Road & Rail Trip, Day the Last!
Aug. 2nd, 2009 10:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenithLast day, and plane leaves at 12.25 pm. Plan to get there half an hour beforehand. Allow half an hour for the Sky Bus. So I have to leave the city somewhere between 11 and 11.30.
That leaves time for one last quick visit.
Before I left, I made a point of checking online for any little museums and things in Melbourne. That is how I found the Chinese one. There were a couple of places I either didn't feel inclined to visit or they were too far out of the city centre. This is one that didn't come up though.
The Lots of Glass and Reflections Museum The Victoria Police Museum. I came across a mention of it in one of my brochures. That was all. It did appear on the map I pulled out of the Melbourne in Winter booklet on Saturday and lost on Sunday, as being in the World Trade Centre. I did a Google search during one of those internet cafes visit and found out it was open Monday - Friday, at 10 am. Hmm. It is just around the corner from Spencer St Southern Cross station, where the bus to airport leaves from.
Lots of glass though, and low lighting. I do wonder if it's worth trying to take photos :(
There are some interesting displays in there though, both historical and from more recent events that were big news at the time.
One of the most famous personalities in Victoria Police was not a person... it was a horse named 'Gendarme'!. 'Gendarme' ('Police' in French) was born at the Victoria Police stud farm in November 1961. He was trained and ridden by Senior Constable (later Sergeant Alex Tassell) and became of the most famous horses Victorian has ever known.
During the 1960s and 1970s 'Gendarme' and Alex were often seen in Melbourne as they patrolled parks, carried out traffic duties in city streets and conducted mounted escorts for public figures include the State Governor, the Victorian Premier and the Australian Prime Minister. Later 'Gendarme' received extra training and became the Victoria Police Band's drum even though one report noted that 'he is extremely clumsy on his feet and, if ridden anywhere,--"
Frederick Deeming, again. I can't quite read all the captions. One photo is Emily Maher and her grace. The other might be Deeming. The death mask obviously is. The handcuffs were "worn by Deeming on his ----- Melbourne."
Julian Knight, Multiple Homicides, Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, Vic.
Information tab at the front says:
'I ... saw him raise a long barrelled firearm and aim it in my direction. On seeing this I yelled to [Senior Constable] Betty Roberts to get behind the car. As I started to run, about 5 automatic shotgun blasts rang out behind me.'
Witness statement by Detective Sergeant Graham Larchin.
John Christie joined Victoria Police on 17 August 1867 and made his first arrest that same day! As with the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, he was a master of disguise and solved many crimes.
On one occasion while investigating a well known counterfeiter, Detective Christie, disguised as a busker, went into a hotel filled with dangerous criminals. When they saw the 'busker' in the corner they asked him to play them something. Detective Christie pulled out his banjo and played a tune -- then a second -- to the applause of his unsavoury audience. Acting the part, he then put his hat out and many dropped in a coin. So did the counterfeiter! Needles to say the coins were forged, later providing evidence for an arrest.
John Christie was later employed as a detective inspector by the Victorian Customs Service. When he retired from that position, a public collection for an illustrated memorial commemorating his service was commenced. Politicians, public figures and people from all walks of life contributed. Surprising, even some of those he had sent to prison gave money and wrote notes wishing him all the best for the future.
These photos show Detective Christie and some of his disguises.
The Beat
Women in the police.
OK that's what brought me here. (4 sets of armour, one in the library, one in private hands, two are... Flick through all the brochures and booklets I've picked up over the past week. Victoria Police Museum? Hmm.) The bits of each set of armour were mixed up and there was doubt over which actually belong to Dan & Steve anyway. In 2002, they all sat down and worked it out. ("Have you got, hmm, Steve's back plate?" "No, Go Fish!'). The State Library of Victoria, as we've seen, got Ned's. This is Steve Hart's.
Dan Kelly's. The guide at Beechworth said those three sets are insured for $333 million.
'ERIC'
In 1989 this Australian built 'Echidna' Mk 1 explosive ordnance demolition vehicle became the first bomb disposal robot used by Victoria Police.
Fingerprint magnifier, 1930s.
Iodine Fuming Pipe
This device was used during the 1950s as a means of developing latent fingerprints on surfaces that were non porous such as paper, wood and even the skin of victims of crime!
