Call Waiting (U)
UBOBO, Q – Last time a pay phone received as much media attention was when Superman left his trousers behind. The phone stands outside the general store which is a celebration in its own right.
Halfway through 1999 Telstra attempted to remove the booth in the interests of shareholder return, but Ubobo said no. The entire population of 40 joined forces with local State member, Paul Neville of the National Party, to face the Goliath down.
The nearest alternative phone, they argued, was along 17 kays of flood-prone dirt. They murmured an Optus mutiny, ridiculed mobiles, and found voice on Australia All Over, the nation’s soapbox on ABC Radio, on a Sunday.
Telstra eventually relented. The phonebox won a reprieve. Next time you’re in Ubobo, be sure to ask Marguerite Bradley in the only store for change. She’d be happy to see the phone in use. [South of Gladstone along the Boyne River.]