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West Wallsend Police Station

The first police station in West Wallsend was established in 1889. At that time police were stationed in rented premises, with the first purpose built station not officially opened until 13 September 1951. It is believed that this station, on the corner of Withers and South Street, was closed some time in 2001, when it was placed on the Local Government heritage list. It was sold privately in 2006, after the local heritage listing was removed.

The Newcastle Morning Herald of Thursday 10 November 1949 reported:

"A new police station and premises to cost about £8000 are to be built at West Wallsend. They will be built on the corner of Withers and South Street. Plans drawn by the Government Architect provide for six rooms, two cells, two offices, exercising yard, garage and modern facilities. The building will be of brick, with a tiled roof. The concrete foundations will go about 5 feet to rock. The builder, Mr. C. E. Hoyle, of Lambton said that about 90,000 bricks would be needed. Owing to the shortage, the work might take some time to complete. The building now used as a police station is owned by the Methodist Church. The Church has been trying to get possession for some years, for the minister has to live in a room in the back of the church."

Deaths in the line of duty

Two officers have died while serving at West Wallsend Police Station over the years

  • Sergeant 3rd Class Keith Alfred Haydon (Died November 24, 1980. Aged 37): Shot dead after responding to call of man firing guns on Mount Sugarloaf. Offender shot another police officer and was later convicted of a double murder in Sydney.
  • Sergeant 3rd Class Ross Francis Jennings (Died September 1, 1986. Aged 42): Suffered heart attack while mowing the lawns of the West Wallsend police station.

A memorial plaque was originally placed at the spot where Sergeant Haydon was killed, but was relocated to the grounds of the West Wallsend Police Station after it was damaged by vandals. When the station closed c.2006, the plaque was moved to Waratah Police Station and rededicated in a service held 8th December 2006.

Reference

"Australian Police. (2018). Keith Alfred HAYDON. [online] Available at: https://www.australianpolice.com.au/keith-alfred-haydon/ [Accessed 31 Aug. 2018].
1949 'New Police Station For West Wallsend', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 10 November, p. 4. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134167269
1889 'West Wallsend.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 25 July, p. 5. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138922193
1893 'WEST WALLSEND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 26 October, p. 6. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133316099
1894 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 23 January, p. 5. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137180371
1903 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 17 November, p. 6. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136494380
1911 'POLICE STATION IN WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 10 May, p. 2. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137043493
1921 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 27 May, p. 5. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141068702
1921 'GRETA.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 25 June, p. 11. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article141072997
1924 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 10 September, p. 7. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137770951
1924 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 6 October, p. 5. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137780738
1927 'WEST WALLSEND.', Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), 21 October, p. 7. , viewed 31 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134520773"

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