Party Lines and Trunk Calls – A Curated Objects Exhibition

Created for the Nati Frinj Biennale 2025, this projected is supported by Arapiles Historical Society. Focussing on the history of telephones, this exhibition celebrates the work of the women who were employed in the Natimuk Exchange, made trunk calls or used party lines for private communications from local or remoted properties.

Featuring what is now seen as dinosaur technology, the selected objects range from wooden wall phones, 1910 to quirky, telephone-inspired fashion accessories in 2024. A soundscape brings to life snippets of stories that capture observations about early telephones and the work involved in a telephone exchange.

A black and white image of 1950/60 women on an exchange has been reproduced with permission from RHSV, and will be hung in the exhibition. In the image, the photograph is placed temporarily on the remains of the original Natimuk telephone exchange. This magnificent object is a major feature of the exhibition and is a treasured item in the Arapiles Historical Society collection.