Doncaster Police Station
In November last year a new police station was opened at Doncaster. This is the fourth building to house the Doncaster Police. The new building at the corner of Doncaster Road and Dryden Street cost over one million dollars and has a strength of 47 policemen.0n the ground floor are the uniformed police, the 0.1.8. and a spacious cell block. The first floor contains the divisional offices, the crime collator, and the traffic accident co-ordinator. There is a locker room, a dining room and recreation area.
The first police station in the area of our city was opened at Warrandyte in 1856. Eight years later there was a lull in gold mining and the office was closed. "In January, 1882, the Rev. Max von Schramm led a deputation to the council seeking their assistance to obtain police protection for the peaceable citizens of Doncaster. With the opening of the tower, Doncaster had become a popular tourist resort, and there followed much trespassing." Often orchard trees were damaged and fruit was stolen. Also contractors used to dump night soil in the district, bringing illness to children.
A police station was opened on the 27th May, 1882, with Mounted Constable M. Gleeson in charge. It was in a hut nestling among pine trees near the corner of Frederick Street, on the site of the Shell Computer Centre. During the land boom, R. G. Cameron built an estate agent's office in front of the wooden lockup.
During World War I, the police transferred to a brick house that stood alongside the position of Head Mod. The house was rented from Mrs Stutt, the owner of the Doncaster Hotel, and had been built by Mr Craig the headmaster of the East Doncaster School. A room at the rear was converted into a lock-up.
About 1927, the police station moved back to almost its original site, this time in a house on the corner of Station Street. The constable in charge rented the house from Mr. Moffet and used a room at the back as an office.
In 1934 Mr. Morry Doherty became the resident mounted constable. He and his horse, Jill, became well-known figures in the area. In 1945 the Police Department bought the house and when the population of the district grew, requiring more police, a temporary prefabricated building was added at the rear.
Once again the Doncaster Police Station has been moved, and again it has moved near its former site.
1979 02 DTHS Newsletter
Doncaster :Police Station - 2017
Doncaster Police Complex, 979 Doncaster Road, Doncaster - Opening Hours: 24 Hours . Facebook |
| Police Complex, Cnr Dryden St and Doncaster Road 2006 GoogleStreetView |
Newspaper Reports relating to Doncaster Police Station
From Constable M'Grath, Doncaster Police Station, under date August 31st, tendering his resignation as Inspector of Nuisances, as he had been promoted and was leaving the district. He thanked the Council for the courtesy always extended him. On the motion of Cr Smith, the resignation was received. From Constable Kane, applying for the above position. On the motion of Crs. Smith and Williamson, Constable Kane was appointed Inspector of Nuisances at a salary of £10 year.1892 'TEMPLESTOWE SHIRE COUNCIL.', Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), 4 November, p. 3. (MORNING.), viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60668112
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ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.
An elderly German woman, named Herr, met with her death at Doncaster on the 11th March. She was crossing a paddock, in which was a bull belonging to her son- in-law, Gotlebb Lieber, when the brute rushed at her, knocked her down, tore open her body with its horns, and then commenced to eat her clothes. A neighbor shortly after-wards arrived at the spot, but the unfortunate woman was then quite dead, and the body presented a frightful spectacle.1873 'ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES.', Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers (Melbourne, Vic. : 1867 - 1875), 27 March, p. 39. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60446436
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The Doncaster police proceeded against Henry Crouch for not having his child vaccinated, and he was fined 10s.
1889 'BOX HILL POLICE COURT.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 12 September, p. 3. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93195220
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From Constable D. Kean, Doncaster Police Station, tendering his resignation as inspector of nuisances, Temple- stowe Riding, as he was leaving the district. -Accepted.
1896 'TEMPLESTOWE SHIRE COUNCIL.', Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), 31 January, p. 4. (M0RNING.), viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60693575
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LOOTING A POLICE STATION - ARREST OF A SUSPECT.
(wire from our Melbourne correspondent.) Melbourne, Wednesday (Midnight). The Doncaster Police Station was woken into at seven o'clock to;mght and Mounted Constable Crow's outfit including a helmet, overcoat and baton was stolen. The sword and revolver were left behind. The pro perty was afterwards recovered. A man named Day has been arrested.1898 'LOOTING A POLICE STATION', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 4 August, p. 3. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226098895
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The charge sheet at Doncaster Police Court on September 17 contained accusations against four men bearing famous names, viz ., William Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, George Stephenson, and one Bacon. William Shakespeare's attendance was required because he had deserted his wife "Annie" and had used bad language; Ben Johnson (spelt however with an "h") had failed to have his horse under control; and George Stephenson was summoned under an order of ejectment. In addition Richard Sheridan had to answer a charge of being drunk.
