Bill James was a long time, and original V.I.P. who stated work out of the old Warilla Police Station ( Lake Illawarra LAC ) in 1996.
Bill retired from V.I.P’s prior to the Station being moved to Oak Flats.
Bill, upon retiring from his career job, applied for a VIP role at the suggestion of his wife. He said he enjoyed his work with the police for a number of reasons.
” I like everything about it – keeps me active and I like working with all the police and staff, they are a great crew. This role has been eye-opening and I really appreciate all the work the police do. It’s great to be able to help them out and my family are very pleased with what I do. “
Today ( Friday 5 Feb. 2016 ) Qld Police and the police community lost a true gentleman and leader. On what was to be [alert_red]his last day in the job before retiring[/alert_red] from a remarkable career, Detective Inspector Rod Kemp was taken from his family and his police brothers and sisters from a suspected heart attack.
Rod was a well respected leader, detective and above all else a good decent bloke who always put his staff first and above what was expected of him.
Our thoughts are with Rods family dealing with a sudden loss of him at a time that should have been one of celebration.
Vale Detective Inspector Rod Kemp – Qld Police Service.
Top cop Detective Inspector Rod Kemp dies on the way to his own retirement lunch
KATE KYRIACOU The Sunday Mail (Qld)
The Courier Mail
QUEENSLAND police are mourning the loss of one of their own after one of the state’s top detectives died suddenly while on the way to his own retirement lunch.
Detective Inspector Rod Kemp, a “gentleman” of the police service, died from a suspected heart attack while returning to Mt Gravatt police station on Friday.
His closest friends and colleagues – some who had worked alongside him since the 1980s – were readying for his farewell when the news came through.
Insp Kemp, who was to turn 57 on Thursday, was a highly respected investigator and led some of the state’s biggest murder investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Gee said Insp Kemp had been due to retire after 37 years as a police officer.
Insp Rod Kemp is believed to have died from a heart attack, days short of his 57th birthday.
“(He) was one of the most respected and well-liked officers I have ever known,” he said. “He reached the top of his game professionally and had the respect and admiration of all his colleagues, and more importantly, the wider community.”
Queensland detective Rod Kemp dies from suspected heart attack
February 7, 20164:15pm
QUEENSLAND police has extended its sympathy to the family of a respected detective who died on the way to his own retirement lunch.
Detective Inspector Rod Kemp, a “gentleman” of the police service who was to turn 57 this week, died from a suspected heart attack while returning to Mt Gravatt police station in Brisbane on Friday, the Courier Mail reported.
His colleagues were preparing for a farewell lunch ahead of his retirement after 37 years as a police officer.
“RIP Detective Inspector Rod Kemp,” the Queensland Police Service said on Facebook on Sunday morning.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”
Assistant Commissioner Bob Gee spoke highly of Inspector Kemp, a married father-of-three sons — including one son who was also a police officer.
“(He) was one of the most respected and well-liked officers I have ever known,” he told the Courier Mail.
“He reached the top of his game professionally and had the respect and admiration of all his colleagues, and more importantly, the wider community.
“Rod was the complete gentleman who took the time to listen and care for people. He touched the lives of many as an experienced leader and investigator.”
Insp Kemp was a respected investigator who led some of Queensland’s biggest murder investigations.
Colleagues paid tribute to the top cop on social media.
“Rod Kemp was a man that loved his family and stood by his brothers and sisters in blue,” Les Melville wrote on Facebook.
“Rank was not an issue with him, because he related to the person. He was a true friend to his mates, he was a true boss to his troops and above all, was a caring and honest man.
“Personally, I always saw him as a friendly, open and understanding man.”
Brisbane police detective inspector Rod Kemp farewelled at memorial service
Brittany Vonow The Courier-Mail
DETECTIVE Inspector Rod Kemp has been remembered as a gentleman at Queensland Police memorial service.
The day after what would have been his birthday, hundreds of police gathered at The Chandler Theatre to remember the detective inspector who spent more than three and a half decades in the service.
Kemp passed away on the way to his own retirement farewell lunch last Friday.
Tributes by colleagues Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Geary and Detective Acting Inspector Tim Leadbetter were read with an address from son Alex Kemp.
“I’m not here to talk about the murders that were solved or the jobs taken care of under Rod’s leadership, I’m not here to talk about his work ethic. Those qualities and abilities are evident from everyone here today,” Det Acting Insp Leadbetter said.
“However, I would say Rod instantly gained respect and admiration of us all. Rod was not respected because of his rank… He was respected because of the man he was.”
He said there was nothing more important to Det Insp Kemp than his family, including his two grandchildren.
“Rod was the ultimate caring boss,” Det Acting Insp Leadbetter said.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart delivered the police valedictory.
Inspector Lee Jeffries (left) and inspector Peter Doyle (right) arrive with fellow police officers at the Memorial Service for Detective Inspector Rod Kemp, The Chandler Theatre, Chandler. Photographer: Liam Kidston.
Son Alex Kemp said his dad would have turned 57-years-old yesterday.
“We will knew dad was the pick of them, he was obviously a good police man but can I tell you he was a better husband and father,” he said.
Mr Kemp said his dad loved being in the police service.
“The timing and circumstances of dad’s death are tragic and he deserved a lot better but don’t think for one minute he died an unhappy man,” he said.
“He could have not been loved anymore and he loved his job.”
The family held a private funeral on Wednesday.
The service also included a photo montage of moments in Kemp’s life.
Today Qld Police and the police community lost a true gentleman and leader. On what was to be his last day in the job before retiring from a remarkable career, Detective Inspector Rod Kemp was taken from his family and his police brothers and sisters from a suspected heart attack.
Rod was a well respected leader, detective and above all else a good decent bloke who always put his staff first and above what was expected of him.
Our thoughts are with Rods family dealing with a sudden loss of him at a time that should have been one of celebration.
Vale Detective Inspector Rod Kemp – Qld Police Service.
Colin BellRest in Peace Rod, condolences to his family.
Christopher BuschHe never promised us that life would be fair, just that it would be worth it, and I would say that this man’s life truly was “worth it”.
Les MelvilleRod Kemp was a man that loved his family and stood by his brothers and sisters in blue. Rank was not an issue with him, because he related to the person. He was a true friend to his mates, he was a true boss to his troops and above all, was a caring and honest man. Personally, I always saw him as a friendly, open and understanding man. Very much Respect, and, Vale Rod Kemp.
