This Lockup is located at the rear of the former Whittlesea Courthouse, Whittlesea, now an information centre.
Transcription of plaque:
Whittlesea Police Lockup
Highlights in history
In January 1854 the Commissioners of Sewerage and Water Supply applied to the Assistant Commissioner of Police asking that a police station be established at the site of the construction of the Yan Yean Reservoir owing to the large population working and living in the area. In July 1854 a police station was opened at the site.
In 1855 a Court of Petty Sessions was established in the Police Station and four years later in 1859 the chairman of the Bench, George Sherwin wrote to the Superintendent of the Bourke Police District applying for a portable lockup to be built. This lockup was completed by the end of that year.
By 1862 the work was completed at Yan Yean, and the Police Station, Court of Petty Sessions and Associated Buildings were removed to Whittlesea.
In 1876 an inspection of the Police noted that “one portable lockup containing one cell” was on site.
In 1930 the lockup was reported to be in a “fair condition”.
In 2002 the Lockup was decommissioned by the Victoria Police and was marked for removal.
The Whittlesea Courthouse Association applied to the Victoria Police to have the lockup moved into the site of the Courthouse. This was acceded to, and it was moved during July 2003 to its present location.
This building served “the North end” of the municipality between 1859 and 2002 and is the link that binds the local justice system of yesterday. At Yan Yean, to that which is located in Whittlesea township today.
This building was moved with the assistance of the following groups
Lions Club of Whittlesea
Rotary Club of Whittlesea
RSL Whittlesea Sub- branch
Victoria Police
Whittlesea Community Social Group
Whittlesea Courthouse Association
Whittlesea Police
And various commercial businesses in the district and local volunteers
Image: FLKR_00010, YPRL collection
Take the Whittlesea township local history walk
Search City of Whittlesea Local History at Yarra Plenty Regional Library
