From Australia to Africa, a humble public telephone has made a splash in the news, after being listed on the National Trust (NSW) Register. Located at 195 Princes Highway in Narooma, the Telstra phone was added to the register as a prominent example of the indispensable role public telephones play in keeping communities connected, particularly in times of need.

Part of Australian life for more than 140 years, public telephones are a universal service, the provision of which is enshrined in legislation. This expectation has continued despite widely available mobile telephone technology and the advent of the National Broadband Network and Wi-Fi. Adapting to these changes, public telephones, currently provided by Telstra, now incorporate Wi-Fi stations, and have been free to the Australian public since 2021.

In 1993 a public telephone was installed at Southfield Plaza, the main shopping centre in Narooma. A quarter of a century later, during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20, the telephone became a lifeline for the local community. With the South Coast of NSW affected by multiple fires, and no power, mobile coverage or internet access in the area, the phone became a vital point of connection and was used for nearly 1,000 free calls.

Dubbed ‘The Disaster Responder’ by Telstra, the phone’s nomination for heritage listing was led by historian, Dr Naomi Parry Duncan who was in Narooma on New Year’s Day 2020 and witnessed how the phone became a critical hub for the isolated and traumatised community, when all other connections failed.

Now emblazoned with a hand-forged bronze plaque to display its heritage status, the Narooma Telstra public telephone has received attention far and wide, with news outlets reporting its listing on the National Trust (NSW) Register across the nation, and even in places as far afield as Greece and Kenya and the US, with a story in The New York Times.

A testament to resilience, community spirit and the importance of conserving our shared history.

Find out more

Learn about the critical role of the National Trust (NSW) Register in helping preserve our state’s history.

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