mulga wire

noun3

1. •
   (Australia, New-Zealand) An informal gossip network, especially in a rural area such as the outback; also, a component in the network (either a person or an imagined wire).

   • Lumps of silver as big as your head they're picking up. So the mulga wires say. — 1937
2. •
   (Australia, historical) A system for long-distance communication used by Aboriginal Australians, chiefly using smoke signals; also, a message or signal sent using such a system.
3. •
   (Australia, New-Zealand) A message or story transmitted through such an informal network, especially one containing false information.

   • Tom had been been out early, or had got what we call a bush telegraphy or mulga wire, for when they reached the Four Lanes he said—[…] — 1913