Melbourne Historical Crime Tours

19/10/2023

16/10/2023

13/10/2023

For Friday the 13th I thought I’d share a copy of my original flyer from over 7 years ago.
The prison photos used for the original flyer were those of Albert Cummings alias Cunning, who was a particularly cunning criminal. His modus operandi was to feign drunkenness and stumble into his unsuspecting victims and pick their pockets during the resulting scramble for balance.
He was also a burglar and bash and rob man.
He served in WW1, and though his record included being court martialled for striking a superior officer, he would no doubt have also struck the fear of god into his enemies.
When he enlisted for the war he had a full head of hair but by the end of it he was suffering alopecia and it never grew back. Whether the shock of what he encountered at the front contributed to his condition is not known.
The photos of Albert Cummings alias Cunning, c.1940, were taken by myself, Michael Shelford, from the original Central Register of Male Prisoners, Public Record Office, Victoria. These records have since been digitised and are accessible via PROV’s website.

Stay safe this Friday the 13th and don’t let Albert into your dreams.

If you’re interested in learning more about Melbourne’s colourful past, why not come along on a Melbourne Historical Crime Tour, hosted by true crime writer and historian, Michael Shelford.

Saturdays in the City 4pm, Sundays in Fitzroy 1pm.
Adults $50, Seniors, Concession, Children 16+ $45
Bookings and info via www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com
(If you’re sharing this post by copying and removing business details to comply with group sites, please still give credit to Michael Shelford)

Walking tours in Melbourne CBD Saturdays 4pm & 1st Friday every month 7pm. Fitzroy tours Sundays 1pm

12/10/2023

Celebrating the centenary of the first use of wireless communication in a police patrol car in the world. October 1923. The image shows the first Lancia Trikappa patrol car in 1923 surrounded by from left to right; Supt Brophy; NK; Constables Canning and Hutchinson (wireless operators); NK; Sgt Peverell?; Senior Constable Fred Downie. The Wireless Patrol was disbanded in 1970. Photo Victoria Police Museum.

12/10/2023

03/10/2023

Just a reminder that this Friday night 6th Oct, being the first Friday of the month, the Gangsters Brothels & Lolly Shops tour will be running in the former Little Lon precinct of Melbourne CBD.
The tour commences at 7pm outside the historic Coopers Inn, (282 Exhibition St), and finishes at 9pm near Madame Brussels Lane.
The night tour features a handheld projector which is used to project photos of the characters discussed onto the buildings and streetscapes they once frequented. Another bonus of the night tour is that I get to share some of my research by projecting original police documents about, and even handwritten letters from, the old inhabitants of this part of town.
Melbourne Historical Crime Tours have recently been awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award for 2023, placing us in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

$50 Adults $45 Seniors, Concession and Children 16+

7pm outside Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St

(Daytime tours run every Saturday at 4pm in the city and every Sunday at 1pm in Fitzroy. Night tours with the projector are the first Friday of every month in the city).
Bookings via www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

Photos by Tristan Pemberton of Flywire Films

27/09/2023

John Wren would be disappointed but I’m running a tour this Saturday at the same time as his beloved Magpies play against their old enemies the Lions in a Grand Final.
Normally I switch off bookings for that date and time, but, so it turns out, I already have 8 people who would rather an award-winning crime tour to a Grand Final.
Heads up to anyone else who feels the same and would rather come on my amazing tour in Melbourne city than watch the Grand Final live. All you need to do is book via my website or let me know via direct message or 0422525565 that you’re coming and pay cash on the day.

Apologies to Mr Wren but the show must go on!

4pm Saturday, meeting outside the Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St, Melbourne. $50 Adults, $45 Seniors, Concession and Children 16+

(I'll be watching the last half on replay so no spoilers please)

MELBOURNE HISTORICAL CRIME TOURS

26/09/2023

"I have played football with the Collingwood team since its inception, and if I have been breaking any of our regulations I am very sorry, as I was under the impression I was not doing anything...

