For the information of those of us who know Retired Chief Inspector Peter Lindwall from the Warilla days.
I sent Pete & Flo and email yesterday asking how they are because I expected to see Pete at Kevin Monks funeral and thought it strange he didn’t show.
Pete sent me the below message yesterday evening – but I have only just read it now.
He was a bloody great bloke and it is a shame to hear of this happening to him – so I will have to get down there in the early New Year for a coffee with him. ( this, unfortunately, didn’t happen but I did get to speak with Pete about 4 days before his passing, with a phone call ).
Hi Cal,
Unfortunately I’m not travelling too well my self at the moment.
I am sorry but I thought that you would have heard about this.
In December last year( 2019 ) I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. For the first half of 2020 I was receiving chemo at Wollongong Hospital. All appeared to be going well but after the treatment finished the chemo returned which wasn’t good. I started in a clinical trial at Prince of Wales, Randwick in September which also was going well, but follow up scans showed that the lymphoma had once again returned. There is no more treatment that I can have or the Doctors can do.
I’ve been in and out of hospital for the past twelve months. I came home from hospital on Christmas Eve and hopefully I won’t have to go back in.
I’m feeling okay, some pain around the back and hips, but I am on pain relief medication.
I’m sorry that you didn’t know about this I just thought that the word would have passed around.
It was certainly a shock about Kevin Monk, but unfortunately I wasn’t in a position to attend the funeral.
Feel free to pass this information on to anybody that you think should know.
My mobile phone number is 0409 247 685. It’s okay to give me a call.
Thanks for your concern Cal, we greatly appreciate it.
Regards
Peter
Deepest condolences to Pete’s wife, Flo, son Steve, family and friends.
Pete was a lovely bloke who cared for his troops and family. He was a bloke for whom everyone respected because of his nature.
Cal
27 January 2021
THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2017 LAKE ILLAWARRA RETIRED POLICE DAY AT LAKE ILLAWARRA POLICE STATION, OAK FLATS. Retired Chief Inspector Peter Lindwall & Supt. Zoran ?
THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2012 THE INAUGURAL RETIRED POLICE PIN CEREMONY AT OAK FLATS ( WARILLA ) ( LAKE ILLAWARRA ) POLICE STATION. RETIRED POLICE RECEIVING THEIR PINS AS A MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE COMMITMENT TO POLICING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY OF NSW. Retired Chief Inspector Peter Lindwall and Supt. Wayne Starling
26 SEPTEMBER 2004 SEND OFF FUNCTION FOR FORMER SENIOR CONSTABLE GREG CALLANDER HELD AT WESTERN SUBURBS LEAGUES CLUB, UNANDERRA. Joe Mura, Kerryn Mura, Peter Lindwall, Paul Cole, Flo Lindwell, Paul Cole, at the first table.
At this time, I have only uploaded these three photos. When I get further time ( most probably Sunday evening ), I will upload the Live Funeral Stream and also the remainder of the photos taken at the Funeral and Wake.
380 turned out for Pete’s Funeral.
A fitting Tribute for a lovely man.
Cal
5 Feb 2021
“I wonder which footy team Pete supported?”
Renee Anne LONGFORD
| 27/01/2021
Renee Anne LONGFORD
NSW Goulburn Police Academy PREP Class # 268
Married to NSWPF Member Sgt Peter Cotton, # ?????
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 31467
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 17 November 1996 ( aged 19 years & 20 days )( spent 5 months, 29 days at Academy )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 16 May 1997 ( aged 19 years, 6 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1/c – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? 2008?
Final Rank: Sergeant
Stations: ?, Liverpool GDs( 22 Division )( May 1997 – 2000 ), Cabramatta GDs( 34 Division )( 2000 – ? )( involved in Operation Puccini ), Picton GDs ( Sgt )( 35 Division ), Bowral ( 2008 – death )
Service: From 17 November 1996 to 24 January 2012 =15 years, 2 months, 7 days Service
This is a song I ( Tom Longford ) started writing for Renee when she was first diagnosed with Angiosarcoma.
