furniture and other costly effects in the house that money can never replace. Dr. Healy and his wife were residing with Miss West and they have lost everything, including some valuable furniture, surgical instruments, drugs, papers, books and diploma. The doctor's gold watch and chain were also burnt. The inmates did not even save a vestige of their clothes. Miss West has lost a very valuable piano and buggy. Much sympathy is expressed for the sufferers by this sad loss at the close of 1898. The cause of the fire is wrapt in mystery. An inquiry will be held".

Black Rock.

The Black Rock Post Office opened in 23 April 1902 but was renamed Half Moon Bay Post Office on 10 April 1922. A second Black Rock Post Office was opened about 1924 near the corner of Bluff Road and Balcombe Road. It operated until it became a Licenced Post Office on 1 December 1997.

It is not known when the telegraph connection was made to Black Rock. It may have been at about the same time as the Post Office opened because the Sydney Morning Herald of 15 February 1902 reported The Government Astronomer in South Australia, Sir Charles Todd, yesterday reported that, at Black Rock, the telegraph operator had received news of earthquake shocks at George Town and several neighbouring stations. The shocks were apparently travelling from west to east".

Used: 3 September 1956.

Size: 25 mm × 27 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 2 (both same date).

3 September 1956.

Used on AW-DO-10 (54).

A Lighthouse had been built at the Cape in 1859 - and was the second lighthouse on the Victorian coastline.

On 8 January 1861, the Gazette annouced that a tender had been accepted from Wm. Bolger to construct a Telegraph Office at Cape Schanck for £636 4s.

On 1 February 1861, Frederick Bryan was appointed Manager of the new Telegraph Office at Cape Schanck. From 1st of August, 1861 Thomas Reed, was Gazetted as Manager of the Telegraph Office at Cape Schanck to replace the late Frederick Bryan.

The Telegraph Office opened in September 1861. The Ballarat Star of 6 September 1861 reported that "Mr Bechervaise informs us that the electric telegraph station, Cape Schanck, was opened to the public yesterday" - a good source of information for the Star!!

In the Legislative Assembly of 20 September 1861,:

"Mr H. S. CHAPMAN asked the hon the Postmaster-General whether he has any objection to establish a post office at the new telegraph station at Cape Schanck.

Dr MACADAM said it was not. The expense could not be afforded as there was no population. The telegraph station was only erected for purposes connected with the defences of the colony and by order of the Defence Commission".

The Leader of 1 March 1862 reported an unusual incident:

"A telegram was received on Monday, by the Chief Secretary, from the manager of the Electric Telegraph station at Cape Schank stating that, on Saturday evening, reports of cannon were distinctly heard off the Cape. It was at first feared that some vessel might have gone on shore or have been in distress; the weather being very thick and hazy at the time. On Tuesday, however, it was ascertained that the reports were occasioned by the ship Star King, who was signalling for a pilot, and by the Corsair pilot-boat, who answered her in a similar manner".

In March 1879, the Office was upgraded to a Post Office but still with telegraph functions.

Dromana.
(Sorrento line)

Telegraph Office opened in April 1875.

In early February 1877, "owing to the immense bush fires which are raging in the ranges between Dromana and Melbourne, the telegraph line has been interrupted and the Tasmanian telegrams, on Thursday night, had to be brought on from Dromana by the steamer Williams".

"By 31 July 1878, a major difference had divided the community into two distinct groups - those who wanted to move the Post and Telegraph Office to another place and those who wanted to remain where it was. The aguments had apparently became quite acrimonious. At that stage "The question of the removal or non-removal of the Post and Telegraph Office, Dromana, from its present site has been the absorbing topic for some time past. The proposals from the two deputations who had recently waited upon the Postmaster General were brought to a close on Saturday last by the Postmaster General. He intimated that, having considered the statements made by the members of the two deputations which waited on him in the matter, he was satisfied that he would best consult the convenience of the greater number of people transacting business at the office in question by not acceding to the prayer of the memorial of those who desire to have it removed to the township. Now that this cause of discord was removed, it was to be hoped that the inhabitants will become more united and turn their attention to matters affecting some substantial improvements for the general welfare of the district".

On 24 June 1905, advertisements were placed in newspapers and the Gazette for offers from persons willing to undertake the management of the Post and Telegraph Office, Dromana for a period of three years.

Dromana Post & Telegraph Office in March 1926.
The sign on the right confirms the two Offices.

