Fears for future of police museum before bulldozers move in on Thebarton barracks
The controversial demolition of the Thebarton Police Barracks could spell disaster for a historic collection unless one of these new sites can be secured.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The retired police officers who run Australia’s largest police museum believe time is running out to ensure its future survival – fearing it may fold.
The SA Police Historical Society has just months to find a new home as it prepares to vacate its Thebarton Police Barracks base which will be razed to make way for the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The Advertiser can reveal several locations have already been considered and discounted – including the old Adelaide Jail, the original Fort Largs police Academy buildings and locations within the Port Adelaide historical precinct.
Police Historical Society curator John White, a former deputy police commissioner, said he feared the survival of the society was in jeopardy because of the rapidly approaching series of deadlines it faced.
While it had a flexible deadline of September 30 to vacate the barracks, the process would start on June 1, following its last open day on May 28, when the decommissioning and packing of exhibits begins.
After that date the involvement of 40 or so members who volunteered their time to tend to the exhibits and perform vital maintenance and cleaning each week would cease.
“We are frightened that if we do not find something in the next few weeks, we will not be able to maintain the interest of our volunteers and our members and the society will fold,’’ Mr White said.
“If that happens it will be an absolute shame. We understand the government’s position and they have assured us we will be looked after, but we are concerned.’’
The Historical Society has just had a business case completed, that was funded by SAPOL, that outlines what its requirements are to continue to operate successfully.
“We have the most comprehensive police museum in Australia. What people misunderstand is that we are not just a museum, we are more than that,’’ Mr White said.
“Our activities, which include archiving and recording police history in this state also run into the preservation of historical police sites, police memorials and commemorations and so on.’’
Historical Society president Bill Prior said while the thousands of display items would be put into storage if a new location was not found in time, this biggest issue involved the 30 historic police vehicles, ranging from an 1880s prison van through to a 2020 patrol car, that needed constant maintenance and attention.
“Perhaps 20 of those are mobile and with any old historic vehicle if you don’t keep it mobile, then it starts deteriorating,’’ Mr Prior said.
SAPOL has a project team, led by assistant commissioner Noel Bamford, working on relocating the 15 police business units, including the Historical Society before the deadline.
“SAPOL is actively searching for suitable premises for the Society to enable them to continue to provide its services to the SA Community. A number of prospective sites have been identified and assessed,’’ Mr Bamford said.
“It is anticipated that one of these sites will be acquired for the Society.’’
Man dies after Adelaide Hills motorcycle crash
A man has died after being seriously injured when his motorcycle collided with a station wagon in the Adelaide Hills.
The ‘missile thing didn’t even work’, man tells court
A man accused of stealing a surface-to-air missile launcher has told a court he thought it was ‘army surplus’ – and that he needs to get home to his elderly dog.