E.Ashton joined the Victorian Police force in 1896;appointed a horse mounted constable in his first year of service and had a distinguished career that included arresting criminal "Squizzy Taylor in 1919 in Bourke Street, Melbourne. Ernest finished as Superintendent of Sale Police Station. His career is detailed in the Wycheproof family history section of our archive. He married Lucy May Webber at Wycheproof in 1898.Part of Victorian Police History and local Wycheproof History, Constable Ashton had a brilliant police career.In the framed black and white photo Constable Ernest Graham Ashton, in full mounted police uniform, which includes white helmet, sits astride his white steed, long sword hanging below the horses's right flank. Caption on photo: Mounted Constable Ernest Graham Ashton. The Court House Wycheproof.Mounted Constable ERNEST GRAHAM ASHTON THE COURT HOUSE WYCHEPROOF VICTORIA 1870 -1946victoria, ernest, mounted, wycheproof, police, graham, ashton

Rank: Superintendent – retired Stations: spent most of his Service with the Fingerprint Unit, O.I.C. Doncaster, Kew, Prahran, Supt: Essendon, Acting Chief Superintendent for District of Ivanhoe Service: From 5 August 1948 to 26 May 1987 = 40 years Service Served in Cyprus from May 1969 – May 1970 Awards: National Medal – granted 10 September 1986 Police Overseas Service Medal – Clasp CYPRUS – granted 8 July 1992 Born: 25 May 1927 in U.K., Brackley, NorthantsSee also History - this commemorative plaque was installed by former colleagues marking the career and service of a highly regarded member of the Victoria Police force.Rectangular brass plaque mounted on wooden frame. UK AUS 26.8.27 5.5.07 Patrick Hearn UK 17.7.48 Merchant Navy 11.8.45 AUS 5.8.48 Victoria Police 26.5.87 May '68 U.N. Police in Cyprus May '75 His ashes scattered in the surf at his (indecipherable) Separation Creek Lovingly remembered by his family and friends.plaque, memorial, patrick, hearn, merchant navy, victoria police

Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols

George (Sarge) Westcott (born 1859) was the son of Charity Pink Medhurst and second husband George Charles Westcott. After Charity's death father George raised his son George and her son David Medhurst (born 1855). Sarge Westcott was awarded a police valour medal after saving a colleague in the line of duty.Connection to the Medhurst family of Greensborough.Digital copy of black and white studio photograph.Caption on back of photograph:"Sarge Westcott. Superintendent of police with Valour Badge for bravery."george westcott, david medhurst, charity jane pink

Margaret 'Catherine' McVeigh joined the Women's Royal Australian Air Force in 1951, aged 19, discharging at her own request on 10 July 1956. Margaret then joined the Victoria Police Force on 20 June 1956 and served in the Women Police Division. Following the application of the Equal Opportunity Act, Margaret moved to general police duties on 4 January 1979. She was then in charge of No. 3 Division "O" District (Mounted Branch, Police Dog Squad and the Police Horse Stud Farm). In 1973 Margaret won the Churchill Fellowship award and travelled overseas to study the integration of women into world police forces. She then joined the International Police Association and was issued this identification card. Margaret was the first female member of the Victoria Police to attain the rank of Chief Inspector and subsequently Superintendent and Chief Superintendent. In August 1988, at the time of her retirement, she was Chief Superintendent in Charge of the Traffic Operations Group.International Police Association identification card belonging to Police Woman Inspector Catherine Margaret McVeigh. Card has blue cover and is unsigned.mcveigh, catherine margaret, 12428, police women, international police association, police woman, policewomen, policewoman

Ararat is a city in south-west Victoria, Australia, about 198 kilometres west of Melbourne, on the Western Highway on the eastern slopes of the Ararat Hills and Cemetery Creek valley between Victoria's Western District and the Wimmera. It is named after Mount Ararat 10 kilometres south-west of the town. A police station opened in Ararat in 1859, though there was a police presence in the area formerly known as Cathcart, Canton Lead and later Mount Ararat. In 1861 staff consisted of 1 Superintendent, 2 Mounted Constables, 1 Sergeant 2nd class, 1 Senior Constable, 8 Constables. The police reserve was on land bounded by Ligar Street, Barkley Street, Ingor Street and High Street. In 1930 the police station was described as a six-room brick dwelling with a slate roof, situated on one quarter acre of land. There was also a bathroom, wash-house, pantry, office, muster room and quarters for a single constable, stables with three stalls, and a lock-up consisting of two six-person cells. Later residences were located at 3 Ligar Street (brick veneer with a tile roof); 32A High Street (brick veneer with tile roof); and 3 Tobin Street (wood with an iron roof). A new, purpose built police station was opened in October 2010 at 77 Barkly Street. The Ararat Police District was reformed into the Wimmera Police District in 1870. Ararat Police Station became part of "R" (Glenelg) District in January 1948 and "M" (Highlands/Wimmera) District from March 1990. A list of police stationed at Ararat from 1903 - 1930 is available from the Victoria Police Museum8 photos comprising: 7 black & white photos 1 colour photopolice stations; ararat police station

Black and white photograph mounted on dark frame. 3 police officers on formal suits from the early 20th century posing for photograph in front of varandah at Russel St Police depot. On the middle, superintendent Kennedy seated in serious countenance, with Cawsey and Consendine[?] standing next to him.Handwritten: (top left) Kennedy seated // Cawsey on Kennedy right // Consendine on Kennedy left (top right) CP 46 // 68 Paper glued into frame, handwritten: - Lefit to right - // Detective Cawsey // Superintendent Kennedy // Detective Consendinevictoria police museum, police officers, police force, detective cawsey, superintendent kennedy, detective consedine

