Victoria Police

Photos by Richard Hill: 2003 Page 2

California Gully Tornado

Just before 6PM on Sunday, May 18th, 2003, a tornado swept through Eaglehawk and northern Bendigo, destroying 8 homes and damaging another 50. The suburb of California Gully bore the brunt of the freak storm, which brought down trees, cut power to 18,000 homes, and caused up to $1,000,000 damage. The SES and CFA did an absolutely fantastic job of providing emergency assistance to affected families. These photos were taken on May 19th, 24 hours after the tornado ripped through the suburbs, and featture Victoria Police officers direct traffic at the Sandhurst Rd / Nelson St intersection.

Holden Commodore SS (VX II) - Marked TMU and SMART Sedans

Ford Falcon Forté - Marked GD Sedan

Subaru Forester 2.5X - Marked GD 4WD

SMART Series III : Ford Falcon XR8

VicPol's latest road toll weapons - the 'Series III' Falcon XR8 Special Mobile Anti Road Toll (SMART) Cars - were unveiled in early September 2003, and I spotted these two vehicles at Bendigo Police Station a week after they were released.

Ford Falcon XR8 (BA) - Marked SMART Sedan

Is this what they call a 'bad hair day'?

Is that a power bulge or are you just pleased to see me?

I wish *my* bulge was that big... (Oh. Heh. Sorry. Couldn't resist)

Holden Commodore Executive (VY) - Detectives' Wagon

Muck Up Day

October 24th, 2003 marked the end of year 12 classes at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, hence the unusually high police presence on the campus shown here.

Ford Falcon XT - Unmarked GD sedan

Ford Falcon - Caged Truck

Ford Falcon XL Ute - Marked, duties unknown

Holden Commodore Executive - Unmarked Ds' Sedan

Subaru Forester - Marked GD light duty 4WD (note door markings now completely gone, compare to Tornado photos)

Eaglehawk MVA

Just after 8pm on 26/12/2003, an 83 year old driver crashed into a pole at the intersection of Eaglehawk and Sandhurst Roads, Eaglehawk. Police, SES, CFA, and Ambulance crews attended the scene. The driver, who may have had a diabetic attack at the time of the crash, was hospitalised with superficial injuries after being treated at the scene by paramedics. Northbound traffic on Eaglehawk Road was diverted for just over an hour. These photos show the scene being cleared.