https://southaustralianpolicehistoricalsociety.com/

South Australian Police Historical Society, Adelaide (2026)

07/06/2026

I’m sorry that there have been no new posts on this page for a little while. Unfortunately, due to technical issues and personal illness things have ground to a sudden stop.

However arrangements are now in place for this to be rectified in the very near future. Please stay with us for more stories from our archives and hopefully some new stories from our progress in relation to relocating to our new museum. In the meantime - Thank you for your patience.

26/05/2026

Mid North Part 2

By 1870 only six police stations had been established in the mid north, but that number was about to rise sharply after the Waste Lands Amendment Act. Before 1870 the South Australian Government sold Crown Lands only for cash and with prepayment, leaving vast areas leased by pastoralists for sheep. Farmers could not support a family on the standard 32-hectare blocks and, because of high prices and prepayment requirements, could not compete with pastoralists. After Henry Strangways became Premier in 1868, he proposed resuming pastoral leases and making the land available for agriculture, to be sold for cash or on credit. This particularly affected the mid north. When the Act passed in January 1869, farmers rushed to buy land. Unlike the gold rushes, where many unmarried men set up temporary camps, the ‘Strangways land rush’ largely involved married men with conservative Christian beliefs, accompanied by wives and often large families. They quickly worked the land and built cottages. To support them, many new townships, often government sponsored and close together, appeared rapidly across the mid north. Between 1870 and 1880 at least 40 townships were formed, including Hallett, Jamestown, Laura, Appila, Gladstone, Wirrabara, Crystal Brook, Orroroo, Spalding and Terowie. These towns soon attracted stores, hotels, blacksmiths, churches and government services. In September 1873 Police Commissioner George Hamilton observed, “Townships are springing up in all directions, Georgetown, Caltowie, Laura, Gladstone, Jamestown and the township at Port Pirie were not in existence 4 years ago.” As each town formed, residents quickly lobbied for a police constable, station and cells. Their requests were often driven by swagmen and other itinerants who moved from town to town drinking and becoming disorderly. This frequently led to street fights, profane language and sometimes disruption of church services, alarming local residents. Persistent lobbying was usually successful, and a police station was often one of the first government services established in a town.

The opening of agricultural land also led to the construction from the 1870s of broad- and narrow-gauge railway lines across the mid north, carrying wheat, wool and other goods to the new seaports of Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Broughton. These ports required police and police stations. The railways also brought major economic benefits by providing efficient, reliable transport. New townships grew along the railway network, followed by railway stations, workshops, refreshment rooms and goods sheds, and they created employment for many local people. Some towns, including Petersburg (Peterborough), Terowie, Hamley Bridge, Riverton and Gladstone, became important railway centres and also required police stations.

Railway construction also increased demands on police resources, as many hundreds of itinerant labourers worked on the various projects. To maintain order and reassure local residents, police stations were often opened for the duration of a work camp and closed once construction moved on. In the mid north this occurred at Blyth, Hallett, Mallala, Mintaro, Wirrabara and Yacka.

Although these were the main influences on the initial deployment of police and the establishment of police stations in the mid north, other factors also had an impact. One was the construction of two reservoirs. The first, at Nelshaby in 1878 to supply water to Port Pirie, employed many men and required a police station or camp at the worksite to maintain order. The second was the Bundaleer Water Scheme, which involved building a reservoir at Bundaleer and an extensive canal network to divert stormwater into it. From 1898 to 1902, this project also employed many men and again required a police station at the site. Another factor was the founding of Port Pirie in 1871, first as a seaport and from 1888 as a major lead smelting centre. Its rapid growth to a population of 5,000 by 1892 created the need for more police and larger police facilities in the town.

Police Troopers at Clare 1883 (pictured).

22/05/2026

The Mid North covers the area from Melrose to the New South Wales border, and south to the townships of Mallala, Eudunda, Peterborough, Port Wakefield and Port Broughton. As in other regions, a range of factors influenced the establishment, location and staffing of police stations in this part of the state.

