The Office opened about 19 km WNW of Omeo as a Telegraph Office on 16 May 1940. It was closed on 30 June 1969.

The office was issued with the usual Post Office canceller with a large date date line:

Used: 26 November 1945 to 28 March 1953.

Diameter: 30 mm with 2 mm side arcs.

Rated: RRRR.

The date line was later changed to a small date line with nylon wheels:

Used: 6 December 1965 to 1 October 1968.

Rated: RRRR.

6 December 1965.

The only recorded non-archival example
and the first day of use for the SDL format.

The Telegraph Office opened in July 1869 after the Post Office had opened in February 1858 (on the east bank of the river in Lucknow) but soon relocated in April 1862.

On 23 April 1875, £1,200 was apportioned by the Postmaster-General for the building of a new Post and Telegraph Office at Bairnsdale. Tenders were called in August 1875.

By 1890, discussions and public meetings were well underway in relation to the building of a new Post and Telegraph building in a central position in Main Street.

The Post Office was (sadly) demolished in 1970.

Bairnsdale P&T Office (in the front on the corner) in its second location. The Court House (still in use) is at the far right.
(Museum Victoria 153814).

Both these buildings were the design of architect A.J.Mcdonald of the Public Works Department.

"The work of effecting the alterations and additions to the Post and Telegraph Office is being rapidly proceeded with by the contractors, Messrs. Fidler Bros. The foundations are now nearly complete, and present an appearance of great solidity and certainly seem calculated to support a much heavier weight than they are ever likely to bear. The tower will be supported by a foundation of solid masonry seven feet deep, whilst that of the remaining portion of the building will have a depth of five feet. The lower portions of the stone work consist of white free stone obtained from the neighborhood of Briagolong, while the upper or that portion above the ground consists of ordinary bluestone. This portion of the work is in the hands of Mr. G. A. Barry, who is carrying it out in an expeditious manner, and he expects to have it completed shortly".

1. a one hole Belt & Buckle date stamp.

Used in black: 12 April 1889 to
19 June 1894.

Size: 27.5 × 38 mm (e = 0.69).

Rated: RRR.

Used in blue on 20 October 1891 and in 1892.

Rated: RRRR.

2. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp RO3-P&TO
   (not recorded by WWW).

Used: 2 November 1938 and 8 December 1951.

Size: 25 × 44 mm (e = 0.82).

Rated: RRRR.

Number recorded: 2.

3. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RO1-P&TO)
   (not recorded by WWW).

Used: 17 March 1948 and 2 April 1948.

Size: 28 × 47 mm (0.80).

Rated: RRRR

Number recorded: 2
(the two examples shown here are the only ones recorded).
Provenance: Brian Sampson.

17 March 1948.

A Telegraph Office was also opened at the Railway Station about 1910. It was then reclassified as a Post Office about 1915 but reverted to a Telegraph Office about 1940. The Office was closed about 1966.

A circular date stamp (RC2-VR) with the letters V.R. at the base was issued to the office.

Used: 1 February 1955.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1 (only known example)

The Telegraph Office was opened in March 1873.

Used in violet: 23 August 1988 (only recorded date).

Size: 30.5 mm diameter.

Rated: RRRR.

Black Snake Creek.

Located about half way from a line joining Omeo and Bairnsdale.

A Telegraph Office was opened on 10 September 1936. It closed on 31 August 1961.
No Post Office is recorded.

The Telegraph Office probably opened on 8 July 1918 at the same time as the Receiving Office was upgraded to a Post Office. The Receiving Office had opened on 3 September 1917.

The name Brown Coal Mine was changed to Yallourn North on 1 August 1917.

The office was destroyed by fire on 14 May 1934.

Brown Coal is about 5 km NE Yallourn.

1. with T.O before name;

Used: 25 February 1922, 23 October 1923 and
1 November 1930.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 4.

2. with T.O. removed (after the fire).