David EdwardsI’m so thankful to have known Rod over many years and have had the pleasure of spending many good times with him and his family at bbqs, race meetings and a couple of wild fishing trips. It was only a few weeks ago where our paths crossed once again at…See More
Carly BraggermeisterAnyone who ever worked with Rod knew what what a great person and police officer he was. My heart sank deep when I heard this news. The world is a little bit worse off today. Thank you Rod Kemp for all you have done for me during my career. Some people are givers, others takers. Rod was a giver. Rest in peace mate.
Netty HallA truly well respected boss, Kempy would always stop and have a chat to any ranking officer in passing. He would often joke about the comedy Summer Heights High with me but most of all would talk about his family and grand children with joy. A genuine …See More
Sonia AndersonI am so very saddened. Rod was such a warm, caring, beautiful man. He led the investigation into the murder of my daughter, Bianca Faith Girven. Rod was so respectful, the gentlest of men. I am sure my Bianca is giving Rod a hug right now. My love to Rod’s family and colleagues. He served well ?
Shayne MaxwellRod was a champion bloke. He was loyal to his officers and a great supporter of the Qld Police Union of Employees. Thanks Rod. Your were a true brother in blue. May God call you into arms in Heaven. RIP
Jon BirtIn about 7 years at SBD CIB, I never once remember seeing you without a warm smile and the time to say hello and have a chat. Such an intelligent, genuine, fair, friendly and caring man, these traits made you a great leader of men and your troops alway…See More
Manny PapIt was one the of saddest days of my life yesterday having spoken to Rod in the morning and an hour later attending and reporting on his death. I do have the wonderful memory of having a laugh with him when we spoke. He will be missed.
Kya LeeUnbelievably sad, I cannot fathom that after lifetime of serving and sacrificing for his State and the people of it, his life was ripped from him the day he was due to begin his retirement. Yet those in society, who contribute nothing continue to breath and contribute nothing. May you be resting in peace D/Insp Kemp.
Noel StehbensWent to the academy and was sworn in with Rod. Was a great police officer and a true gentleman. It was a privilege to have known him. RIP Rod your life has been cut so short. Condolences to all your family and friends.
David LaneSo sad mate. Our thoughts with your family. Always with a wry smile no matter what. Great bloke survived by wonderful memories. Auto Theft and the boys, specials at the Norman Hotel and many more. Vale Rod Kemp
Mikal CoolsenRIP Sir, you were a down to earth decent bloke who had time for anyone from all ranks. A true gentleman that will be sadly missed. My thoughts go out to the Kemp family. They no doubt will now be feeling the embrace of the blue family.
Bonnie DovastonHaving had Rod as a customer at our coffee shop, my heart sank when i heard the news today. He always talked of his family with great pride, & was always respected by the people around him. He will be greatly missed. From Bonnie at Astro Petes cafe
Bear CassonRIP old mate from your mates from your old school years , was a top bloke then ,have not seen Rod for decades but by the messages on here he never lost that gift of being a top bloke. Cheers to you Rod up there I’m sure you will be still looking over everyone down here. To his family we are sorry for your loss
Kate PausinaMissing you so much already Kempy. You were a great boss & and an even better person. We will remember your wicked sense of humour & and infectious laugh.
Michelle SaundersonWow what a tribute …. Inspector Kemp you were well respected and well loved – although I only worked with you a few times it was always a pleasure – a great tribute to a great man – RIP – you will be missed greatly
Jess JJI cannot imagine the pain his family must be going through on a day that was supposed to be a celebration. A lovely man taken too soon. RIP Sir.
Grant JamesI had the pleasure of working with Rod on several occasions. He was a true gentleman and a great boss who took a genuine interest in his staff. Such a sad loss made even more tragic by the timing RIP mate
Eve KerlinMy heart and thoughts goes out to Rods family. What a senseless tragedy. Rod was a great friend and workmate of my late husband Stewart, he was truly one of the good ones. So sad.
Samantha DawsonRespect for our men & women of Australia’s police force . An unforgiving job at times which doesn’t always receive the admiration it deserves
George LewisThis is overwhelmingly sad. This dear man, had worked so hard, given so much. The fragility of life in sharp focus. Thank you for your service. Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Clayton SinclairI recently retired and my wife and I have plans and we are so upset for Rod and his family. The thin blue line just lost an invaluable part of the chain.
Ian FischerI’ve worked as a volunteer with the QPS for over 22 years and have nothing but respect and admiration for the vast majority of Officers! A tragedy to happen on the last day of work, life’s kind of not fair sometimes!
Anne WinterfloodOur community is a little worse off today with the loss of Rod. Our thoughts and love goes out to Kathy and family, Una, Russell, Julie and Mark. xx
Judy Somerville WalshMy Goodness, I cant believe that this has happened we lived beside them for 10 years, he was such a lovely fellow and to happened on his last day of work. I am just stunned…..
Jason ConroyI did not know you Rod or your family. I mean absolutely no disrespect when i say this but, I want to echo Leif Hovland‘s comment, this is truly fucked!! To me this proves there is no god! A man who was a great worker, mate, boss, leader who sacrificed…See More
Zabrina ClarkRIP Sir. Great bloke, great boss, lovely to talk to. So glad our professional paths crossed. You will be missed dearly by all. Sympathies to you family & friends.
Lynda TrotterAs the wife of an officer who himself has very recently retired…..this news is very tragic. My heartfelt prayers to his family and friends.
Don SchoutenThoughts are with the family of such a thoroughly good and decent bloke. Why is it that all the good ones are taken to soon. Just gutted to hear such sad news.
Claire PeaceThat’s so sad, i have heard this happen so many times people just retired and there heart gives , it’s as if the stress of the job just subsides and the body can’t handle time massive change, so sad for this family cxx
Barry GrahamVery very sad, our thoughts are with his family at this time. The day you join ‘The Job’ a little note should be written at the bottom page of your life reading something like ‘Because of the sacrifices you made protecting others from the evil we know exists you are entitled to retire and have a long and happy retirement’
Leif HovlandSorry, but to put it bluntly, that’s fucked!!
This job takes years off your life, I love it but I want to retire one day and have a good few quality years out of the job!!!
