In 2009 Australia Post launched a fantastic project called Letters of a Nation to mark its 200th anniversary. This  project aims to form an archive of some of the more interesting letters delivered by posties throughout this period. A book will be compiled later in the year.

Members of the public and major archives and libraries around the country have been asked to contribute their best letters for the project and these are available through a searchable online database:

https://200years.auspost.com.au/html/loan/archive/ 

 Dame Nellie Melba photographed outside the Gresham Hotel, Brisbane, ca. 1909. neg 36747

If you do a search on the database you will discover two letters contributed by the State Library of Queensland. One is written by a young Nellie Armstrong (Dame Nellie Melba) to her singing teacher, Signor Cecchi, in 1883:

https://200years.auspost.com.au/html/loan/archive/view_detail/1172

 Bert Hinkler alighting from his plane, 1928. neg 65644

The other is by Bert Hinkler in London to his parents in Bundaberg written in 1919 which details his plans to fly his ”Sopwith Dove” from England to Australia.

https://200years.auspost.com.au/html/loan/archive/view_detail/1177

Share/Save