Used: 21 June 1934 to 28 April 1947.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: R.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 29 May 1880.

Image and details by courtesy of Brian Sampson of Bairnsdale.

Bruthen Post & Telegraph Office about 1920.

Compared to the previous image, the door in the middle of the building has been closed in with a window and a porch
has been added at the right following the original roof line. This work was probably completed well before 1903.

Bruthen Post & Telegraph Office - recent photo taken in 1968.

"We once had a postmaster, we now have a postmistress. Why is this thus? If over there was a country office that demanded the attention of a man, surely Bruthen is that office. I have no word but of praise for the lady who attends to our post and telegraph office, for she is attentive and obliging. But is it fair, is it in accord with the fitness of things, is it in obedience to that chivalry and shielding from harm that we profess towards frail women, that up to 10 o'clock and after on cold and stormy nights, and at five o'clock on bleak and stormy mornings, a woman should be expected to receive and deliver mails?

I should like the official in charge of the P.O. appointments to send a lady friend of his own this way, and I'll answer for her speedy removal to a more congenial atmosphere than a Bruthen fog at 10:30 p.m. or a Bruthen frost at 5 a.m".

Used in black: 3 April 1893 (only recorded date).

Size: Not seen complete.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Buln Buln.

A Telegraph Office was opened in March 1877 at Brandy Creek - not too far from Whisky Creek.

The Warrugal Guardian of 4 October 1892 reported that:

"On and after Monday 10th inst., the Post, Telegraph, Money-order and Post-Office Savings Bank, formerly kept at Brandy Creek township, will be open for the general transaction of business, the same having been removed from Brandy Creek, where in future, or at least for a time, that township will be attended to by means of a loose-bag".

Mr. James Maginn, who has erected a commodious general store at Buln Buln, adjacent to the railway station, will, as in the past 17 years, act as Post and Telegraph Master, &c. The new position of those united offices is on all sides considered the most central and convenient to the inhabitants of the surrounding district. It is needless to state that Mr. James Maginn is one of the oldest inhabitants of Brandy Creek and Warragul district, and is therefore, much esteemed for his sterling good qualities. It is pleasing to note that the Buln Buln Post and Telegraph Office is now connected with the Warragul Office by wire and therefore with the outer world for the speedy transmission of messages".

Buln Buln.
24 October 1898.

Unframed date stamp
issued to the Post Office.

Bunyip.

The Telegraph Office was opened at Bunyip as part of the Railway Circuit in November 1877. Renamed from Bunyip R.S. on 14 September 1903.

Cann River.

The Telegraph Office at Cann River was the second most easterly office behind Mallacoota East. It was established

The Office was issued with a T. O. date stamp. As changes were made to the date stamp, five formats were created.

1. the date line was often unclear.

Used: 22 October 1913 to 20 January 1922.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated RRRRR.

2. the first wheel of the date line was inverted.

Used: 26 September 1922 to 21 November 1922.

Rated: RRRRR.

3. Date line corrected.

Used: 22 July 1924 to 10 April 1931.

Rated: RR.

10 April 1931.

4. T. O. partially removed.

Used: 21 August 1933 to 2 January 1935.

Rated: RRR.

5. T.O. completely removed.

Used: 28 October 1935 to
3 October 1938.

Rated: R.

Provenance: Gary Watson, Johnstone.

Cranbourne.
Situated on the Philip Island Extension from the main Gippsland line.

The Telegraph Office opened in February 1877.

An oval date stamp inscribed TELEGRAPH (RO2 - T) was issued for use at the Telegraph Office.

Date of use in violet: 21 September 1988 (only recorded date).

Size: 33 × 52 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RR.

Dandenong.

The Telegraph Office was opened in June 1871.

The Post Office was opened on 1 July 1848.

Used in black: 24 February 1893 to 23 December 1893.

Size: 27 × 38.5 (e = 0.71).

Rated: RRR.

A rubber oval POST OFFICE date stamp was used for telegraphic work.

