The Telegraph Office at Niddrie was opened in ??

A rubber oval TELEGRAPH SECTION date stamp was used in violet.

Size: 32½ × 51½ mm (e = 0.78).

Used: 19 February 1982.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

North Essendon.

The Telegraph Office at North Essendon was opened ??

A rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH date stamp was used in black.

Size: 32 × 40 mm.

Used: 9 March 1989.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office was opened at North Melbourne ...

1. a 2 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp:

Used in black: 3 January 1888 to 1892.

Size: 28 × 40 mm (e = 0.71).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

Used in blue: 26 November 1888.

Size: 28 × 40 mm (e = 0.71)

Rated: RRRR.

2. A rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO3 - TO).

Used in violet: 21 December 1940 to 30 December 1940.

Size: 28 × 48 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRR.

3. A rubber oval Telegraph Office date stamp (RO2 - TO).

Used in violet: 8 December 1975 to 3 February 1982.

Size: 30 × 47 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

100th birthday wishes from Queen Elizabeth to Miss E. Berry at Parkville
showing the use of one of the three known strikes of the North Melbourne RO2-TO oval date stamp.

See also Malcolm Fraser for a complement to this telegram from the Queen..

Pascoe Vale South.

Used in violet: 8 June 1976.

Size: 34 × 51 mm (e = 0.75).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Point Cook.

Point Cook was the area used from 1912 as the base for the Australian Flying Corps. After Worl War 1 and the renaming of the AFC, Point Cook was renamed as the Royal Australian Air Force Base Point Cook. It remained Australia's only RAAF base until Richmond was established in 1925 and RAAF Laverton.

A Post Office was established in 1926 at Point Cook but was renamed Point Cook RAAF Post Office in 1940. It closed in 1993 but reopned because of all the development in the area in 2005.

The Werribee Shire Banner of 15 July 1926 reported that "approval has been given for an allowance Post Office, at which money order facilities will be provided, to be opened at the Flying School, Point Cook, on August 2, 1926. It is understood that the Commonwealth Savings Bank authorities will establish a complete savings bank agency as from the same date. The question of the erection of a trunk line for the transaction of telephone and telegraph business is at present under consideration".

In a general notice issued by the Postmaster-General's department in Victoria, one of several decisions which were included was that "telegraph facilities have been provided at Point Cook" (The Argus 13 December 1928).

Telegraph poles and flying do not always mix. The Richmond River Express of 28 May 1928 reported:
"The D.H.9 Air Force machine from Point Cook crashed while competing in the aerial derby on Saturday. The plane, which was piloted by Flight Lieut. Wells, made a forced landing about two miles from the aerodrome and, when near the ground, collided with a telegraph pole. Both wings were ripped off. The pilot was thrown out of the wrecked machine and taken to hospital sufferlng from severe head injuries. A later message states that Flight Lieut. Wells is making satisfactory progress and was reported this morning to be out of danger".

No date stamp was issued to Point Cook for use with Telegraphs. Instead the basic steel circular (SC1) postal date stamp was used with telegrams.

Used (on a telegram): 20 October 1942.

Diameter: 28 mm.

Rated (used on a telegram): RR.

Number in the Census: 1.

In October 1871, the Prahran Town Council discussed the need for a Post Office, Telegraph Office and Money Order Office at that place. It was pointed out that "With the wires running through a portion of the borough, it seems anomalous that we are not already provided with the means of wiring our wants and wishes in cases of emergency. The electric .telegraph is gradually suspending the postal system, and before many years have passed over our heads it will have become the recognised medium for the transmission of most business, communications. Already they have the telegraph in St. Kilda, and Prahran ought not to have to wait long for the boon".

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1872 after telegraphic communication had been established on 1 August.

The Town Council of Prahran funded the construction of the Post Office, the Telegraph Office, the Police Station and other public buildings itself.

Early forms.

Thetwo earliest signs of the operation of the Telegraph Office at Prahran are:

1. a telegram delivery form (VC-DO-6) sent from Prahran to Richmond on 11 December 1872;
2. a telegram delivery form used at Richmond for a message from Prahran on 12 September 1877.
   

VC-DO-8B: Used for a message from Prahran to Richmond on 12 September 1977.

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".

Used in black: 24 June 1889 to 13 February 1894.

Size: 27 × 38 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RRR.

Nimber in the Census: 8.