From the early 1840s to the late 1860s, the Mid North was sparsely settled by pastoralists who established sheep runs across much of the region. Although there was some violence and racial tension between pastoralists and Aboriginal people, it was not as severe as in some other parts of the colony. Even so, early settlers sought police protection. In 1841, a police outpost was briefly established near Mintaro before being moved to the nearby Bungaree Run sheep station. At the time, it was the northernmost police station outside Adelaide. By 1845, after pressure from pastoralists, a second police station had been established further north at White’s Creek. Mounted police patrolled the surrounding district and areas further north from this station. Continued calls for protection from settlers beyond White’s Creek led to the station’s closure in September 1848, when the troopers were relocated to Mount Remarkable, later renamed Melrose. By the late 1840s, the Mid North had become relatively peaceful, and the police station at Bungaree Run was closed and moved to the growing township of Clare, then known as Clare Village.

Copper ore was discovered at Burra in 1845, placing significant pressure on the limited resources of the still-developing police force. Until then, the land around Burra had been occupied by pastoralists. After the discovery, the South Australian Mining Association laid out the township of Kooringa, now Burra, in 1846 and quickly began mining operations. Known as the Burra Burra Mines, the site soon attracted nearly 250 men, while a constant stream of teamsters carried copper ore south. Before long, however, the mines became a refuge for runaway seamen and other disorderly people, and drunkenness and unrest became common. As a result, a police station was established at the Burra Burra Mines by late 1846. By December 1851, Kooringa’s population had reached 5,000 and was policed by one sergeant-major, two mounted constables and five foot constables based in the adjoining government township of Redruth. At that time, this was the largest police contingent north of Adelaide. The demand for policing was not confined to the mine area. In the late 1840s, mining companies sought a shorter export route that avoided Adelaide. In 1849, this led to the opening of the 69-kilometre ‘Gulf Road’ between the Burra mine and the head of Gulf St Vincent where the township and port of Port Wakefield was established. By 1851, Port Wakefield was busy with visiting seamen and bullock teamsters transporting copper from Burra and returning with coal and other supplies. These hard-living men frequently engaged in alcohol-fuelled disorder, and a police station was therefore established there in March 1853.

18/05/2026

Roll of Honour | May 18, 1881 | Mounted Constable Harry Edmonds Pearce, 23 - Kingston Police Station

MC Pearce died at the hands of Robert Johnston, a habitual horse thief. Pearce was attempting to arrest Johnston for supplying liquor to Aboriginal people near Wellington. Resisting the arrest, Johnston stabbed MC Pearce in the chest 14 times and left him to die on a deserted road near Kingston. By chance, a passer-by found Pearce lying in the grass, alive - but only just only just. MC Pearce died 2 days later but not before he had identified his attacker. Johnston was arrested, tried for murder, convicted and hanged on November 18 of the same year. Johnston’s ex*****on was the last to take place in Mt Gambier Gaol.

In 1988, the Kingston Bicentennial Committee honoured MC Pearce with a memorial stone and a commemorative plaque near the scene of his attack. In 2001, Year 10 Wilderness School students refurbished his grave

One of his descendants, Senior Constable Jill Pearce, serves today as a South Australia police officer.

15/05/2026

Extraneous Police Duties: Delivering a wide range of government services

Early police stations were often the first visible sign of government in newly settled towns and districts. In many cases, they were the main—and sometimes the only—means of delivering government services locally. Soon after the Police Force was established, the government decided that police should take on many additional functions beyond maintaining law and order, particularly where other services were difficult, impractical or too costly to provide. These “extraneous duties” included serving as clerks of court, issuing permits and licences, collecting government statistics, acting as customs officers and inspectors, and carrying out various registrar duties. Police were also sometimes required to perform unusual tasks, including undertaking burials, while also serving as trusted advisers and protectors in times of need. As these extra responsibilities expanded, they at times hindered police from carrying out their primary policing role. Some duties were especially demanding. For example, officers in remote parts of South Australia spent weeks on horseback travelling hundreds of kilometres across harsh terrain to collect government statistics.

Many individual police station histories describe the range of extraneous duties carried out by police and their impact on officers. Some of these tasks were dangerous and, on several occasions, proved fatal. One example was Mounted Constable Andrew Holdaway, officer in charge of Mannahill police station, who died in 1898 at the age of 42. On 30 July 1898, the Adelaide Observer reported: “The mounted police force has lost by death a highly appreciated member. M.C. Holdaway, who was stationed at Mannahill, had especially heavy duties to carry out in the collection of agricultural statistics early in the year, in consequence of which he contracted an illness from which he died on Friday.” Two young officers stationed at Tarcoola in the early 1900s also died after contracting typhoid fever while carrying out additional duties as health and sanitary inspectors on the Tarcoola Goldfields. Four other officers died while performing firefighting duties: Foot Constable Tregoweth of Burnside police station in 1926, and Sergeant Sparks and Junior Constables Kroemer and Casey at Belair National Park in 1951.