RIP sir, condolences to his family!!!
Ali RidgwellSo sorry to read this post. Our heartfelt thoughts prayers and support to Rod’s family and friends and to our interstate colleagues in Blue. Thank you for your dedication and time to the Force. RIP in the arms of Angels. ?
Richard HandelSuch a sad sad time for this Man’s family and friends,
To do such inportant and selfless work for Mankind.
He is now on that permanent ‘Retirement’ holiday…..
Bill LoviniRIP officer. Condolences to your family and to colleagues and friends. Thank you for your diligence in caring and looking after our community
Jan SymonsI sometimes wonder why the good people are taken from us too early. I have to believe that God has a justifiable purpose for who is chosen. Rod was a kind and fair human being who loved life and family. Our sons went to school together and shared great times and I am so sad that this great man, husband, father, son and friend has been taken away from all who loved him. His presence will be greatly missed.
Ray HoelscherSworn in with ‘Kempy’, a genuine gentleman with a quick wit and the warmest of hearts. One of the best who gave his best. Sometimes I don’t understand life. What a loss. R.I.P. big fella and sincere sympathies to family and friends.
Leigh WrightHey Ray can’t fathom this. Really sad day for all especially Cathy and family Kempy will be Sadly missed, I agree with you, sometimes life is really hard to understand. Huge loss. Leigh (Brugess) Wright
Chris HamiltonJust read of the sad passing of Rod. I knew Rod and his family when he was posted to Warwick. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Greg SmithRod, a fellow Graftonian, school friend, surfing friend. When I followed after him into the then QPF he guided me, he and Cathy opened their door at Moorooka for me. Rest peacefully old friend, catch up with our other old friend Jos.
Joy CollierSo very sad and hard to believe. I was so fortunate to have Rod as my boss for the years when he was in Warwick. He had such a caring nature and a great manner with people from all walks of life. We all enjoyed his great sense of humour too My thoughts are with Cathy, Alex, Hayley and Jenna. RIP Rod. You will be sadly missed.
Janelle AndrewsNothing will be the same without your smile around the office, your great sense of humour, your compassion and amazingly rare gentlemanly ways. No words can adequately sum up the loss for your family, friends and colleagues. Rest easy Kempy, you served exceptionally.
Scradley IanNever met the gentleman, but thankyou sincerely for your selfless years of service protecting all of us as we are blissfully unaware in our daily lives of the horrendous things you dealt with on a daily basis. Thankyou. RIP
Chris LoaneRIP Rod and sincere condolences to the Kemp and Police families in this terrible time of grief. A very good man gone too soon. Lovely to see the wonderful tributes coming through to the service of a genuine and caring man .
Tash DuckA true gentleman. I am grateful to have known you and worked for. Taken from us far to soon, you will be truly missed. Rest in Peace Sir. Our thoughts are with your family and all that knew you.
Asha HackoI never met you sir, but the kind words spoken by all are an obvious testament to the man and officer you were. May you RIP, your service here is done, thank you. Xxx
Mark LaingRod, no amount of words can express the sorrow in our hearts for your very untimely taking and now for your loved ones left behind. The comments here lay testament to the great bloke you were and the legacy you leave behind. Thank you for being you. This world is a better place for having you in it. Rest easy now Brother.
Angela GhediniRip. What an unfair thing to happen! Thoughts are with his shocked family and friends. Live each day people as if it’s your last…..we never know when our time is up
Beverley BurkittWe will miss you greatly, you were a wonderfull boss and person. We are all richer for knowing you. My thoughts are with your family at this time.
Mark SimonRIP brother – so very very sad after such a long and distinguished career that you are taken just before your retirement. The job takes so much – to much! I prayer for your wife and family.
Maryanne PeachThat sucks so incredibly bad – to have worked for all those years; serving others and then be robbed of those hard earned years of retirement. Have to enjoy each and every moment now huh?
Deb DayI saw you on Tuesday & you were so excited to tell me you only had 3 shirts to go…..my thoughts & prayers to your family at this sad, sad time. You were a great Boss who always showed such wonderful empathy & sympathy at times when it was needed. Rest in peace Sir you will be deeply missed.
Brian WilkinsAs President of the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union I pass on my deepest sympathies to Robs family on a tragic loss – I personally knew Rod for over 36 years – we have lost a true gentleman, friend, husband, father, grandfather and all round great bloke – rest in peace my friend.
If pelicans could cry – the passing of the pelican man
By Justine Frazier and Jonathan Atkins
Sixty year old Lance Ferris died on Sunday the 14th of October, 2007 at Lismore base Hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday.
Lance Ferris from Australian Seabird Rescue collects dead birds from the beach areas of Evans Head. It is thought the birds died from botulism after eating dead fish.
The man many of us fondly knew as the “Pelican Man” has passed away leaving a massive whole in the community. Sixty year old Lance Ferris died on Sunday the 14th of October, 2007 at Lismore base Hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday.
Lance dedicated his life to the rescue, rehabilitation and preservation of seabirds, turtles, and in particular the magnificent pelican and it was through his many years as a dedicated volunteer, using his own money and whatever donations he could find that Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) came into existence in Ballina, New South Wales in 1992.
Close friend Marny Bonner said, “We’re receiving emails and phone calls from all over Australia from people who are so deeply saddened and shocked.”
Marny Bonner says, “Lance has always had huge compassion for Australia wildlife, his entire life has been rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. It wasn’t until he noticed not one but two pelicans with hooks in their legs, on the same day, that he realised that there was a problem out there. So he borrowed a boat and had a look around the Richmond River and found that 37 out of 100 pelicans were injured.”
After surveying other estuaries, Lance Ferris realised that what was needed was a huge education program campaign and the passion began.
“We got good support from the North Coast community and some important sponsorship. Over the last 15 years we’ve managed to reach 20,000 children, so there will be a lot of children upset about losing the Pelican man.”
Since that time, ASR volunteers have been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of seabirds and shorebirds, marine turtles and to date, have rescued over 1000 Australian Pelicans.
Lance Ferris never lost his passion the rescuing injured seabirds.
Marny Bonner believes, “Ultimately that’s what claimed him, his passion for wildlife led to him not looking after himself as well as he might have. It led to many, many hours in loss of sleep trying to save those little lives.”