Used: 30 September 1881 to
13 Februry 1894.

Size: 27 × 38 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RR.

25 April 1892.

2. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RO3-TO) date stamp.

Used in violet: 23 August 1940 and
19 and 21 November 1945.

Size: 28 × 47 mm (e = 0.80).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

4. a rubber oval
   TELEGRAPH SECTION (RO2-TS) date stamp.

Used in violet: 4 November 1966.

Size: 32 × 50 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

A Receiving Office was opened about 1921. A Post (& Telegraph?) Office was opened on 11 October 1926.

A Telegraph Office was opened at the Railway Station about 1910 when the Preston Reservoir Railway Station was renamed. That Office was closed on 24 August 1924. It may therefore have been merged with the Post Office.

The Age of 27 October 1871 noted "Strange to say, there is no Telegraph Office in Richmond for the convenience of the inhabitants, although the wires have been extended to within 390 yards of what is to be the Telegraph Station of the future. Three posts and a little wire are all that is required to connect the General and Richmond Post Offices and it is surely not unreasonable for the inhabitants to ask for the opening of communication by telegraph".

In McGowan's Report for 1869, it is foreshadowed that "Accommodation will shortly be provided in the new Town Hall, Richmond, for a Post and Telegraph Office for that suburb".

The Telegraph Office was opened in January 1872.

Bridge Road, Richmond showing the decorative telegraph poles.
Scan from a postcard used in 1908.

The earliest telegraphic message sent to Richmond wasn't telegraphed to Richmond at all!!!! The story behind this non sequitur is explained elsewhere.

The earliest (actual) sign of the operation of the Telegraph Office at Richmond is a telegram delivery form (VC-DO-6) used for a message sent from Prahran to Richmond on 11 December 1872 - say 11 months after opening.

Richmond was issued with three formats of date stamps for use with telegraphic matters:

1. a 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp:

Used in black: 21 June 1880 to
10 May 1894.

Size: 27 × 38 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: R.

Number in the Census: 15+

21 June 1880.
Used on VC-DO-9.

Earliest recorded date for a black B&B at Richmond.
The 3rd earliest recorded use of a Belt & Buckle date stamp
(behind Clunes on 1 April 1880 and Collingwood 11 June 1880).

Used in blue; 11 April 1883 to 16 September 1886

Size: 27 × 38 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

18 March 1890
(year confirmed elsewhere on the delivery form).

Used on VC-DO-11C.

2. a rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH date stamp (RRH1-T) with:

Used in purple: 12 January 1970.

Size: 28 × 43 mm.

Rated: RRR.

3. a rubber circular TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RC2-TO) date stamp:

Used: 6 July 1971.

Size: 32 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.
(no other example recorded by specialists).

The Telegraph Office was opened in April 1876. There was certainly some opposition to this office - in the Legislative Assembly on 8 March 1876, it was stated that

"there was no objection to the establishment of a post office savings bank in Swan Street, South Richmond, but that it was thought the establishment of a telegraph office there would not benefit the district".

Used in black: 10 June 1891 to
20 December 1892.

Size: 28 × 39 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RRR

Number in the Census: 3.

10 June 1891.
Cover from Richmond South to Melbourne.
Chris Rainey March 2014.

St. Albans.

The Telegraph Office was opened

An oval rubber TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO2-TO) was issued to the Office.

Used: 15 April 1983 (only recorded date).

Size: 31 × 50 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated: RR.

The three mile extension of the line of telegraph from Melbourne to St. Kilda was constructed towards the end of 1870. The Telegraph Office was opened in February 1871.

In February 1875, tenders were called for the construction of a new Post & Telegraph Office.

The earliest evidence of the telegraph reaching out to St. Kilda is an (undated) delivery envelope. It has a printed blue ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH/OFFICE seal with Melbourne across the centre. Hence the telegram was sent from the Melbourne Office maybe 6-10 years before the telegraph line was connected to St Kilda.

Delivery envelope (VC-DE-2B) used to deliver a telgram to Mrs Evans - probably in the first half of the 1860s.

Date stamps:

St Kilda was issued with a 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp and five formats of rubber oval date stamps.

The 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp. which was used in black.

Used in black: 17 February 1891 and
17 September 1894.

Size:

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 7.

Provenance: Elsmore.

Provenance: Freeman.

