We here at the SDC take our hats off to anyone who takes a road trip, as that kind of adventurous spirit (as well as open eyes) often leads to remarkable discoveries.

Just ask Michael O'Brien, who was meandering through Victoria's south Gippsland when he stumbled across an unexpected reminder of the past.

Tucked away in the bushes and off the beaten track in Port Welshpool was a Telstra public payphone.

'The windows were gone, and the fluoro was flickering,' O'Brien told a news outlet. 'It had a dial tone, but I didn't try to call anyone.'

Public payphones were a lifeline for many who were experiencing homelessness. Credit: Shutterstock.

He couldn't resist the urge to capture the sight and shared the image of what appeared to be a cultural relic of a bygone era on a popular Facebook page. The post was flooded with responses from thousands of people.

But turns out this occasional phone booth may not have been as much of a relic as we once thought. In fact, telephone boxes have been enjoying a sudden resurgence in the digital age!

As per official Telstra data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from Telstra's network of 14,500 public phones in the past year—an incredible 4 million increase on the year prior. The major telco made all calls from payphones free in 2021, thanks to a Federal Government initiative designed to help those who need it in regional areas.

A quarter of a million of these calls were even made to emergency services such as triple zero and Lifeline; now that’s something we can all be proud of.

Australia’s most popular payphone, with 33,000 calls made in the last 12 months, is located on Queens Road near a community housing and shelter for the homeless in Melbourne. The second-most popular payphone is by a bus depot in Palmerston, south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Cameron Sinclair of Sacred Heart Mission in Melbourne noted that for their unhoused clients, having access to public phones is 'absolutely critical'.

'They can use payphones to call their family and friends, make doctor's appointments and connect to services like Centrelink and the NDIS,' he said. 'For them, the ability to access these things is critical, absolutely critical.'

In addition, Sinclair pointed out that those with fewer digital means and knowledge can take advantage of free connection via some payphones.

'We shouldn't make the assumption that people who are aligned with (charity and homelessness) services are easily identifiable,' Sinclair said.

'They could be your regular mums in the community, single moms, struggling to pay the electricity bill, their rent has gone up. They're just not keeping up.'

With the cost of living continuing to soar and far too many people suffering in its wake, Sinclair believes increased reliance on payphones for communication purposes—both essential and not—is inevitable.

'I think on behalf of the mission, I'd be advocating for putting a whole lot more payphones out there,' he added.

Key Takeaways

• Despite appearing as a cultural relic to some, new usage figures show a high increase in calls made from public payphones in Australia.
• According to Telstra's data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from their network of 14,500 public payphones in the past 12 months, a 4 million increase from the previous year.
• The largest number of calls from a single payphone, nearly 33,000, was made from Melbourne's CBD near community housing and shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
• Cameron Sinclair from Melbourne's Sacred Heart Mission highlighted that public payphones serve as a critical lifeline for many vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals enabling them to stay connected and access essential services.

It appears, then, that although technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent generations, public phones still have a place in our lives.

Even if your circumstances don’t put you into the vulnerable bracket, and you’re better off using your modern gadgets—a mobile phone, say, or Skype—to connect with loved ones, there’s no denying the nostalgia of walking up to a payphone and dialling a number to hear a familiar voice.

Members, have you seen payphones around your local area? Have you seen people use them, or have you used them yourself? We’d like to know, so feel free to comment below!

 

[Marian M]

We here at the SDC take our hats off to anyone who takes a road trip, as that kind of adventurous spirit (as well as open eyes) often leads to remarkable discoveries.

Just ask Michael O'Brien, who was meandering through Victoria's south Gippsland when he stumbled across an unexpected reminder of the past.

Tucked away in the bushes and off the beaten track in Port Welshpool was a Telstra public payphone.

'The windows were gone, and the fluoro was flickering,' O'Brien told a news outlet. 'It had a dial tone, but I didn't try to call anyone.'

View attachment 25358

Public payphones were a lifeline for many who were experiencing homelessness. Credit: Shutterstock.

He couldn't resist the urge to capture the sight and shared the image of what appeared to be a cultural relic of a bygone era on a popular Facebook page. The post was flooded with responses from thousands of people.

But turns out this occasional phone booth may not have been as much of a relic as we once thought. In fact, telephone boxes have been enjoying a sudden resurgence in the digital age!