1904 'IN THE PAPERS.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 29 October, p. 8. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10347805
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POLICE CHANGES.
Constable Ewert, who has been in charge of the Doncaster police station for nearly three years past, is being transferred to Geolong as watch-house keeper at that place. For some time Constable Ewert has not enjoyed the best of health, hence his reason for ap-plying for less strenuous duty. During his term in Doncaster he proved himself a most valued officer of the force, and one who carried out the law in its entirety without unduly harrass-ing the local residents. He is to be succeeded by Constable Kelly, from Costerfleld (near Heathcote).1917 'POLICE CHANGES.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 31 August, p. 2. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75168254
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ORCHARDIST'S WATCH STOLEN.
On his way home from Spencer street yesterday afternoon, Mr. William A. Webb, an orchardist, of Doncaster, travelled on the Victoria street tram. When he reached his home he found that his gold watch and chain, valued at £70, and a gold sovereign case containing a sovereign and a half- sovereign, had been stolen. The theft is believed to have been committed by a pickpocket on the tram. Mr. Webb reported his loss to the Doncaster police.1921 'ORCHARDIST'S WATCH STOLEN.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 5 October, p. 14. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article4643254
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LOST MEMORY. YOUNG MAN ON ROADSIDE.
Wound Above Left Hip. In response to a telephone message re-ceived yesterday at the Doncaster police station Constable O'Brien took charge of a tall, well-built, and well-dressed young man who had been observed sitting on the roadside near Templestowe. From questions he put to the man the constable assumed that he had lost his memory. He was taken to the Heidelberg police station, where Dctectives McGuffie and Seager interviewed him. An examination revealed a wound above his left hip which had the appearance of having been made by a bullet. The wound had been dressed and appeared to have been inflicted some time ago. In the man's possession was an artist's sketching pad and several pencil sketches, which bore the initials "H. W."1931 'LOST MEMORY.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 6 March, p. 5. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4395057
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Robbery under arms - Fruiterer Robbed of £140
Held-up at the point of a revolver on the afternoon of March 16, in Elgar Road, between Box Hill and Doncaster, Mr J. A. Smith, fruiterer. later, he noticed, that it had stopped by two men of £140. Mr Smith, who owns seven fruit shops in the eastern suburbs, was on his way home in his car with the takings of the shops which had accumulated since March 11. It is his custom to collect these twice a week. On March 16, while he was driving along Elgar Road, a cr passed and, of Main Road, Doncaster, was robbed up a hill. "As I approached the car," Mr Smith said, "one of the men in the car jumped out and called out 'Pull up a minute. We want you.' I then stopped the car, and immediately the man who was on the roadway came up to me drawing a revolver from his pocket and pointing it at me. "Another man jumped out, and while the" first kept me covered with the gun, secured my gladstone bag and emptied out all the money, amounting to about £140, into his hat. He then returned to the car, while the first man pulled out the ignition key from my car and joined the other men. They then turned their car round and drove off rapidly in the direction of Melbourne. "I immediately pulled off the earth wire and got my engine going. I then drove to the Doncaster police station to raise the alarm." Mr Smith was able to give only an incomplete description of the hold-up men. He says that one was about 30, dark, clean-shaven and wearing a blue twill suit, and the other was about 40. Neither of the men was masked.1931 'ROBBERY UNDER ARMS', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 21 March, p. 13. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223189653
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Horse Princess Margaret was to ride disappears.