After completing the first verse, I had optimistically hoped that each subsequent verse would be brighter than the last, and that the song would eventually include a happy ending.
Unfortunately, I was never given the opportunity to add anything positive for the rest of Renee’s battle.
I finished the song after we lost Renee and shared it with our Parents and our Brother.
I hope to one day record it properly with my band – but at this stage, if you’re interested in listening, you’ll just be hearing a version recorded via web-mic on my laptop.
Sergeant Longford, of Picton, died on January 24 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer since late 2010.
She served as a police officer for 14 years and worked at Liverpool and Cabramatta before she began working at Bowral in 2008.
Superintendent Worboys said Sergeant Longford would be remembered as an excellent communicator who was positive about her duties, with no task ever too big or small.
“Sergeant Longford was the sort of officer that police commanders just want to have around,” he said.
“Renee was just as good at chasing and catching criminals as she was comforting victims of crime.
“She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family.”
Will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
Aged 34 years
Forever in our hearts
RENEE’s relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held in St John’s Anglican Church, Menangle Road, Camden on Friday, 10th February 2012, commencing at 12.30pm.
Following the service the cortege will proceed to Forest Lawn Crematorium.
In lieu of flowers, donations to cancer research would be appreciated, a donation box will be available at the church.
FAMILY, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Renee Longford said farewell to their friend and comrade at an official police funeral on Friday.
Sgt Longford died on January 24 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer since late 2010.
She served as a police officer for 14 years and worked at Liverpool and Cabramatta before she began working at Bowral in 2008.
Sgt Longford and husband Peter Cotton, a police officer based at Picton, have three children, Dean, Jake and two-year-old Emma.
Sgt Cotton said his wife was also step mother to two of his children from a previous relationship.
About 500 people attended the service at St John’s Anglican Church in Camden, among those Sgt Longford’s colleagues, some wearing plain clothes and others in uniform.
Sgt Cotton said the rain stopped when his wife was brought to the family home before the funeral and the wet weather held off until after the service.
A police guard of honour saluted Sgt Longford as she was taken into the church and Sgt Cotton said it was only when leaving that he realised how many people had come to pay their respects to his wife.
“They lined the road way and it surprised me on the way out because I knew how many people we had left behind (in the church).
“I’ve done a lot of police funerals in my time and it was one of the biggest I had been to let alone been involved with.”
Sgt Cotton said a second service was then held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Leppington, where the police guard of honour continued the display respect.
He said Goulburn LAC commander Superintendent Gary Worboys and family friends Ben and Tim Mallott were among those who spoke about Sgt Longford at the service.
Supt Worboys said Sgt Longford’s funeral was a fitting tribute to her dedication to her job as a police officer.
He said Sgt Longford would be remembered as an excellent communicator that was positive about her duties, with no task ever too big or small.
“Sgt Longford was the sort of officer that police commanders just want to have around,” he said.
“Renee was just as good at chasing and catching criminals as she was comforting victims of crime.
“She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family.”
Sgt Cotton said the service was the best the family could have hoped for.
“It was quite humbling and quite fitting.
“I’m very proud that she’d touched the hearts of so many people.”
Sgt Longford being taken into St John’s Anglican Church in Camden on Friday for an official police funeral service. Photo by Jeff de Pasquale
Colleagues of Sgt Longford, led by Senior Constable Natalie Innes, speaking at the funeral service on Friday. Photo by Jeff de Pasquale
RENEE LONGFORD isn’t letting an aggressive form of cancer plaguing her body defeat her.
Tracey Bailey, Jill Linford, Dareen Farr ( # 23446 ) and Renee and Emma Longford catch up at Bowral Police Station last week.Photo by Ben McClellan
Picton bowling day organisers Constable Leisa Faulkner and Constable Kim Rutley, Renee Longford, Picton Bowling Club GM Debbie Egan and Mens Bowls president Bob Lang last December. Photo by Jonathan Ng
The Bowral police sergeant, who has been off work since September last year, dropped in on some of her colleagues last week to thank them and the community for all the money raised to help her family.
A fundraising dinner at Mittagong RSL last November along with a host of smaller events and donations raised $47,255.
