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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Morse coder, 2012

by Richard Goodwin

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2013 Finalist

This is Ken Knox, a former post office telegraphist and founding member of the Morsecodians Fraternity of Western Australia. The group conducts a demonstration of the lost era of the telegram each year at the Perth Royal Show where this picture was taken in September 2012.  Mr Knox, 87, joined the Postmaster General’s Department (PMG) in 1941-1942 and worked in post offices applying his morse code skills in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth and other locations. He also served as a telegraphist in the air force during World War II.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2013

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