Contributed by Nick Buzza, Lost Rushworth
FIVE years ago, after a great deal of negotiation and planning involving DELWP and Campaspe shire, the old police lock up which was originally from Rushworth was returned to its rightful place, after being away for nearly 100 years.
The story is that in 1915 a constable in the newly proclaimed town of Tongala requested a lockup, as at the time prisoners had to be taken to Kyabram to be imprisoned.
Subsequently, a spare lockup at Rushworth was sent to Tongala. Which says something about Rushworth during that time, in that they had two lockups for the troublesome Rushworth residents.
The lockup was sent to Tongala in May 1915 and remained at the Tongala Police station until 2003 when the new police station was built.
The Tongala Lions Club, believing it was worth preservation, secured it from the police department and relocated it to the Golden Cow Dairy Centre in 2003.
When the Golden Cow Dairy Centre closed it remained there until the story was told of its origin to the Rushworth Court House revival crew, who then organised it to be brought home to Rushworth.
It is not in its original position as that would have been behind the old Rushworth Police station somewhere, however its current location next to the courthouse makes it another great tourist attraction in Rushworth. Another piece of Rushworth history returning to the town after 100 years.