The family lives in Picton and a fundraising bowls day, where everyone was asked to don Ms Longford’s favourite colour yellow, was another success last December.
Ms Longford’s partner Peter Cotton, also a police officer , has retuned to work at Camden. The couple have five children between them.
The couple has three children, including a one-year-old, and Mr Cotton has two children from a previous relationship.
The 33-year-old has been an officer for 13 years and served at Liverpool and Cabramatta before moving to Bowral as a sergeant in October, 2008.
Ms Longford used the visit to publicly thank the Highlands community.
“Thanks to the business community for their donations and all my colleagues who have been fantastic,” she said.
“Thanks to Graeme Day for hosting the night and Tony Fountain for running the auction.”
Ms Longford has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and she said the cancer around her hips and spine has stopped growing.
She said she was considering using an experimental kidney transplant drug that could help.
While she would never walk the beat again she was focused on getting back to work.
“I’d love to get back to work,” she said.
Bowral colleague Jill Linford said the station had been overwhelmed by the support the community had shown.
“It’s really, really nice,” she said.
Sergeant Darren Farr, one of the longest serving officers at Bowral, said he didn’t realise how much support was out in the community for the police.
Longford appeal
A BANK account has been opened with the BDCU to help Renee Longford and her family:
The Club hosted a Cruise Night on Saturday 15 January 2011 with proceeds going to Renee Longford, the daughter of one of our life members, John Longford.
Renee was recently diagnosed with an aggressive type of bone cancer. The Club members decided to help by organising a cruise night at our clubrooms with all proceeds going to Renee.
The night started about 6.00pm and it wasn’t long before the car park was filled with Hot Rods, Customs and American Muscle Cars. There were many more vehicles parked in the street. All in all there were in excess of 100 cars.
The Flattrakkers provided the music for the evening and the kids were entertained with a giant jumping castle. The members were kept busy cooking the BBQ for the crowd of over 500 people. A monster raffle was held during the night with prizes donated by various members and other supporters of the evening.
It was a great night which was enjoyed by all and we thank everyone for their support. We were able to hand Renee an amount of $3000.00 which will assist her and her family during this difficult time.
A special thanks must go to Mick and Pam Cooley who co-ordinated the night as well as all the members who donated items for the raffle.
His wife Fay, and family, have chosen this location as it was a favourite destination for Robbo on his weekly bike ride.
It has been suggested the proposed dress is neat casual and wear medals if desired. The funeral will be conducted outdoors and I am advised that Putty is about 90Km from Windsor and is outside Sydney Metro area.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
19 March 2017
ROBBO is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
This morning at 9.15am EDST, Monday the 18 January 2021. The world became a sadder place and contains a great void in the hearts of many.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform all of the passing of:-
Raymond C. ROBINSON
“Robbo”
19/08/1953 – 18/01/2021
Registered No: 16203
Sergeant Retired, New South Wales Police Force
Class No: 138 14/01/1974 – 25/02/1974 Attested Pro/Constable
25/02/1975 Confirmed to Constable
25/02/1979 Promoted to Constable 1st Class
25/02/1983 Promoted to Senior Constable
Promoted to Sergeant 1989
Section 66 Inspector
What can I say Robbo was a close friend to myself and many others and a brother of the Thin Blue Line. He will be sadly missed by one and all even those that did not have the honour of meeting him in person. He was a larger than life character and a mentor to many in Law Enforcement and the Motorcycling world.
Robbo has ridden on ahead to check the roads and rides for those of us that will eventually join him.
R.I.P Brother, Til Valhalla
Funeral arrangements will be posted once they come to hand. Please keep Fay, Ashley and Robbo’s extended family in your thoughts and prayers at this of saddest time.
Harley Willox
Class 138, 16223
Ray Robinson back row second from left
Redfern Police Academy Class 138 of Feb 1974 BACK ROW ( L – R ) Andrew McCOULLOUGH # 16176, RaymondROBINSON # 16203, ?, Barry ODMARK # 16219, ?, ?, ?, ?, Sue BRENNAN P/W 0190 MIDDLE ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, Ray POTTER # 16327, ?,?, ?, ?, ? FRONT ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, D.S. ( STEVE ) PACKER # 16225, ?,?, ?, ?
