Historian Dr Naomi Parry Duncan reveals the significance of payphones in Australia. Video via Telstra/AAP
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00:00Other countries are beginning to phase public phones out, but Australia has taken a different approach in continuing to support and modernise them.
00:08Seeking to heritage list Telstra public phones that have made a significant contribution to their communities is about recognising their evolving role and the unique service public phones have provided to Australian communities for generations.
00:21The three Telstra public phones being submitted for recognition each tell a unique story of helping Australians stay connected when they are most in need.
00:31In Melbourne's Brunswick West, there's Australia's most called from public phone to crisis support lines with over 1,300 calls to Lifeline made since calls became free.
00:41In Narooma on the south coast of New South Wales, during the Black Summer bushfires, I was there and I saw the community rely on their local phone when everything else, including power and mobile coverage, was down.
00:54And in Doomagie in remote Queensland, this local phone remains a vital connection point.
00:59Since free Wi-Fi was added last year, locals have made around 1,400 calls, which is roughly one for every resident.
01:05History isn't just about grand landmarks and pretty things.
01:10Public phones have been part of everyday Australian life since the 1880s, since telecommunications and postal services rolled out in Australia.
01:19This move is about acknowledging their distinct cultural significance in keeping Australians connected through moments big and small.
01:27I was in Narooma on New Year's Eve during the 2019 bushfires.
01:31The power was out, mobile networks were down and we were cut off.
01:34There was no phone reception, there were no ATMs, no updates, no cash.
01:40People flocked to the evacuation centre and one of the only ways to contact loved ones was through Telstra's public phone.
01:46I remember seeing lines of people using it, grateful it was there and free.
01:51In a moment of total disconnection, it became a critical link to the outside world.
02:04I think that I sent my email.
02:06I remember looking at my screen first,
02:06and I was confused with my information after death.
02:07What Timevar
02:13I remember finding your connection before you were awakened.
02:17So