Display: Telecommunications
The Telecom/PMG Room located on the upper (ground level) of the main building has been outfitted with a cross section of equipment used for telephone and telegraph communication during the past 100 years. Tele/communication was something that everyone in the community had in common with a progression from telegrams and magneto telephones to telex machines and automatic dial telephones. In recent times, the advancement in technology through optical fibre and satellite transmission, computers and mobile phones has been truly amazing.
Less than 30 years has elapsed since the last party line telephone was removed from service in the local area. Come along and see how a call was once connected by the local operator who has also become redundant. Check out the changes to handsets and take a look at one of the first mobile phones.
The telecommunications collection of equipment is steadily growing but extensive work is required to prepare the bulk of the items to public display. The Nambour Museum acknowledges the significant donation made by the former Sunshine Coast Historical Telephone Society which had formed several years ago by a small band of Telstra staff committed to preserving local telecommunications heritage.
Nambour celebrated its own Centenary of the Telephone in 2008 as the first telephone communication to and from the town became possible with a successful connection to the Brisbane - Gympie trunk line in 1908. To commemorate the event, the museum had a special display and Open Day during 2008.
The following photographs provide an indication of the extent of the research and restoration project involved and offers of assistance from former communications employees would be most welcome.
Racks of automatic switches and lines insulators form part of the inventory awaiting attention
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It is hoped that generators, teleprinters, switchboards and telephones may eventually become working units
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