Ray leaves a legacy that extends literally around the globe, his life brought so many people together that formed so many new friendships it is amazing, but then that is Robbo, amazing. We will miss you, but not forget you. R.I.P..
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” talking things over with Brian Turner (sales Manager)
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” & Mal BROWN attended a Breast Cancer BBQ this morning. Neither of us wear or own anything pink so money went into the donation bucket. 10 November 2016
27 Feb 2019 · Ray Robinson blessing the lemonade at Wollombi.
18 Sept. 2016· Sydney · Castlebrook Memorial Park Rouse Hill for the Dawn Service to remember Bryson Anderson. L to R Mal Brown (me), Ray Robinson (Robbo), Harley Willox (Club President), Simon Bouda (Channel 9) That is my black Harley Ultra Classic. Another memorable Wall to Wall
1 March 2018 · Sydney · Mal Brown, , Bull Ant, Lloyd Taylor & Ray Robinson. Introduced Bull Ant to a NSWPF Association Legend Lloyd Taylor this morning.
Sunday 19 March 2017
Paul HUNT & Ray ROBINSON
Ray Robbo Robinson June 10, 2020 · I am proud to have served as a Cop. I am proud of my brothers and sisters who also took the Oath to be one. I am disgusted in the behaviour of some in our community that would NEVER have had the guts to Serve yet seem to know that ALL Police are shit…. Well, you people that think that, have a good look in the mirror if you want to see a pile of crap then go and have a good meal, go and have a drink before you climb into your nice safe warm beds and keep in that little brain of yours that those people you say are shit willingly provide you with the safety that you enjoy while you scream obscenities at the them…… Caragabal Police Station, NSW
1973, Shelley Beach ( The Shire ) ( Sutherland )
15 June 2020 Putty Rd, Colo, NSW
2 December 2020
Brian Harold GILL
| 27/01/2021
Brian Harold GILL
AKA Lizard
Late of Townsville, Qld
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 129
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 15054
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy Police on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 13 December 1971 ( aged 24 years, 8 months, 13 days )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
BRIAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 11 July 1980 (No.93), page 3627
COURTS OF PETTY SESSIONS (CIVIL CLAIMS) ACT,
1970 (SECTION 9) Rule 4 (1)
Instrument of Appointment of Bailiff
IN accordance with the provisions of the Courts of Petty Sessions (Civil Claims) Rules, Constable 1st Class Brian Harold Gill has this day been appointed to be a Bailiff of Courts of Petty Sessions and may exercise and perform all the powers, authorities, duties and functions of a Bailiff of such Courts within that part of the State, known as the Tottenham Petty Sessions District, effective from 18th March, 1980.
Dated the 5th day of June, 1980, at Sydney, in the State of New South Wales.
C. R. BRIESE,
(2578) Chairman of the Bench of Stipendiary Magistrates.
Brian told me once how he got the nickname Lizard.
He apparently used to work for the PMG, then later Telecom and now Telstra.
He was a linesman or similar, and he had a habit of falling asleep anywhere, any time, on a log, or whatever sunning himself, hence Lizard.
Well that was the version he told me.
He also told me another storey, which I will clean up here for public consumption.
Lizard liked a beer or three or more, well most of us have done this at one stage or another in our lives/service. He said he was so drunk one night that a took what he believed was a beautiful lady that he referred to as a “Tahitian Princess” to a hotel room for the night.
He could not remember much of the night of passion apparently.
Well the next day he woke up with (this is where I clean up the story) a very unattractive ugly female in bed. She laid across his arm asleep. He obviously woke up first, feeling the worst for wear. He did not want to wake her as she was apparently quite ugly. He figured he had two choices. Chew his arm off so as not to wake her, or just jump out of bed and run.
He apparently chose the latter choice. Now that is the clean version. Apparently a true story.
Oh The life of Brian.
Nothing further, other than what is recorded above, is known at the time of publication.
