The following information on the history of postal (from 1913) and telecommunication (from 1922) services to Bribie Island to 1961, is drawn from a document prepared by the Public Relations Officer, PMG, 1963 and an excerpt from Thomas Welsby's 1937 Bribie the Basketmaker.
BRIBIE ISLAND POST OFFICE HISTORY - 1913-1961
By Public Relations Officer, PMG, 1963.
A petition dated 14th August, 1913, was taken up by a number of residents of Bribie Passage requesting of the Deputy Postmaster-General, Brisbane, that a Mail Service be established between Brisbane and Bribie Island and return, twice weekly per the S.S. "Koopa".
It was suggested that the office be established in the house of Mr. G. Jacques which was situated at the land end of the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company's Jetty at Bribie Island.
Petitioners were:
Investigations were carried out and the Post Office decided to establish a Receiving Office at Bribie Island in charge of Mr. C. Jacques at an allowance of £4 per annum. Mails were to be exchanged between Brisbane and Bribie Island twice weekly by S.S. Koopa, leaving Brisbane at 9.30 a.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays, returning the same day at 6 p.m.
Timeline
27.8.1913: The Receiving Office named Bribie Island Receiving Office was opened with Mr. George Jacques in charge.
1.9.1914: As Mr. Alan Layton was appointed caretaker of Bribie Island Wharf by the Brisbane Tug Company late in August, the Receiving Office was transferred to his control from this date (1.9.1914) at same rate - £4 p.a.
1.10.1916: The office was transferred to Mrs. T. Lawrence, sister-in-law to Mr. Alan Layton who enlisted in the armed service. Mrs. Lawrence had taken over possession of the store from Mr. Layton.
14.12.1917: Request for Telecommunication Bribie to Brisbane.
13.10.1921: Mrs T. Lawrence resigned from position of postmistress. Mrs Jessie Freeman took charge on 18th October, 1921, at £15.5.0d p.a.
4.4.1922: Telephone facilities desired at Bribie Island.
8.5.1922: Suggested telephone line to be installed via Beachmere.
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| 1922: Telephone cable laid across Pumicestone Channel by P.M.G. Photo shows cable piled on the Bribie Jetty with the Koopa alongside. Joe Campbell on right. Land access across Toorbul Point allowed by Mr J. Clark. Photo: Vera Campbell Album / Ted Clayton collection, VC8_086 |
28.9.1922: A Trunk line and Telegraph (by phone) office opened at Bribie Island.
1.1.1923: The Receiving Office and Telephone Office was transferred from Mrs. Freeman to the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Co. Ltd. [Mrs. Freeman continued as postmistress to 1942.]
23.6.1924: A report from the District Postal Inspector stated that there were now 50 permanent residents on the Island which increased to 150 during summer. During the holiday period about 1,000 visitors frequented the Island.
17.3.1937: Money Order facilities commenced from this date.
28.11.1939: The telephone exchange operated during the following hours 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. - Monday to Friday, and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Saturday.
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| 1947: Bribie Island telephone numbers and telephone exchange hours. Source: P.M.G. Telephone Book, 1947 |
12.9.1947: Mrs. Charlotte Ivy Flynn appointed temporarily in lieu of Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company. Mrs. Flynn was an Assistant in the office for a number of years before her appointment.
4.4.1948: Mr. David M.L. Sked appointed Postmaster in lieu of Mrs. Flynn.
1.6.1948: Continuous telephone service introduced.
28.10.1954: Temporary transfer of office to Mrs. L.A. Sked, wife of Mr. D.M.L. Sked, who passed away on 24.10.1954.
29.1.1955: Mrs. Sked resigned. Mr. E.R. French appointed as Postmaster. Office conducted in existing rented premises. Non official office conducted on a full time basis.
29.12.1955: Representation for the erection of a Radio Telephone link with the mainland and provision of Automatic Telephone Service.
8.6.1956: Following the installation of a modern carrier-wave telephone system as additional trunk link was provided between Bribie Island and Brisbane.
The telephone "carrier" system wherein telephone conversations are converted to high frequency electrical signals is operated over a radio link and special equipment, including a 50 foot steel tower at the Bribie Island terminal to support the radio transmitting and receiving aerials was installed to make this possible.
30.6.1956: Mr. E.R. French outgoing Postmaster. Mrs. R. Thomson, Non Official Postmistress, Reliever, acted as Postmistress pending Mr. French's successor.
23.7.1956: Mr. T. McG. Fenwick took up duty as Postmaster in existing premises.
The Post Office was conducted in premises owned by Mr. John Goodwin. The building consisted of five rooms and two verandahs situated on the ground floor, the upstairs section was used as a residence for the Postmaster.
11.11.1957: A new building had been constructed by the non-official Postmaster, Mr. T. McG. Fenwick, on Allotment 4, Section 1, Town of Bongaree, Parish of Woorim, County of Canning and Post Office business was conducted in the new premises as from this date. A new 200 line telephone switchboard was brought into operation concurrently with the transfer of the Post Office from Mr. Goodwin's premises to the new premises. It replaced the existing 100 line switchboard.
23.3.1961: Mr. Douglas McLean Cay appointed as Postmaster as Mr. Fenwick resigned from this position.
Just prior to 1.4.1961: A full length public telephone and cabinet was installed at Sylvan Beach.
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| 1963: Newly built equipment room and antennae for "OTC" telecommunications service. View south from Bongaree water tower Photo: Mullen family collection DM01_018 |
Telephone Communication [by Thomas Welsby, 1937]
"Prior to 1922 there were difficulties which could not be overcome, the principal reason was that the Postal Department would not erect the line at Bribie unless the residents paid £360, which was quite impossible. The directors of the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Coy. Ltd., decided on trying another way, and offered the following inducement to the telephone people: The Tug Company to supply all the poles placed on the line; provide pontoon and launch and men to assist in laying the cable across the opening- take to Bribie, cable, wire, all material plant and men by the S.S. Koopa, free of all and any charge, and when the work was completed bring back the labour and plant also free. The offer to remain open for two weeks only. The Department accepted these conditions promptly. Early in September 1922 the construction of the line was commenced, and before the end of September of the same year was completed.
The Tug Company were greatly indebted to the selectors along the line, who unhesitatingly supplied poles; to the late Mr. Jas. Clark for the use of his launch and pontoon; also to Mr. Joe Campbell and his sons for their generous and valuable help. Had it not been for the kindness of these good people, the construction of the line would have been delayed for years.
It was suggested that this line follow the Caboolture River, and thence along Deception Bay to Toorbul Point . . . the reason being that there were fewer large trees, therefore less risk of breaks or interruptions. This mode of track was adopted and carried out by the Department, and has been a great success."
REFERENCES
Bribie Island Post Office History [1913-1961] by Public Relations Officer, Post-Master General's Department, 7 June 1963. File copy of the document was received by Caboolture Shire Council 12.12.1978.
Telephone Communication [Bribie Island] by Thomas Welsby. Bribie the Basketmaker, 1937, page 85.
Photo: Bongaree from Water tower, 1963. Mullen family collection DM01_018
Photo: Telephone cable laid across Pumicestone Channel by P.M.G., Joe Campbell on right, Koopa alongside. Vera Campbell Album / Ted Clayton collection, VC8_086
Crop of page from 1947 P.M.G. Telephone Book showing telephone numbers and telephone exchange hours on Bribie Island.
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