Databases and Indexes

• Birregurra: Court of Petty Sessions Cause List Book / Petty Sessions Register (1872-1889)
• Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne
• VPRS 292 Units 1-5

• NAME: Either Prosecutor / Complainant / Applicant OR Defendant - COMMENT field will explain which
• DATE: of court sitting
• OTHER NAMES: Either Prosecutor / Complainant / Applicant OR Defendant - COMMENT field will explain which
• ADDRESS: associated with license applications - generally hotel name and location
• COMMENT: Reason for court appearance, and explanation of NAME and OTHER NAMES field for EACH entry
• REFERENCE: VPRS number and UNIT number (entries are in chronological order)

VPRS 292 contains 10 Units:

• Unit 1: Set 1 Licensing Register 1873-1885 - indexed
• Unit 2: Set 2 Cause List Book 1872-1887 - indexed
• Unit 3: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1888-1889 - indexed
• Unit 4: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1889-1898 - indexed
• Unit 5: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1898-1907 - indexed
• Unit 6: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1907-1916
• Unit 7: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1916-1923
• Unit 8: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1923-1927
• Unit 9: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1927-1936
• Unit 10: Set 3 Petty Sessions Register 1936-1955

• 3,534 entries
• The majority of these have been duplicated as each entry contains two sets of names - Prosecutor and Defendant.

• How before the court?: Arrest, summons etc
• Fees: associated with court appearance
• Charge, cause or proceeding: more detail than provided in the COMMENT field
• Decision, memo of conviction or order
• Remarks

If you would like to assist with indexing the registers for the Birregurra Court of Petty Sessions, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who is co-ordinating this project.

The first Birregurra library was established in the Mechanics' Institute in Jenner Street, Birregurra, in 1865 and some books from this library may still be in existence.  The librarian was Mr Hall.  The building was the chief meeting place for the residents and was sometimes used as a courthouse.  Minstrel concerts and entertainments were held there until a new, more spacious building was erected, and the new Birregurra Public Hall opened on 30 May 1884.

From A Journey Through Time: Our District's Time Line 1836-2003, compiled by Joy Rourke, p 21:

The Birregurra and district residents were outraged at the announcement that the Court of Petty Sessions at Birregurra would be discontinued, but the Department decided court could be held if the hall was given free of charge.