Cal
10 January 2021
Lisa Ann CAMWELL
| 27/01/2021
Lisa Ann CAMWELL nee PARRISH
the First Full Time Female Rescue Operator at Zetland Rescue Squad
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – PREP Class # 242
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 26988
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 30 July 1989 ( aged 20 years, 9 months, 26 days ) ( spent 5 months, 26 days at the Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed Thursday 25 January 1990 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed 27 April 1991
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 30 June 1995
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Retirement / Leaving age: = 49 years, 6 months, 15 days
Stations: Sutherland, Menai GDs, State Protection Group – Police Rescue Squad – Zetland ( 4 July 1993 – ? ), Engadine Police Rescue Squad, ?, Monaro District, Police Rescue Squad – Cooma & GDs & Lock Up Keeper ( 12 July 1998 – 5 January 2004 ), Queanbeyan GDs ( 6 January 2004 – 18 September 2010 ), Queanbeyan had a name change to Monaro / Cooma District ( 12 January 2004 ), Blue Mountains GDs & Police Rescue ( 19 September 2010 – 19 April 2018 )
Service: From 29 October 1989 to19 April 2018 = 28 years, 8 months, 20 days Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system although –
NSW Police Medal ( 10 years ) granted on 30 September 2004
1st Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 30 March 2005
National Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 28 April 2005
2nd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 11 October 2010
NSW Police Commissioners Sesquicentennary Citation granted on 4 October 2012
1st Clasp to National Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
3rd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 25 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
NSW Police National Service Medal granted on 10 September 2018
Born: Friday 4 October 1968
Died on: Saturday 2 January 2021
Age: 52 years, 2 months, 29 days
Cause: PTSD – Liver and Kidney failure
Event location: Blacktown Hospital, NSW
Event date: Saturday 2 January 2021
Funeral date: Tuesday 12 January 2021 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Pinegrove Memorial Park, North Chapel, Kington St, Minchinbury, NSW 02 9625 8066
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Guardian Funerals
Buried at: ? TBA
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
LISA is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Condolences to her partner, Grant Gibson & his two children, family and friends.
Lisa was the eldest child of parents, Ian Roderick Parrish and Marilyn Ann Gibson and Stepmom Judith Parrish.
Sister to Jody and Amanda and Aunty to their children.
Mother of Dayna, Hunter, Kade and Tamsyn.
This was published 13 years ago
Officer who found Byrne’s body grilled
The policeman who found Caroline Byrne dead at The Gap has told a Sydney court that in almost 20 years of rescue work, he had not seen any other bodies so far out from the cliff face.
Senior Sergeant Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ) gave evidence at the committal hearing for Gordon Wood, who is defending the charge that he murdered his former girlfriend.
The body of the 24-year-old model was found wedged head-first in rocks at the bottom of The Gap at Watsons Bay, in Sydney’s east, on June 8, 1995.
Wood, who was stockbroker Rene Rivkin‘s chauffeur at the time, is accused of throwing her from the 29-metre high cliff.
Exactly where Ms Byrne landed is central to the case, but her death was initially treated as suicide and no photographs were taken of her body at the scene.
Sgt Powderley told Burwood Local Court he and Constable Lisa Camwell retrieved Ms Byrne‘s body from a crevice next to a pyramid-shaped rock.
The officer, who spent 19 years in the Police Rescue Squad, said he had recovered up to 20 bodies from The Gap but had never found anyone that far out from the cliff.
Research by physics expert Rodney Cross allegedly shows that Ms Byrne could only have landed at this point, 11.8 metres from the cliff face, if she was hurled using a spear throw.
But a different place was nominated as the point of impact in a 1996 police video, which was played to the court.
In the video, Sgt Powderley narrates from the cliff top as Constable Camwell indicates a place several metres from the pyramid rock.
Sgt Powderley said he “wasn’t really concentrating” when the video – intended to publicise the Byrne case – was recorded.
He had only realised in 2004 that it showed the wrong place.
“If we were there to do a Forensic Services assessment of the scene and pinpoint the exact location … things would have been done differently,” he said.
