Born in Cairns on 24th March, Patricia Anne Garnaut joined the Queensland Police as a Probationary Constable on 22nd October 1973, and was sworn in as Constable on 8th February 1974. The young Patricia first worked with Water Police at Torwood Police Station during the devastating 1974 floods. Using a small tin boat the team transported locals to safety from their homes. That same year Constable Garnaut was the first woman to enter the Queensland Water Police on 25th November 1974.
Queensland Police Museum Image No. PM0304
Not surprisingly Patricia’s Dad was ex-Navy, her favourite sport was sailing, and she loved water skiing, diving and swimming. As well as general Water Police duties, Patricia participated in test exercises to hone the skills of divers in search and rescue training, and occasionally acted as the stranded swimmer requiring rescue!
Queensland Police Museum Image No. PM1043
A move to the Rape Squad and promotion to PC Constable 1/c on 15th December 1979 provided the opportunity to join an elite group of Police Officers commanded to protect the mental and physical health of female victims of domestic violence and sexual crime. Patricia also served at Mobile Patrols, Fortitude Valley, Licensing Branch/Vice Squad, Cairns and was promoted to Senior Constable on 14th December 1981 whilst stationed in Mount Isa. Patricia was paid for higher duties as Acting Sergeant 2/c in the Mount Isa District Office; the largest Queensland Police District.
Patricia resigned after a short but varied career on 10th May 1982, as under the provisions of Section 22(1)(ii) of the Liquor Act, and as a serving member of the Queensland Police, she was not permitted to marry a publican as it would have prevented him from following his employment. Interestingly, Patricia was paid long service leave monies as legislation had forced her to resign before she served ten years. Patricia now has three sons aged 34, 36 and 37.
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This information is supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“Tin Boats Floated A Fascinating Career” written by Patricia Garnaut in 2014, is licensed under a Creative Commons BY 4.0 Australian Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence.