Abbotsford.
The Post Office - and presumably the Telegraph Office - opened on 9 January 1888.

In 1890, the Telegraph Office sent 5,888 messages and received 10,363 messages with a staff of a female operator and three telegraph messengers.

The Telegraph Office was issued with a 2 hole Belt & Buckle date stamp:

Used in black: 1890 to 1894.

Size: ?? (never seen complete).

Rated: RRRR.

Ascot Vale.

Two types of TELEGRAPH date stamps were issued to the office - both with the place name at the top and TELEGRAPH at the base:

1. a TELEGRAPH rectangular date stamp (RRH1-T).

Size: 25 × 37 mm.

Used: 17 January 1983 to 1984.

Rated: RRRR.

2. A TELEGRAPH oval date stamp (RO2-T).

Size: 33 × 52 mm (e = 0.77).

Used: 30 July 1986 (only recorded date).

Rated: RRRR.

Number recorded: 3.

30 July 1986.

Ashburton.

The Post Office opened on 15 December 1927.

1. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH date stamp was used at Ashburton.
This date stamp was unrecorded before 2020.

Has separation stars between upper and lower inscriptions.

Used in violet: 17 April 1964.

Size: 32 × 51 mm (e = 0.78).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. A rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp with a different format was also used at Ashburton. The place name now includes the Postcode. This date stamp was unrecorded before 2017.

Has separation stars between upper and lower inscriptions.

Used in violet: 15 January 1973.

Size: 32 × 51 mm (e = 0.78)

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

Perhaps a second example. The G of TELEGRAPH appears to be above the date number.

No year and incomplete so it is not included in the count.

Bentleigh.

The Post Office at Brighton East was renamed Bentleigh 23 March 1908. It was renamed Bentleigh East on 9 January 1928.

A second Post Office was opened with the name Bentleigh when Bentleigh est was replaced on 9 January 1928. There is no record of the date of opening of the Telegraph Office. The Mechanics Institute at Moorabbin were however asking for Telegraph "similar to those existing at Bentleigh" in April 1909.

The Telegraph Office was issued with 5 formats of date stamps between 1962 and 1987.

1. RRV1-TO.

Size: 33½ × 29 mm.

Used: (21 December 1962 to) 4 February 1963.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

2. RRV1-TO.

Size: 29½ × 25½ mm.

Used: 10 March 1966.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

3. RRV1-TO.

Size: 31½ × 25½ mm.

Used: 5 August 1971.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

4. RRV1-TO.

Size: 28 × 28½ mm.

Used: 16 June 1982 (to 1985).

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 1.

5. RRH1-TO.

Size: 38½ × 38½ mm.

Used: 18 March 1987.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

Bentleigh East.

The Post Office was opened on 9 January 1928 when it replaced Bentleigh. There does not appear to be any reference to telegraph facilities at Bentleigh East elsewhere.

Only one format for a date stamp appears to have been issued to Bentleigh East for use with telegraph work. It has format RH1-TO.

It is unrecorded in Watson et al or Phoenix.

Used in violet: 1 September 1960.

Size: 30 × 50 mm (e = 0.8).

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office opened in November 1872.

The Herald of 28 September 1871 reported "Notwithstanding that the Borough Council of Brighton has recommended to the Government the court-house reserve as the most suitable site for a Post and Telegraph Office, we are informed that a petition signed by upwards of 300 of the most influential residents, is about to be presented stating that the most convenient position is near the intersection of New and Bay Streets".

On 25 May 1872, the Weekly Times reported on a meeting of the Brighton Council. After letters had been read referncing a brewery being constructed in Elsternwick and a soap and candle factory, other matters included a long discussion "upon a motion by Cr. Crisp to take a poll of the rate payers as to the most eligible site for a Post and Telegraph Office. The discussion ended in the motion being carried, the Mayor, Crs. Crisp, Walker and Keys voting for it and the others against it".

A rubber oval RO2-TO was used in the Telegraph Office;

Used in violet: 4 and 5 September 1950.