Prestige Philately Sale 173 (May 2012) Lot 730.
Millennium Auctions Sale 57 (December 2013) Lot 365.

Oval date stamps.

St. Kilda was issued with five formats of rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamps: a pause of 35 years or so after using its Belt & Buckle date stamp.

1. RO3-TO in violet.
   Has 4 mm side decorations of a vertical line from a horizontal in opposite directions on either side.

Used: 14 July 1937 to
5 September 1944.

Size: 28 × 47 mm (e = 0.82).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

14 July 1937.
Used on AB-DO-8 of 10/1935 - 5177.

30 August 1944.
Used on AW-DO-10 (1943).

5 November 1945 (ERD).
Used on delivery form AW-DO- 10B (43).

26 August 1965.

Used on a delivery form AA-DO-13D with
an OVERSEAS TELEGRAM label.

5. RO6-TO in violet.
   No side arcs but has postcode.

Size: 32 × 52 mm (e = 0.79).

Used: 13 May 1982 to 22 January 1987.

Rated: RR.

13 May 1982 (earliest recorded date).

St. Kilda West.

The Telegraph Office was opened in December 1878.

South Melbourne (previously Emerald Hill).

The Telegraph Office opened about 8 February 1872. The Argus reported on that day:

"The electric telegraph has been extended to Emerald Hill and the new post and telegraph office in Clarendon Street, near Dorcas Street, is now open and available to the public. This extension will supply a want that has been long felt in one of the busiest suburbs".

The name was changed to South Melbourne on 21 November 1883.

1. A one hole Belt and Buckle date stamp.

Used in black: 17 December 1886 to 2 February 1894.

Size: 26.5 × 37.5 mm (e = 0.71).

Rated: RR.

Belt & Buckle date stamp was applied to the flap on the reverse side - probably as an arrival backstamp on a cover from England.

Provenance: Hugh Freeman, Johnstone.

Provenance: Hugh Freeman, Johnstone.

2. a rectangular rubber TELEGRAPH SECTION date stamp (RRH1-TS):

Used in violet: 28 December 1983 (only recorded date).

Size: 28 × 49 mm.

Rated: RR.

South Yarra.

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1872 after telegraphic communication had been established on 1 August.

South Yarra was issued with three types of date stamp for use with telegraphs:

1. a 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp used in black.

Used: 2 March 1889 and 26 July 1893.

Size: 28 × 39 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RRR.

Telegraphic Message delivery envelope with the Belt & Buckle date stamp shown above.

The date stamp is also known with three strikes on a cover to England 26 July 1893 (see Millennium December 2008 Sale 42, Lot 132).

2. a rubber oval Post & Telegraph Section (RO6-P&TS).

Used: December 1937.

Size:

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

3. a rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH date stamp (RRH1 - T).

Used in red: 9 June 1967.

Size: 30 × 38 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

4. a rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH date stamp (RRH-T) in violet.

Used: 23 September 1974.

Size: 28 × 44 mm

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 2.

5. a rubber circular TELEGRAPH date stamp RC-T in violet.

Used: 18 May 1984 and 27 September 1985.

Size: 29 mm diameter.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Sunbury.

Sunbury is about 38 kms north-west of Melbourne CBD. It is situated on or close to the old (first) line to Gisborne.

A Post Office opened at Sunbury on 13 January 1858. A Telegraph Office opened at the Railway Station in February 1867.

Size: 37 × 57 mm (e = 0.76).

Used: 2 December 1983.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office

A rubber rectangular POST OFFICE TELEGRAPH date stamp (RRH1-T) was used at Sunshine - in two sizes.

Used: 15 April 1983 and 1 July 1985.

Size: 28 × 38 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Size: 25 × 36 mm.

Used: 31 July 1985
(only recorded date).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Surrey Hills.

The

Used: 13 November 1969.

Size: 27 × 45 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number if the Census: 1.
(No other example recorded by specialists).

The Telegraph Office

1. RO2-TO.
   No telephone number under the date.

Used in purple: 19 January 1983 (only recorded date).

Size: 33 × 54 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

2. RO2-TO.
   Has a telephone number under the date.

Used in black: 13 February 1986.

Size: 33 × 53 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Windsor.

The Telegraph

A 2 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp was issued to the office at Windsor.

Used in black: 26 February 1892 to 3 May 1893.

Size: has not been seen complete.

Rated: RRRR.