About Victoria Police

ABOUT US

The Victoria Police Museum is home to a darker side of Victorian history. With tales of colourful criminals and the gallant work of police in risky situations, the museum offers a unique view into the execution of Victorian crimes and the aftermath of disasters.

The museum collection reflects Victoria Police's role in almost every major incident in Victoria. See the armour of Kelly Gang members, Dan Kelly and Steve Hart, who were captured by police in 1880 during the infamous Glenrowan siege.  You can learn about why 1870s Detective John Christie was known as Victoria Police's Sherlock Holmes.  See over 150 years of stories and displays of crime, justice, courage, forensic techniques and examples of how police are making Victoria a safer place to live.

To miss it would be a crime!

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LATEST EXHIBITIONS

Yarra: Morgues, Murder and Mayhem

Exhibition Dates: 26 September 2011 - 31 August 2012

From the mysterious to the mundane, the Yarra River is a central feature in many of the stories that make up Melbourne's history. Our latest exhibition, Yarra: Morgues, Murder and Mayhem, peers deep into the depths of our river's history to uncover stories of daredevil stuntmen, grisly murders and unrestrained industry.

The exhibition gives a snapshot of the different lives lived on the river's banks and reveals the diversity of events and uses that have shaped Melbourne's famous waterway. Discover how a linguistic bungle led to the naming of the Yarra; why Melbourne was once known as Smelbourne and why police decided to preserve the head of a murdered woman in a jar in 1898.

Yarra: Morgues Murder and Mayhem is an eye-opening exhibition that will take you on an unexpected journey along the Yarra River.

Horses to Horsepower: Victoria Police on the Move

Horses to Horsepower uses photographs drawn from the Victoria Police Museum's Ian Meates Collection to look at the way Victoria Police made the transition to motorised transport in the early 20th Century. A feature of the exhibition is a fully restored 1958 Ariel Square Four motorcycle.

TOURS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The museum offers a range of unique education programs for school groups. Click here to download a current copy of the Victoria Police Museum Education Program Brochure.

Teachers: click here to download an Education Kit.

Other groups have the opportunity to book a special introduction to the collection. Please phone 9247 5304 or email policemuseum-mgr@police.vic.gov.au for more information and to arrange a booking.

Click here to download the Victoria Police Museum Information Brochure for planning your visit, directions and maps and details of the Museum's exhibitions.

TOURING EXHIBITIONS

Ambush: Ned Kelly and the Stringybark Creek murders

Watch the promotional video

 Ambush: Ned Kelly and the Stringybark Creek Murders is touring the country.

Focusing on the police murders at Stringybark Creek by the Kelly Gang in October 1878, the exhibition provides visitors with a unique insight into the history of the 'Kelly outbreak'. Next stop: Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Lilydale, June 2012.

UPCOMING EVENTS

14 to 20 May 2012

Law. What is it good for? 
Well, if you believe what you see on TV, it's all about crime and punishment. In real life, there's a lot more to it than that. 
This year, Law Week is all about challenging myths and misconceptions about the law and the legal system and encouraging Victorians to think differently about the role of the law in our community. Law Week is your chance to go behind the scenes of the legal system in Victoria, get free legal information and services, take part in debates and discussions about legal and human rights issues, and speak to prominent legal practitioners. Find out what's on by visiting the Law Week 2012 calendar. Join the conversation and keep up-to-date with all the latest Law Week news by following Victoria Law Foundation on twitter, facebook and visiting the Foundation's new blog. 

Teachers: Download the Schools Flyer and book in to one of the many programs running during Law Week, inlcuding the Victoria Police Museum's Law and Order: Past and Present program.
 

View  all past events

Ned Kelly Unearthed

Following the archaeological dig at the Glenrowan siege site, on 23 November 2009, the State Library of Victoria hosted an event to explore recent discoveries surrounding the Kelly Outbreak. Chaired by historian Claire Wright, the evening included presentations by Kelly author Ian Jones, archaeologist Adam Ford, Historian Alex McDermott and Victoria Police Museum collections manager, Liz Marsden.

You can view this event by logging onto the following website:

http://ourgreatsouthernland.blogspot.com/2009/11/ned-kelly-unearthed-panel-discussion.html

Digitising Australian collections

Not So Innocent Objects
Sometimes, ordinary objects hide dark or unusual stories behind their seemingly unremarkable or normal exteriors.


This felt fedora hat belonged to Ronald Ryan (1925 - 1967), the last person to receive the death penalty in Australia.

Not So Innocent Objects is a Google Earth video tour that focuses on objects from museums that appear fairly typical or ordinary, but in fact, all tell a story relating to the theme of crime. The project, which was developed by the Collections Australia Network and the Victoria Police Museum, aimed to encourage a diverse range of museums and cultural organisations to digitise objects from their collections.

To see Not So Innocent Objects go the Google Earth video tour on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV-JptAOCTo.

LOCATION

The museum is at the World Trade Centre, Mezzanine Level. Main entrance via Siddeley Street (near corner of Flinders and Spencer streets), Melbourne, Victoria.

OPENING HOURS

Monday           10am - 4pm
Tuesday           10am - 4pm
Wednesday      10am - 4pm
Thursday          10am - 4pm
Friday              10am - 4pm

Closed Public Holidays