At our first meeting for the year, on 9th the February 1993, Ray presented to us a very interesting and informative march through time, of policing in Gippsland.

In 1855, Gippsland's police force comprised 10 mounted Constables. The discovery of gold north of Moe justified the opening of a police station at Traralgon; land was reserved where the present post office is situated and in 1860 Traralgon's first police station, which was also the first government building in Traralgon, was erected.

It was a slab building, costing £245/10/0 but because green timber was used a further £49/10/0 had to be spent on repairs within 12 months. Traralgon's population was 150. Mounted Constable John O'Connor was Traralgon's first resident policeman. As there wasn't a lock-up in Traralgon until 1875, police were forced to sit up all night to watch the prisoners.

In June 1881, land was reserved on the northwest corner of Franklin and Seymour streets and in the following year the police moved into their new building. Traralgon's population had now expanded to 1200.

It was considered that the new police station was too prominent, so new land was purchased at 19 Kay Street and occupied in 1889.

In 1912 senior Constable Chenhall [Keith's grandfather] was appointed officer in charge.

(Photo, left, from the Society's archives, of the Traralgon Police Station in 1930)

In 1937 the police station was again condemned and a new building was erected on the same block, but facing into Seymour street . The officer in charge was senior Constable Sloan.With the outbreak of war in 1939, the building had to be strengthened and fortified with sand bags and an air raid siren, which was formerly a ships siren, was mounted on the wall of Cec Stammers garage next door. Fortunately, the siren was never used excepting for practice.  (The siren is now on display in the Society's rooms.)

In 1957 a fourth building was erected, on the Kay Street end of the block and this was occupied in November. By mid-1960s Traralgon had a 24-hour service at the police station.

(Photo, right of the Traralgon Police Station in 1953, from the Society's archives)

By 1987 it was proposed that a new police station be built, at a  cost of $1,800,000, entailing the removal of the Welfare Centre and kindergarten buildings. This new police station was ready for occupancy by February 1989 and was officially opened by the Minister for Education, Mr. Pullen. There are now 38 police officers stationed at Traralgon.