Personnel:

June 1879: "Mrs. Palmer, who has been some time assistant Post and Telegraph mistress at Prahran has, we are glad to learn, received a well-merited promotion to the charge of the Dromana offices. Whilst at Prahran, her constant study was to accommodate the public in every possible way, by which she had gained the good wishes of the inhabitants of the town".

Drysdale.

The Post Office was renamed from Bellarine on 7 January 1862. A Telegraph Office was opened in conjunction with the Post Office in August 1882.

A Telegraph Office had also been opened at the Railway station in December 1879. One source suggests it closed 1916.

The Geelong Advertiser of 8 May 1873 reported an early development:

The Secretary called the attention of the (Bellarine Shire) Council to the necessity of having a Telegraph Office opened at Drysdale - the Government having promised to establish offices at Birregurra and Winchelsea while the Drysdale district had three shipping places and a larger population than the townships referred to. Cr. Levien said a distinct promise was made by a previous Government that a Telegraph Office would be established at Drysdale but, on waiting on Mr. Langton, he was informed that the present Ministry would only carry out such portions of the policy of their predecessors as suited themselves and his application to have telegraphic communication establish elicited a refusal. He considered that the establishment of a Telegraph Office would be a boon to the district and that, on the score of population and the important resources developed, the people had an undeniable claim on the authorities for the facilities suggested. The total cost of the line would only be between £200 and £300 and, for a small additional remuneration, he believed the present Postmaster would undertake the duties of Telegraph Operator.

The President and Cr. Curlewis considered that as the Government were about to be urged to grant a further subsidy towards the Drysdale jetty, it would be inadvisable in the meantime to ask for the establishment of a Telegraph Office.

After some discussion, it was moved by Cr. Levien and seconded by Cr. Trethowan "That in the opinion of the council, it was desirable that a Telegraph Office be erected at Drysdale forthwith". Cr. Henderson supported the motion which was opposed by Crs. Bourke, Curlewis, Devine and Sutterby and therefore lost. On the motion of Cr. Levien, it was subsequently agreed that the names of the councillors who had voted should be entered in the minutes".

Always great news when elections are coming. On 14 March 1874, Mr.Hopkins addressed a meeting of electors at Drysdale: "The candidate proceeded to give an account of his proceedings in Parliament. He said he was a conscientious protectionist ... He was not in favor of payment of members. He was in favor of assisted immigration, as well as the extension of railways, and thought it was highly desirable we should have a railway from Geelong to Queenscliffe via Drysdale ... In reply to the chairman, he would be in favour of a telegraph line to Drysdale and, if the Drysdale people could induce the Treasurer to occasionally visit their locality, they may succeed in obtaining a telegraph as well as Birregurra".

On 21 April 1874, the Geelong Advertiser reported that "It appears that the Government are willing at last to entertain the idea of extending the electric telegraph to Drysdale, an official having been sent down to report on the advisability of doing so".

On 20 December 1881, the Geelong Advertiser reported that "in deference to the prayer contained in a requisition, signed by inhabitants of the township of Drysdale and district, I hereby convene a public meeting, to be held at Drysdale on Wednesday, the 2lst December, in the Shire Hall, at 7.30 p.m., to consider on the best means of securing the establishment of a Telegraph Office in the township; its present position is, it is alleged, inconvenient and unsatisfactory".

On 11 January 1882, the Geelong Advertiser reported "a deputation urged that a Post and Telegraph Office should be established in the township of Drysdale. The telegraph line passes through Drysdale to Portarlington. It was urged that the district was a flourishing one and that a Telegraph Station was absolutely necessary and that it could be well combined with the Post Office. The Minister promised to favourably consider the request at an early date."

The Telegraph Office opened in May 1869 to serve as the Victorian end of the 2nd Tasmania-Victorian submarine cable. It did accept telegrams for transmission to Victorian or other Colonial addresses and these were described as "local collections only". By 1877, these transmissions amounted to about 5 per week.

Used: 8 January 1918 and
3 January 1921.

Size: 22 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

8 January 1918.

Used on VI-RO-3B.

The Telegraph Office opened in October 1880.

