New research to shine light on history of Overland Telegraph Line

A new research initiative will use recently uncovered archival material to tell the story of the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line (OTL) through the eyes of Australia’s First Nations communities.

The research – led by experts from the National Communications Museum (NCM), supported by Professor Marcia Langton AO, Associate Provost, Melbourne University, and funded by Telstra – will use the archival material to document the impact of the project on First Nations people.

Nathan Leitch, First People’s Curator at the NCM, said that the 150th anniversary of the OTL was the right time to better understand its full history, including any conflict or harm it may have caused.

“Although we know many Aboriginal communities were involved in this era, their stories have rarely been heard at levels greater than regional folklore.

“All Australians benefit from a more truthful and complete telling of our history. Truth-telling is a form of healing, or at the very least a pathway to healing opportunities. This truth-telling project will empower First Nations people, finally including their perspectives in what has been a largely one-sided history. Importantly, it will also allow them to be storytellers.”

Professor Langton said the OTL is an extremely important story and one that must be told carefully.

“Telling an important story like this one means that all sides need to be given equal weight. A research initiative such as this will allow us to approach our history with the proper academic rigour it deserves.”

The initiative will include contributions from researchers, historians, film makers, artists and Traditional Owners and will culminate in the creation of a film and artwork to be exhibited at the NCM. All stages of the initiative will have majority First Peoples’ representation and decision-making, overseen by the NCM curatorial team.

Telstra is funding the research initiative as part of its commitment to Truth Telling, which is included in its recently released 2022-2025 Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

CEO Andrew Penn said he hoped the research would give all Australians a richer understanding of this complex history.

“The Overland Telegraph was an incredible feat of engineering that provided our nation with its first continuous connection to the outside world. While it was built long before Telstra existed as a company, it is a forerunner to the connectivity we provide across the country today. It is also a significant part of Australia’s history and a story that needs to be told.

“So much of our understanding about this part of our history has been shaped by white voices, white perspectives. There is also a very powerful, largely unacknowledged First Nations story to be told. Some of that story may be difficult and painful, but reconciliation relies on a proper understanding of our past, which is why I think this research is so important.

“Our new Stretch RAP, which we launched in Darwin last month, commits Telstra to the process of truth telling as a vital part of reconciliation. This research will be an important part of that process. I know incoming CEO Vicki Brady and the entire Telstra team are committed to taking forward.”