Sgt Powderley said he saw the video for the first time at the 1997 inquest into Ms Byrne‘s death, but did not notice the position was wrong because he “just wasn’t paying the attention to it that I should have”.
Police initially gave Prof Cross the wrong information about where Ms Byrne landed and he concluded she probably jumped, the court has been told.
Defence barrister Winston Terracini SC suggested measurements of the location had been “wrong for ages”, but were changed when police received a report “that doesn’t suit their purposes”.
Sgt Powderley denied having been asked by the detective heading the investigation, Paul Jacob ( # 18752 ), to reconsider the body’s location.
Earlier, Prof Cross told the court he had not considered information from 1994 about Ms Byrne‘s sporting ability when concluding she could not have jumped so far from the cliff.
Instead, he used reports from Ms Byrne‘s high school teachers that she had no athletic ability.
Mr Terracini asked why he had not taken into account the more recent information which, he said, showed Ms Byrne “excelled at a whole range of different sports” including basketball, swimming and aerobics.
“I presumed that that material was provided by Caroline Byrne herself,” Prof Cross said.
On 9 September 2008 the Daily Telegraph / AAP reported “Exact spot of model’s body ‘forgotten’”
It said a police officer who recovered the body of model Caroline Byrne has told a Sydney court she will never remember the exact location of the body. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell told the New South Wales Supreme Court a controversial 1996 video re-enactment was her best memory of the recovery operation.
Ms Byrne, 24, was found wedged head first in rocks at the base of cliffs at The Gap, in Sydney’s east on June 8, 1995. Her live-in boyfriend Gordon Wood is on trial for her murder. Sen Const Camwell was one of two police involved in retrieving Ms Byrne’s body. She was tasked with carrying a body bag and stretcher across to the recovery site.
The officer today told the jury her recollection of the morning was based solely on her own actions “which was carrying equipment and looking at the ground”. When she took part in a video re-enactment about a year after Ms Byrne‘s death, Sen Const Camwell said she determined the place she believed the body found was based upon an estimate of how long it had taken her to reach it that night. “Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
Sen Const Camwell said she had no further involvement in the case until she was contacted about the video in 2004. She told the court the officer then in charge of the murder investigation said the position of Ms Byrne‘s body had become a ” significant issue ”, and where she had indicated on the video appeared to be incorrect. She agreed with Wood’s barrister Winston Terracini SC that her best memory of events was as recorded on the video.
The location of the body is essential to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death. Sen Const Camwell‘s partner Mark Powderly has told the jury the body was recovered from a different location which is consistent with the theory that Ms Byrne was murdered. The location indicated by Sen Const Camwell supports the hypothesis that Ms Byrne took her own life. The trial continues.
MICK BRUNETTA had heard a lot of screams during his 17 years of fishing at The Gap, but he had never heard anything like the one he heard on the night of June 7, 1995, he told a murder trial yesterday.
Mr Brunetta and his brother-in-law Norm Wano were not having much luck as they cast their lines into the darkness from the clifftop. About 11pm they heard what they variously described as a woman’s “freakish scream” and that she sounded “like someone who was panicked or scared”.
Mr Wano turned and said, “F— man, what was that?” and the pair continued fishing.
Gordon Wood, 45, has pleaded not guilty to throwing his girlfriend, Caroline Byrne, a 24-year-old model, from the cliffs at the notorious suicide spot in Sydney’s east.
Mr Wano said that he contacted the police 11 months later after seeing a re-enactment on television where police asked the two fishermen, who were potential witnesses, to come forward.
Wearing an olive-green bandanna over his dreadlocks and his sunglasses perched on top of his head, Mr Wano said that although he was not a keen fisherman, he often accompanied his brother-in-law.
He said he had heard the scream about 11pm and, “It wasn’t a scream of happiness. It was like a scared scream.”
He said that later three men had come by calling out the name “Caroline”. Upon being told of the scream, Mr Wano said, one of the men had said, “On no, she’s done it, she’s done it.”
Mr Brunetta, who gave evidence with the assistance of an Italian interpreter, said that he recalled seeing a lone man calling out “Caroline” and that later that night that same man, who had blond hair, had come back with two other men. After telling the group of the scream, they asked to borrow his torch.