The performance of extraneous duties also highlighted the humane and compassionate side of policing, which is not always visible to the public. One example occurred in the 1950s when First Class Constable (later Superintendent) Jim Sykes, stationed at Marree, arranged a dignified burial for a destitute itinerant traveller from overseas who had died of heat stroke in the remote far north of the state. At his own expense, Sykes organised a wooden coffin and the digging of a grave. He then used the police vehicle as a hearse and, with no one else available, conducted the funeral service himself, reading appropriate prayers and passages from the Bible ordinarily used for swearing in witnesses during court hearings at his station.

10/05/2026

The early South Australian Police Force faced key challenges:

• Frontier Conflicts: Managing disputes between settlers and Indigenous populations on the frontier.
• Resource Limitations: Operating with limited manpower and equipment over vast areas.
• Law Enforcement: Establishing law and order amidst escaped convicts, bushrangers, and other criminal activities.
• Recruitment and Training: Relying on volunteers, which impacted training and discipline.
• Public Trust: Building credibility and trust within the local population.

These issues shaped the force's development and influenced its strategies and operations in the early years.

The early investigative methods of the South Australian Police Force were quite rudimentary compared to modern standards, but they laid the groundwork for contemporary practices. Here are some key aspects:

Basic Forensics: Early investigations relied heavily on basic forensic techniques. This included examining physical evidence at crime scenes, such as footprints, tool marks, and other tangible clues.
Witness Testimonies: Gathering statements from witnesses and suspects was a primary method. The police would often rely on the community to provide information about crimes.

Tracking and Surveillance: Indigenous trackers played a crucial role in early investigations. Their skills in tracking and understanding the land were invaluable in pursuing suspects and gathering evidence.
Interrogation Techniques: Early police used interrogation to extract confessions and gather information. These methods were less formalized than today but were a critical part of the investigative process.

Community Policing: The police force often worked closely with the community, leveraging local knowledge and support to solve crimes. This approach helped build trust and cooperation between the police and the public.

These methods evolved over time, incorporating more advanced forensic science and investigative techniques as the police force grew and technology advanced.

Distribution of the Police Force of the Province of South Australia, for the Quarter ended 30th September 1849. —

Mounted Police. Head Quarters— 2 inspectors, 1 sergeant-major, 2 corporals, 1 farrier, 12 constables, 18 horses.
Port Adelaide— 2 constables, 2 horses.
Willunga — 1 constable, 1 horse.
Encounter Bay— 1 constable, 1 horse.
Mount Barker — 1 corporal, 1 constable, 2 horses.
Gawler Town — 1 corporal, 2 constables, 3 horses.
Moorundee— 1 constable, 1 horse.
Wellington— I corporal, 1 constable, 1 native constable, 2 horses.
Clare Village— 2 constables, 2 horses.
Burra— 1 corporal, 3 constables, 4 horses.
Port Lincoln—Township, 2 constables, 1 horse.
Three Lakes, 3 constables, I native constable, 3 horses.
Salt Creek, 3 constables,3 horses.
Mount Gambier— 1 sergeant, 2 constables, 1 native constable, 4 horses.
Mount Remarkable— 3 constables, 1 native constable, 4 horses. Guichen Bay— 2 constables, 3 horses.
Mosquito Plains— 1 sergeant, 2 constables, 3 horses.
Yorke's Peninsula— 3 constables, 4 horses. Doing duty at Robe Town as mailman— 1 constable, 1 horse.

METROPOLITAN POLICE. Head Quarters— 1 inspector, 5 sergeants, 25 constables. Port Adelaide — 1 sergeant, 10 constables.

Mounted Trooper Uniforms – circa. 1840 to 1854

06/05/2026

Following on from the Last Post.

Roll of Honour | May 7, 1847, | Mounted Constable John Dunning Carter, 22 and Lance Corporal William Murray Wickham, 24 - Moorundee Police Station.