As per official Telstra data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from Telstra's network of 14,500 public phones in the past year—an incredible 4 million increase on the year prior. The major telco made all calls from payphones free in 2021, thanks to a Federal Government initiative designed to help those who need it in regional areas.

A quarter of a million of these calls were even made to emergency services such as triple zero and Lifeline; now that’s something we can all be proud of.

Australia’s most popular payphone, with 33,000 calls made in the last 12 months, is located on Queens Road near a community housing and shelter for the homeless in Melbourne. The second-most popular payphone is by a bus depot in Palmerston, south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Cameron Sinclair of Sacred Heart Mission in Melbourne noted that for their unhoused clients, having access to public phones is 'absolutely critical'.

'They can use payphones to call their family and friends, make doctor's appointments and connect to services like Centrelink and the NDIS,' he said. 'For them, the ability to access these things is critical, absolutely critical.'

In addition, Sinclair pointed out that those with fewer digital means and knowledge can take advantage of free connection via some payphones.

'We shouldn't make the assumption that people who are aligned with (charity and homelessness) services are easily identifiable,' Sinclair said.

'They could be your regular mums in the community, single moms, struggling to pay the electricity bill, their rent has gone up. They're just not keeping up.'

With the cost of living continuing to soar and far too many people suffering in its wake, Sinclair believes increased reliance on payphones for communication purposes—both essential and not—is inevitable.

'I think on behalf of the mission, I'd be advocating for putting a whole lot more payphones out there,' he added.

Key Takeaways

• Despite appearing as a cultural relic to some, new usage figures show a high increase in calls made from public payphones in Australia.
• According to Telstra's data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from their network of 14,500 public payphones in the past 12 months, a 4 million increase from the previous year.
• The largest number of calls from a single payphone, nearly 33,000, was made from Melbourne's CBD near community housing and shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
• Cameron Sinclair from Melbourne's Sacred Heart Mission highlighted that public payphones serve as a critical lifeline for many vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals enabling them to stay connected and access essential services.

It appears, then, that although technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent generations, public phones still have a place in our lives.

Even if your circumstances don’t put you into the vulnerable bracket, and you’re better off using your modern gadgets—a mobile phone, say, or Skype—to connect with loved ones, there’s no denying the nostalgia of walking up to a payphone and dialling a number to hear a familiar voice.

Members, have you seen payphones around your local area? Have you seen people use them, or have you used them yourself? We’d like to know, so feel free to comment below!

I have not seen any in WA. I hope there are some.

 

[BrendaO]

I wonder , these days, whether we should call them "Pay Phones" anymore, they are more the "Public Phone"

 

[MariaG]

At least you won't lose service.
I used to keep aside my 20c pieces, walk 2 blocks to the nearest pay phone, and make whatever calls I needed to make, job done.
Now, everything is taken for granted and we are way too reliant on invisible waves to carry our words to the rest of the world. Sit in a public place for 10 minutes. Watch the wave of people pass you buy. I'd guarantee you that at least 80% of them will be staring down at their phones and not talking to the person right next to them.
Public phones were there for a purpose, not to waste time.
Ahhhh ... those were the days.

 

[Tygie]

We here at the SDC take our hats off to anyone who takes a road trip, as that kind of adventurous spirit (as well as open eyes) often leads to remarkable discoveries.

Just ask Michael O'Brien, who was meandering through Victoria's south Gippsland when he stumbled across an unexpected reminder of the past.

Tucked away in the bushes and off the beaten track in Port Welshpool was a Telstra public payphone.

'The windows were gone, and the fluoro was flickering,' O'Brien told a news outlet. 'It had a dial tone, but I didn't try to call anyone.'

View attachment 25358

Public payphones were a lifeline for many who were experiencing homelessness. Credit: Shutterstock.

He couldn't resist the urge to capture the sight and shared the image of what appeared to be a cultural relic of a bygone era on a popular Facebook page. The post was flooded with responses from thousands of people.

But turns out this occasional phone booth may not have been as much of a relic as we once thought. In fact, telephone boxes have been enjoying a sudden resurgence in the digital age!

As per official Telstra data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from Telstra's network of 14,500 public phones in the past year—an incredible 4 million increase on the year prior. The major telco made all calls from payphones free in 2021, thanks to a Federal Government initiative designed to help those who need it in regional areas.

