Community & Business
23 July, 2026
Old cops return for Peranga Police Station centenary
Former OICs of Peranga Police Station returned to the village on Saturday afternoon to celebrate 100 years of the local police station over a private lunch at the Peranga Bowls Club.
The lunch was followed by interactions with the public over a drink.
“The day went really well and everyone had a good time with many stories told and laughs being had,” Peranga Police Office In Charge Chris Hay said.
HISTORY
Policing in the Peranga, Kulpi, Maclagan and Quinalow districts initially ran out of a station at Evergreen.
In 1922, an event occurred known as the ‘Evergreen Sensation’ when a man stole a revolver, a pair of handcuffs, a khaki uniform and a police hat from the local police officer who had arrested him, Ernest Monk, and knocked him unconscious.
The man, John Johnston, also known as Ernest Witton had gone on a stealing spree around Kingaroy and Wondai. He was later arrested and brought to face justice at Nanango.
In 1926, the Evergreen police station was relocated to Peranga which had grown as the main population centre due to the construction of the railway line to Cooyar.
The block for the building was cleared by Dan Kirstenfeldt.
The Queenslander reported that the building was drawn a distance of three miles by traction engine through roads hedged-in by prickly pear.
At points the road had to be widened to allow the building to be drawn through.
OFFICERS
Senior Constable James Marr was the first Officer In Charge of the Peranga Police Station, having held the position of OIC at the Evergreen. He continued when the station was moved to its current location, officially commencing duty as the OIC at Peranga on 29th April, 1926. While stationed at Peranga, Senior Constable Marr’s wife, Mary, passed away on 7th March, 1928. He left on 2nd March, 1929 and was replaced by Senior Constable John Lewis.
During his time at Peranga, Senior Constable Lewis was suffering from tuberculosis and was medically retired on 16th March, 1930. The Peranga correspondent for the Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette reported that he was given a send-off at a meeting chaired by Rosalie Shire Councillor H. W. Lucht with a gift of bank notes for himself and a necklace for his wife Jessie.
Senior Constable Herbert Frederick Brown took his posting in Peranga in 1932. Senior Constable Brown and his wife Ellen had three children. Their son Colin would go on to become Mayor of Gladstone from 1979 until his death in 1994.
His replacement, Senior Constable Henry Ambrose married his wife Julia May Hotz shortly before arriving in Peranga, on 2nd February, 1938. Senior Constable Ambrose became ill with cancer while at Peranga and died shortly after on 22nd October 1941 at age 42.
Senior Constable John O’Connor arrived in 1941. He and his wife Margaret had three sons Michael, John and Francis.
His replacement, Senior Constable William O’Shea arrived in Peranga in 1947. He and his wife Claire had four children, one of whom, Patricia, passed away in her infancy. She was interred at Evergreen Cemetery.
Senior Constable Edward Berry was officer in charge at Peranga from 1952-1958 and was replaced by Elwynn Addison from 1958-1962.
His replacement, Senior Constable Bevis Goodwin arrived at Peranga on 2nd February 1962 and resigned from the Queensland Police on 3rd October 1965 to start his own farm locally.
Senior Constable Doug McKillop arrived in 1965. He was married to Enid and they had five children. Their oldest son Ken was one of the first students to attend Quinalow State School when Years 9 and 10 were added.
Senior Constable Paul McArthur was stationed at Peranga from 1968-1973.
While he was there, the Peranga State School burnt down in the early hours of Thursday, 3rd May, 1973.
Even though Senior Constable McArthur was in no doubt that the fire had been lit deliberately, he could not prove who started it, although he did have his suspicions.
He was replaced in 1973 by Senior Constable John MacKay who was the oldest former police officer in attendance on Saturday.
Senior Constable MacKay said Peranga was fairly easy to police.
“Crime was negligible, traffic negligible. It wasn’t a shoe-in (job) but (it) wasn’t challenging,” he said.
“During the early years of my tenure, no police vehicle was provided, nor was there any radio equipment, the absence of which was a huge impediment on the ability to effectively and efficiently perform my duty. Eventually they were forthcoming.
“The single cell at the rear of the station was never fit for occupation. It was eventually moved to the Jondaryan Woolshed.”
Former Senior Constable MacKay twice featured in newspaper articles, the first of which was about a race he had with Peranga’s local garage owner Milton Weise.
“Milton was challenging my physical prowess - I was a hefty fellow in those days," he said.
“He mentioned (the idea of) a race. ‘What about from here to Kulpi? I’ll ride the bike, and you run down the old railway line.’
“I said 'Yeah, okay, I’ll take you on. Let’s make it for charity'.
“We agreed, but he couldn’t decide on a charity”.
“I lost by 2 minutes 18 seconds.”
Former Senior Constable MacKay believes the publicity from the race inspired a second reporter to visit him for a full page feature in the February 13, 1977 edition of The Courier Mail entitled:
“Policeman’s dream.
A crime free beat.
IN PERANGA THEY NEVER USE THE JAIL”
Reporter Sylvia Da Costa Roque was clearly using some journalistic licence when she wrote:
“John has become something like the Mayor and Corporation of the Peranga Police Station all rolled into one.
“He’s a combination of priest, social worker, friend, confidant and public relations officer.”
During Senior Constable MacKay’s time at Peranga, one-station officers were also required to act as agents for various government departments including Child Services, Fire, and Transport and Main Roads.
Whilst at Peranga, he was roped into becoming treasurer of the Peranga Bowls Club by Bowls Club president Les Jensen, who operated the school bus run from Quinalow to Oakey.
Apart from the race, probably the most memorable event of Senior Constable MacKay’s tenure was when his wife Cathy accidentally set the station on fire while he was out playing tennis at Brymaroo.
“The person she called for help did more damage than the fire,” he chuckles.
Some of the local identities and businesses of the 70s were Rosalie Shire Mayor Alec Williams, George Craig the baker, Strohfelds Transport and Politch’s garage at Maclagan.
Several other officers have followed since, including:
Denis Houston (1981-1985)
Wayne Lowien (1985-1988)
Richard Trotter (1988-1992)
Kevan Fowler (1993-1998)
Andrew Ready (2002-2005)
Paul Vanderham (2006-2015)
All except Andrew Ready were present at Saturday’s lunch.
Senior Constable Vanderham instituted the annual Peranga Police Charity Bowls Day and established relationships with Quinalow and Kulpi State Schools through the Adopt-A-Cop program.
Reflecting on his experience in Peranga to the Oakey Champion in 2015, he said while officers could get close to the community, you still had to set boundaries.
“I feel that being a Police Officer in the country one has to tread a fine line,” Senior Constable Vanderham said.
“It’s important to be a member of the community - however if an offence is committed, action has to be taken.”
Current Officer In Charge Senior Constable Chris Hay is Peranga’s longest serving officer.
Senior Constable Hay has continued the Bowls Day, and Adopt-A-Cop program.
On top of this, he also delivers Santa to Peranga Hall in his police car each year for Peranga’s annual Christmas party.
The Oakey Champion thanks Senior Constable Hay for his extensive research into Peranga’s policing history.
