Maxine (Max) Clohesy has retired from her position as admin clerk at the Kyneton Police Station after 39 years.
Max was unsworn by Victoria Police in September 1987 (to work as a civilian) and has worked at Kyneton ever since. Her main responsibilities were making sure all charges got to court, all briefs and evidence went where they needed to go, and managing rosters and seized items.
Acting Senior Sergeant Hayley Zagari said Max was well loved by all, and was known for her humour.
“Max was known as the oracle for that time, anything people needed to know, they could ask Maxine,” Hayley said.
“She has seen a lot of police officers come and go and has supported many new staff members. She’s a treasure.”
Max loved her job and got along with everyone. She was known for her friendly pranks back in the day, some including nailing people’s belongings to the floor, hiding a chook in someone’s gym bag and putting fire crackers in people’s lockers.
The friendly pranks were reciprocated, with nightshift workers deliberately shining blue lights into her windows at night, and receiving prank phone calls at 3am. One nightshift story she recalls was when one group brought a Christmas tree over from Lancefield in the divvy van in the middle of the night, and delivered it on her front lawn.
Another fond memory of working with Kyneton Police was when there was a big mock up court case between the station and a solicitor regarding the custody of a cat. The cat belonged to the solicitor next door who was moving up to Queensland and was going to take the cat with them, but Kyneton Police wanted the cat to stay. The police station won the case and gained custody of ‘Billy Brooks’.
During her time, Max also saw the transition from the old police station to the new one, having input in the installation of air conditioning in store rooms and appliances in the kitchen.
“We need a big oven for the roasts and the scones,” she said.
Max used to cook scones every court day. “It became the ritual. The magistrate would hear the licence restorations first and then he’d have a scone adjournment.”
Kyneton was also known for having a huge Christmas roast. One Christmas, during her time as commissioner, Christine Nixon and her husband attended a Christmas roast.
Max was well loved by all staff members at Kyneton.
“She’s the lifeblood of this station,” said Joel Woods, a close friend and police officer at Kyneton.
“She gave me lots of guidance through my career, with her vast experience.
“She was also a terrible influence on me!”
Now that Max is retired, she is looking forward to being able to enjoy having more time in her garden and spending time with her family.