Used on a telegram: 11 July 1958.

Size: 30 × 47 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated on a telegram: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Drouin South in February 1879 while the Post Office was opened on 1 September 1881. The establishment was closed on 31 August 1973.

1. The office at Drouin South was issued with a circular T.O. steel date stamp. This format was the first of five formats.

Used: 26 October 1915 to 20 January 1930.

Diameter: 28.5 mm with 4 mm and 3.5 mm side arcs.

Rated: RR.

2. The T. O. was removed and the date stamp used from 24 February 1934 to 20 June 1935.

Rated: RR.

3. The T.O. then became apparent from 24 March 1946 to 25 September 1952.

Rated: RR.

4. The T.O. was removed again and the date stamp used from 8 August 1955 to 20 August 1959.

Rated: RR.

5. The date was then changed to a short date line using the nylon wheels and the date stamp used from 11 September 1959 to 31 August 1973.

Rated: RR.

Foster.

Foster is 29 km south-east of Leongatha.

The Telegraph Office was opened in April 1873.

The Post Office was established when Stockyard Creek Post Office was renamed on 1 August 1879.

Foster P&TO 1910.

A 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp was issued to Foster.

Used in blue: 1 August 1890 to 1891.

Size: 29 × ? (not seen complete).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

12 May (no year).

Gabo Island.

Gabo Island is an island of about 154 hectacres about 500 m off the coast of Victoria. It is about 14 km east of Mallacoota and near the border with New South Wales. The Lighthouse was completed in 1862.

A Telegraph Office was opened about 1909. It was reclassified as a Post Office about 1915 but reclassified again back to a Telegraph Office about 1917.

The Office was closed on 30 June 1964.

A circular steel date stamp was issued to the Office.
Has 6 mm and 5 mm side arcs.

Used: 31 March 1953 to 30 June 1964.

Diameter: 30 mm

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2

Glen Wills.

The Post Office opened on 20 October 1890. The Office was reclassified as a Telegraph Office about 1936. The Office was closed on 31 August 1958 but the building was destroyed by fire in August 1959.

Glen Wills is about 29 km north west of Omeo.

No special date stamp for use with telegrams was issued to Glen Wills - the usual postal date stamp being used for telegram work.

The usual postal date stamp with VIC at the base (diameter 29 mm, 5 mm side arcs and rated RR) was used from October 1916 to 5 February 1937 which is slightly into the Telegraph Office period. A replacement date stamp with VIC AUST at the base was then used.

Used: 8 February 1947 to 22 July 1957.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Located about 8 km NNE of Traralgon. It was originally La Trobe Railway Station but renamed Glengarry on 1 December 1884.

A Telegraph Office was opened about 1909 and closed about 1911. A Telegraph Office was then opened at the Railway Station on 11 August 1911. It was reclassified as a Post Office about 1915 and closed about 1916.

Used: 29 October 1920 to 7 February 1929
(including 20 November 1920).

Diameter 27 mm.

Rated RR.

Number in the Census: 5.

Located NW of Omeo about 11 km before Harrietville.

Previous details show the office was opened only as a Telegraph Office from 1 September 1926 to about 1970. Given the first date stamp below, the office may have been opened as a Receiving Office - or the official date is incorrect.

No date stamp was issued expressly for telegrams but there are two formats for the postal date stamp used also on telegrams:

1. VIC. (with stop) at the base and with 5 mm side arcs:

Used: 23 May 1925 (in black).
Another example has been referenced (with no details) and claimed to be about 1930.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

23 May 1925.
Perforated OS.

2. VIC AUST at base and with 3 mm side arcs:

Used in violet: 12 July 1941.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

12 July 1941 - complete cover - see detail above.

The Post Office opened on 1 September 1884 near Arawata but, on 1 November 1889, the office was renamed Glentress and a new Office was opened on the same day in Korumburra. Prior to that, the town was known as Silkstone.