Size: 34 × 50 mm (e = 0.73).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census:

A rectangular rubber TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RRH1-TO) was used at Brighton.

Used in violet: 8 August 1988 (only recorded date).

Size: 29 × 39 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number recorded: 3.

Two formats for rubber oval date stanps were also used at Brighton
but they were inscribed POST OFFICE.

Design: RO4-PO.

Used: 11 May 1943 on AW-DO-9 (42).

Size: 28 × 48 mm (e = 0.87).

Number in the Census: 1.

Design: RO1-PO.

Used: 28 December 1944 on AW-DO10 (43).

Size: 27 × 46 mm (e = 0.87).

Number in the Census: 3.

The Post Office was established on 1 January 1855 and changed name to Broadmeadows West on 3 October 1955.

A T.O. date stamp was issued to the office.

Used 26 June 1912 to 1 September 1928.

Diameter: 26 mm.

Rated: R.

Number in the Census: 5.

1 March 1922.

Three other TELEGRAPH date stamps were used at Broadmeadows.

1. RO2-T used in violet.

Size: 31 × 56 mm (e = 0.83).

Used: 6 May 1982 - 19 January 1983.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

2. An unframed date stamp with TELEGRAPH in the top line and the date in the third line.

Size: 13 × 33 mm.

Used: 1 August 1986.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

3. An unframed date stamp with TELEGRAPH BROADMEADOWS in the second line under the date.

Used: 4 August 1988.

Size: 13 × 33½ mm.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1872.

The Australasian of 21 July 1877 reported that the Postmaster-General had met a deputation from the Brunswick Council "to ask that a sum of £1,500 might be placed on the estimates to provide for the erection of a Post and Telegraph office at Brunswick. The council are at present erecting a new townhall and it was represented that for the sum asked for, an addition to the building suitable for a Post and Telegraph office and postmaster's residence could be built. Mr. Ramsay, it was stated, before leaving office had received the application very favourably. Mr. Cnthbert promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Cabinet".

The Argus of 17 April 1879 reported a major fire at Brunswick:

"A fire broke out yesterday in the stable of the Wesleyan parsonage Brunswick, occupied |by the Rev Ralph Brown. Mrs Brown first discovered the fire, and raised an alarm but, from the inflammable nature of the materials, nothing could be done to save the building which was completey burned down before the brigades arrived. The building may be described as stable, buggy house and washhouse built of wood and iron, containing at the time about a ton of hay, a large quantity of chaff and corn, buggy and harness and several tons of firewood. The only things saved were the buggy and harness. It is not known whether the premises are insured and the fire cannot be accounted for. The fire was reported at the telegraph office shortly after it broke out but 20 minutes elapsed before the Brunswick office could get Melbourne to take the information, which caused a great delay in getting the brigades out. The Carlton Brewery, the Carlton and Melbourne brigades were in attendance but were only in time to extinguish the smouldering remains".

A two hole Belt & Buckle date stamp was issued to Brunswick:

Used in black: 31 January 1891 to 5 October 1891.

Size:

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 0.

An unusual (and unrecorded) rubber oval
Post & Telegraph (RO4 - P&T) date stamp was used in blue.

No details are available.

Four formats of rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamps were issued:

Has decorations at each end within the outer ovals.

1. RO3-TO used in violet.

Size: 29 × 48 mm (e = 0.80).

Used in violet: 12 December 1944 - and
16 December 1944 (probably).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 2.

2. RO1-TO used in violet.

Used: 12 December 1946 and
23 April 1949 (2 examples known).

Size: 32 × 49 mm (e = 0.76).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

3. RO2-TO.

Used in purple: 22 April 1949 to 23 April 1949.

Size: 30 × 49 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 4.

WWW report another date stamp used in 1969 but their claim is not supported.

4: RO6-TO.

Used in blue: 12 June 1953.

Size: 29 × 47 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

The Post Office was created by renaming Ballyshannassy about June 1879.

