Max Jones, written by:

Along with many of my age group born in Renmark, during our school days and adolescent years we were fortunate to have the gentle guidance of our local detective, Max Jones, and known to all as Uncle Max.

He worked long, hard hours and was always likely to turn up when least expected.  When the hour was late he'd notice a group of us lads, stop and tell us a couple of yarns and gently suggest that it would be a good idea if we toddled off home because our parents might be worried.

We all respected him for his fair and just treatment of those who came under his notice.  He was the person who you could approach with any problem and trust him to do his best for you.

He has worked hard to complete this book THE BUSH DETECTIVE, and you don't have to be a Riverlander to relate to the stories involving many different characters and the way he portrays them, they could be in your home town.

Uncle Max had the rare ability to assess his fellows - hoboes, criminals, alcoholics, and people in general - on their merits rather than on society's arbitrary standards.  That is why I look on him as one of my favourite legendary figures and on behalf of the people of the Riverland we wish him every success with this publication, which has compassion, drama, humour, suspense, violence and sadness, plus a lesson in humanity and the elements of a textbook for intending police officers.

Having the pleasure of acquaintance and friendship of Max Jones for the past 25 years, I deem to have witnessed one person's true respect and regard for his fellowman.  During that generation in time acts of chivalry, courtesy and kindness were daily attributes, characterising the lifestyle of Max.

Max Jones joined the South Australian Police Force in 1938; he retired due to ill health in August 1976.  In the intervening years, he became one of the most popular and colourful characters of any Police Force in Australia.

He was a uniformed officer stationed in Adelaide until the outbreak of World Word 11, when he enlisted in the Army and served in Greece, Middle East and Pacific war zones, with distinction and was decorated twice and rose to the rank of Captain.

In 1945, after the war ended, he rejoined the Police Force in the C.I.B., where he performed his duties with distinction.  But it was his transfer to Renmark in the Riverland of South Australia, that was to have the biggest impact on his career.  He developed such a love for the area and its people, that he was to see out his days in the force, serving the Riverland.  He retired a Detective Sergeant.  It should have been a much higher ranking, but to accept a promotion meant a transfer, and he kept turning them down for all of his twenty-three years at Renmark.

Max received numerous awards for his acts of bravery, including a Queen's Commendation in 1976 for dis-arming a mentally disturbed man.  In 1975 he was involved in an incident in which he and another detective were threatened by a man with a high-powered rifle.  Max was later commended for his handling of the situation, but it wasn't just heroic acts that built his reputation.  He was commonly known as 'Uncle Max' by friend and criminal alike.

He'd often ask the Courts to show leniency towards a defendant saying he could get them a job.  He was regularly called in to interrogate suspects who'd say they'd talk to no-one but 'Uncle Max'.  His handling of offenders won their respect and many, through his influence, never returned to a life of crime.

Max Jones was a tireless worker in the community outside his police duties and together with his wife Bette, set an outstanding example for the Riverland community.

His retirement promoted tributes from the New South Wales and Victorian Police Forces for his co-operation and development of a better liaison between border police.

Although Max and his wife Bette now live in retirement in Paringa, near Renmark, they actively pursue interests their leisure time afford, highlighted by concern for those about them.

Max's story of that other Riverland Legend is indicative of his evaluation and respect for all people - no matter how humble.

Yours faithfully,
L. G. Sims
Mayor, 1984, Renmark. South Australia.