Australia's first automatic post office was placed in operation as part of the Post Office display at the Royal Agricultural Society Show, Melbourne, from 20th to 29th September. The unit shown in the photograph at the foot of this article was used by over 7,000 customers and proved to be an outstanding success.

The automatic postal station dispenses:

To commemorate the occasion, stamped envelopes and letter cards sold were overprinted "Australia's First Automatic Post Office" and mail posted in the letter receiver forming part of the station was postmarked with a special date stamp. Copies of these two impressions are featured at the head of this article.

Members of the public were most impressed with the service provided and our efforts to keep pace with the best of world standards.

Ten more postal stations are now under construction and the facility will soon be seen in all States. The prototype unit used at the Show has been installed at Prince Henry's Public Hospital, Melbourne, for further trials.

Extracted from “Post Age” December 1962