The Office was issued with an oval TELEGRAPH date stamp (RO2 - T) for use with Telegraphic matters:

Used in violet: 6 January 1972.

Size: 28 × 48 mm (e = 0.81).

Rated: RRRR.

Number Census: 1.

The Telegraph Office

Four formats for TELEGRAPH date stamps were issued to Camberwell Telegraph Office:

1. a steel circle (SC1-T):

Size: 31 mm diameter.

Used: 24 March 1945.

Rated: RRRR.

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

Size: 31 × 50 mm.

Used: 14 April 1980 to 11 January 1985.

Rated: RR.

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

Size: 31 × 50 mm.

Used: 14 April 1980 to 11 January 1985.

Rated: RR.

4. a rubber rectangular date stamp (RRH1-T).

Size: 31 × 50 mm.

Used: 14 April 1980 to 11 January 1985.

Rated: RR.

Canterbury

The

Canterbury Post & Telegraph Office about 1930.

The Office was issued with a TELEGRAPH OFFICE rectangular date stamp (RRV - TO) which was used in violet.

Size: 34 × 31 mm.

Used: 23 March 1955.

Rated: RRRR (unrecorded in Watson et al (1989).)

23 March 1955.

Used on AW-GCF-54A.

The Telegraph Office opened in February 1875.

At the end of February 1882, the Postmaster-General asked the Minister of Works to call for tenders to erect a new Post and Telegraph Office at Carlton.

On 11 May 1881, the Argus reported that "A deputation from Carlton waited upon the Postmaster General yesterday with respect of the new Post and Telegraph office at that place. A difference of opinion exists as to the most suitable site for the new building, the deputation urging that the new office should be in Princes Street as that was the geographical centre of the district. Mr Langridge said that he preferred the residents of Carlton settling the matter amongst their selves but, if they could not arrive at a settlement, he would personally visit the place and select the site. If they disagreed with his choice, they could then take a poll of the district or some other means to arrive at the views of the majority".

The Argus of 28 February 1882 reported that "The Postmaster-General has urged the Minister of Public Works to immediately call for tenders for the erection of the new Post and Telegraph offices at Fitzroy and Carlton. Instructions will accordingly be given for the completion of the arrangements preliminary to the acceptance of the contracts without delay".

Used in black: 3 May 1882 to 28 May 1894.

Size: 27 × 37 mm (e = 0.68).

Rated: RRR.

A new discovery unlisted in the main sources including PMI and WWW is a TELEGRAPH OFFICE rectangular rubber date stamp
RRH1- TO:

Used in violet: 24 December 1957.

Size: 25 × 40 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

No special date stamp for use with telegraphs was issued to Carlton North.

Post Office date stamp.

Used on a telegram: 19 February 1951.

Size: 22 × 26 mm.

Rated used on a telegram: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Used on a telegram: 11 July 1955.

Size: 25 × 37 mm (e = 0.74).

Rated used on a telegram: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Used on a telegram: 11 July 1956.

Size: 32 × 52 mm (e = 0.79).

Rated used on a telegram: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

Great to have birthdays on the same date each year AND to keep your telegrams.

A rubber Telegraph Office date stamp (RO6-TO) was issued to the Telegraph Office.

Size: 30 × 50 mm (e = 0.80).

Used: 2 February 1982.

Rated: RRRR.

2 February 1982.

Used on AT-DO-15B.

Carnegie.

The Post Office opened on 1 September 1911.

Size: 29 × 43 mm.

Used 20 April 1979.
(WWW note that 10 June 1980 was the only date on which it was used).

Rated: RRR.

Caulfield.

The Telegraph Office opened in 1888(?)

On 5 July 1883, The Argus reported "The President and Council of the Shire of Caulfield waited on the Postmaster-General yesterday and desired the Government to contribute towards the erection of a Post and Telegraph office in connection with a Shire hall and court house which are to be built at the corner of the Glen Eira and Hawthorn roads.