The Telegraph Office was opened between 1890 and 1893 on the corner of Bridge Street and Mine Road, Korumburra. A Telegraph Office was also opened at the Railway Station in 1910, changed status to Post Office in 1915, reverted to a Telegraph Office in 1940 and closed in December 1964.

Korumburra Post & Telegraph Office.

Lake Tyers opened as a Receiving Office in 1902 and was reclassified to a Post Office on 1 July 1927. It closed on 26 February 1971.

Lake Tyers is along the coast and north east of Lakes Entrance.

The Receiving Office was issued with a TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp.

Diameter: 27 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 5.

1. During the first years, the date was incomplete and only the year is visible.

Used in black: October 1915 to 1916.

Prestige July 2009 Lot 488.
Mossgreen July 2016 Lot 736.

2. Date now incorporates month but not day.

Used in black: December 1917.

3. Date complete in two lines, month first.

Used in black: ?? to 28 July 1926.

Lakes Entrance (Cunninghame).

The Telegraph Office was opened as Cunninghame in October 1879.

Now called Lakes Entrance after a name change in January 1915. The Post Office opened in February 1870.

An oval rubber datestamp for use with Telegrams was issued to Lakes Entrance but with no date line.

Lakes Entrance.
6 July 1922.

On 9d Kangaroo on Map on telegram piece.

Lakes Entrance Telegraph Section.
No date line.

Size: 31 × 51 mm (e = 0.79).

The Post Office opened as Koorooman on 1 October 1887 and was renamed Leongatha on 1 June 1891 when a township was established on the arrival of the railway on 14 December 1891.

The Telegraph Office opened before 1893. The telegraph line probably followed the railway line from Dandenong to Leongatha (maybe probably via Warragul and Mirboo) and then to Alberton (Railway Bill of 1884).

Telegraph Offices were also opened at

• the Leongatha Railway Station about 1910 - closed about 1918;
• the Leongatha South Railway Station (8 km south) on 1 May 1944 - closed on 22 March 1949.

In the Mornington Journal of 15 March 1899, it was reported that

"The Postal department have decided to apply the contract principle to the Leongatha Post and Telegraph office and, to show how the privilege is sought after, the Postmaster-General has received 29 tenders for the work. The system of placing Post and Telegraph offices under the management of persons outside the department, having given great satisfaction to the Postmaster-General, the system will be extended - hence the alteration in the postal arrangements at Leongatha".

Nothing else is known of this initiative.

The Leongatha Post and Telegraph Office is one of a small group of post offices, along with those in Terang (1903), Sorrento (1904), Korumburra (1904) and Woodend (1905), to be constructed for the Commonwealth by the Victorian government in the early years after Federation. These buildings were all designed and constructed by the Victorian Public Works Department under the supervision of its chief architect, J. H. Marsden - this despite the postal and telegraphic services being transferred to the Commonwealth from the states in 1901. After the early months of 1907, no further post offices were built in Victoria until 1909, when a concerted building campaign was commenced by the Commonwealth. Postal buildings were erected at at Canterbury, Hawthorn, Brunswick, and Beulah. Others followed in 1910, at Casterton, Birchip, Box Hill, Clifton Hill, Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Rupanyup, Violet Town and Willaura. More than a dozen additional premises were completed prior to the outbreak of World War I.

Today the Leongatha Post and Telegraph Office is one of the oldest still functioning post offices built for the Commonwealth after Federation in 1901.

Maffra.
On the Bairnsdale Branch.

The Telegraph Office was opened in July 1875.

Mallacoota East.

The eastern most Telegraph Station in Victoria.

Established on 1 March 1928 when the Post Office at Mallacoota changed name. In the following year, the Post Office at Mallacoota East was reclassified as a Telegraph Office and it operated until closed on 31 January 1940.

Marlo is on the Gippsland line to the east of Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) and SE of Orbost.

The office opened as a Receiving Office in 1902 and was upgraded to a Post Office on 1 July 1927.