Life in Frankston was never meant to be dull or conventional. As an example of the best tourist promotion for Frankston before "Where the bloody hell are you?", the Avoca Mail of 10 February 1880 reported:

"The Happy Land Excursion took place on Friday, as announced, and after a pleasant trip the party reached Frankston where a stage was erected on the grass and the prohibited play way was performed, to the great amusement of the excursionists. At the luncheon on the steamer, Mr Gaunson proposed "the health of the Moribund Ministry" and the toast was drunk in silence - the band playing the Dead March in "Saul".
See the Advocate of 14 February for a more complete description of 'having fun in Frankston'.
The news spread far and wide - the South Australian Chronicle of 21 February 1880 recorded:
"The 'Happy Land' burlesque still survives in a lingering fashion. Mr. Berry's proscription of it was a thing so impolitic that his worst enemy might have moved him to it. It was not presented on the boards of the theatre, but it was either published or referred to in the columns of every newspaper in the country and so secured an amount of attention and public interest infinitely beyond what it would have excited on its merits. It has not only been in men's mouths ever since, but it has been actually made an out-door play of at Frankston, a watering place down the Bay".

No wonder the Telegraph Office had to open so soon after!!!

The Office was issued with a rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RRH1-TO).

Used in violet: 4 February 1987
(only recorded date).

Size: 38 × 50 mm.

Rated: RR.

Used in black: 12 May 1995 (only recorded date).

Highton is very close to Geelong West and Newton is between them.

The Telegraph Office opened

The Post Office had opened on 1 December 1864.

T. O. removed:

Used: 25 June 1945 to 1 February 1958.

Rated: R.

Mordialloc.
(Sorento Line)

The Telegraph Office opened in August 1876.

Mordialloc Post & Telegraph Office about 1930.

On 31 October 1872, the Melbourne Punch described Mordialloc as follows:

"Mordialloc, like Williamstown, is a fishing village. A few fishermen with nets catch a few schnapper and flatheads, but their net profits are not large, therefore the place is not financially a piscatorial success. The visitors supply the loaves and the fishes as well ...

(after leaving Cheltenham) the Mordialloc-bound bus-passenger begins at last to feel that he can breathe and move. More red dust, very bushy bush for a few miles and at last he reaches the destination.

If he goes on Sunday, and is hot, thirsty, dusty and tired, he will find a difficulty in getting the wherewithal to transmit the grit from his mouth into his viscera, unless he lights upon the lucky public, the fortunate owner of which has never to face the beak. He inspects the beauties of the place, cuts his boot with a broken bottle, bathes, eats his luncheon, if he brings any, or goes to the " meals at all hours" house and manages a meal, certainly clean, copious, comfortable and cheap. But if he wishes to command unlimited P. B.'s, countless beers, porters without number, and port and sherry at discretion, he can go down on Saturday, engage a bedroom at one of the "pubs," and his rectitude is even as ninepence.

All things have an end and so have visits to Mordialloc. The tourist returns as he came. He takes his seat in the "bus" and finds two ladies, three babies, and several bunches of flowers in previous occupation. As he goes along more matrons, more flowers and more babies get in and, by the time he arrives at the Bay Street station, he is impregnated with the flavor of the babies, the fragrance of the flowers or is crammed with the domestic history of the matrons. He knows all about SAM'S bout with the scarlet fever, little BILLY'S biliousness, TOMMY'S tootliecums, FRANK'S fractiousness and MABY'S measles. He hears a little about the peccadilloes of papas and the general failings of fathers. How SMITH neglects the children and grumbles at the boot bills, and the precise manner in which stingy SNOOKS wonders how the house cannot be "kep" on a pound a-week; where calico, only a little soiled, can be bought cheap, and the best place for the purchase of alarming sacrifices.

Again in the train, the traveller is brought into unpleasantly close contact with sticky children of over two years and bread-and-buttery ones under that age and what, with the sickliness of the flowers and the crammed carriages, he is devoutly thankful when Flinders Street is reached in safety.

With all the drawbacks, he determines to again essay Mordialloc for, in its pleasing solitude, he can cast off the cares of business and, for a brief moment, forget that there is such a thing as having to meet a bill or coax a creditor into giving a little more time". SO!Pray tell dear reader - if you know Mordiallac - have things changed for the better?

The Office was issued with two formats of rubber rectangular date stamps - one with TELEGRAPH OFFICE and the other with TELEGRAPH:

1. TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RRH1 - TO)
   with Office and postcode.

Used: 12 May 1983.

Size: 33 × 49 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Mornington (Snapper Point).
(Sorrento line)

The Telegraph Office opened in March 1861. The Gazette of 18 December 1860 had announced the tender of Wm. Bolger had been accepted for the construction of Telegraph Offices at Chiltern, Wahgunyah, Yackandandah and Snapper Point for £780.

