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TOUR OF THE KYNETON POLICE STATION AND LOCKUP.
As a regular visitor to the historic Kyneton museum here in Victoria I
was advised by one of the staff there that there would be a one off
tour of the local police station and holding cells on July 31 (2009).
The reason for the tour was that the police station built in the
1960’s is to be demolished and the older one next door to it built in
the 1800’s is to be renovated. The cells will be saved from demolition
and kept as an historical relic. (perhaps Heritage Victoria has
finally done some good?)
I have been to this location many times, however I had never been
inside the cells and jumped at the opportunity to do so.
The tour was also advertised in the Kyneton papers and on country radio.
I took the day off work and headed up the freeway, a leisurely 30 minute drive.
The tour started at 10:30am and the weather was typical for Kyneton at
this time of year, drizzling and cold, in fact it rained all the way
there but was light once we started the tour.
The group of 7 was broken up into two, my group was led by a senior
constable of 30 years experience whilst the other taken by the Senior
Sergeant.
The officer I went with was a friendly chap and knew a lot about the
station and what was to become of it.
We started the tour at the front of the current police station. This
street is not unlike most streets in Kyneton, lined with wide roads
and beautiful old houses, deep bluestone gutters and an air of history
about them.
We walked around to the rear of the station and he discussed the fate
of a couple of trees that are as old as the site itself. (mid 1800’s)
As he explained how the development had to allow for these trees I
imagined how a young Ned Kelly would have been here and perhaps these
huge trees were but little sticks then. Then my mind was swiftly
brought back to the present as we were told how one of the trees had
fallen over onto the courthouse and it was most fortunate that it had
not caused any damage. This tree has split in two and anyone can see
it is dead and should not be considered. The other tree and several
lining the drive however are of significance.
We then turned around to look at the original (still working)
courthouse. This courthouse was built in the 1860’s and apart from
some very early additions is as it was from that era. In fact I do not
think any part was added after Ned was here therefore we were looking
at the exact building he would have been in and looking at. I often
like to be somewhere and see something that an historical figure has
also seen. Whether it be a lookout of explorer Major Mitchell, Burke &
Wills or a landing place of days gone by, it is a great feeling. When
you add a building that has not been altered the experience is
tenfold.
We did not go into the courthouse, which was disappointing, however I
was lucky enough to have a look around when Davo Brown was in town a
few years back.
We then took a tour of the modern police station, I have been in
plenty of those (as a sightseer only!) so was not all that interested,
however I did appreciate the fact that this would be the one and only
time we would get to see inside. I was just so keen to see the cells!
 
I was not to wait long before we headed into the cells, the same cell
where Ned himself spent some time in 1870!
I had originally thought that perhaps there were one or two cells,
however, there were 3 cells inside.
 
The policeman pointed out one particular cell as being the one that
housed Ned. How he knew this I never learned, however I was happy
enough to know that at least one of these 3 cells was the right one
and it really did not matter which.
The only changes made from 1870 was the addition of 2 cameras to watch
prisoners and a toilet and light switch along with an emergency
button.
Prisoners are still housed in here on a regular basis, which is why it
had been impossible up until now to get to see inside.
Apart from inside the cells it was interesting to see the tiny
exercise yard and such. I would not wish to spend any time in these
cold cells, I can tell you!
 
After this area we moved on to the 1882 double storey red brick police
station which is situated right next door.
 
This was a beautiful building on the outside but very very tired
within. The poor police officers have to sleep in a room in here that
has seen better days, even the officer who showed us around has water
coming in from the ceiling to his office! He was not alone in his
appreciation of what this building would once have looked like, today
however it yearns for restoration. Unfortunately the restoration it
will soon receive includes the removal of the beautiful staircases due
to modern requirements. Anything that can be saved for the Police
Historical Unit will be saved and that is good.
It was interesting to note that a discussion had been had over whether
or not to have any reference to Ned Kelly in the new station. It
appears that the current thoughts go along the line that in New York
at Ground Zero there is no reference to the men who blew up the towers
and therefore no reference should be made to a man who would be in
Kyneton as a lad and would later kill 3 police officers. Whilst I can
understand the logic in some fashion, I do not agree that you can
compare what happened on 9/11 with what occurred as part of our
colonial history. The saga of Ned Kelly was, and is, about much more
than the shooting of police and attempt to derail a train at
Glenrowan. A debate for another day perhaps. I believe that Kyneton
does not realise its tourist potential in relation to Ned, however it
may be difficult to convince police of this fact and I respect their
decision. If we could incorporate the cells in a walking tour related
to Ned’s stay in town I think that would be a tourist bonus.
It would be ideal to have an archaeological dig on site once the
modern police complex is demolished, imagine what treasures could be
found!
After the hour long tour we all headed off to the Kyneton Museum for a
hot cup of tea and a biscuit.
All in all, a great morning out.
Dave.
Thanks to Sharon for editing my article.
News about the new police station.
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www.nedonthenet.com