A TEL. OFFICE date stamp was used at Marlo.

Used: 2 July 1909 to 15 September 1922
(during the Receiving Office period) .

Diameter: 25.0 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 16 February 1952 and closed on 19 November 1966.

The Office was located 16 km NNE or Orbost.

Martin's Creek Postal date stamp.
7 July 1965 - used during the Telegraph Office period.

Diameter: 31 mm.
Rated RRR.

The Telegraph Office was opened in January 1877 and another office at the Railway Station opening in July 1878.

Provenance: Freeman, Johnstone.

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1879.

The Morwell Post & Telegraph Office needed replacement by 1882 as reflected in the following printed in the 23 August 1882 Gippsland Times:

"The present premises used by the Postal Department for the Morwell Post and Telegraph Office are very inadequate for the amount of business transacted here. I believe the Government made a promise to have more suitable buildings built and, if such be the case, I think our representative in the House, Mr. Mason, ought to be requested to move in the matter and get the building erected before the summer sets in".

Nayook.

Situated in the Baw Baw region of Gippsland about 86 kms from Melbourne.

• A Receiving Office opened in 1902 and closed in August 1903.
• A Telegraph Office opened in 1949 and closed on 11 November 1950.
• A Post Office opened on 9 February 1953 and closed on 30 June 1976.

Used: 14 October 1949 - during the very short T.O. period.

Diameter: 30 mm.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Noble Park.

The Telegraph Office

Oakleigh.

The Telegraph Office was opened in September 1875.

A TELEGRAPH date stamp RC1 - T was issued to the office - probably in the 1980s.

Used in black: 11 April 1983.

Diameter: 38 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office in Omeo opened in November 1879.

Omeo Post & Telegraph Office about 1900.

Omeo in snow circa 1910.

1. Used in black: 22 October 1891 to 18 June 1894.

Size: 27 × 39 mm (e = 0.72).

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 8.

The following story was reported in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser of 1 January 1884 (p. 2):

"Arrest of a Postmaster.

E. McDonald, late Post and Telegraph master at Omeo, was arrested under warrant on Thursday by Senior-Constable Mullane, and lodged in the lock-up. On Friday moring, before Messrs Easton and Rodgera, J.P.'s, he was charged with having, about November last; feloniously stolen and taken away £64, the property of the Postmaster-General of Victoria. Detective Lomax, reports the " Argus," asked for and obtained a remand until Friday, but did not oppose bail, which was allowed, the prisoner in his own surety of £100 and two others of £75 each".

Orbost.

The Telegraph

Packenham.

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1877.

Port Albert.

The Telegraph Office was opened on 1 December 1864.

On 25 January 1866, the Gippsland Times reported that " Mr. McGowan, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, is expected to arrive at the beginning of next month for the purpose of opening the new telegraph office and buildings which, when fully completed, will add greatly to the appearance of the seaport".

Port Albert derives its present name from the husband of Queen Victoria. It was originally known, from 1841, as Seabank or Old Port which was changed to Alberton in 1842 and then to Port Albert in 1856. It was one of the first ports in Victoria and became the administrative centre of Gippsland. It was also the transport focus for goods transport between Melbourne and Tasmania. As such, there was a priority for Port Albert to have telegraphic communications.

Rosedale.

The Telegraph Office was opened in March 1867.

On 9 June 1866, the Gippsland Times reaffirmed the support of Rosedale's local community for the construction of the promised Telegraph Office especially considering "the instruments for Rosedale were reported to be ready (so) their speedy advent will be very welcome".

In a general summary of things in Rosedale in January 1867, the Gippsland Times concluded with "Crops are being still gathered in and look well. Bridge works progressing fast and the Telegraph Office still shut up".

On 5 February 1867: ROSEDALE TELEGRAPH OFFICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE GIPPSLAND TIMES.