MC Carter and LC Wickham drowned after tumbling out of a bark canoe in which they had tried to cross the River Murray at Wigley Reach. Hostilities had arisen between the local Aboriginal people and colonists over the movement of sheep and cattle. Whittam and Carter were ordered to travel to Overland Corner and deal with the reported disturbances. Despite the clear risk that their canoe would sink or capsize, the officers attempted to cross the river near the station of Mr JH Wigley. Reports at the time indicated that the canoe was poorly constructed and that the police officers were weighed down by their uniform and their boots. Local Aboriginal people later recovered the men’s bodies and laid them to rest on the riverbank.

The tragic drowning, reported in Adelaide newspapers The Register and The South Australian, devastated Wickham and Carter’s colleagues. In 1947, the Police Association and the City Watch House Recreation Fund paid to restore the officers’ gravesite. On Police Foundation Day in 1997, SAPOL unveiled a cairn and commemorative plaque at Banrock Station – three kilometres from the accident scene – to honour the officers and mark the 150th anniversary of their deaths.

03/05/2026

The Riverland - Early days

After South Australia was founded, the Upper River Murray became part of a stock route for moving sheep and cattle from New South Wales to South Australia via Lake Victoria, Rufus River, and the Upper Murray. Aborigines in the Rufus and Lake Victoria area frequently attacked European stockmen for supplies. In April 1841, former Police Superintendent Henry Inman and his group were ambushed in the Rufus district, and Inman was speared three times.
In early September 1841, the Protector of Aborigines Mr Moorhouse, Sub-Inspector Shaw and an armed party of police, with about twelve other persons who were sworn in as constables for the occasion, left Adelaide to afford protection to an overland party of Mr Robinson and others who were droving sheep to South Australia from New South Wales. On reaching the Rufus area Moorhouse’s party met up with Robinson’s group at which time they were attacked by a large number of Aborigines. There they repelled the attack, during which conflict up to 33 Aborigines were shot and killed. This resulted in one of the most prominent frontier confrontations between Europeans and Aborigines in South Australian history.
Due to concerns raised within the South Australian Colonial Government regarding ongoing conflicts, an inquiry was conducted. Subsequently, Edward John Eyre was appointed Resident Magistrate and Protector of Aborigines on the Murray in September 1841. His duties included establishing a ration and police station at Moorundee, approximately five kilometres south of Blanchetown, to safeguard the overland stock route and promote harmony among overlanders, settlers, and Aboriginal people. The Moorundee police station commenced operations on 28 September 1841, with police assigned additional responsibilities such as preventing fugitives and undesired individuals from entering the colony.
In July 1849, a police station opened in the Upper Murray region at Ral Ral but closed in 1850 due to flooding. Another station began operating in nearby Chowilla in 1851 but was shut down in 1852 because of the colony’s economic difficulties. By 1854, Overland Corner, situated at a bend in the River Murray, had become a busy stopover for overlanders, drovers, fishing groups, and coach passengers traveling between Adelaide and Sydney via Wentworth. Consequently, a police station was established there in November 1855, making it the most easterly outpost in the remote Upper Murray area.

During this time, police activity extended beyond the Upper Murray. In 1839, Charles Bonney overlanded cattle from Victoria to Adelaide, swimming them across the Lower River Murray near Wellington. A London syndicate established Wellington (originally Morphett’s Crossing), set up a ferry crossing, and opened a police station in October 1841. The police presence aimed to protect overlanders and their livestock from attacks and to control the movement of fugitives and unwanted persons.

During the 1870s, new developments in both the upper and lower Murray regions began influencing the demand for police services and stations. In 1847, copper ore and gold were discovered at Reedy Creek (Tungkillo), which soon led to the start of mining operations. These activities prompted the establishment of a police station there in March 1871, which was later moved to Palmer in 1874. Around this period, river boat trade experienced remarkable growth, resulting in the founding of a major river port at Morgan (then called North West Bend) in 1877, along with the construction of a railway connecting Morgan’s port to Adelaide. As the river boat industry expanded, additional ports emerged at Swan Reach, Mannum, Murray Bridge, and Goolwa, each accompanied by the creation of local police stations.
By the 1850s, Edward’s Crossing, now known as Murray Bridge, served as a secondary crossing point on the Lower River Murray. The site didn’t see its first bridge until 1879, after which the township of Mobilong—renamed Murray Bridge in 1924—began to grow next to Edward’s Crossing. With the completion of the Intercolonial Railway (Overland Railway) from Adelaide through Murray Bridge to Melbourne in the early 1880s, a police station opened at Murray Bridge in 1884. The railway’s arrival also helped establish Tailem Bend nearby, where another police station was subsequently set up.

