One hundred years ago yesterday, an egg sent hurtling towards the head of Prime Minister Billy Hughes triggered the creation of Australia's first federal police force.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mr Hughes was in rural Queensland giving a speech on conscription - an issue that was dividing the nation - when an anti-conscription protester threw the egg which dislodged Mr Hughes' hat.
The local police sergeant refused Mr Hughes' demands to arrest the egg thrower.
So an incensed prime minister went back to Canberra and created a new Commonwealth Police Force.
The AFP as it exists today was formed in 1979 with the merging Commonwealth Police, ACT Police and the Narcotics Bureau following the Sydney Hilton bombings.
To help celebrate 100 years of the federal force, the National Museum of Australia will exhibit a 1974 XB Falcon patrol car which was used for traffic enforcement by ACT Police.
Deputy commissioner Leanne Close, who joined the AFP in 1986 as a 19-year-old, said she had seen significant change in the force over 30 years.
She said it now had more of an international angle, dealing with the impact of technology, globalisation and terrorism.
The AFP has been involved in some of the most significant events in Australia's history, both locally and internationally - from the Bali bombings, Thredbo disaster and the MH17 investigation and body identification.
"Many years ago when I joined, people didn't really know what the AFP was, it was still a fairly new entity," she said.
"It's grown to prominence in government and the crimes we investigate in the community.
"It's a pretty unique organisation in the world because of the local and international focus of all the various aspects of our work.
John Hillier, a former AFP member in Canberra, used to drive the patrol car now on display at the museum
He has fond memories of the car and his time in the force.
"Policing was a life career for me, it was very rewarding and I enjoyed every minute of it," Mr Hillier said.
"It's marvellous the car's been kept in this condition, it's got quite a history this car.
"What this car was used for and designed for is not how policing is done these days."