"JILL"óthe police troop-horse which Princess Margaret was to have ridden during the Royal visitóhas disappeared from a paddock adjoining Doncaster Police Station. First-constable V. M. Doherty locked the paddock gate on Wednesday night. It was found open yester-day morning, and the horse was missing. A prize winner in the last Royal Show, Jill has served for many years on metropolitan football grounds and in city street parades. A mobile police unit searched Don-caster and surrounding districts without success. The horse's description is: Grey mare, aged, dark mane and tail, branded on off shoulder with a crown over the number 801. Anyone knowing her whereabouts is asked to contact Doncaster or Russell St Police.1948 'Horse Princess Margaret was to ride disappears,', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 December, p. 1. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22706797
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Famous Police Horse Missing
Jill, one of the Victorian police force's famous "greys," is missing. Jill is troop horse at Don-caster police station. On Wednesday night she was put in a paddock next to the station, but police believe she was let out during tne nigut. Anyone seeing the horse is asked to ring Doncaster police (WX9178). Jill is described as a grey mare, dark mane and tail; about 18 hands, branded "Crown over 801" on the off shoulder.1948 'Famous Police Horse Missing', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 3 December, p. 4. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news- article205672505
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Famous Police Mare Found
Jill the police mare, which disappeared from Doncaster police station on Wednesday night, was found roaming In Heidelberg ; park yesterday afternoon. Jill, a 12 year-old dapple-grey mare, was bred and trained at Bundoora police stud farm. 1948 'Famous Police Mare Found', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 4 December, p. 4. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205680654 ====================================================='Where to, mate?'
A Doncaster taxi-driver struggled with and held a man he found sitting in his taxi with the en-gine running last night. James Henry Uns-worth, of Doncaster rd., Doncaster, told police he came out of his home about 7 p.m., and saw a man sitting in his parked cab. The man called out to him: "Where to, mate?" Unsworth jumped into the cab, turned off the ignition, and grappled with the man. Wireless patrol police later charged a 25-year old man with attempting to illegally use the taxi.1953 ''Where to, mate?'', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 25 August, p. 1. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23263569
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They Used Gelignite at Doncaster - Police Riddle of 3 men and tree
POLICE are puzzled to know why three men tried to blow up a tree in East Doneaster yesterday - and got very annoyed when they were spotted! The men are reported to have tried to run down a Doneaster man, Mr. E. D. Cruickshank, of Anderson Creek Rd., who saw them at work. Mr. Cruickshank told police he leaped aside as the three men in a Vanguard car, drove at him. The men are reported to have tried to run down a Doncaster man, Mr. E. D. Cruickshank, of Anderson Creek Rd., who saw them at work. The men had tried to blow up a tree with gelignite, he said. He had seen the men acting furtively around the tree. When he went across to note the number of their car, they, got into the car and tried to run him down, he alleged. " Police can think of no reason why the men should want to blow up the tree. They discount a locally-held theory that "loot" might be buried underneath it.1956 'THEY USED GELIGNITE AT DONCASTER POLICE RIDDLE OF 3 MEN, AND TREE', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 28 January, p. 6. , viewed 11 Sep 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72532828
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Woman dead in garage
A MAN allegedly walked into a police station yesterday and said his partner was dead in the garage of a Croydon home. Police found the body of Cheryl Haynes, 46, who is believed to have been strangled. Glen William Diver, of South Croydon, was last night charged with one count of murder. The Herald Sun believes Mr Diver overheard a phone conversation in which Ms Haynes discussed financial problems and said she was going to leave her partner. In an out of sessions hearing Det-Sen Constable Nigel L'Estrange said that between 9am and 10am yesterday Mr Diver, 40, and his de facto had an argument, mainly about financial issues. Sen-Det Constable L'Estrange said Ms Haynes, who was in the garage, threw a cup of coffee over Mr Diver and a physical fight began. "Mr Diver has then choked Cheryl Haynes with his hands," he said. The court heard that after Ms Haynes collapsed, Mr Diver fetched a dressing gown cord and continued to choke her. Sen-Det Constable L'Estrange said Mr Diver covered Ms Haynes' body and found his son in a bedroom at the other end of the house. He said Mr Diver then went to a bank, withdrew $1000, and took his 12-year-old son to his grandmother's house. Mr Diver then went to the police station and told police he had killed Ms Haynes. During the hearing, Mr Diver fought back tears. Both Mr Diver and Ms Haynes each have two children by previous partners. Mr Diver will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court today. Mr Diver was taken to Maroondah Hospital for treatment to an arm injury before police were able to interview him. It was the third murder investigation to be launched in a little over 18 hours after stabbings in Geelong and Doncaster on Monday night. Dwayne Sherri, 27, from Newcombe, was stabbed in a car park in Breakwater Rd, near Geelong, before staggering into a milk bar and collapsing about 5.50pm. He died in hospital a short time later. A man was taken into custody for questioning but charges have not been laid. A 23-year-old Doncaster man, Corey James Clarke, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with murdering his father about 9.15pm the previous day. It's alleged the man stabbed his father James Clarke, 54, who died in his house in Bayley Grove. Magistrate William O'Day heard Mr Clarke had mental health problems and was on the prescribed drug Rasperidone. Mr Clarke, who did not apply for bail, was remanded in custody until September 18.Anthony Dowsley, HeraldSun May 30, 2007 12:00am http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/woman-dead-in-garage/news-story/396d0bb29f995df477180aafd4b5440a?sv=bc53cfa76e77a0878a573cf3dbf4ce86
Murray Doherty
Murray Doherty, Doncaster's mounted policeman during the 1930's and forty's. Before police were equipped with cars, suburban police stations used bicycles and country police rode horses.