“I would like to absolutely commend the staff at Lismore base Hospital who worked so hard with Lance. It was a very upsetting time for everybody because everybody knew who he was and knew how hard he’d worked to save so many lives and yet there was nothing we could do to save this most important life,” says Marney Bonner.
In 2004 as president of Australian Seabird Rescue, Lance led the volunteer organisation to win the inaugural National Coastcare Community award.
In an earlier life Lance worked a police officer based in Casino and was a member of APEX. He also worked as a teachers aid for children with disabilities, was a well respected musician and a member of the Sonset Orchestra and could be found at any given weekend at the Lismore Car Boot Markets. Ballina Mayor, Phillip Silver says the death of Lance Ferris is a huge loss for the community.
“I guess in many ways he was ahead of his time in terms of the recognition of that vulnerability of the environment and the water animals. Because he was doing it 20 years ago when it was certainly happening but people weren’t thinking about it,” said mayor Silver.
ASR is always looking for more volunteers and as Marny Booner says “the pelicans have lost their best friend, if pelicans could cry, there would be a wailing around the nation that could not be ignored. It will take an army of volunteers to replace Lance Ferris”.
Jason Ferris believes his Dad would never really let on if he was feeling unwell.
Jason recalls, “At 3am on Saturday morning he sent out a bunch of emails with instructions regarding seabird rescue, so we suspect over the last week or so, he was aware something was going on.”
“My Dad’s always run pretty close to the edge. Dad lived and breathed seabird rescue 24/7. I would often find him sleeping in all sorts of places in the back cars, on seats… his focus was never on his own health, more on the animals in care,” said Jason.
A passion that Jason and Lance shared was music.
“I developed an interest in music as a result of Dad. Dad was really an amazing musician and beautiful singer. In my 20’s he and I started playing music together around the North Coast. Definitely some of my most treasured memories of Dad,” said Jason.
As much as it can be…it will be business as usual for Australian Seabird Rescue.
According to Jason, “Dad’s put 13 or 14 years into this organisation, you can’t just pull the plug. He would be most unhappy with me if that happened.”
In 2003, ABC TV’s Australian Story took a look at a Ballina based former police officer called Lance Ferris, who’s dedicated his life to fixing the plight of the pelicans… read more
ABC North Coast reported when Lance Ferris and his team of seabird rescuers headed to Victoria for a series of training sessions with wildlife carers… read more
A public memorial service will be held for Lance Ferris.
“Thank you to the ABC crew for your lovely, sincere tribute to Lance, and thanks to all who phoned to share the ways in which Lance touched their lives. Lance’s life and work will be commemorated at the WildlifeLink Sanctuary in Ballina this Friday 19/10 at 11am. All are welcome to join us. The centre will be open from 10am. It is located at the end of North Creek Rd, which runs off the Pacific H’way as it heads out of Ballina towards Bangalow. On behalf of Jason’s family and Australian Seabird Rescue volunteers, thank you for your condolences and support… Marny.”
LANCE FERRIS WHARF: Ballina’s mayor, Cr Phillip Silver, (right) with acting general manager of Australian Seabird Rescue, Keith Williams, announcing the naming of the wharf at Fawcett Park as the Lance Ferris Wharf.
IT’S official.
The wharf at Fawcett Park is now the Lance Ferris Wharf, named after the late Lance Ferris – the Pelican Man – who founded Ballina-based organisation Australian Seabird Rescue.
And work is currently being undertaken on the design for a statue of a bronze pelican to be perched on the jetty in Ballina’s CBD.
Ballina’s mayor, Cr Phillip Silver, was due to make the official announcement on the naming of the wharf at the inaugural Lance Ferris Memorial Dinner scheduled for December 12.
But with last week’s decision by Australian Seabird Rescue to postpone the dinner, the announcement was made early.
He said council wanted to recognise the work of Mr Ferris, who died in October 2007, aged 60.
After Mr Ferris’ death, council resolved to rename Fawcett Park as Lance Ferris Park. But that move was knocked back by the NSW Geographical Names Board following objections.
There won’t be any problem with the naming of the wharf, Cr Silver said, as it is a piece of council-owned infrastructure.
Keith Williams, acting general manager of ASR and partner of Mr Ferris’ daughter, Rochelle Ferris, welcomed the decision to name the wharf after Lance.
He said the move not only acknowledged the work of Mr Ferris but also the Richmond River which Mr Ferris was so passionate about.
“This is a fantastic,” he said on behalf of the family and the broader family of ASR volunteers.
He is the father of Finn, Lance’s grandson, who was born just over a month ago.
Mr Williams said he enjoys taking Finn to the wharf.
“This (naming the wharf) is to say ‘your granddad was someone really special’. And much of the respect (for Lance) comes from the community – you can’t manufacture that,” he said.
A local artist has been commissioned to create the life-size bronze statue of a pelican which will be installed on the wharf early next year.
Cr Silver said the council had budgeted $10,000 for the statue, which had come from the staff operational budget.
He said he hoped the pelican would become an icon for Ballina now that nothing stood in the way of the demolition of the Big Prawn at the southern entrance to the town.
“Whether it (the pelican statute) evolves to be an icon of the town is a function of the community,” he said.
Cr Silver has already suggested Ballina could rebrand itself, replacing the seahorse, so the shire can be Ballina bypass-ready. Work on the new highway route is expected to be finished by 2012.
He said a rebranding of the shire wouldn’t be expensive, as things like stationery stocks would be used up in time.
Meanwhile, the Lance Ferris Memorial Dinner will be held on June 5 next year, World Environment Day.
Mr Williams said anybody who had purchased a ticket would receive a full refund.
This Friday, 24 September, 2010, Mayor Phillip Silver will unveil a sculpture at Fawcett Park, Ballina, to commemorate and acknowledge the work of the late Lance Ferris.
The sculpture is dedicated to the coastal conservation work carried out by Mr Ferris, affectionately known as ‘the Pelican Man’.
“In fostering and supporting local art, council commissioned a local artist to create a unique bronze sculpture that is befitting of the animal conservation work carried out by Lance. The artist behind the sculpture is Wollongbar-based sculptor Frank Miles,” Cr Silver said.
As part of the commemoration Cr Silver will also be officially name the wharf in Fawcett Park ‘Lance Ferris Wharf’.