22/09/2023

John Wren would have been horrified if his beloved Magpies had been deposed by a group of men dressed in orange.
All jokes aside, was a great game played by both teams and either side would have been a worthy winner.

22/09/2023

An article of mine which was first published in Time Out Magazine 10 years ago. I'm posting it for the Magpies fans and wishing them all the best in Saturday's Grand Final against their old rivals, the Lions.
The article is about Collingwood's former premiership winning captain, and local copper, Constable Bill Proudfoot.
The image is from a football card that I found in the original police files at Public Record Office, Victoria. It was attached to a letter of complaint about Bill Proudfoot disobeying police orders and continuing to play for Collingwood under a fictitious name.

Cheers, Michael Shelford (creator and host of Melbourne Historical Crime Tours).

If you're interested in learning more about Melbourne's cops vs robbers' past, tours run every Saturday at 4pm in the city and every Sunday at 1pm in Fitzroy. There is also a special night tour in the city on the first Friday of each month.
Bookings and info via Melbourne Historical Crime Tours' website.

"I have played football with the Collingwood team since its inception, and if I have been breaking any of our regulations I am very sorry, as I was under the impression I was not doing anything...

22/09/2023

19/09/2023

My interview with Jen Kelly of the Herald Sun from four years ago today. It's about one of Collingwood's greats, their legendary premiership winning captain - Constable Bill Proudfoot. (Little Lon Distilling Co.) also have a very tasty gin named after him:

By day he policed the depression-era streets of Collingwood, but on the weekends he was a powerful player who led the Pies to VFL premi...

17/09/2023

Some wonderful 1930s footage of Melbourne. Coloured and remastered.

I colorized, restored and created a sound design for this video of Melbourne, Australia 1931, starts with a panoramic view from the Morehouse Tower of St. Pa...

15/09/2023

Up the blues! 💙💙

Catch Melbourne vs Carlton TONIGHT live & loud on the big screen at The Coopers Inn! 📣

Kick off at 7:50pm, don’t miss it!! 🎉

15/09/2023

Did you know the Old Melbourne Gaol was in operation for 79 years before its closure in 1924?

The Gaol's first cellblock was opened in 1845.

In 1870, a review of the penal system was conducted, with the recommendation being made to close the gaol and relocate prisoners to more suitable locations.

The gaol gradually slowed its operations, and demolished portions of the original site between 1880 and 1924. In 1924, the gaol was finally closed and in 1929, it was decommissioned.

However, in March 1927, the Old Melbourne Gaol was integrated into part of the new Emily McPherson College and was used for educational purposes. This necessitated changes to the prison; in 1929, despite poor record keeping of prisoner burials, historical evidence suggested the remains of approximately 32 executed prisoners, including Ned Kelly, were exhumed from the Old Melbourne Gaol and buried at mass graves in a quarry at Pentridge.

In 1930, the women's cell block, walls and several other buildings were demolished, and a further four coffins were believed to have been moved to Pentridge in 1937.

📷 Demolition of the Old Melbourne Gaol, April 19, 1937.

11/09/2023

We're taking in this view of Coburg from the gates of Pentridge for Monday today. Catch up on our Pentridge podcast episodes to learn about the area, the design and escapes: https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

📸 Pentridge gaol, main gates. https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/8815AA90-F7EA-11E9-AE98-9FDD2E6C0F82?image=6

04/09/2023

We're in St Kilda this Monday, circa 1920s-39.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/767885F7-F821-11E9-AE98-FDA482703253?image=1

01/09/2023

29/08/2023

Bert Olsen may have been known to the police as ‘Burglar Bill’ but to his family he was just Dad. When he was in the money, he’d blow the lot on spoiling them. Still remembered for his delicate pastries three generations later, Bert Olsen was so meticulous with his savoury treats that he would lightly apply melted blue cheese to their golden crusts with a duck feather.
If you’re stuck for a Father’s Day present, why not buy Dad the gift of a memorable experience from Melbourne Historical Crime Tours via www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com. The Gift Cards have a place to enter his name, your name and a personalised message.

They are emailed automatically when you finish your online order.