In the 1880s, police officers were tasked with performing customs duties at various colonial border crossings. One notable crossing was located on the Upper Murray between South Australia and New South Wales, where, in August 1885, a police station was briefly established at Littra on the Old Sydney Road, situated between what are now Renmark and Wentworth. The station's primary function was to facilitate the collection of taxes on goods and livestock entering South Australia. A significant development in the Upper River Murray region occurred in 1887 with the introduction of irrigation farming by the Chaffey brothers in the Renmark area and the subsequent founding of the Renmark township. Initially administered from Overland Corner, a dedicated police station opened in Renmark in October 1889. The prosperity brought by irrigation farming and the cultivation of citrus crops soon encouraged the creation of additional irrigation districts and the establishment of River Murray townships in Loxton (1909), Waikerie (1911), Berri (1915), and Barmera (1920), each accompanied by the opening of local police stations.

Pictured is Moorundee Police Station and Police Trooper Circa 1842
Water Colour by S.T. Gill SLSA B22131 & SAPHS

26/04/2026

Way out West in the early days,

Eyre Peninsula, also referred to as the West Coast, encompasses the entirety of the geographic region and covers approximately 253,067 square kilometres. Since the first police station was established in 1839, fifty-one stations have operated within this area over the years. Early police officers and their families experienced challenging and isolated conditions due to the Peninsula’s separation from Adelaide by Spencer and Saint Vincent Gulfs and a distance of 650 road kilometres. The harsh climate, unforgiving terrain, and limited water resources further complicated travel, exploration, and development for both settlers and law enforcement.

After Adelaide was settled, land adjoining Boston Bay on Eyre Peninsula was surveyed in February 1839; by April, nearly 200 settlers were established or arriving in Port Lincoln. Concurrently, pioneering pastoralists began operating sheep runs in areas surrounding Port Lincoln and eventually throughout much of the Peninsula. To protect these settlers, four police constables were deployed in April 1839, increasing by early 1841 to a police sergeant and six mounted constables. This made Port Lincoln the most significant and remote police outpost relative to Adelaide.
Until late 1841, the region enjoyed relative calm. In the first quarter of 1842, tensions escalated between European settlers and local Aboriginal groups over plundered goods and livestock. Incidents included systematic raids and fatal attacks on settlers, leading many to seek refuge in Port Lincoln. The crisis prompted Governor Grey, in April 1842, to dispatch troops from the 96th Foot Regiment for township protection. However, the soldiers lacked suitable training and equipment, rendering their presence ineffective; they were subsequently withdrawn following criticism. Tensions persisted and intensified with the disappearance of pastoralist Charles Dutton and his party during an overland cattle journey to Adelaide. A search yielded no evidence of their fate.

In November 1842, Governor Grey sent a mounted police contingent led by Commissioner Thomas O’Halloran to investigate Dutton’s disappearance and resolve ongoing conflicts. Although unsuccessful in locating Dutton, O’Halloran’s visit resulted in a tentative truce between settlers and Aboriginal people. By 1845, community confidence had improved and Port Lincoln’s population grew. Despite increased settlement in northwestern and northeastern regions, only one police station—at Port Lincoln—existed, staffed by three mounted constables and an Aboriginal police tracker. The colonial police force then consisted of just sixty-seven personnel.

By 1849, violence had diminished in Port Lincoln but continued for pastoralists as far west as Venus Bay and northeast to Salt Creek near Tumby Bay. Inspector Tolmer, with a detachment of mounted police, was dispatched in May to establish two additional outposts and curb escalating violence. Port Lincoln’s station now hosted a sergeant-major, eight constables, one Aboriginal constable, and seven police horses—making it the largest outside Adelaide. By September, new stations opened at Three Lakes and Tungatta (northwest of Port Lincoln) and at Salt Creek (northeast), marking the first expansions beyond Port Lincoln.

Following the 1850 murder of pastoralist Henry Baird near Venus Bay, the Government requested the establishment of a Native Police corps to collaborate with Aboriginal communities and settlers, aiming to reduce crime and violence. Accordingly, a station staffed by a police trooper and twelve Aboriginal constables was founded in 1853 at Cherirroo, several kilometres from Venus Bay. Despite initial intentions, the Native Police initiative was discontinued by July 1856.

