RELIEF 'A' A.C.T.

RELIEF 'A' A.C.T.

Unknown usage of A.C.T. Relief single letter cut-down  'A ' 27 January 1939

Unknown usage of A.C.T. Relief single letter cut-down  'A ' 29 June 1953

Unknown usage of A.C.T. Relief single letter cut-down  'A ' 9 October 1951

Canberra Parliament House (Old)

Canberra Parliament House Post Office

(Old Parliament House)

Federal Parliament was originally convened in Melbourne, Victoria. Dale reports that an official post office was established at Parliament House, Canberra, towards the end of 1926. However, Hopson & Tobin report the opening date as 19 September 1927. There was also a temporary post office at the building for its opening on 9 May 1927 as there was also at nearby Camp "D", established for visitors attending the opening.

Until 1941 the post office only opened during sittings of the Parliament. The post office was originally located in the south-western corner of Kings Hall. However, from 1953 it was located on the lower floor at the foot of the stairs leading from the main entrance.

A Type 2A ‘PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA FCT’  (26mm) date stamp is recorded between 1927 and 1938 and a Type 2A(T) (33mm) between 1930 and 1933. A Type 2A ‘PARL’MT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT’ is recorded between 1944 and 1960 and  Type 3D(ii) x3 ‘ACT’ date stamps are recorded between 1963 and 1986. A Type 4D ‘ACT’ post code 2600 is recorded between 1971 and 1987.  Priority Paid Relief date stamp '207' was seen used at the Office on 25 July 1986 and was still in use in November 1986.

A.C.T. cut down Relief 'A' is recorded used at the Office on 23 June 1949.

New Parliament House opened in 1988.

Canberra Parliament House Post Office 1969 (NAA)



Federal Parliament House Victoria date stamp 21 May 1918

Federal Parliament House Victoria date stamp (1923) prior to relocation to Canberra

\

A.C.T cut down Relief  'A ' date stamp 23 June 1949 on Registered cover to Sydney

Hughes

Hughes Post Office

Located in Hughes Place, Hughes at the local shopping centre, 9 kms south south west of the City centre, in the Woden district, Hughes post office opened as a temporary official post office on 1 July 1964 and as a non official post and telephone office on 11 May 1967.

On opening the office utilized A.C.T. cut down Relief date stamps 'A' and ‘IND' . Type 3D(i) ‘ACT’ date stamp is recorded between 1965 and 1996. Type 3F(i) ‘ACT’ date stamp is recorded in 1996.

Australian National University

Australian National University Canberra Post Office

Located to the west of the City Centre in the suburb of Acton, the Australian National University foundation stone was laid in 1962. A post and telephone office was established at the Australian National University in the Union Building at the corner of Kingsley and Hutton Streets on 1 October 1964. The Office later became a Licensed Post Office before subsequently closing in 2018. 

As at January 2020, there was no post office located on the university campus.

A.C.T. Relief date stamp 'A' was utilised on opening until arrival of the regular date stamp. The office utilized a 39mm ‘ACT AUST’ date stamp recorded between 1965 and 1982 and a 39mm ‘ACT 2601’ date stamp recorded between 1979 and 1982. A 32mm ‘ACT 2601’ date stamp is recorded in 1985. 

A.C.T. Relief date stamp '126' was used at the Office from 18 March 1985 to 3 April 1985 and A.C.T. Relief '127' from 15 May 1985 to 20 May 1985. Priority Paid Relief '186' was seen used at the Office in May 1987.

Australian National University Post Office (Australian National Archives).