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 flooded homes. That same year Constable Garnaut was the first woman to enter the Queensland Water Police on 25th November 1974.
Constable Patricia Garnaut stands between her workmates Senior Constables Richard Bartley (left) and Eric Webster, on the deck of Vedette III, c1974
Image No. PM0304 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
Not surprisingly Patricia’s father 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!
Constable Patricia Garnaut at the old Water Police Station, Petrie Bight, c1974
Image No. PM1043 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
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 in 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 Higher Duties as Acting Sergeant 2/c in the Mount Isa District Office – the largest Queensland Police District.
Constable Patricia Garnaut, Water Police, c1975
Image No. PM0306 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
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 her future husband 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 27, 29 and 30.
Senior Constable Garnaut’s Application to Resign, 1982
Join us in wishing Patricia a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!
__________________
This information has been 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 Friday 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
“Patricia Anne Garnaut” by Museum Assistant Georgia Grier of the Queensland Police Service, with the assistance of Patricia Garnaut, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode… Continue reading