On 1 February 1861, Andrew Poyntz was appointed Manager of the new Telegraph Office at Schnapper Point. On 1 October 1861, Philip King Tucker became the Manager of the Telegraph Office and Postmaster at Schnapper Point.

The Gazette announced on 2 June 1863 that a tender from William Bayne had been accepted to construct the Post and Telegraph Office at Schnapper Point for £825.

Mornington was originally named Schnapper Point but was renamed in 1864.

The Post Office had opened as Schnapper Point on 21 May 1856 and changed name to Mornington on 16 August 1864..

Newton.

Newton is very close to Geelong. It also contains Chilwell. It is not connected to Newton-Scarsdale near Ballarat.

As the telegraph lines to the Southern Coast were being constructed, a test box was established at Newton. Hence about the 1890s, a Telegraph Office was also opened at Newton.

Used: 31 July 1913 to
23 August 1937.

Diameter: 28 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Point Lonsdale.

Point Lonsdale was a most significant lighthouse and beacon for guidance of ships passing in or out of Port Phillip.

On 8 January 1861, the Gazette annouced that a tender had been accepted from Wm. Bolger to construct a Telegraph Office at Point Lonsdale for £636 4s.

In The Star of 14 September 1861, "Mr. Bechervaise informs us that the electric telegraph signal and look-out station at Point Lonsdale will be opened to the public during the ensuing week".

The Geelong Advertiser followed up that announcement with "On and after tomorrow the Electric Telegraph station at Point Lonsdale will be in charge of a lady, Miss Green. This is a novelty in this part of the world, but in Europe, the great majority of telegraphists are females. We are informed that several of the softer sex are now being taught in Melbourne the mysteries of telegraphing".

In 1862, two new rocky outcrops were discovered outside Point Nepean. The instructions to Masters of vessels, pilots and others navigating the entrance of Port Phillip as to the whereabous of these outcrops and how to avoid them were expressed in terms of taking note of the locations of Point Lonsdale - last part of this reference from the Gazette.

A new light on Point Lonsdale came into operation on 3 February 1863.

The Ballarat Star of 4 December 1867 tells a lovely story - extracts being:

"I met with an old salt today who is signal-master at Point Lonsdale, at which lively spot he settled down some five years ago. He claims to be the first Victorian to dip his colors to the Galatea and have the usual nautical bow in return ... It may interest some of your female readers to know that the oid man's niece is in the Civil Service with a salary of a hundred and something as Mistress of the Telegraph Office at Point Lonsdale. The old man dips his colors and trims his lamp and the niece clicks the telegraphic keys; the happy pair making a snug living and in a desperately quiet, though gravely responsible way".

A major wreck off Port Lonsdale of The Light of the Age on her voyage from Liverpool to Melbourne was telegraphed (by Miss Green?) on the morning of 16 January 1868.

A Telegraph Office was opened about 14 January 1882.

In the first year of operation, the Telegraph Office transmitted 683 messages.

The building (shown at the right) was constructed in 1888.

On 1 January 1882, The Herald reported "A deputation from the residents of Portarlington waited on the Postmaster-General today and asked that a telegraph office under the charge of an independent officer should be established there. At present the service is performed by the local Postmaster on the two-thirds system. Mr Bolton replied that if the local people granted a building at a nominial rent and guaranteed the department against any loss, he would comply with the request but not otherwise".

On 12 January 1882, The Argus reported:

"A deputation of residents in Portarlington waited upon the Postmaster-General yesterday morning with a request that the Government should rent a building and establish a Post and Telegraph Office at Portarlington, the present offices not being exclusively used for postal work.

Mr. Bolton declined to accede to the request, stating that he had consented to the construction of the line upon the distinct understanding that the office was conducted at the least possible expense. Unless the residents were prepared to give the Government a building at a nominal rent, and guarantee at least a portion of the loss that would inevitably result, he was not prepared to make any change in existing arrangements".

Sometimes actions speak louder that words - especially in a place where plans to mine coal were well advanced. At least telegraphic communication was opened at Portarlington in mid-January 1882.

But there is more: the Geelong Advertiser of 1 November 1882 reported that, in addition to the new jetty being almost complete, "Mr. Levien informs us that, if the inhabitants (of Portarlington) require a Post and Telegraph Office erected in the township, the Government is willing to erect the same. A public meeting of the inhabitants here is called for Friday next to take this and the Common question into consideration. Many of the residents here are in favor of leaving the Post and Telegraph offices where they are as every satisfaction is given and they are not confined to official hours. However, it is satisfactory to know that the business in both branches has increased to such an extent as to pay for the proposed erection if required by the residents. We want a morning mail badly and, if this can be got, all will be thankful. To wait till six o'clock every night for the 'Tiser is most vexatious".