“It is an appropriate place to acknowledge Lance’s work which started in earnest in 1992 on the sand spit opposite the Fawcett Park wharf after he noticed pelicans were injured by fishing line and hooks,” Cr Silver said.
“The pelicans were rescued, rehabilitated and released. The work soon extended from pelicans to other coastal birds as well as marine turtles.
“Lance was passionate about educating the community in preserving and protecting the coastal environment and all marine wildlife, and it’s fitting that we not only acknowledge his work but also raise awareness for the continued operation of the organisation he founded, the Australian Seabird Rescue.
“Based in Ballina, the volunteer organisation continues to operate around Australia to protect and rescue seabirds and shorebirds.
“This is also largely due to the continued dedication of the Ferris family and the support they receive from volunteers and the community in enduring Lance’s legacy.”
Lance Ferris family members representing the Australian Seabird Rescue service will be present at the unveiling ceremony which will take place at 11am at the wharf in Fawcett Park.
A recent unveiling on 24th September of Frank Miles life-size bronze pelican “Steptoe”, (pictured left) commissioned by the Ballina Shire Council, at the Fawcett Park Wharf. This wharf was renamed on the day to the “Lance Ferris Wharf” in honour of the late Lance Ferris the towns’ famed ‘Pelican Man’. This was a very exciting moment for Frank as well the Australian Seabird Rescue Service and Lance’s family members.
If there’s one Australian bird that we’ve all watched with awe it’s the pelican.
But as we’ve admired this bird we are mostly oblivious to the tragedy that the nation’s most popular hobby, fishing, is visiting upon our feathered friends.
Accidental hooking by recreational fishing, discarded hooks and fishing line have become the birds’ most lethal enemy. Bills, legs and wings are being hooked or entangled. The result, all too often, is a painful death.
Tonight’s Australian Story is about one man, a Ballina based former police officer called Lance Ferris, who’s dedicated his life to fixing the plight of the pelicans.
With spectacular physical agility, he “bribes” the pelicans with fish and then dives to catch injured animals so they can be treated and saved.
Over the past 12 years, often living well below the poverty line, he has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of birds and conducted educational workshops in schools and fishing clubs up and down Australia’s east coast.
Featuring stunning wildlife images, Australian Story retraces the rough, tough and exciting life of Lance Ferris.
We see first hand his unconventional but effective pelican catching methods and the extent of this problem along with the solutions he has employed.
REX HUNT: Hello. I’m Rex Hunt. Tonight’s Australian Story is about a man who has dedicated his life to solving the problems sometimes unwittingly created by us anglers. He is Lance Ferris – known as ‘The Pelican Man’ for his incredible work in saving these magnificent birds from terrible injuries. And his efforts are changing attitudes on the water. This is Lance’s story.
EVAN KOSACK – VET:Lance and the fishermen in the area started out being at loggerheads a little bit.
LANCE FERRIS: I don’t think they believed that the problem was as bad as it was. Pelicans torn to pieces, basically, by fishing tackle.
EVAN KOSACK – VET: Lance was telling people, basically, that their beloved hobby was causing a lot of damage and that they were acting irresponsibly. Lance is not the norm.
ANTHONY MUYT: He’s very independent, he’s very focused, he thinks outside of the square. He’s a bit of a mad scientist. He was just some joker who rolled up and was jumping off boats into pelicans. They thought he was nuts at first – thought he was a madman. He is extremely professional. He likes perfection. He’ll work at something until he has it.
DEBBI DEVINE – SAM’S MUM :I look at him sometimes and I think, “Wow. This grown man – the way he is with these animals.” It’s amazing. It’s like they’re his children.
LANCE FERRIS: We were on an excursion with the children from the special school. I noticed a pelican in a park that had a hook buried in its leg. So, I grabbed some fish from a bait shop and the bird came up to me and I grabbed it, held it and looked down at it, and I thought, “The hook’s in the left leg. “I’m sure the bird that I saw “before I got the bait had a hook in the right leg.” I was absolutely positive of it. I made up some posters to hang in shop windows – “Wanted, a pelican with a hook in its leg.” I thought, “There’s another bird out there. I know there’s another one.”
MARNY BONNER: There are many, many people that would go, “Oh, gee. “Gee, fancy seeing two pelicans in one day, you know, “both with hook injuries,” and continue about their business. But the interesting thing is that it engaged Lance’s curiosity such that he went out and searched to see if there was an even bigger problem.
LANCE FERRIS: That led us into going out on the island to see if there were other pelicans out there. 108 birds on the island, there were, with 37 tangled up in fishing line on our first visit.
MARNY BONNER: For Lance, standing there with binoculars in hand observing bird after bird after bird coming into his vision with crippling, cruel injuries would be very overwhelming.
LANCE FERRIS: I was in shock and horror. I couldn’t believe how bad the situation was. I went back to the boat and cried for half an hour. I just couldn’t believe… I’m no bronze Anzac hero. I might have been in the police force, but that doesn’t mean to say you don’t get cut up when you see so much damage. There were some with amputated wings and gangrene in their legs. It was a horrible thing. Being a wildlife carer for some years, at that stage, I was just amazed that I wasn’t aware of it and nor had it been brought to our attention by any member of the public or any other wildlife people.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He was so devastated by that, but he was also looking at the bigger picture, and he sat back and thought, “You know, how many estuaries are there in Australia “that are so populated by humans? “And I’m only looking at this one.” And the problem just blew out in his head.
LANCE FERRIS: I knew we had a major problem on our hands. I had caught a couple and I’d caught them, I suppose, relatively easily, but when I saw so many I just got back to the boat and thought, “How do I cope with so many injured? “How can I catch that many? “They’re everywhere.”
MARNY BONNER: Lance fell asleep that night surrounded by crippled and injured birds and woke up and he was still surrounded by crippled and injured birds, and was compelled to do something – to start action right there and then.
LANCE FERRIS: It was three months and I had that 37, but as I was getting that 37, more became entangled as I went.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: The focus on getting out there and attending to all these sick pelicans really did take over his life.
MARNY BONNER: That was the dawning of the obsession and the birth of Australian Seabird Rescue.
LANCE FERRIS: I didn’t really think about it changing my life at that time.
MARNY: In the early days, some of these injuries were quite old. They had had longstanding chronic injuries and they did require a lot of treatment. And to his amazement, the local vets were extremely interested and extremely supportive.
