The Victoria Police Museum has opened a new exhibition showcasing the buildings, stories and people behind police stations that have served Victorian communities for more than 170 years.
People, Plans and Places features historic building plans, photographs and artefacts from the museum's collection, offering visitors a unique look at how police stations have helped shape towns and cities across Victoria.
From small one-person stations in rural communities to major Melbourne landmarks, the exhibition explores how police buildings reflected the growth of local communities and changing architectural styles from the 1870s through to the 1980s.
Many of the plans on display were drafted by architects from Victoria's former Public Works Department and are rarely seen by the public.
The exhibition features stories and architectural drawings from police stations in Cobden, Kerang and Traralgon, representing communities in the southwest, northwest and east of the state.
It also includes displays focused on Mount Cole near Ararat, St Kilda Road Police Station, the former Police Hospital and the iconic Russell Street Headquarters.
Alongside the plans and drawings are stories that reveal the human side of policing in years gone by.
Visitors can learn about a suspicious fire that destroyed decades of police records in Kerang, police investigations into illegal whisky distilling near Cobden and a request by a Traralgon police officer to have additional accommodation built for visits from his mother-in-law.
The exhibition has a range of rare artefacts from the museum's collection, including original hand-painted wallpaper from the former Mount Cole police residence.
Dating back to the 1860s, the wallpaper provides a glimpse into the lives of police and their families living and working on Victoria's goldfields.
Many of the featured buildings no longer exist in their original form, while others have been repurposed over time.
Together, they tell the story of how policing evolved alongside the communities it served and how these buildings became enduring landmarks in the Victorian landscape.
People with ties to one of the featured towns are encouraged to visit the museum and discover the role their local police station played in the history of their community.
However they have a connection, visitors will find stories that help bring Victoria's past to life.
The Victoria Police Museum is at 313 Spencer Street, Docklands.
It's open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm.
Entry is free.
Quotes attributable to Victoria Police Museum and Historical Services Curator Annabel Macpherson:
"Police stations have long been part of the fabric of Victorian communities.
"They are often among the oldest and most recognisable buildings in a town, and they hold countless local stories.
"We wanted to tell the story of how Victoria Police and regional communities grew together, so we chose stories from Cobden, Kerang and Traralgon that reflect the challenges, characters and everyday realities of policing across Victoria.
"Whether you're interested in local history, architecture, policing, or simply want to learn more about the place you call home, this exhibition offers a fascinating window into Victoria's past and the communities that helped shape our state."