A quarter of a million of these calls were even made to emergency services such as triple zero and Lifeline; now that’s something we can all be proud of.

Australia’s most popular payphone, with 33,000 calls made in the last 12 months, is located on Queens Road near a community housing and shelter for the homeless in Melbourne. The second-most popular payphone is by a bus depot in Palmerston, south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Cameron Sinclair of Sacred Heart Mission in Melbourne noted that for their unhoused clients, having access to public phones is 'absolutely critical'.

'They can use payphones to call their family and friends, make doctor's appointments and connect to services like Centrelink and the NDIS,' he said. 'For them, the ability to access these things is critical, absolutely critical.'

In addition, Sinclair pointed out that those with fewer digital means and knowledge can take advantage of free connection via some payphones.

'We shouldn't make the assumption that people who are aligned with (charity and homelessness) services are easily identifiable,' Sinclair said.

'They could be your regular mums in the community, single moms, struggling to pay the electricity bill, their rent has gone up. They're just not keeping up.'

With the cost of living continuing to soar and far too many people suffering in its wake, Sinclair believes increased reliance on payphones for communication purposes—both essential and not—is inevitable.

'I think on behalf of the mission, I'd be advocating for putting a whole lot more payphones out there,' he added.

Key Takeaways

• Despite appearing as a cultural relic to some, new usage figures show a high increase in calls made from public payphones in Australia.
• According to Telstra's data, around 23 million payphone calls were made from their network of 14,500 public payphones in the past 12 months, a 4 million increase from the previous year.
• The largest number of calls from a single payphone, nearly 33,000, was made from Melbourne's CBD near community housing and shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
• Cameron Sinclair from Melbourne's Sacred Heart Mission highlighted that public payphones serve as a critical lifeline for many vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals enabling them to stay connected and access essential services.

It appears, then, that although technology has advanced leaps and bounds in recent generations, public phones still have a place in our lives.

Even if your circumstances don’t put you into the vulnerable bracket, and you’re better off using your modern gadgets—a mobile phone, say, or Skype—to connect with loved ones, there’s no denying the nostalgia of walking up to a payphone and dialling a number to hear a familiar voice.

Members, have you seen payphones around your local area? Have you seen people use them, or have you used them yourself? We’d like to know, so feel free to comment below!

It's cheaper to use them instead of a mobile.

 

[Pommyoz]

Our much maligned suburb of Moe, Victoria has an original phone box where calls are free.
Its in Barwick Place, near the Summerton Reserve.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

There’s one at my local shopping centre, which I used recently when I needed my husband to pick me up and didn’t have my mobile with me.

 

[Wandiwa]

I have not seen any in WA. I hope there are some.

Yep there still around, there is one in Jandakot, that used to be out the front of a caravan park. The caravan park is long gone, and the phone stands all alone now.

 

[Gsr]

We have several in the town where I live, all the original old style closed boxes. Most don’t have a door on them now though. They are not the old red ones, just silver coloured metal and glass. It is good they are there as a safety mechanism for people who need them.

 

[Julia TH]

I have not seen any in WA. I hope there are some.

There are two at the local shops in Balga

 

[Argie]

Yes i have one down the street from me in Minyama,QLD

 

[Buchan Farmer]

I live in Ensay Victoria, there is a public phone at what was the old general store area. I use it but when I call, no one can hear mr and call times out after 90 seconds. If the receiver has a minuet, the phone don’t accept it like Centrelink, doctors etc. there is something wrong with this phone. I go 50km trip to Swifts Creek and all my calls get through, except fir the two hour or more for Centrelink.

fir me to drive that 50km is a lot out of my pension. I have reported this phone, given all details, but it’s still not functioning correctly, and so far it’s cost me over 300km to drive to Swifts Creek to make the same call, no worries. The phone at Ensay is a total fault, am sick of trying to report it again and again it’s faulty.

waiting on a mobile phone if I can get reception to Centrelink one week cost me over $800 waiting and waiting and waiting and they hung up on me.- all my pension gone as I was not able to drive that 50km.

 

[KSS]

There is a Telstra public phone about 100mtrs from where I live and is regularly in use. You can also charge your mobile phone there too if needed. Being free to use, there is no vandalism because there is nothing to be gained from doing so. There should be more of them since the numbers obviously support it.