In a heartwarming celebration of nostalgia, Telstra—formerly known as Telecom—organised a time capsule event in Adelaide, South Australia, to mark its 10th anniversary. The company, in collaboration with 9news.com.au, successfully located the ten children who buried the capsule back in 1985, now adults nearing 50, and gathered for a significant reunion to unveil the buried treasures.
Inside the capsule, participants discovered a mix of relics, including Polaroid photographs, newspaper copies of The Australian and The Advertiser from July 1, 1985, birthday cards, an Australian Telecommunications Commission booklet, and a letter from John Houston, a Telecom employee involved in the project.
Vicki Nuske, one of the original capsule creators, expressed her long-standing curiosity about its contents. "Every birthday, I thought I was one year closer to opening the time capsule," she reminisced. Vicki also reflected on the technological advancements that have taken place since then, saying, "I never imagined the mobile phones we have today."
David Kyriacou, another of the participants, shared his excitement at seeing what was inside the capsule, recalling, "I vaguely remember writing a letter… hopefully, it was a prediction of the future." His delight was evident as he remarked on the joy of reuniting with his childhood friends and sharing memories.
The contents of the time capsule provided a fascinating contrast to contemporary technology. In 1985, many Australians were still reliant on rotary-dial landlines, with the internet not yet accessible to most households. Telstra’s regional general manager, Michael Patterson, highlighted the rapid technological evolution since then: “At that time, they were using payphones… the first mobile handsets only emerged two years later.”
The time capsule event also highlighted the profound changes introduced by advancements such as social media and artificial intelligence. Following a nationwide appeal launched by Telstra in April, the hunt for the children from the original photograph gained traction, leading to the reunion. A spokesperson for Telstra expressed gratitude for the community’s support and noted that, one by one, all ten original participants came forward, rekindling connections and cherished memories from their childhood.
Overall, the event not only celebrated Telstra’s legacy but also served as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the evolution of technology that continues to shape our lives today.