History of APIWA
The Australian Post-Tel Institute
It is important to acknowledge the important role that the Australian Post-Tel Institute has played in the development of social culture in Western Australia for over the past several decades, especially as we edge closer to celebrating our 100th birthday on the 2nd March 2025.
The earliest known post office in Perth was situated in St Georges Terrace at the eastern end, now occupied by International House. On 7 March 1840 it moved to a room in the public offices near Government House. Postmaster General Mr Hemlich, whom lived in Murray Street, moved the Post Office opposite to his residence to allow him to be permanently in attendance. During the 70's as part of the old barracks at the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street the G.P.O was built. The new building was opened on 27 August 1890 and was used until the present G.P.O in Forrest Place was completed and opened on 23 September 1923.
This is the same time, during 1923 and 1924, that the first members of the Australian Postal Institute in Western Australia started working to create a social Postal Institute division as had been established in other states. The Australian Postal Institute officially being registered as an Incorporated Association in 1925.
Australian Postal History in Australia
In the early part of the century, senior administrators and union officials began urging the establishment of an institution to provide for the vocational training of officers in the PMG's (Post Master General's) Department. The first Postal Institute commenced in Victoria on Thursday 15 October 1918. The Australian Postal Institute provided outstanding service to its members for many years. The Honourable William Webster is credited with getting API started, and at the inception event on that date he read out the following ode:
"Today is a day in the history of the Postal Department that I trust will be remembered by all those who are to benefit by the Institute which is being opened for the advancement, education and recreation of the staff of this great service."
The introduction of the first world war got in the way of the commencement of API which was supposed to have its inception in 1914. However, it stated in 1918 with Mr W.F. Ferguson as the foundation president and the rollout of state by state divisions commenced under his leadership. There is a general recognition that the most important change for the API took place on 1 July 1975, when the Postmaster General's Department was phased out and replaced by the Australian Postal Commission and the Australian Telecommunications Commission. The date of the changeover became known as 'vesting day' and the two new bodies were quickly dubbed Australia Post and Telecom.
The name of the institute was amended to encompass the two new commissions and as a result the Australian Postal Institute became the Australian Post-Tel Institute.