The concept and design for this fuming pipe was obtained from overseas forensic journals and it was built by the staff of the Fingerprint Branch. Iodine crystals are placed in the glass tube with glass wool and by using a small amount of heat, the iodine vaporised. The rubber tubing allows the vapour to be directed over the suspected area. This chemical is still used today to enhance or develop latent fingerprints.
The Day Terror Came to Melbourne
An attempt at mass murder was made at Russell Street, Melbourne, on 27 March 1986. This stolen Holden Commodore, packed with explosives, was detonated at 12.58 outside Police Headquarters. The blast was so large that people sitting in cafes and offices several blocks from the explosion were lifted off their seats. An estimated 50 to 60 sticks of gelignite had been used in the bomb and ever window for the first seven floors of the Police Headquarters was blown in, as were many in the nearby Magistrates Court. Around $1,000,000 of property damage was caused. 22 people -- 11 police and 11 civilians -- were wounded. Constables Angela Taylor and Carl Donadia and Magistrate Mr Iain West were the most severely wounder. Angela Taylor later died.
After the bomb has exploded, police risked their lives to evacuate the wounded. This was a dangerous task as some of the explosives had not detonated during the initial blast and now lay scattered around Russell Street. They could not easily be seen in the debris and smoke filled street. A second explosion occurred and police did not know if more bombs had been left at the site. However, this second blast was caused by the explosion of a fuel tank in a burning car. 2 police women, one of them Constable Selina Bolitho, found 19 year old Constable Donadia lying badly wounded and dragged him away from the area of danger, applied first aid and attracted the attention of an ambulance crew.
The police inside the Russell Street Headquarters who were not needed to assist outside continued working. D24 Communications operator, 21 year old Constable Jenenne Stiles remained clam and continued to direct incident response, despite the communications centre being covered in broken glass and debris. If you were Jenenne and the other D24 operators, could you have remained so calm under these circumstances?
Burglary kit & picklocks.
An early CSI!
The small town of Clarendon, south of Ballarat, was rocked by a murder in the 1886. Julia Curry was murdered and her body founding Cathcart Street. This map, annotated by investigating police, records that her body was dragged to where it was found. The location of her 'hut', 'Emery's' house and the local hotel are all marked. Was Emery a suspect? What might the hotel have had to do with the investigation? Could Emery and Julia have been seen together in the hotel before her death.
This recent acquisition, is one of two items salvaged from the site of the destroyed Marysville police station following the devastating Black Saturday fires on 7 February 2--9. Badly affected by fire, its condition demonstrates the fierce heat that spread through that area on the day.
To date 173 people are believe to have lost their lives in Victoria that day.
Whoever were responsible for putting together these displays, they do a good job a engaging the viewer's attention, even this jaded, worn-out tourist's attention. If you're in Melbourne with an hour or two to spare, there are certainly worse ways to spend your time.
But now to the bus. As I'm carrying the my Very Heavy overnight bag, along with the book bag with all my stuff that I'll want on the plane and anything that wouldn't fit into the other bag, I walk to the corner and catch a tram the 2-3 blocks up to the far end of the station. I walk up to the bus, just as it's about to go. How is that for timing :)
At the airport, I check-in my bag. Sizewise, it might still squeeze in for carryon, but it now weights 10.5 kg, which is way over the maximum weight for carryon (7 kg) and there is not way I am carrying it any further. By the time I've checked in and walked up to the gate, stopping to buy a postcard on the way, it is just minutes before the Official Boarding time. This, of course, is earlier than the actual boarding time, but for getting to the plane on time, could I have organised it any better? Ha!
Boeing 737-800 if I remember correctly.
We leave just after 12.30 pm. The flight back isn't as easy as the flight over. I have an aisle seat, but as it's cloudy it doesn't matter that much. It's a bit of rough flight and having a cold makes it all rather blearghy. Then at 1 pm, comes the 'Fasten seatbelts for landing' announcement. Huh? But yes, we are coming in and turning around for a landing. At 1.20, we're on the ground and undoing seatbelts. As mother later said, with that tailwind, I thought you'd be in early.
