‘This is happy time here:’ Randomly placed rotary phones in Victoria inspire people to practise calling loved ones

Adam has the story of how old rotary phones are helping people find the courage to say the things they wish they could.

“Oh my goodness gracious!,” Maggie Olson-Moore says as she notices a couple old phones attached to the electrical pole. “What is this for?”

Eric Wiebe first noticed the rotary phone couple weeks ago.

“I thought it was kind of cool,” he said.

While outdated technology can seem kind of like a novelty now, there is something special about taking the time to dial a phone number.

“I kind of miss it,” one woman laughs.

“It feels like a toy at this point because it’s too much fun,” another adds.

While nobody knew who put them there, and the phones aren’t connected to anything, Chelsea Turner notices there’s also a sign on the pole inviting you to connect with anyone you love.

“Call your loved one. Tell them everything. Practise here,” Chelsea reads. “That’s really sweet!”

But the reality of accepting the invitation can feel scary

“Who am I going to talk to?” Chelsea asks. “What am I going to say?”

Eric points out that although we’re constantly connected to a phone, we’re often using them to avoid connecting with people.

“Isn’t it ironic,” Eric sys. “It’s more of a distraction and less than a connection nowadays.”

Which is why Maggie is so appreciative of this opportunity.

“Do we tell our loved ones that we love them often enough?” Maggie asks. “And then they’re gone. That’s happened to me too many times,” she says.

So, these people, who just happened to pass the pole with the phones, find the courage to call.

“Hello,” Eric starts, before offering support to someone who’s been struggling.

“I remember you telling me you were going through some stuff.”

“Hi Tom,” Maggie dialled her husband to tell him about the grandkids she’s visiting. “Levi’s feeling better.”

“Hello Nan!” Chelsea tells her 89-year-old Nan—who helped raise her when she was young—that she’s a never-ending inspiration. “You’re a wonderful woman.”

And then, no matter what each person began saying, everyone ended up communicating what all of us really want to hear.

“I just wanted to call to tell you I love you,” Maggie smiles.

“I just wanted to tell you that I love you lots,” Eric says before hanging up the receiver.

“I love you so much,” Chelsea makes a kissing sound before saying goodbye, and placing her hands on her cheeks. “Ahh! That’s so sweet. I love that. I’m emotional.”

“Even though there’s nobody on the other end,” Eric smiles. “It gives you a good feeling.

“This is happy time here,” Maggie smiles before practising another call with her other grandkids who live out of town and ends the same way. “I love you.”

Seeing as it was so wonderful to make these imaginary calls, all the people leave the pole saying their off to make the real ones.