Grace Brebner graduated in 1942 and was the first police woman to attend Detective Training School. She began at the Criminal Investigation Branch in 1951 often taking on undercover shifts at a factory to investigate illegal gambling. Brebner was later employed as Sub-Officer-in-Charge at the Women Police Division.Record of Conduct and Service belonging to Grace Brebner, registration no. 9690. Includes personal description, list of transfers and black and white profile photograph of Grace Brebner.police woman, brebner, grace, 9690, conduct record, service record, criminal investigation branch, detective, police women, policewoman, policewomen

Hotchkiss Patrol Car with Harry Rand in driver's seat, 1922. Taken at rear of Russell Street police station. Partial registration plate 0758. This was the first CIB (Criminal Investigation Branch) car and Constable Rand was the driver.police vehicles; hotchkiss patrol car; motor police branch; transport

In 1977, artist Annette Meikle undertook a commission to illustrate a book recording stories of places and people in the Bayside area. It was published in 1978 as Sandringham Sketchbook, with text by Elizabeth Waters. The sketches were intended to record remaining examples of Bayside’s early architecture and environment, as well as reflect newer architectural changes. Meikle went on to donate 22 of these sketches to Bayside City Council in 2003. This inter-war house located at 60 Bluff Road, Black Rock, was built in 1926 for former Scotland Yard and Criminal Investigation Branch detective Horatio Reginald Clarence McWilliams. When McWilliams died it was found that he had taken extreme measures to protect his security. All the windows were nailed shut, a network of burglar alarms ran through the house and a complicated underground air raid shelter had been built in the garden. The security measures were at odds with the name of the house – Karinga or Karinya – an Aboriginal word meaning peaceful, happy home. Later residents of ‘Karinga’ included Senator Don Chipp and his family. The property has since been demolished and apartments have been built on the land.Annette Meikle, Karinga 1977, ink and watercolour, 32 x 23.5 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by the artist, 2003annette meikle, sandringham sketchbook, elizabeth waters, black rock, karinga, karinya, horatio reginald clarence mcwilliams, senator don chipp, historic house, bluff road