Mr Berry said his department had had in contemplation for some time past the providing of the Caulfield district with a Post and Telegraph office. The idea of the department was to erect a building on a part of the railway reserve in the Glen Huntly Road.

The deputation, however, thought that the site in the Glen Huntly Road would not be central and the residents in public meeting assembled had decided that the site suggested by the deputation would be the most suitable.

Mr. Berry then promised that he would send an inspector to go over the district with the President of the shire and to furnish a report as to what would be the most suitable position. If the shire council would give a piece of land free of cost, he would favourably consider their application as soon as funds were available".

2. RO2 - TO.

Used in purple: 3 October 1942.

Size: 30 × 46 mm (e = 0.76).

Rated: RRRR.
Unrecorded in Watson et al.

Number in the Census: 1.

3. RR1 - TO.

Used in purple: 23 May 1950.

Size: 22 × 40 mm.

Rated: RRRR.
Unrecorded in Watson et al.

Number in the Census: 1.

"The president and council of the Shire of Caulfield waited on the Postmaster-General yesterday, and desired the Government to contribute towards the erection of a post and telegraph office in connection with a shire hall and court house which are to be built at the corner of the Glen Eira and Hawthorn roads.

Mr. Berry said his department had had in contemplation for some time past the providing of the Caulfield district with a Post and Telegraph office The idea of the department was to erect a building on a part of the railway reserve in the Glen Huntly road. The deputation, however, thought that the site in the Glen Huntly road would not be central and the residents in public meeting assembled had decided that the site suggested by the deputation would be the most suitable.

Mr. Berry then promised that he would send an inspector to go over the district with the president of the shire, and to furnish a report as to what would be the most suitable position. If the shire council would give a piece of land free of cost, he would favourably consider their application as soon as funds were available".

The Post Office was originally opened as a Receiving Office on 6 December 1888 and was upgraded to a Post Office about 1902.

On 1 February 1928 it changed name to Malvern East but changed back to Caulfield East on 1 October 1929.

Four formats of rubber date stamps are known used at Caulfield East:

1. a rubber oval POST & TELEGRAPH (RO6-P&TO) date stamp used in red.

Size: 28 × 48 mm (e = 0.81).

Used: 7 May 1940 (only recorded example)
(no space after month).

Rated: RRRR.

2. a rubber oval TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RO6-TO) date stamp used in violet.

Size: 29 × 49 mm (e = 0.81).

Used: 23 April and 23 May 1942.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 6.

3. a rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp (RRH1-TO) used in violet.
   

Size: 25 × 44 mm.

Used: 15 December 1956 (only recorded example).

Rated: RRRR.

Not listed in Watson et al.

15 December 1956 (only recorded example).

Used on AW-GCF-54Ab.

4. a rubber circular TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
   (RC1-TO) used in red.

Size: 33 mm diameter.

Used: 6 December 1976 to 6 January 1977.
Not listed in Watson et al.

Rated: RRRR.

Caulfield East postal date stamp.
17 June 1977.
Diameter: 34 mm.

$3.40 charges paid with stamps on a
AA-TO-13Ab transmission form.

1. RRH-TO with thin letters.

Used in black: 17 May 1956 (only recorded date -
not listed in WWW).

Size: 25 × 39 mm.
Distance from heading to date: 8 mm.
1 mm gap as base.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

17 May 1956.
Used on AW-GCF-54B

2. RRH-TO with thin letters.

Used in violet: 10 January 1962 (only recorded date - not listed in WWW).

Size: 25 × 38 mm.
Distance from heading to date: 7 mm.
2 mm gap at base.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

3. RRH-TO with thicker letters.

Used in violet: 6 July 1968 (only recorded date -
not listed in WWW).

Size: 25 × 38 mm.
Distance from heading to date: 5 mm.

Rated: RRRR.

Number in the Census: 1

The Telegraph Office opened about 1933 and closed about 1960.