LANCE FERRIS: I had to look closely at the pelicans to see a line trailing under a wing, or a hook somewhere.
MARNY BONNER: Because it’s difficult to see injuries on pelicans, people don’t notice. I believe pelicans don’t look sick when they are injured. Pelicans can’t cry.
LANCE FERRIS: Everybody believed that the hook would rust away in two or three days. We’ve done some tests on all different sorts of hooks and it’s at least six months before the hooks rusted away. So there were lots of things that make people not sort of bother.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He was so concerned and frustrated by the lack of interest from the community that these birds were just all being tangled and no-one seemed to care.
LANCE FERRIS: But it’s not all bad out there. There are some people who really have the right concept. If the bird’s quiet and fairly well under control, we give everyone that opportunity to, say, pat a pelican or to have a close contact with it.
MARNY BONNER: Lance experienced quite a lot of loneliness in his childhood. He didn’t have a lot of affection in it. He is essentially a shy person and a bit of a loner.
LANCE FERRIS: I can remember vividly as a boy, after I’d found a little frog with a broken leg, I think we taped it up with a matchstick, and for the life of me I can’t remember whether it survived or not.
MARNY BONNER: That’s what I saw in Lance when I first met him, was this uncanny ability to really spend a lot of time thinking about how he could improve life generally for a particularly severely disabled child. Lance had his fairly demanding job of teacher’s aide with disabled children. The realisation of the enormity of the problem on Pelican Island did change Lance’s life, but I don’t think he was conscious of that at that time. He was merely solving the problem on the day.
LANCE FERRIS: But then there were cutbacks with the school and then came the word that said, There’s no more work. I’m sorry, we have to put you off. There’s no more funding. We don’t have enough children. And I had to drive away from the place. And I…I won’t forget that day.
I wept all the way home. I was at a little cattle dairy, a converted place. The very next day the landlord drove down the paddock and I went up and I said, “About the rent…” He said, Oh, yeah. He said, I was gonna tell you about that. He said, I really like what you’re doing with the pelicans and things. That’s fantastic, that’s a really good thing. And he said, And you’ve rescued my cattle out of the bogs here from time to time, “and I’ve decided not to charge rent anymore. Oh. You know, sort of looking around waiting for lightning to strike and pinching myself to see if I was awake. I was just ecstatic.
MARNY BONNER: Days rolled into weeks, and weeks rolled into months, and he was spending more and more time doing everything he possibly could to catch all the birds. And so it just became increasingly consuming of his time and his resources – all his resources. So it became a situation for Lance where if there was a choice of providing food for himself or getting fish to catch an injured pelican, the fish for catching the injured pelican always came first.
LANCE FERRIS: And I thought, “Oh, no, what am I doing?” And I thought, This is absolutely crazy. No-one would ever believe this, for starters, and this is just madness. I looked at the pelicans in the cage and they were eating, you know, the best fish at 10 a box and I just thought, I don’t think I can do this anymore. But then I took my shoes off and plodded round in the grass under the tree and found a bowl of bush nuts, macadamia nuts. I pigged out till I just couldn’t eat another macadamia and I’m sitting there going, Yes. Yes, I’m right. I looked at the pelicans. It’s alright, fellas. Everything’s under control.
MARNY BONNER: When I first met Lance he was living very, very frugally. And if he was unable to pay his electricity bill or his gas bill he would simply accept that and go scrummage around the tip or something and come out with some ingenious way of getting hot water for himself. Or he would just not eat cooked food.
LANCE FERRIS: And I thought, Well, I’ve got no power. And the answering machine – it was the biggest problem, because it was the mainstay of Seabird Rescue when I wasn’t there. I had some electronic knowledge and I had a little solar panel. And I had an old battery. It worked like a dream. Nobody knew my predicament. Nobody knew how we were running the show. It still looked OK on the surface. You know, if we sort of still had some credibility – I had an answering service – Oh, well, they must be alright. You know, so it gave me a feeling of, I suppose, wellbeing.
That first one, as I held it in my arms, I was awe-struck by the majesty of it. I think the immense size of the bird, no-one would realise that a pelican is as gentle as it is.
MARNY BONNER: A beautiful, benign creature that doesn’t deserve the treatment that it gets. If pelicans could cry, there would be a wailing across the nation that could not be ignored. We could open a tackle shop on the hooks and line and sinkers and traces and lures that we have extracted from the pelicans we’ve caught to date, easily.
LANCE FERRIS: Everyone loves Percy Pelican, and they don’t want to see anything injured irrespective of what species it is.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: And pelicans were dying and, you know, no-one really counted and knew how vast the problem was. The people from one estuary don’t really communicate with the people from the next estuary what they’ve seen.
In a small percentage of cases, there are people who deliberately hook pelicans. But again, it’s never an approach of accusing or retribution – always a case of education. And for him to do something about that, he needed money to do it. You know, it’s not… He was broke as it was. So he needed to get that information out there to make them aware.
MARNY BONNER: Lance’s move from the dairy to the house on the same property was quite timely in a way because Seabird Rescue really required a bit more space to accommodate volunteers. But clearly there’s no point continuing to rescue birds if you don’t do something about the cause of it. How do you start re-educating millions of fisherfolk and hundreds and hundreds of waterside residents in such a way that they stay on your side, that they will work with you and not be offended? There is no room for blame or guilt or anything else.
LANCE FERRIS: I had to get volunteers and I had to get public support to address the whole of the coastline, and I knew that media was the way to go. So I hammered every media outlet – television, newspaper – everything that I could get my hands into. A lot of it was rejected. Then one of the local papers said, Would you like to do a column? So I got the column going and things just took off from there. Quite often we were getting phone calls from the TV stations locally, and saying, Can we do a story on this?
ROCHELLE FERRIS: After Dad’s first media exposure and the call backs he got from that, and people recognising him in the street and patting him on the back and saying, Good job, he twigged. He said, I’m onto something here, and this is going to make the difference. From that day on, every time there was a really badly injured pelican, he would be on the phone to them so quick. So this media coverage that went to all those communities was priceless in being part of the solution and making them open their eyes and, yeah, pick up their tackle.
LANCE FERRIS: I could see that educating the children was really important.