SIR,—Seeing the above question opened up, I take the liberty of writing a few lines about the same. Having made a good many enquiries. I find that, in May last, the Superintendent of Telegraphs paid a visit to Rosedale and put up at the Rosedale Hotel. Having described to the host and to the Postmaster the kind of building required, the one made an offer to do it for ten pounds a year rent and the other for fifty pounds a year. As the building was to be finished in six weeks, the sanguine gentleman commenced at once and wrote to the Superintendent to that effect but received no answer. A plan was sent, and a notification to the effect, that fourteen-inch walls were being built in lieu of nine-inch as first proposed, but still no answer came.

A gentleman holding a high position in Sale visited Rosedale and suggested the building should be double the size as one room would be required for the chemicals and stores and one for the office which would leave only one room vacant for the Telegraph Master to eat, drink and sleep in. Consequently another storey was added and the Superintendent again written to with the information that the building was just double the size first mentioned but the Government could have it at the same price - viz. fifty pounds per annum (two rooms of the building are now let at the rate of forty-five pounds ten shillings a year). The answer. furnished in ten days in May, was dated 6th September and to use the same words is: "In reply, I have to inform you that it has been decided to accept the offer of Mr. Cansick to provide the accommodation required, his terms being the most reasonable."

A building that cost over three hundred pounds for ten pounds a year rent may be considered reasonable by Mr. McGowan but a business man would say it was unreasonably low. For a man to go into such paying "specs" as that it would require something richer than Tubals, if that alone was the object But it seems the fifty pound man must not connect his building with a public-house but the ten pound a year man may erect his (most reasonable) building between his hotel stables. Of course this was objected to and two or more petitions sent in stating the injustice of connecting public offices with public houses. However, the answer to one petition was that Mr. McGowan says it is in no way connected with a public house, and allows the offices to be taken possession of and "the lease to be signed," according to "Traveller's" letter; and after it is too late to make any alteration, that gentleman will come and inspect the offices, so we may expect to see him in Gippsland no doubt by the Cup day".

The Gippsland Times of 12 December 1868 noted "A report is current that it is contemplated at an early date to close the Telegraph Office at Rosedale, the cause assigned being that the office is not sufficiently remunerative and the necessity that exists for economising in the various departments of the civil service. Public convenience in Post and Telegraphic matters has generally been held paramount to any money consideration even where the loss in working has been somewhat large. The whole expense of the Rosedale office cannot be a very great deal more than would be paid to any country postmaster otherwise engaged in business at a place where there were a large number of cross mails to be attended to and made up. We would hope that the rumour may be incorrect but, should it be otherwise, it is a fine example of that system of government which drains all the resources of Gippsland to the advantage of other sections of the Victorian community and, by an uncalled for economy in a matter pertaining to the public good, causes a retrogression in the welfare of a township which it may take years to get over. The Rosedale people are not likely, however, to remain inert or Mr F. L. Smyth untroubled should this report prove true".

McGowan's Annual Report for the year ending December 1868 showed that Revenue in 1867 had been £111 3s 3d and for 1868 £88 10s 5d a decrease of about 20%.

Certainly things improved - by 1880, the Rosedale Office transmitted 2,049 messages with an increase in revenue to £84 4s 2d.

No Belt & Buckle date stamp nor a Telegraph Office-type date stamp was issued to the Rosedale Telegraph Office.

The first line to Sale was completed before any consideration had been given to the construction of a Telegraph Office. The Gippsland Times of 2 September 1864 reported that "For the remainder of this year (1864) we believe that the business of the Telegraph and Post Offices will be conducted in the new building just finished and intended for offices of various branches of the Government service, as there was no money placed on the estimates of last year for the purpose of erecting a Telegraph or Post Office. That omission, however, will be rectified at the first meeting of Parliament for fiscal business, and the building proceed with immediately after". So easy to forget the small details!!!!

The Telegraph Office at Sale opened on 22 September 1864.

In 1864, Mr. Collier was the Postmaster and Manager if the Sale Telegraph Office.