The Gift Cards are valid for any tour throughout the year.

Happy Father’s Day from Melbourne Historical Crime Tours.

Mugshots are c.1919, re-photographed by Michael Shelford of Melbourne Historical Crime Tours at Public Record Office, Victoria. Snippet of police report also photographed by Michael Shelford at Public Record Office, Victoria.
Story is from the gracious descendants of Bert Olsen.
Hopefully see you and your Dad on a tour sometime soon!

29/08/2023

Just a reminder that this Friday night 1st Sept, being the first Friday of the month, the Gangsters Brothels & Lolly Shops tour will be running in the former Little Lon precinct of Melbourne CBD. Starts at 7pm outside the historic Coopers Inn, (282 Exhibition St), and finishes at 9pm near Madame Brussels Lane.
The night tour features a handheld projector which is used to project photos of the characters discussed onto the buildings and streetscapes they once frequented. Another bonus of the night tour is that I get to share some of my research by projecting original police documents about, and even handwritten letters from, the old inhabitants of this part of town.
Melbourne Historical Crime Tours have recently been awarded TripAdvisor's Travellers Choice Award for 2023, placing us in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. Not too shabby when we’re up against the likes of the Eiffel Tower!
$50 Adults $45 Seniors & Concession
7pm outside Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St
(Daytime tours run every Saturday at 4pm in the city and every Sunday at 1pm in Fitzroy. Night tours with the projector are the first Friday of every month in the city).
Bookings via www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com
Photos by Tristan Pemberton of Flywire Films
&lollyshops

28/08/2023

Newspaper photo of a bank robbery in Fitzroy in 1953 when armed robbers stole a money bag outside the bank. The Ford sedan is a Wireless Patrol car and this building still exists, although no longer a bank.

22/08/2023

Today marks the 10-year anniversary of my 2nd ever newspaper-published article. I spent a lot of time researching and crafting this one and I’m still proud of it today. After it was published, I received a phone call from a well-known Australian author who told me he thought it was the best newspaper article he'd read in over 30 years. Way over the top, but hey, I’ll take it.
The subject of the article, Ted Whiting, also happens to be a feature on my Fitzroy tours, so if you’re thinking of coming along on one then this is a good pre-tour read. If you’ve already been on one, it’s a good post-tour read.
Here is the link:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/aug/22/boxing-forgotten-story-ted-whiting
The Fitzroy true crime walking tour runs every Sunday at 1pm. City tours are every Saturday at 4pm and the 1st Friday of each month at 7pm.
$50 adults, $45 Seniors & Concession
Bookings via my website Melbourne Historical Crime Tours

MELBOURNE HISTORICAL CRIME TOURS

16/08/2023

Melbourne Historical Crime Tours are proud to announce that we have just been awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2023, which places us in the top 10% of worldwide attractions.
That’s not just top 10% for attractions in Australia but top 10% anywhere in the world.
To use TripAdvisor’s words, “Melbourne Historical Crime Tours today has been recognized by TripAdvisor as a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner. The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on TripAdvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the top 10% of all listings on TripAdvisor globally.”
If you’re wondering what all the hype is about why not come along and check it out for yourself. Melbourne Historical Crime Tours are designed and delivered by true crime writer and historian Michael Shelford, who shares stories from his 17 years of research through Victoria’s original police files.
Tours run every Saturday at 4pm in the city and every Sunday at 1pm in Fitzroy. Also, the first Friday night of each month at 7pm in the city.
Adults $50, Seniors & Concession $45
For bookings and information visit www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

MELBOURNE HISTORICAL CRIME TOURS

14/08/2023

The first railway bus from Melbourne to Geelong was a beauty. Tuesday. https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/C0332118-F7DD-11E9-AE98-F997B66006EE?image=1

12/08/2023

04/08/2023

The old Brown Hill (Ballarat) police station from 1853 to 1968. Long closed. Was at 359A Humffray St at the corner of Thompson Street.

