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Peter Harrison and Sue Harrison interviewed by Alex Hood and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 3698325
Format AudioAudio
Author Harrison, Peter, 1945-
Access Conditions Access open for research and personal copies, written permission is required for public use during the lifetime of the interviewee, for digital audio tapes 1 and 3. Digital audio tape 2, embargoed. 
Description 2006. 
3 digital audio tapes (ca. 197 min.) 
Series Alex Hood folklore collection 
Summary

Folkloric recording. Peter Harrison speaks about his mother; his father Robert Seers; his adoptive father; his schooling in Cooma; going to boarding school in Goulburn; Christian Brothers; strong sporting school; knee accident ending his school football; school athletics; receiving his leaving certificate (1962); considering joining the army; working as a labourer; leaving home and moving to Capital Hill Hostel; meeting his wife Sue Skipper; Sue's family; joining A.C.T. Police Force (1963); police training methods by Victorian Police; an incident flying to Melbourne; Ray Warren; beginning his service in Canberra (1964); police vehicles; operations at the time; lock up function; crime similar to any country town; 'the Causeway' Narrabundah; poverty behind Canberra's facade; called up for National Service; their marriage (1965); his life in the army; life with Sue; his riding training; prisoners complaining of ghosts in cells at Victoria Barracks; not volunteering for Vietnam service; Bill White; completing his army service and rejoined the Police Force in Canberra; working on Norfolk Island; his duties; Roy Hughes.

Sue Harrison born 1946 talks about their marriage; the death of 'Goosie' Knight; 'Ikey' Bob; island songs; procedure of funerals on island; her life as a policeman's wife; their two sons. Peter discusses his involvement in Rugby; his son playing for Australian Junior Wallabies in New Zealand; his promotion; changes in A.C.T. Police (1979); staying in 'traffic' until retiring from the force; buying a sheep property in the Tinderry Range; Wool prices crashing; staying on farm for 15 years; his superannuation; mice plague; their son David joining the police force; their son Michael a process server; Michael's football; Des O'Leary; Sue working for Labor Councillor, Abe Batty's wife; whaling; fishing; Islanders in sport; horse riding on the island; how he was given the nick-name 'Bongo'; driving a school bus in Cooma; restoring an old 1888 doctor's house in Cooma; Sue's family background; atmosphere of the Cooma district; Jehovah's Witnesses; Mormons; missionaries; their life settling into the town; his job; new friends; connections with locals; his old friends.

Full contents Tells stories about: Harry Sargent -- A domestic -- 'Snipe' Frazer -- His horse 'Kentucky Boy' -- Policewoman in the house at night -- Conflict with some locals -- Michael -- Abe Batty -- Norfolk Island -- Sharks and whales -- A rescue -- Non-acceptance of strangers -- Horse sale -- Horse race -- His name in police work -- 'Pub' -- Parish priest. 
Biography/History Peter Harrison born 1945 in Sydney, N.S.W., was a long serving member of the A.C.T. Police Force which later merged with the Australian Federal Police. He spent time in charge of police on Norfolk Island before returning to the A.C.T. After retirement from the police force, he ran a fine wool property with his wife Sue. 
Notes

Accompanying material: photograph of interviewees.

Recorded on April 28, 2006 at Cooma, N.S.W.

Digital master; National Library of Australia, Oral History and Folklore collection;

Index/Finding Aid Note Detailed summary (12 p.) 
Subjects Harrison, Peter, - 1945- - Interviews.  |  Harrison, Sue, - 1946- - Interviews.  |  Australian Federal Police - Officials and employees - History.  |  Police - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra - Interviews.  |  Farmers - New South Wales - Interviews.
Occupation Police officers.  |  Farmers.
Other Authors Harrison, Sue, 1946-  |  Hood, Alex, 1935-  |  Hood, Annette, 1948-
Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 5533/22
Copy: Recording
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
(Temporarily shelved at Petherick Reading Room (Oral History))
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ORAL TRC 5533/22(summary)
Copy: Summary
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
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