The Office was issued with a 1 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp. The existence of this Belt & Buckle date stamp was only established in 2017.

Use: 2 December 1887.

Size: 27 × 38 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Shady Creek.

The Telegraph Office opened in January 1871.

On the opening, Mr S. Hodder was appointed postmaster and line repairer.

During the first year of operation, 442 messages were transmitted with revenue of £24 12s 10d - reflecting why the Government sought guarantees for the smaller offices.

Springvale.

The Office was renamed from Springvale Railway Station Post Office on 20 October 1902. That Office had in turn been established on 1 February 1887.

A Telegraph Office had also been established at the Railway Station about 1910 but it was closed as a separate office in February 1916.

An oval Telegraph Section (RO-TS2) was issued to the office.

Used: 16 February 1976.

Size: 31 × 49 mm (e = 0.77).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Although the words are indistinct, the inscription SECTION not OFFICE has been used because of the later inscription below and because the word following TELEGRAPH appears to be longer than 6 letters.

No reference to this date stamp can be found elsewhere.

16 February 1976.
Used on AA-DO-13D.

Format: RC1-TS.
Diameter: 38mm.

The Postal Section of the Office had a similar date stamp (43 mm in diameter) with the top inscription being POST OFFICE.

Stockyard Creek.

The Telegraph Office opened on Friday 25 April 1873.

Stratford.
On the Bairnsdale Branch.

On 13 February 1873, the Gippsland Times reported that "The building for the Post and Telegraph Offices in course of erection at Stratford is now nearly completed and adds an improved appearance to the part of the town in which it is situated. It is expected that the offices will be fit for use in about six weeks time. When in full working order, the telegraph will prove a great boon to the residents of Stratford and its neighbourhood".

The Telegraph Office was opened in May 1873.

Tabberabbera.

Details unknown. It is about 1.5 hours NW from Bairnsdale.

Use: 31 August 1966.

Size: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Tarraville.

The Telegraph Office was opened in June 1877.

The Ridge.

Located south-west of Bairnsdale.

A Telegraph Office opened at The Ridge in April 1923 when the Post Office, which had been opened on 7 November 1919, was changed in status.

The Office closed on 31 May 1958.

Detail of the date stamp on the cover at the right during the T.O. period.

Used: 2 July 1951 (same date on covers).

Size: 29 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Tonghi Creek.

The Post Office opened on 1 July 1927 and was reclassified to a Telegraph Office on 8 July 1945.

The Office was issued with a T.O. date stamp:

1. T.O. Tonghi Creek.

Used in black: May 1913 to 28 August 1935.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RR.

2. T.O. Tonghi Creek.

Used in violet: 31 July 1934 to 3 January 1935.

Rated: RR.

3. T.O. removed.

Used in black: 30 July 1936 to 6 January 1968.

Rated: RR.

4. T.O. removed.

Used in violet: 6 January 1968.

Rated: RRRR.

 

Tongio.

Soth-east of Omeo.

Trafalgar.

Little is known of this telegraph Office except it was opened in October 1883 (reported in the Kilmore Free Press (p. 2) of 18 October 1883).

A Post Office had been opened on 2 June 1879. It operated until 1 June 1994 when it became a Licensed Post Office.

Main Street in Trafalgar in 1934.

John Hanley (of Trafalgar) has kindly provided copies of Australia Post records showing the Trafalgar office transmitted telegrams from 1883 to 1891.

In the records, there are also two telegrams sent from Trafalgar to Melbourne on 9 June 1910 and on 26 June 1924.

Trafalgar Railway Station.

A Telegraph Office was opened at the Railway station about 1910. It was closed about 1916.

The Telegraph Office was opened at Traralgon in May 1875 - it is not known where.

On 27 July 1882, "a deputation of Traralgon residents met the Postmaster-General and requested that a post and telegraph office should be erected at Traralgon. Mr. Bolton replied that as this year's estimates had now been placed before Parliament he could not accede to the request, so far as regards this year, but he would consider it favourably, and, if possible, place a vote for the post and telegraph office on next year's estimates." The Argus.