25/07/2023

Today is the 10th anniversary of my first newspaper article. It was published in The Guardian. I’d had magazine articles published previously but this was very exciting for me at the time. The article is still available to read online and is the story of a very interesting chap. His name was Carl von Ledebur, and he was one of Essendon footy team’s first trainers. He was also a burglar, quack doctor, engaged in what could flatteringly be described as early sports science, and married to Olga Radalyski of the notorious ‘body in the boot box’ tragedy.

If you’re interested, the article is available to read for free via this link https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/jul/25/the-forgotten-story-of-carl-von-ledebur
Cheers,
Michael
(mugshots are sourced from Public Record Office, Victoria, Central Register of Male Prisoners)

20/07/2023

Thank you to Tristan Pemberton for the great photos taken on last Saturday’s tour in the city. Tristan is an award-winning documentary film maker and runs the film production business, Flywire Films. He’s also an old friend and a top bloke.

Despite the cooler temperatures, winter is a good time to come on the Saturday tours because you get a combination of the day tour and the night tour. Night tours utilise a handheld projector and give me the chance to share images of police documents from my research, handwritten letters by the characters featured, and photos of the characters and the old streetscapes.
Because the projector only works well after sunset it will only be in use on the Saturday tours until about mid-August.
The first Friday of every month I run a night tour, so if you want to experience the projector on tours at other times of the year the option is there too.
Tours are held in Melbourne city every Saturday 4pm and the first Friday of every month at 7pm.
Tours are held in Fitzroy every Sunday at 1pm.
Adults $50, Seniors & Concession $45
Bookings & information at www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

14/07/2023

This legend, Brendo, was on my Fitzroy True Crime Tour last Sunday.
1st photo 1997, SCG, dealing with a pitch invader.
2nd photo 2023, Fitzroy, dealing with me and singer/guitarist, Pete ThundaBox.
The Fitzroy True Crime walking tour runs every Sunday, commencing at 1pm at the Workers Club Hotel, corner Brunswick and Gertrude St, Fitzroy.
The city tour runs every Saturday, commencing at 4pm at the Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St, Melbourne.
Adults $50
Seniors & concession $45
Bookings and info at www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

13/07/2023

The 30th Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Awards, for short crime stories, is now open for entries including Best Mystery with History: https://sistersincrime.org.au/30th-scarlet-stiletto-awards-now-open-a-record-12720-in-prize-money/

Looking for story inspiration? Online records such as early inquests and prison registers, and physical files such as criminal trial briefs, can provide insights into crime, police procedure and the period you're writing about including dress and aspects of a person's home and work life. Explore our collection to get your creative crime writing juices flowing: https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/justice-crime-and-law

📸 Italic writing VPRS 14517/P1/15 G630

29/06/2023

The museum is to embark on a major study and research, The Chinese Melbourne Project, over the next two years that will bring to light the community beyond the shopkeepers of Chinatown, to link them to their families and where they lived in the inner suburbs of Melbourne.

07/06/2023

In 1908, Victoria Police were armed with an outdated medley of mostly C**t and Webley & Scott revolvers. J W Rosier, a Melbourne-based importer of arms and ammunition, loaned them a few of the latest Webley & Scott automatic pistols for their consideration. After testing, the unanimous verdict was “Yes please!” One of the testers, Sergeant Allcock, reported, “The Webley revolver we use at present is not a reliable weapon and is cumbersome in comparison to this magazine pistol … our present weapon was at one time a very good pattern viz 25 or 30 years ago.”
Unfortunately, budgets don’t always allow for such luxuries and the Chief Commissioner of Police let the importer know that the police currently had a sufficient stock of revolvers on hand but would inform them if any were required in the future.
Photos & story by Michael Shelford of Melbourne Historical Crime Tours, from files discovered by himself at Public Record Office, Victoria.
If you’d like to find out more about Melbourne’s historical underworld and its interactions with police, why not come along on a Melbourne Historical Crime Tour. The tours are based on original source material acquired through over 16 years of research by true crime writer Michael Shelford.