As to the Government's offer for a new building, "several present wanted to know if the Government intended to bear the cost of the erection or if they were going to do - as at Drysdale — get some private person to erect and then lease the building. As the chairman was not sure on this point, the amendment was withdrawn, and the motion carried".

Construction began about 23 August. On 8 September 1888, the Geelong Advertiser noted:

"A special meeting of the Town and District Improvement Association was held last evening, when it was agreed that leave be had from the Public Works Department to lay the foundation stone of the Post and Telegraph Office in three or four weeks time. It was also resolved that the Secretary write to the associated banks, and to the President of the Shire, to proclaim a public holiday for the occasion.

An adjournment was then made till Monday, when matters of considerable importance will be brought forward".

The Geelong Advertiser reported on 29 September that the Foundation Stone was finally laid on 28 September 1888 by Mr. Levien before a crowd of about 1,500 people.Various newspapers, including the Queenscliff Sentinel, carried the following article on 22 September 1888:

Amongst the coming events must be named the laying of the new (Portarlington) Post and Telegraph Office. The school children are to be feted on the occasion. Subscriptions are coming freely to hand for the purpose. There will be also be a banquet, and it is consistently expected that the Hon J F. Levien, the Hon. Postmaster-General, and other members of Parliament will be present.

The Post and Telegraph Office has been a matter of controversy for several years. One portion of the community willing to accept of the first government proposals, the establishing of a staff office which means a private building rented by the Government. On the other hand, there were those who, seeing the rapid growth of Portarlington, and believing that in the near future it would outstrip many older towns, felt justified in opposing the establishing of a staff office. Although considerable delay has occurred, the contract for the new building has been let, and will no doubt when finished be an ornament to the town. The site chosen is admirably situated for all parties.

The new public building is to be of dark colored bricks, with white brick facing, the whole structure to rest on a concrete foundation. It will be a single-storey building, and whilst providing Post and Telegraph office, it will comprise a sitting room, two bedrooms, kitchen, etc. The new offices will have a frontage of 40ft to Newcombe Street by a depth of 47ft along the main road leading to the Jetty, commanding a foremost view of the seaway entrance to the township, and close to the Free Library and the weighbridge. It is expected that the new premises will be completed by the end of the present year. The contractors are Messrs Goss and McLure and the cost of the public offices will be about £1,500.

Portsea.
(Sorrento line)

The Telegraph Office opened in January 1877. By 1897, there was also a savings bank and a money-order office.

The Telegraph Office opened in October 1884 at the second location of Point Nepean. It was classified as a Post Office from about 1916 to 1 July 1922.

In 1849, Governor LaTrobe has authorised the establishment of a hospital camp or Quarantine Station at Red Bluff (now Point Ormond). In 1852, with the arrival of the S.S. Ticonderoga carrying 300 people infected with fever. Plans to establish the Point Nepean site were accelerated.

In the Legislative Assembly of 14 March 1860, Mr. Nicholson laid upon the table a return respecting the Quarantine Station at the Heads. He also noted that the expense of the station for the four years ending December 1859, had been £5,073. More than £1,000 of that amount had been recovered from owners of ships which had been placed in quarantine.

Before the construction of the telegraph line to the station, messages had to be taken by boat to Queenscliff and then relayed to Melbourne.

The establishment of the Telegraph Station at the Quarantine Station was precipitated by a small-pox infection suffered by a passenger - Miss Kermode - aboard the R.M.S. Rome in April 1884. The establishment appears to have been thought of and informally made within hours. For full details, see elsewhere.

For full details of the Quarantine station, see The Nepean Historical Society webpage.

The Telegraph Office opened (in temporary premises) in February 1874. By 1897, there was also a Post and Money Order office and a Savings Bank.

On 19 February 1874, the tender submitted by W. J. Parlett for £81 19s 9d was the lowest of the six submitted for the Post and Telegraph Office including furniture was accepted.

In early 1905, Mr James Allen who had been Telegraph Master at Sorrento was transferred to the Melbourne Telegraph Department. He was replaced by Mr. Rich.

Sorrento Post & Telegraph Office about 1930 (confirmed in the middle window).