A subsequent deputation in April 1884 met with Mr. Berry, in his capacity of Postmaster-General

"and again urged the claims of Traralgon for a Post and Telegraph office. Mr. Berry recognised the claims, and gave a definite promise that a building, to cost from £1200 to £1500, would be erected".

In April 1885:

From Mr. F. C. Mason, MLA, forwarding a communication received by him from the Post Office and Telegraph Department, in reference to the erection of a post and telegraph office and court-house at Traralgon, stating that steps had been taken to have a post and telegraph office only erected with the least possible delay, at a cost of £1500.

On 18 November 1885:

The Public Works Department invites tenders for the erection of public offices at Traralgon, including post and telegraph office, a court house and a receipt and pay office.

The Traralgon Record of 6 November 1891 noted that

"the Public Works department had advised that the drawings and specifications were being prepared for the clock for the tower of the post and telegraph office, Traralgon, and it was anticipated tenders will be invited in two or three weeks".

For a report on a Telegraphic Money Order fraud see elsewhere.

Detail of the date stamp
on the wrapper at the right.

Originally caller Stringer's Creek.

The Telegraph Office opened in November 1870.

Warragul.

The Telegraph Office opened in June 1881.

1. Used in black: 26 July 1889 to
   28 February 1893.

Size: 28 × 39 mm (e = 0.70).

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 6.

A circular TELEGRAPH V.R. date stamp (RC2-T VR) was issued to the Office:

Used: 1 February 1955.

Diameter: 35 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Waterloo.

A Post Office was opened at Waterloo on 1 November 1860. On 20 December 1883 it was renamed Yarragon.

A Telegraph Office opened at Waterloo in January 1880 or (according to a different source) opened 8 December 1965. It closed on 25 February 1969.

622 telegs sent in 1881. 792 in 1882. 343 sent and 323 rec in 1887. 461 sent in 1889. 524 sent in 1890.

no telegs in 1884.

The Telegraph Station was opened on 3 April 1873. It was provisionally closed on 31 December 1951 and permanently closed on 30 April 1952.

Used: 10 December 1930 to 23 April 1934.

Diameter: 29 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Yarragon.

It appears that the Telegraph Office may have opened in 1879. The Annual Reports do not however indicate that year but infer the opening was in 1883. For example, there are no telegrams reported as being transmitted for 1880-82 but 603 were transmitted in 1884, 1682 in 1887, 1658 in 1889 and 1808 in 1890.

John Hanley of Trafalgar has copies of Australia Post records showing telegraph usage from 1879 (624) to 1891 (1152). Further research is needed.

There is also a belief that Yarragon Telegraph Office opened on the transfer of the Waterloo office. Both were clearly operating until at least 1890.

A Telegram Office at the Yarragon Railway Station may have opened in 1889 - 30 telegrams were transmitted in 1889 with 72 transmitted in 1890.

Yarragon South.

Located along the northern side of Strzlecki Ranges and is about 5-6 km south of Yarragon. There is also an understanding that Waterloo became Yarragon South not Yarragon but the date of such a transfer is not suggested anywhere.

The Telegraph Office is reported as being opened on 22 December 1953 and closed on 18 April 1966.

John Hanley (who has intimate knowledge of the situation) suggests that the Yarragon South Office operated as a telephone exchange but was never a Telegraph Office.

Certainly in 1889, the office was still handling Postal and Money Order articles.

The date stamp has T.O. in the upper inscription.

Use: 29 June 1953.

Diameter: 31 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office was opened in July 1882.

1. Used in black: 18 February 1890 to 31 July 1891;

Size: 27 × 40 mm (e = 0.74).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

2. Used in blue: 9 July 1890 to 28 April 1891.

Size: 27 × 40 mm (e = 0.74).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 4 (plus two part strikes with unclear dates).