Mr Brunetta said his torch was not very good because the battery “was a bit flat”.
He agreed that in his 2004 statement he had said that when he saw the men trying to shine the torch to illuminate the bottom of the cliff, he had said, “There’s no way that man will be able to see anything because the torch is not strong enough.”
The two fishermen stayed on until dawn watching the police recover Ms Byrne’s body. Mr Brunetta said no one had ever taken him back to The Gap to try to pinpoint the exact location of where Ms Byrne had landed.
Also yesterday, a police witness contradicted another on critical evidence against Wood.
One officer told the jury that she would never be able to pinpoint the exact location of the body, which is vital to proving that Ms Byrne’s death was murder.
The jury has heard conflicting evidence about where the body was found, with senior retrieval officer Mark Powderly testifying Ms Byrne was some 10 metres from the cliff face.
But his partner, Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, yesterday told the court she believed Ms Byrne was in a crevice closer to the shore.
No measurements or photographs were taken on the night of her death.
A 1996 video re-enactment of the rescue operation shows Senior Constable Camwell pointing to a spot, which is referred to as the “exact location” of Ms Byrne’s body.
The officer yesterday said she had estimated the site based upon how long it took her to reach the body on the night of the retrieval, and the video showed her best recollection of events.
“Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
During the trial, the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actuallocation where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of theofficers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location.She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of themurder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of MsByrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body positionshe had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reportsduring the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essentialcomponent to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, butwas forcefully thrown to her death [The12]
2.4.3.3
Deliberation and verdictAfter five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years,with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to theconviction.2.4.4Inquests, Investigations and TrialsTwo inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coronerJohn Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale“with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidencerunning to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to pressfor action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New SouthWales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in StateParliament up till 2004.In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/beingprojected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principalelements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial ofGordon Wood. In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of PublicProsecutions Nicholas Cowdery QC agreed with police that there was enoughevidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder. Wood was detained in London inApril 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for theCrown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, JusticeGraham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member ofthe jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remainedanonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit tothe crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully”and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had todischarge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions andmisconducted themselves.”The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in NewSouth Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual12 to provide some contingency.
Caroline Byrne (8 October 1970 – 7 June 1995), an Australian model, was found at the bottom of a cliff at The Gap in Sydney in the early hours of 8 June 1995. Her then boyfriend Gordon Eric Wood (b. 1962), who at the time of her death was chauffeur and personal assistant to businessman Rene Rivkin, was convicted of her murder on 21 November 2008 and spent three years in Goulburn jail. He was acquitted of the conviction in February 2012.[1][2]
Events of 7 June 1995
The Gap at Watsons Bay, location of Byrne’s death.
Born on 8 October 1970,[3] Byrne had been in a relationship with Wood since 1992. She was a model but principally worked as a modelling instructor for Sydney deportment and etiquette educator June Dally-Watkins. On 7 June 1995, she failed to turn up for work and for an appointment with a psychiatrist. There were three claimed sightings of her near The Gap at Watsons Bay that afternoon and evening, in the company of two men, one of whom matched Wood’s description. Two of the sightings – at 1 pm and 3 pm – were by local cafe owners, Craig Martin and Lance Melbourne. In 1998 John Doherty, an Irish artist who had been out of the country in the intervening years, came forward to say that around 8.30pm that evening he too had seen Byrne outside his studio window arguing with one man while another man stood nearby.[4]
Wood denied being present at Watsons Bay that afternoon. Evidence was sworn at both inquests by Wood’s friends Brett Cochrane and Nic Samartis that they lunched with him briefly around 1:15 pm in Potts Point before he was called away after a call from Rivkin.[5]:206 Wood claimed that he was asked by Rivkin to chauffeur prominent lobbyist and ex-federal minister Graham Richardson to an appointment and then spent the afternoon doing regular chores for Rivkin before going home around 7 pm. The Richardson alibi was compromised by Richardson when he was interviewed by police in 2001, when he advised that he had lunched that day with rugby league administrator Peter Moore.[4]
Wood’s movements in the afternoon have never been reported prior to the late evening, when Wood said he awoke on his couch having fallen asleep in front of the television and was immediately alarmed that Byrne was still not home. Wood has said he did not know Byrne’s whereabouts but was led by what he termed “telepathic communication” to The Gap. He had first driven to the beachfront car-park at Bondi Beach where he and Byrne had spent much time and then to a favourite park at Camp Cove where they had often picnicked. Heading back from Camp Cove he spotted Byrne’s white Suzuki Vitara parked in a lane at The Gap. It was when running about the cliff-top and shouting her name that Wood encountered two rock fishermen who verified his appearance around midnight.
