Historical information
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).
Physical description
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).
Inscriptions & markings
See second image for handwritten notes on reverse.