MARNY BONNER: Kids these days are growing up with the environmental message. Getting to the kids and educating the kids is one of the most important activities that we do. They’re the ones that will carry that message. On many an occasion we see them run off and tug on Dad’s shirt or Mum’s shirt and say, You mustn’t drop that, Mum. Mustn’t drop that, Dad. Have to pick this up now. And….the parents are kind of shamed into being more environmentally responsible than they might otherwise have been.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: I guess when Dad started to realise that the problem was so national, he knew he needed volunteers. He couldn’t pay them – he can’t pay himself. Once word got out, it definitely made a difference. There was some real dedicated people.
LANCE FERRIS: The volunteers come from all walks of life. They all have their own areas of expertise, if you like. We’ve got Jenny, who’s just absolutely marvellous. She’s got a lovely, lovely rapport with the birds.
MARNY BONNER: Young Sam in particular was a fairly troubled child when Lance first met him – so much so that Lance thought that he was even beyond his ability to rescue him, if you like.
SAM DEVINE: I was just playing up in class, then he just started doing talks at the school about Seabird Rescue. I could talk to him and he would help me with my work… ..when I was having trouble.
MARNY BONNER: He’s turned around from a child who did not want to cooperate or be involved in school work or achieve anything.
SAM DEVINE: If it wasn’t for Lance I probably would be in a behavioural class.
LANCE FERRIS: Anthony was a person that came up here to study science with a background of being a member of the police SWAT team.
MARNY BONNER: He was a very quick learner, but more importantly, he was most definitely an action man. He’s almost a younger, more energetic Lance, if you like.
It’s very important to have volunteers that won’t be too offended if we’re not always as socially adept as we ought to be. We both suffer from burnout, from exhaustion, and in so doing, Lance in particular might sometimes forget to pay attention to his manners or be as thoughtful of that person or as considerate of that person as he…as he might be.
He is consumed by this calling. The unfortunate consequence of that kind of dedication is that Lance can neglect important relationships in his life.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: Having Marny in Dad’s life has been his Rock of Gibraltar. And, you know, they’ve had their quarrels, and people do. If Marny wasn’t in his life – God, I would have so much on my hands.
MARNY BONNER: It’s been very difficult for everyone that’s close to Lance. Even acquaintances frequently become offended, um, by his lack of presence.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: I wanted to throw a tantrum and get so angry because he’d missed my birthday or he’d forgotten Mother’s Day or, you know, just everything else in his life seemed to fade out.
MARNY BONNER: Those of us that are close to Lance can really joke that, you know, maybe if we pierced our ears and hung a jag hook in one and a lure in the other, he might look at us intensely and say, How are you?
LANCE FERRIS: We started recording all the problems that happened to the pelicans. It was very difficult for us to convince National Parks or Fisheries or anyone in the first few years that there was a problem.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He gathered so much information over time about pelican behaviour, but he needed that notoriety from the scientific community to understand what he was talking about and for him to be able to approach them on their terms, academically.
LANCE FERRIS: Marny’s got the letters after her name, so too has my daughter, being a marine biologist, and that was a blessing to me. I had the information. They basically put it together and shaped it.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: It was really good for our relationship, writing that paper together, to get a bit of recognition from him from what I’d studied and learnt. And I wasn’t this little girl anymore who was wide-eyed and looking at everything he did, and I…I had something to give him.
LANCE FERRIS: When the report on the impact of fishing was accepted, or when they called for more copies at NSW Fisheries, I was just overjoyed. I thought, Finally! We’re gonna have to start working fairly quickly. As fast as we catch ’em, they’re getting entangled now. RecFish Australia included some of our concepts in their code of conduct for fishermen, and NSW Fisheries handed us one of their ex-service boats. Petrol companies offered fuel for the vehicle. A telephone company offered us a mobile phone. The council offered us free ferry journey. And the Coastcare, under the Natural Heritage Trust, gave us two grants so far of 26,000, which has enabled me to get to the schools and teach the children. I look back at the road we’ve travelled and people are taking more care. Well, I mean, some fishermen who used to say, Shoot the bastards… ..come up to me in the pub and say, You owe me a beer, mate. I caught one of your bloody pelicans. And don’t tell anybody about it either. I gave him a fish too after I took the hook out.
MARNY BONNER: People began to call us when they noticed other things on the beach. Well done. And so the turtles were added to the repertoire of pelicans, seabirds.
LANCE FERRIS: To see trained personnel at strategic locations all around the coast of Australia – that would be the ultimate goal. In July we have to vacate the premises we’re in at the moment. We were in big trouble. It was very, very heart-warming to realise the strength of the support we got from the council. The council has offered us some land for free and also a second-hand house. It’s been a fairly hard road. I guess Marny and I will have to start really getting on really, really well together, and not fighting on occasions.
MARNY BONNER: I do have grave concerns about his emotional and physical health because there is so little balance in his life. He does not take the time to rescue himself, I suppose. But I can’t live that life for him. The best thing that I can do is be his best friend.
LANCE FERRIS: I couldn’t have done this without her – there’s no doubt about that – irrespective of the rocky road that we’ve been along.
MARNY BONNER: He’s extremely important to me. He sets a fine example constantly of what can be achieved with patience, sheer determination, a great deal of tolerance and, above all, extraordinary compassion for creatures that can do nothing to alleviate their own suffering.
CAPTION: Lance and SeaBird Rescue are currently homeless while they wait for clearance of the council owned land and rebuilding. The latest injured pelican tally is 595.
AN Albury man, who today lost a Quarter Sessions appeal against convictions for resisting arrest and assaulting a constable, alleged that he was bashed by police.
James William Gehrig, 53, woodcutter, of Prune lane, Lavington, an Albury suburb, told the Court he was about to go to bed on October 17 when police arrived.
They said, ” you have been kicking up a bit of a disturbance and are drunk, ” he added.
Gehrig said he told them it was his brother who had caused the trouble.
The next he knew he was being hit on the head with a baton.
Gehrig said he fought off the constables and kicked one in the knee.
When he reached the police station, another constable punched him under the chin while he was still wearing handcuffs.
When the handcuffs were taken off, he was knocked to the ground, and ” they stuck the boot into me, ” Gehrig said. He had been kicked and punched almost senseless. One policeman had jumped on his chest.
‘ In hospital ‘
Dr. Felix Favaloro, Albury doctor, had treated him, and he had spent eight days in hospital.