It's overcast and threatening to rain. It was overcast and threatening to rain last time I arrived at Launceston airport. Mind you, last time I'd just flown in from Brisbane with temps in the high 30s. This time I was at least dressed for the weather. At least -- pulling stuff out of my bag as I walk through the airport -- this time I am better dressed.
Then it's on to pick up my bag from a luggage carousel! There are two of them! It just occurred to me, if I hadn't checked in my bad, I wouldn't have got to pick it up from the there!
And then it's home,to sleep wash all my clothes and pack to go to Hobart the next day. :)
That leaves time for one last quick visit.
Before I left, I made a point of checking online for any little museums and things in Melbourne. That is how I found the Chinese one. There were a couple of places I either didn't feel inclined to visit or they were too far out of the city centre. This is one that didn't come up though.
Lots of glass though, and low lighting. I do wonder if it's worth trying to take photos :(
There are some interesting displays in there though, both historical and from more recent events that were big news at the time.
One of the most famous personalities in Victoria Police was not a person... it was a horse named 'Gendarme'!. 'Gendarme' ('Police' in French) was born at the Victoria Police stud farm in November 1961. He was trained and ridden by Senior Constable (later Sergeant Alex Tassell) and became of the most famous horses Victorian has ever known.
During the 1960s and 1970s 'Gendarme' and Alex were often seen in Melbourne as they patrolled parks, carried out traffic duties in city streets and conducted mounted escorts for public figures include the State Governor, the Victorian Premier and the Australian Prime Minister. Later 'Gendarme' received extra training and became the Victoria Police Band's drum even though one report noted that 'he is extremely clumsy on his feet and, if ridden anywhere,--"
Frederick Deeming, again. I can't quite read all the captions. One photo is Emily Maher and her grace. The other might be Deeming. The death mask obviously is. The handcuffs were "worn by Deeming on his ----- Melbourne."
Julian Knight, Multiple Homicides, Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, Vic.
Information tab at the front says:
'I ... saw him raise a long barrelled firearm and aim it in my direction. On seeing this I yelled to [Senior Constable] Betty Roberts to get behind the car. As I started to run, about 5 automatic shotgun blasts rang out behind me.'
Witness statement by Detective Sergeant Graham Larchin.
John Christie joined Victoria Police on 17 August 1867 and made his first arrest that same day! As with the fictional character Sherlock Holmes, he was a master of disguise and solved many crimes.
On one occasion while investigating a well known counterfeiter, Detective Christie, disguised as a busker, went into a hotel filled with dangerous criminals. When they saw the 'busker' in the corner they asked him to play them something. Detective Christie pulled out his banjo and played a tune -- then a second -- to the applause of his unsavoury audience. Acting the part, he then put his hat out and many dropped in a coin. So did the counterfeiter! Needles to say the coins were forged, later providing evidence for an arrest.
John Christie was later employed as a detective inspector by the Victorian Customs Service. When he retired from that position, a public collection for an illustrated memorial commemorating his service was commenced. Politicians, public figures and people from all walks of life contributed. Surprising, even some of those he had sent to prison gave money and wrote notes wishing him all the best for the future.
These photos show Detective Christie and some of his disguises.
OK that's what brought me here. (4 sets of armour, one in the library, one in private hands, two are... Flick through all the brochures and booklets I've picked up over the past week. Victoria Police Museum? Hmm.) The bits of each set of armour were mixed up and there was doubt over which actually belong to Dan & Steve anyway. In 2002, they all sat down and worked it out. ("Have you got, hmm, Steve's back plate?" "No, Go Fish!'). The State Library of Victoria, as we've seen, got Ned's. This is Steve Hart's.
Dan Kelly's. The guide at Beechworth said those three sets are insured for $333 million.
In 1989 this Australian built 'Echidna' Mk 1 explosive ordnance demolition vehicle became the first bomb disposal robot used by Victoria Police.
Iodine Fuming Pipe
This device was used during the 1950s as a means of developing latent fingerprints on surfaces that were non porous such as paper, wood and even the skin of victims of crime!
The concept and design for this fuming pipe was obtained from overseas forensic journals and it was built by the staff of the Fingerprint Branch. Iodine crystals are placed in the glass tube with glass wool and by using a small amount of heat, the iodine vaporised. The rubber tubing allows the vapour to be directed over the suspected area. This chemical is still used today to enhance or develop latent fingerprints.