Doncaster Mounted Policeman - Sergeant M. Doherty at the Victoria Police Barracks in St Kilda Road. Sergeant Doherty was stationed at Doncaster during the 1930s and 40s. DP0311 (1992 09 DTHS Newsletter)
Related news story:
1930 'FARMER SHOT DEAD.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 23 October, p. 8. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4212142
1930 'TWO MEN SHOT DEAD', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), 25 October, p. 7. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224916414
1933 'WHITTLESEA COURT', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 1 December, p. 8. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56742926
1934 'WHITTLESEA', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 12 January, p. 3. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56743255
SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN Blacktrackers Engaged
Parties are still searching for Alec Bell, a mill hand employed by Messrs. Sanderson and Brenda's sawmill at Kinglake West, who has been missing since Thursday night or early on Friday morning. First-constable Doherty, of Whittlesea, accompanied by two black trackers from Boondora, and a party of police recruits from the St Kilda road police depot are taking part in the search.Yesterday morning Constable Doherty with Constable Hugath and one of the black trackers went to Glenburn, but the party returned to Whittlesea last night without having found any sign of the missing man.
Bell was a resident of Yarra Glen and was to have been married last Saturday. It Is said that he has been suffering from pains in the head as a result of a fall from a jinker. One theory is that he is suffering fiom loss of memory. When last seen he was dressed in his working clothes. He is aged 25 years with a fair complexion, and about 5ft 9in in height.
1934 'SEARCH FOR MISSING, MAN', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 5 March, p. 10. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10915344
Also see:
1934 'WHITTLESEA.', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 9 March, p. 3. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56743898
1934 'WHITTLESEA.', Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), 4 May, p. 1. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56744654
1934 'Alleged Horse Stealing', Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic. : 1900 - 1942), 27 October, p. 3. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60451684
SHOTS IN NIGHT FROM CARS - Race in Suburbs
With their occupants apparently exchanging shots, two sedan cars raced at high speed along Doncaster road, through East Kew and North Balwyn, last night.As soon as Russell street received a report of the shots a police wireless patrol set off in pursuit. Early this morning it had not returned.
Walking along the dark road toward his home in Doncaster a man saw the cars, and heard what appeared to be shots, near the East Kew tram terminus about 10 p.m. He Immediately telephoned tile police.
Soon afterward Constable Doherty, of Doncaster, telephoned Russel Istrect to report that two cars had passed his house at high pseed. The occupants appeared to be firing shots.
1939 'SHOTS IN NIGHT FROM CARS', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 29 August, p. 2. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11234677
Horse Princess Margaret was to ride disappears.
"JILL"óthe police troop-horse which Princess Margaret was to have ridden during the Royal visitóhas disappeared from a paddock adjoining Doncaster Police Station.First-constable V. M. Doherty locked the paddock gate on Wednesday night. It was found open yesterday morning, and the horse was missing.
A prize winner in the last Royal Show, Jill has served for many years on metropolitan football grounds and in city street parades.
A mobile police unit searched Don-caster and surrounding districts without success.
The horse's description is: Grey mare, aged, dark mane and tail, branded on off shoulder with a crown over the number 801.
Anyone knowing her whereabouts is asked to contact Doncaster or Russell st police.
1948 'Horse Princess Margaret was to ride disappears,', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 3 December, p. 1. , viewed 26 Feb 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22706797
Doncaster Police
During the first years, there was no resident policeman at Doncaster. In times of trouble, the police had to be called from Kew. During the prosperity of the 1880's, the population began to increase and the Police Department formed a police station at Doncaster.Since the Doncaster Police Station was first established on 27th. May 1882, it has moved around many times. It has shuttled up and down Doncaster Road.