Dr. Favaloro told the Court that when he examined Gehrig, he had a swollen face, blackened eyes, and numerous bruises on the back and shoulders, four broken ribs, and a probable contusion of the lung.
Constable Leslie George Robinson and Constable John Raymond Curtin( # 7287 ) denied that Gehrig had been punched or kicked inside 0r outside the police station.
Constable Robinson said Gehrig had kicked him in the face, chest, and stomach.
Gehrig’s ribs might have been broken when he fell on him during a scuffle, he said.
Judge Brennan reaffirmed the Court of Petty Sessions convictions on November 13 on charges of resisting arrest, assaulting Constable Robinson, and causing malicious damage to a pair of police trousers.
He varied the sentence 0n the assault charge from 12 months’ good behaviour bond to a 10/ fine. He confirmed fines on the other two charges of 10/ each.
Gary was previously mentioned, on this website, in October 2015 under ‘Get Well Soon’.
Much admired member of many years standing, Gary HANLON has for some considerable time now, experienced numerous recurrent problems associated with his quite incapacitating dilemma, respecting heart and lung problems. Gary has also suffered the devastating impact of a debilitating episode of prostate and bladder concerns. His ‘rock’ is Maureen, his wonderful wife, who recently advised me that Gary is commencing to do a little better, having recently been advised that there is no longer any concern apropos to ‘clotting’ or ‘cancer’ with respect to his lungs. Many problems persist, but together, Gary and Maureen confront them resolutely.
Gold Coast RPA – October 2015
[divider_dotted]
Ronald Garry TAYLOR
| 03/03/2016
Ronald Garry TAYLOR
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8933
Uniform # 1057
Also: Member of the Military Police Army Reserve
Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class – retired
Stations: ?, STP at Wagga Wagga, Newcastle STP – Scott St, Gosford HWP ( 1970’s ), Hornsby Traffic
Service: From 3 March 1958 to 16 August 1987 = 29+ years Service & retired medically unfit
RON OUTSIDE OF THE OLD GOSFORD POLICE STATION WITH A HWP CAR.
RON ON HIS POLICE MOTOR CYCLE AT WARNERS BAY.
[alert_blue]RON is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
Ron was in the hospital system for the past couple of days, giving the family time to see him before life support was turned off.
Ron has two sons who followed in his footsteps within the NSW Police, a third son in the Army and a daughter who married into the Qld Police.
On behalf of all of us who are no longer in “the job”, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family for their loss.
May Ron forever Rest In Peace
Cal
[divider_dotted]
Brett KINLOCH
| 03/03/2016
Brett KINLOCH
Australian Federal Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: ?
Stations: ?
Service: From ?to?
[blockquote]
Unit: UNMIT
Regiment: ?
Enlisted: ?
Service # ?
Rank: ?
Embarkation: ?
Next of kin: ?
Religion: ?
Single / Married: ?
Returned to Australia: ?
[/blockquote]
Awards: awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal. The U.N. Secretary-General established the Dag Hammarskjöld medal for posthumous award to members of peacekeeping operations who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping operation under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.
Born:
Died on: ?
Place of death: East Timor
Cause: Heart attack
Age: ?
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
[alert_blue]BRETT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location: ?
[divider_dotted]
Michael John MIDDLETON
| 03/03/2016
Michael John MIDDLETON
aka Mike
( possibly late of Kings Langley )
‘possibly’ from Redfern Police Academy Class 107
New South Wales Police Force
Uniform # ?698
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 12074[/alert_yellow]
Joined NSW Police Force via the NSW Police Cadet system on 13 May 1963
Cadet # 1847
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – commenced 13 May 1963
Probationary Constable – appointed 5 July 1966
Constable – appointed 5 July 1967
Detective Senior Constable – appointed 31 August 1975
Detective Senior Constable – death
Stations: ( Cadet ) – Redfern – 7 Division, (Uniform ) – Blacktown – 27 Division, Police Driver Training – St Ives, Surveillance Unit, Fairfield – Detective – ( 34 Division ) – Death
Service: From 13 May 1963to 7 April 1983 = 19+ years Service
Awards: ? National Medal – granted 18 November 1982
Born: Saturday 5 July 1947
Died on: Thursday 7 April 1983
Cause: Heart attack – whilst seated at his desk, Mick complained of pain in his jaw before having the heart attack
Event location: Inside the Detectives office, the old Fairfield Police Stn, Smart St, Fairfield
Age: 35
Funeral date: Monday 11 April 1983
Funeral location: Pinegrove Cemetery
Buried at: Cremated. Mike’s Ashes are laid under a Memorial plaque at Pinegrove
[alert_red]MICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red] * BUT SHOULD BE
Cadet Mick Middleton
Michael John MIDDLETON. Written on front: To my Darling. Love Mike. xxxx
[divider_dotted]
The Detectives office being on the ground floor of the 3 storey building on the left – looking down the ( then ) driveway, from Smart St, which went between both buildings.
When Mick arrived at work in the morning, he complained of a tooth ache / pain in his jaw. He was sitting at his desk and said he did not feel good and collapsed to the floor. His workmates were later told that he was gone before he hit the ground. He was survived by a wife and two young daughters.
Mick was a nice bloke and always approachable.
[divider_dotted]
Jack WILKINSON
| 03/03/2016
Jack WILKINSON
( late of Coffs Harbour )
New South Wales Police Force
Father of Mark WILKINSON – NSWPF – Regd # ?????
Regd. # 7513
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 January 1953
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 April 1968
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 30 March 1976
Final Rank: Sergeant 2nd Class – Acting Inspector – retired
Stations: ?, Western District, Camp MacKay – Kurrajong
Service: From pre January 1953 ? to 1 December 1986 = 32 years Service
Awards: ? TBA. There are a couple of Jack’s on the Australian Honours and I can’t distinguish which is ‘our’ Jack at this time.
Born: Thursday 2 December 1926
Died on: Wednesday 26 August 2015
Death location: a Queensland Hospital
Cause: Heart attack
Age: 88
Funeral date: Thursday 3 September 2015 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Chapel, Hogbin Drive Crematorium and Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, COFFS HARBOUR
Buried at: ? TBA
[alert_blue]JACK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Funeral location:
[divider_dotted]
Jack is the father of Mark WILKINSON who is also a retired NSW Policeman who was stationed at Sutherland.