An attempt at mass murder was made at Russell Street, Melbourne, on 27 March 1986. This stolen Holden Commodore, packed with explosives, was detonated at 12.58 outside Police Headquarters. The blast was so large that people sitting in cafes and offices several blocks from the explosion were lifted off their seats. An estimated 50 to 60 sticks of gelignite had been used in the bomb and ever window for the first seven floors of the Police Headquarters was blown in, as were many in the nearby Magistrates Court. Around $1,000,000 of property damage was caused. 22 people -- 11 police and 11 civilians -- were wounded. Constables Angela Taylor and Carl Donadia and Magistrate Mr Iain West were the most severely wounder. Angela Taylor later died.
After the bomb has exploded, police risked their lives to evacuate the wounded. This was a dangerous task as some of the explosives had not detonated during the initial blast and now lay scattered around Russell Street. They could not easily be seen in the debris and smoke filled street. A second explosion occurred and police did not know if more bombs had been left at the site. However, this second blast was caused by the explosion of a fuel tank in a burning car. 2 police women, one of them Constable Selina Bolitho, found 19 year old Constable Donadia lying badly wounded and dragged him away from the area of danger, applied first aid and attracted the attention of an ambulance crew.
The police inside the Russell Street Headquarters who were not needed to assist outside continued working. D24 Communications operator, 21 year old Constable Jenenne Stiles remained clam and continued to direct incident response, despite the communications centre being covered in broken glass and debris. If you were Jenenne and the other D24 operators, could you have remained so calm under these circumstances?
The small town of Clarendon, south of Ballarat, was rocked by a murder in the 1886. Julia Curry was murdered and her body founding Cathcart Street. This map, annotated by investigating police, records that her body was dragged to where it was found. The location of her 'hut', 'Emery's' house and the local hotel are all marked. Was Emery a suspect? What might the hotel have had to do with the investigation? Could Emery and Julia have been seen together in the hotel before her death.
This recent acquisition, is one of two items salvaged from the site of the destroyed Marysville police station following the devastating Black Saturday fires on 7 February 2--9. Badly affected by fire, its condition demonstrates the fierce heat that spread through that area on the day.
To date 173 people are believe to have lost their lives in Victoria that day.
Whoever were responsible for putting together these displays, they do a good job a engaging the viewer's attention, even this jaded, worn-out tourist's attention. If you're in Melbourne with an hour or two to spare, there are certainly worse ways to spend your time.
But now to the bus. As I'm carrying the my Very Heavy overnight bag, along with the book bag with all my stuff that I'll want on the plane and anything that wouldn't fit into the other bag, I walk to the corner and catch a tram the 2-3 blocks up to the far end of the station. I walk up to the bus, just as it's about to go. How is that for timing :)
At the airport, I check-in my bag. Sizewise, it might still squeeze in for carryon, but it now weights 10.5 kg, which is way over the maximum weight for carryon (7 kg) and there is not way I am carrying it any further. By the time I've checked in and walked up to the gate, stopping to buy a postcard on the way, it is just minutes before the Official Boarding time. This, of course, is earlier than the actual boarding time, but for getting to the plane on time, could I have organised it any better? Ha!
Boeing 737-800 if I remember correctly.
We leave just after 12.30 pm. The flight back isn't as easy as the flight over. I have an aisle seat, but as it's cloudy it doesn't matter that much. It's a bit of rough flight and having a cold makes it all rather blearghy. Then at 1 pm, comes the 'Fasten seatbelts for landing' announcement. Huh? But yes, we are coming in and turning around for a landing. At 1.20, we're on the ground and undoing seatbelts. As mother later said, with that tailwind, I thought you'd be in early.
It's overcast and threatening to rain. It was overcast and threatening to rain last time I arrived at Launceston airport. Mind you, last time I'd just flown in from Brisbane with temps in the high 30s. This time I was at least dressed for the weather. At least -- pulling stuff out of my bag as I walk through the airport -- this time I am better dressed.
Then it's on to pick up my bag from a luggage carousel! There are two of them! It just occurred to me, if I hadn't checked in my bad, I wouldn't have got to pick it up from the there!
And then it's home,