Saturdays 4pm (City), Sundays 1pm (Fitzroy), plus the first Friday night of each month 7pm (City)
Adults $50, Seniors & Concession $40
Bookings & info at www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

02/06/2023

Just a reminder that tonight, being the first Friday of the month, I'm running the night tour in the 'Little Lon' precinct of Melbourne CBD. Starts at 7pm outside the Coopers, (282 Exhibition St), and finishes at 9pm near Madame Brussels Lane. The night tours feature a handheld projector, which is used to project photos of the characters discussed onto the buildings and streetscapes they once frequented. Another bonus of the night tour is that I get to share some of my research by projecting original police documents about, and even handwritten letters from, the old inhabitants of this part of town.
$50 Adults $45 Concession
7pm outside Coopers Inn, 282 Exhibition St
Bookings via www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com (or payment by cash or PayID on the night)

26/05/2023

For your viewing pleasure: Charles Simpson alias Handsome Charlie.
Picked up by police in South Africa as a conman in 1909, they sent his image and fingerprints to Victoria police in the hope of finding out who they were dealing with. Victoria Police confirmed that he was known in their state and that when they’d last dealt with him in 1901, he’d been “clean shaved and thin faced”. On that occasion he’d been arrested for larceny at the Caulfield Races, escaped the lockup, been recaptured in Queensland, and escorted back to Victoria where he served a 12-month sentence.
South Australia Police confirmed that he was known to them as Handsome Charlie, a conman and swindler, but they had no record of convictions against him.
Western Australia Police also knew him as Handsome Charlie, reporting that he was a pickpocket and conman there in 1899 and 1900. They’d charged him twice but both times he’d avoided conviction. They stated that whilst there, “he had with him a fine-looking woman and she got good sums of money from various people on the pretence of coming into a large sum of money from a will. She left the state suddenly, following him to the Eastern States. From there they went to England passing through Fremantle enroute. In England he was associated with a gang of Australian conmen in London.”
It seems Handsome Charlie’s luck had finally run out in South Africa.
It’s not known what became of Handsome Charlie, but it could be assumed that the vista of wherever he ended up would have been improved by his presence.
(Story by Michael Shelford from Melbourne Historical Crime Tours)
If you’re interested in learning more about Melbourne’s shady past, why not come along on a Melbourne Historical Crime Tour. Every Saturday in the city 4pm, every Sunday in Fitzroy 1pm, 1st Friday of every month in the city at 7pm.
$50 Adults, $45 Seniors and Concession.
Bookings and information via my website Melbourne Historical crime Tours

13/05/2023

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful Mums out there!

Check out this article on the subject by Melbourne Historical Crime Tours' Michael Shelford.

For those looking for a last minute gift for their wonderful Mums, Gift Cards from Melbourne Historical Crime Tours are emailed immediately at the time of purchase and are available at www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com

by Michael Shelford © 2018. ​When 28 year old convicted burglar, safe cracker, cop shooter and gaol breaker James Henry Townley was doing time in Pentridge Prison in 1917, police were...

30/04/2023

Some wonderful 1920s footage of Australia, including Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD, colourised and remastered by NASS.
(Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD are at the beginning).

I colorized, restored and created a sound design for this video of Australia in 1920s, wonderful Trip Through Melbourne, Sydney, Cronulla, Dandenong RangesVi...

25/04/2023

Anzac Remembrance Day Appeal c.1919

Lest We Forget

(Document discovered and copied by Michael Shelford at Public Record Office, Victoria.)

16/04/2022

There are now 6 places available on today's previously booked out Gangsters, Brothels & Lolly Shops tour at 4pm due to a late cancellation. Also places available on tomorrow's Fitzroy True Crime tour at 1pm. For bookings go to www.melbournehistoricalcrimetours.com Photo is of armed robber Victor Read and sourced from Public Record Office Victoria.

02/04/2022

The former Devonshire Arms Hotel, 34-38 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy. First licensed in 1843, it is Melbourne's oldest extant hotel. The Devonshire Arms was delicensed in 1920, and by the early 1940's, had an unenviable reputation as a home to thieves, standover men & sly groggers. Today the building is a functioning part of St Vincent's Hospital