Throughout the 1850s, pastoral leases expanded across eastern and western parts of the Peninsula and inland. In response to security concerns, pastoralists frequently requested stationed troopers near their properties, sometimes providing buildings for police use. Consequently, stations/outposts opened at Franklin Harbour (Yabmana) in 1854, Calca in 1856, Mount Wedge in 1860, and the Gawler Ranges during the 1860s. Seaports and small townships emerged along the coastline, facilitating goods transport and agricultural exports, often accompanied by the establishment of police stations. Notable openings included Cooeyanna in 1858 (later moved to Streaky Bay), Fowlers Bay in 1861, Elliston in 1880, Denial Bay in 1901, and Tumby Bay in 1906. By the late 1880s, frontier violence had subsided, and a robust police presence was established, with fourteen stations operational.

19/04/2026

MEANWHILE - DOWN SOUTH

The Establishment and Early History of Police Stations in the South East (Limestone Coast)

Overview of the South East (Limestone Coast) Region
The South East region, also known as the Limestone Coast, spans approximately 64,703 square kilometres and is home to a population of over twenty-two thousand people. This expansive area stretches southward from the townships of Keith and Bordertown, encompassing both the Upper and Lower South East. Since the formation of the Police Force in 1838, up to seventeen police stations have been established at various times throughout the South East region. The creation of these police stations was prompted by several factors, which included the need to protect early European settlers and prevent violence with local Aboriginal communities, maintain law and order in newly established sea ports and emerging townships, oversee the construction of railway lines, prevent the entry of criminals and undesirable individuals into South Australia, and respond to the impacts of the burgeoning forestry industry.

Mount Gambier: The First Police Station
The first police station in the South East was established at Mount Gambier in 1845. The initial police troopers stationed there faced significant challenges, being 350 kilometres from the nearest police station at Wellington and positioned close to the Victorian border. Their role was especially demanding during a period marked by considerable unrest, as they worked to establish law and order in the South East. European pastoralists began settling in the area in 1841, clearing native fauna and vegetation and introducing sheep and cattle. This transformation deprived the local Aboriginal people of their traditional hunting grounds, leading to a situation where they, understandably, resorted to taking sheep and cattle for sustenance. This, in turn, sparked reprisals and violence between settlers and the Aboriginal community, with settlers frequently complaining of stock theft and expressing fear for their safety. In mid-1845, settlers petitioned the Attorney-General, warning that, unless the government provided protection, they would be forced to take matters into their own hands. In response, a detachment of police was dispatched to Mount Gambier, and a police station was established in December 1845, initially housed in two bark huts formerly used by shepherds. It was not until 1854, with the formal layout of the township, that a permanent police station was constructed on the site where the current police complex stands.

Robe: The Second Police Station
The second police station in the region was formed at Robe, following the establishment of a seaport and village there in 1846. The arrival of settlers led to the rapid spread of homesteads and pastoral stations throughout the district, and their presence soon resulted in frequent and sometimes violent conflicts with local Aboriginal people over the theft and killing of livestock. As Robe developed into a busy township and port—frequented by teamsters, sailors, and itinerant travellers—there was a growing need for law enforcement. Consequently, a police station was established on 1 October 1846. Initially known as the Guichen Bay police station, it consisted of a small tent that served as a combined police station, Aboriginal rations store, and living quarters for the troopers. The living conditions for the police were harsh and inadequate. Although a single-room stone barracks was erected in 1847, it quickly deteriorated, and by 1867 it was described as "simply a hovel which does poor duty for a police-station and is a miserably inadequate building."

Expansion to Other Areas: Mosquito Plains and Beyond
During the 1840s and 1850s, pastoralists continued to settle across the South East, including areas such as Mosquito Plains (now Naracoorte), Bordertown (then known as Scott’s Woolshed), and Penola, with the broader region later known as Tatiara. By early 1849, concerns arose regarding a rise in crime in the Mosquito Plains district. In response, two mounted constables were sent from Adelaide in June 1849 to establish a police out-station at Mosquito Plains. Initially, the troopers were accommodated by neighbouring settlers, but a wooden slab building was soon erected to serve as the Mosquito Plains police station. This station was located about one and a half kilometres north of present-day Naracoorte. Eventually, as the district lay along the main overland road to Victoria and the adjacent government town of Naracoorte was established in 1859, the police station was relocated to Naracoorte in 1865.

South Australian Police Historical Society

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