The first police station was said to have been in the vicinity of the corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads. There were several huts near there at that time. One, on the corner itself, was built by John Tully in 1860. Richard Serpell, who owned the land, moved the hut to the rear of his house as an orchard shed when he built the red brick corner store in 1890.
Doncaster Road c1900 from the Doncaster Tower, looking west along Doncaster Road towards the intersection of Elgar Road, Tram Road and Williamsons Road. Buildings visible include Clay's house (striped verandah on left). Built by John Clay in 1858. Used as the police station in the 1890's.
Left in front of Clay's house was an estate agent's office during the land boom of the 1880's. On the far right, is the entrance to Frederick Street. Also visible is Serpell's shop (top right at intersection), Tower Hotel, Lauer's shop, Edward Gallus' house in Tram Road, Laurie Smith's house and Edwin Wilson's house, both in Elgar Road DP0004 (see 1992 12 DTHS Newsletter)
In the 1890's, the Police Station was in a house on the south side of Doncaster Road between Frederick and Station Streets with Constable D.R. Crowe in charge. John Clay had built this house in the 1850's and it became empty when the Clay family moved to Kew in 1889.
The next move came about 1910 when Constable Bent rented a house in Church Road opposite Holy Trinity Church. It had been built by Everard Thiele.
Central Cool Store area 1906 The Government Cool Store in Doncaster Road adjacent to the Doncaster Hotel. The engineer's house is in the foreground, and the house in the distance was built for William Craig, the head master of the Doncaster East State School, and later became the Doncaster Police Station. Doncaster Road at this point appears to be boggy after recent rain. The Government Cool Store was not run efficiently and was taken over by Doncaster orchardists and run as a co-operative and renamed the Central Cool Store before being closed in 1930's. The site was used by Surrods hardware in the 1980's DP0323
The house on the left was the Doncaster Police Station. On the right is the Central Cool Store, closed during the depression of 1930 Surrods hardware store now stands on the site of the cool store. (1992 12 DTHS Newsletter) DP0323
Two solid lockups were built into the rear of the house and though these were not used very often, Constable Bryant found them very handy on one occasion. Mr. Beavis was working in Doncaster Road when he saw a man acting in a strange manner so he went over and called Les Bryant. They agreed there was something wrong with the man who then came up to them. Bryant spoke to the man saying he looked hot and offered him a drink of water. He led the man to the shade of the lockup and quickly pushed him through the door. The man had escaped from the mental home at Mont Park.
There was another change around 1930. The police station moved to the south west corner of Doncaster Road and Station Street, now Clay Drive, almost its previous position, when Les Bryant rented a house from Mr. Moffat. He lived at the house and used a room at the back for police business.
In 1934, Mr. Murray Doherty became the resident mounted constable. His uncle George Doherty had held the position before him while the station was at the brick house near Victoria Street. Murray Doherty soon became part of the Doncaster community. His children went to the school and the family joined in local social life and his wife, Greta, played tennis at the Box Hill Tennis Club. Doherty, and his horse Jill, were well known figures as they rode around the district on police business. He was admired for his neat appearance and horsemanship and indeed had won prizes for the best turned out equestrian. He used to ride with the police at the Royal Show. Murray used to train Jill on an orchard in Doncaster.
In 1945, the Police Department purchased the house at Station Street and a few years later, Murray Doherty retired. Doncaster had become his home so the family bought a house in Elizabeth Street and stayed in the area.
During the years after the war, the population of Doncaster grew rapidly bringing more demands on the police. A temporary prefabricated building was added to the house but soon this became inadequate.
In the 1970's, the staff using these premises had reached thirteen and continued to grow. The station operated from 8 a.m.to midnight from Monday to Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday Saturday and Sunday.
The final move was to Dryden Street corner on 24 November 1978. The police Department built a large two story building to house the local police station as well as other departments. In this well appointed two story building, new departments were added so that it opened with a staff of forty giving a twenty-four hours service everyday.
Doncaster is now a very different place from the rural town of forty years ago when our mounted policeman, Murray Doherty, patrolled the district mounted on his horse Jill.
Irvine Green writing in 1992 12 DTHS Newsletter
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