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World War Two (WWII) Larrimah Telephone Repeater Station and Powerhouse
Permanent Declaration
Place
Two Sidney Williams huts, one to contain the Post Master General repeater equipment and batteries, the other to serve as powerhouse. The Repeater Station remained as an active and valuable communications asset for the Territory in the post war years. It underwent technical upgrades in 1954, 1961 and 1966-67. During the early 1970s technological advances in telecommunications and the installation of the microwave link in the Territory rendered the station obsolete and the station was closed in 1974.
In 1991 the Museums and Art Galleries of the NT, in consultation with the Larrimah Progress Association, established a local museum within the Repeater Station.
The Larrimah Telephone Repeater Station (built 1941-42) and Powerhouse (relocated 1946) are a result of the wartime strategic situation to Australia's north during World War Two (WWII). The military required an urgent upgrading of existing Morse-Code overland telegraph line to a direct voice system. When built the Repeater Station contained a long line repeater system, which at the time was considered to be the forefront of communications technology, and comprised a four voice frequency and carrier channels. The technology became obsolete in the 1970s.
The powerhouse provided essential electricity for the operation of the telecommunication equipment and to keep the large bank of batteries fully charged. Due to the rapid growth in telephony and technological changes the interior of the repeater station has been altered to provide additional space for equipment and staff.
Both buildings are considered significant in representing an era of change in telegraphic communications in the Territory and demonstrate the principal characteristics of military commissioned architecture. The two versatile prefabricated Sidney Williams Huts are typical of many military buildings used during WWII.
17/05/2010
04/06/2010
10/09/2010
Comment sought
Meets Assessment Criteria
11/03/2011
07/06/2011
02/07/2011
15/06/2011
HAC2010/0009
Historic
Roper Gulf Shire
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewIMGP0181.JPGWWII Larrimah Telephone Repeater Station04/OCT/10
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Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument and Gazettal.pdfInstrument and Gazettal05/AUG/11
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Further Information
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewWWII repeater station & powerhouse Larrimah.pdfBackground Historical Information23/NOV/11
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Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
465 00062 0STUARTLARRIMAH46562 - - G
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Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object