The Telegraph Office was issued with:

• a usual circular CAULFIELD RACES date stamp and used on 20 October 1956.
• a TELEGRAPH OFFICE RACECOURSE date stamp was used on 12 January 1957. It was steel and circular with a 28 mm diameter.

Both are rated RRRR.

See elsewhere for use of the telegraph at Victorian Race Courses or in general in Australia

Cheltenham.

Telegraph Offices were opened:

• at Cheltenam in conjunction with the Post Office on 1 May 1885.
  No messenger was assigned to the Office so that telegrams were not delivered but had to be called for by the persons to whom they were addressed
• at the Railway Station in ??

On 30 May 1884, "a deputation of residents of Cheltenham was introduced to the Postmaster-General yesterday by Mr. Thomas Bent, M.L.A. for Brighton, with the object of preventing the removal of the local Post Office from its present position. The deputation stated that if the Post Office were transferred to the railway station, as contemplated by the department, the larger portion of the residents of Cheltenham would suffer great in convenience.

After listening to the arguments of the gentlemen present, Mr. Campbell said that the reason it had been contemplated to transfer the Post Office to the railway station was that theTelegraph Office was at the latter place, and it was thought it would be a convenience to have the Post Office there also. But as so much had been urged against the removal, he would withhold taking any steps until further inquiries had been made".

That discussion had actually been going on since at least June 1884.

A rubber rectangular TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamp
(RRH1-TO) was issued to the office for use with telegraphic work.

Size: 25½ × 48 mm.

Used: 17 April 1975 to 20 August 1985.

Rated: RRR.

Number in the Census: 3.

17 April 1975 (earliest recorded date).

Used on AA-DO-13D.

Clayton.

Size: 33 × 52 mm (e = 0.77).

Only recorded example.

Rated: RRRRR.

Number in the Census: 1.

Coburg.

The Telegraph Office was opened in August 1873 in the building occupied by the Post Office. The name of the office had been changed from Pentridge in 1870.

Telegraph Offices were often blamed for delaying messages. Sometimes that was true but overwhelming the blame was levelled incorrectly. The Age of 29 February 1876 reported "With reference to the delay alleged to have taken place iu connection with the transmission of the message from Coburg, announcing the breaking out of a fire there on Saturday forenoon, the Telegraph Mistress writes exonerating herself. She says the message was given in at 11.47 a.m. and that it was received at the Melbourne office at 11.55".

A new building was announced in May 1889 - to replace the structure "which had given service for a quarter of a century".

The Office was issued with four formats for rubber TELEGRAPH OFFICE date stamps.

1. TELEGRAPH OFFICE/COBURG (RRH1-TO):

Size: 25 × 43 mm.

Used: 22 November 1957.

Rated: RRR.

Not listed in WWW.

22 November 1957.

Used on AA-DO-13A.

2. TELEGRAPH OFFICE/COBURG 3058 (RRH1-TO).

Used: 4 May 1982 to 15 January 1986.

Size: 34½ × 45 mm.

Rated: RRR.

Not listed in WWW.

3. COBURG VIC 3058/TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RC1-TO).

Used in violet ink: 11 February 1987 to 19 September 1988.

Size: 32 mm diameter.

Rated: RR.

4. COBURG VIC 3058/TELEGRAPH OFFICE (RC1-TO).

Used in blue: 19 September 1988.

Size: 32 mm diameter.

Rated: RR.

The usual posal date stamp was used with telegraphic work before at least the 1940s.

Used on a telegram in black: 13 September 1939.

Diameter:

Rated (used on a telegram): RRR

Number in the Census: 1.

Used on AB-GB-39.

Cricket Ground.

No details available.

Used in black: 17 February 1959 (only recorded date).

Size: 27 mm diameter.

Rated: RR.

Number in the Census: 15+ but seldom on the market.

 

These hyperlinks take you to:

1. the Adelaide Oval date stamp;
   
   
2. the Main Page for Cricket.

17 February 1959.

Used on a AW-GCF-54 form to
Ray Lindwall for his record breaking wicket haul.