Ronald (Ron) Condon Oral History

Main

DescriptionThis interview consists of three audio recordings and transcripts. Ronald (Ron) Condon was interviewed on 18 May 2005 by Shirley Kingsford McLeod.
Interview SummaryRon was born in March 1923 in Leichhardt. His father worked on the railways, and the family moved around, from Leichhardt, Campsie, Canterbury and Five Dock.

In 1942 Ron enlisted in the Army. He was stationed at Singleton, other camps in Victoria and did jungle training in Queensland. He was then made an instructor and spent most of the war years doing this. When the war ended, Ron was ineligible for discharge because he had not seen active service. He volunteered to go to Japan and remained there until 1947.

After returning to Australia Ron worked in a foundry and then joined the Police Force. He trained at Redfern Academy and later at Penrith. He spent five years at Central Railway Station followed by Rozelle. During this time Ron married and lived with his wife’s parents before renting a property in Croydon. In 1954 Ron moved to live in Cabramatta and he was transferred to Fairfield Police Station.

At Fairfield Ron handled a variety of cases. The most common crime was domestic violence, but he also handled drownings, deaths and visits to the morgue. He also discusses the difficulties with the migrant communities in the area; the different cultures often clashed with each other. But he also says that most migrants were nice people.

The interview describes several incidents during Ron’s career as a policeman.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 3

Interview Transcript - Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 2

Interview Transcript - Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 1

Audio

Interview with Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 3

Interview with Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 2

Interview with Ronald (Ron) Condon - Part 1

Details

IntervieweeRonald (Ron) CondonInterviewerShirley Kingsford McLeodDate of interview18/05/2005DurationTotal interview 01:21:01Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City Council Access ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public useNotesPolice in the Fairfield area began in 1818 when William Welch was appointed by Governor Macquarie to police the Liverpool-Cabramatta area. In 1921 a separate station was built in Cabramatta and became separate from Liverpool.

Smithfield gained its first mounted constable in 1874. They patrolled Smithfield and Fairfield.

After WWII the Smithfield station closed and Fairfield station covered the area and was assigned it's first officer in 1903. the station was moved from Ware Street to Hamilton Street in 1919. in 1948 it was again moved to Smart Street and officially opened in 1953.

Connections

Oral History ProjectThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldPolice of Cabramatta, Fairfield and SmithfiledAll Oral HistoriesCollectionPolice of Cabramatta, Fairfield and Smithfiled