Remarkable Journey With QPS's First Married Couple

This Valentine's Day, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is celebrating the unique love story of Ian and Diane Lindsay, the first married couple to serve as officers together in the '70s.

The first induction ceremony of women into QPS, then known as the Queensland Police Force, occurred in March 1965.

Diane joined in 1969 as the 37th female officer.

In the early years of women in policing, married women weren't permitted to serve, a rule that was lifted in late 1971.

Diane worked hard to make her mark, rising through the ranks quickly before transferring to the Juvenile Aid Bureau at City Station, Brisbane.

Ian's career with QPS started in 1953, spanning roles from constable to sergeant, including a stint as a fast bowler for the QPS cricket team.

In early 1970, Dianne joined her girlfriends at a social event hosted by the Keperra Golf Club, completely unaware she was about to meet her future partner in life and work.

Diane recalls meeting Ian that evening, he was with a lady friend of his own and got to talking to Diane and her friends, neither of them bringing up their place of work.

Diane said the encounter seemed normal at a nice social event, and they each went their separate ways that night.

"I was working at city station at the time, and I was going up to my office in the elevator one morning a week after the event, and when the doors opened, I was surprised to see Ian standing there," Diane said.

"Haven't I seen you somewhere?" Ian asked with a curious smile.

Ian proposed to Diane later that year, and Diane resigned so that they could be wed.

Then, in late 1971, the rule was overturned, and Diane re-joined QPS as the state's first married policewoman and was sworn in again in January 1972.

In April 1972 there was an opening for a policewoman in Rockhampton, so both Diane and Ian were transferred.

Ian was promoted to Sergeant in December of 1976, and then began a new role in the Rockhampton Traffic Branch in 1978 where he stayed for the remainder of his career.

Despite the challenges of navigating being the first couple in QPS, Diane fondly recalls the camaraderie she shared with her colleagues and the sense of purpose their work brought.

"The station was like a big blue family, we would often have functions together and every Christmas we would have a big celebration together," Diane said.

"There was a running joke at the station that if Ian wanted to see me, he had to book a berth on the Capricornia."

The couple spent 20 years in Rockhampton where they were heavily involved in the community through sports, volunteering, and kids' hobbies.

The couple attended their fair share of social events both through QPS and local sporting clubs as Ian was a keen member of the Rockhampton Golf Club.

They both delivered meals to the elderly through the meals on wheels program, and Diane volunteered her time as treasurer at the local girl guides where her daughter was a participant.

After her daughter was born, Diane worked as a merchandiser for large franchisers in the dairy industry, towards the end of their time in Rockhampton she joined the local 'potters' group where they would make and sell pottery at local markets.

"Our dream was to move to the Gold Coast, so when Ian retired after 38 years that's what we did. We built a home and raised our kids on the coast," Diane said.

Unfortunately, Ian's health declined, and he passed away in 1995, just four years after his retirement at the age of 59.

"Our life was extraordinary, and I'll forever treasure our QPS careers for bringing us together," Diane said.

Diane and Ian had two kids together and now had three beautiful grandchildren that keep her on her toes, visiting every Wednesday night for family dinner.