Image was taken just before the party set out in search for the Kelly Gang outlaws in the Strathbogie RangesSmall black and white photograph showing a group of ten men with rifles in a (staged) bushland setting. Eight are standing and two are crouched down on one leg.Supt Hares party (written on rear in pencil)search party, police search party, kelly gang, bushrangers, francis augustus hare, superintendent hare, thomas lawless, alfred john falkiner, joseph ladd mayes, john milne, thomas hewitt kirkham, william canny

Black and white photograph showing a group of ten men with rifles in a staged bushland setting. Eight are standing and two are crouching. Superintendent Hare's search party taken just before they were about to start for the Strathbogie Rangeskelly gang, bushrangers, search party, francis augustus hare, thomas lawless, alfred john falkiner, joseph ladd mayes, john milne, thomas hewitt kirkham, william canny

Extract from the Bendigo Independent April 16 1887 re Myers Family/Myers Creek. Titled The local dawn of civilization - A Pre-auriferous pioneer. Settlement by William and Thomas Myers. Story of settlement of area told by first wife of William Myers (Mrs Hayward). Recollection of Mrs Hayward's re the naming of Bendigo ( ('bendy-go'). Reference to Mr Campbell, Bullock Creek Hotel and Station; Mr John Catto (Loddon homestead); Mouat Bros (Yarraberb Station) M'Intyre (squatter of Kangaroo Flat and Big Hill) ; Buzza's Paddock (Myers' Flat). Mention of Superintendent Gilbert and Dr Backhaus.Bendigo Independentperson, individual, myers family, myers flat police station, buzz's paddock, bullock creek hotel and station, port phillip, myers creek.

certificate in a deep brown wooden frame which has a narrow gold colourer inside borderVICTORIA POLICE (emblem above the words) Presented to Wangaratta C.F.A in appreciation of your contributions towards the P District Police Open Day 1988. signed by the Coordinator and the Acting chief superintendent of the P district

Murray Comrie Collection. The house in this photo was the residence of the town police officer. The town block where the house was located was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. At the time of this photo (1924), the father of these children, Angus Comrie Snr was the constable for Tarnagulla. Adjacent to this house was a lockup, office and stable (shown in THA-2019.0031). Behind the residence and outbuildings (in background of this photo) was an adjoining paddock for the police horses. This house was sold for removal in in the 1960s and replaced with a prefabricated residence and small office from Bealiba. These as well as the lockup are still in place (as of 2019), but are no longer used. There are now private residences built on the former police horse paddock. A later image of this house is THA-2019.0032. For almost 100 years the Comrie name has been involved with the Victoria Police. Angus Comrie Snr, joined the force in 1899 and served as constable in Kaniva and Avoca and then in Tarnagulla from late 1909 until 1927. His son Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. The Murray Comrie Collection held by Tarnagulla History Archive was collated in the 1970s by Murray Comrie (1912-1983). Sepia photographic postcard, image depicting members of the Comrie family outside their home in Tarnagulla. According to the note on reverse, the subjects are as follows: On the verandah (left to right) are Murray Comrie, 'Mother' (Mary Ellen Comrie), and Keith Comrie. Angus Comrie Jr. is holding a roped mare. Standing at centre are 'Hilda' and 'Roy' (small child). See second image for handwritten notes on reverse.tarnagulla, police, policing, comrie

Murray Comrie Collection. The buildings in this image are (from left to right) the lockup, stable and office of the Tarnagulla Police complex. At far left a small part of the rear of the policeman's residence is visible. This residence is clearly depicted in THA-2019.0030. Behind the residence and outbuildings (in background of this photo) was an adjoining paddock for the police horses. This town block was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. At the time of this photo (1924), Angus Comrie Snr was the constable for Tarnagulla, living at the police residence with his family. The residence was sold for removal in in the 1960s and replaced with a prefabricated residence and small office from Bealiba which were used until the 1990s. These as well as the lockup are still in place (as of 2019) on the corner of Victoria and Gladstone Streets. There are now private residences built on the former police horse paddock. For over 100 years the Comrie name has been involved with the Victoria Police. Angus Comrie Snr, joined the force in 1899 and served as constable in Kaniva and Avoca and then in Tarnagulla from late 1909 until 1927. His son Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. The Murray Comrie Collection held by Tarnagulla History Archive was collated in the 1970s by Murray Comrie (1912-1983).Sepia photographic postcard, image depicting members of the Angus Comrie family standing among police outbuildings in Tarnagulla. Based on the note on reverse of THA-2019.0030, the subjects are probably (left to right): Hilda Comrie (b.1904, married in1907 to Alf Clarke), Roy Comrie (b.1921), Keith Comrie (b.1911, d.1934) and either Angus Comrie Jr. (b.1909) or Murray Comrie (b. circa 1912). See second image for handwritten notes on reverse.tarnagulla, police, policing, comrie

Report - original typed 3 foolscap pages, dated 24/1/1922 signed by the Manager Cable System (Mr. Roberts), to the Chief Manager, concerning an accident at the corner of Swanston and Lonsdale St where the auxiliary cable was cut due to a error by the policeman on duty directing tramcars, the pilot (pointsman/signaller) and one Gripman. Reports on the disciplinary hearing and makes recommendations as to the change of equipment and discussions with the Police department. Makes reference to somnolent market gardeners and general congestion on market days. Has names of Mr Barnes (claims Superintendent), Pilot Frederick Dainty, Gripman Frederick Houston, C. H. Turner and T Jewell representing the Union. Also has Mr. Strickland name in pencil. Also Constable Stanley, Youth J.C. Bartlett, Inspector Byers Notes issues with the intersection..1 - has stamp "Copy to Engineer" in top left hand corner.trams, tramways, cable trams, reports, services, accidents, police, lonsdale st, swanston st, signals