Wood then rang Tony Byrne and Caroline’s brother Peter. He drove back into Sydney city and collected them and all three then went to the Gap and scoured the cliff-top. Peter Byrne later gave evidence that at about 1am Wood claimed to have spotted her body at the base of the cliff using torchlight. Byrne himself said he could see nothing and nor could the police who arrived soon after with police torches. The night was dark and the cliff misty. Peter Byrne claimed it was difficult to see the rocks below the cliff, let alone a body. The contention whether Wood had claimed he could see something in the darkness figured in much media speculation over the years and formed a key part of Crown evidence in the 2008 trial. In 2011 the Appeal Court felt that the Crown had presented speculation in this area posing as evidence. This was one of the grounds resulting in Wood’s 2011 appeal being upheld.
The identity of the second man supposedly sighted by Melbourne and Martin with Wood in Watsons Bay earlier in the day has remained unclear. With evidence contradicting the likelihood that the man was either of those whom the police considered in investigation (Byrne’s modelling agent Adam Leigh or Rivkin associate Gary Redding) the Crown chose to pose speculation without evidence on either during the trial and drew criticism from the trial judge and later the appellant judges.
Media interest
Byrne’s death was accepted as a suicide by local Rose Bay Police and others. No photographs were taken of the location of her body’s landing point.
In 1996, Byrne’s father begin to agitate against the notion of suicide such that from 1997 onwards the case and circumstances of Byrne’s death were regularly examined in Australia’s national newspapers and reported as “one of Sydney’s unsolved crimes”. The death of a beautiful model at one of Sydney’s notorious suicide spots, the connection to the flamboyant and newsworthy Rivkin, and a net of witnesses and commentators which included some prominent Sydney identities all added to the intrigue of the case.
Offset Alpine speculation
Attention was particularly heightened by the still unproven speculation of a connection with Rene Rivkin’s financial activities. The day before Byrne’s death, Wood and Rivkin were interviewed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission about the Offset Alpine fire of 1993 and the true ownership of share parcels traded in Offset Alpine owned by nominees related to Swiss bank accounts.[5]:203 Tony Byrne claimed that Wood had indicated to his daughter that the fire was a set-up for insurance purposes.
Ultimately in 2001 Rivkin was charged with insider trading (of Qantas shares) and his eventual conviction in 2003 had a devastating effect on his mental stability, culminating in his 2005 suicide.[6] However the ASIC investigation into share trading in Offset Alpine and the true beneficiaries proved an epic that outlived Rivkin, commencing in 1995 and continuing from 2005 with a focus shifted to Graham Richardson and Trevor Kennedy until eventually closed without outcome by ASIC in 2010.[7]
Peripheral celebrities
Adding to this intrigue was a list of celebrities with a peripheral involvement in the case. Byrne’s medical doctor who had referred her to the psychiatric appointment she did not keep on 7 June was television celebrity physician, Dr Cindy Pan.[5]:205Graham Richardson‘s diarised luncheon appointment that day (which caused him to question whether he may have been chauffeured anywhere by Wood) was with rugby league identity Peter Bullfrog Moore at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel and was set up to broker a peace deal in the Super League war which deeply divided Australian rugby league at that time. Wood always claimed that he had driven Moore from a noon meeting with Rivkin to what may well have been a lunch, though the press and (later) the Crown ignored this possibility. Moore died in July 2000 a year prior to the Strikeforce Irondale interview with Richardson, thus preventing corroboration of the luncheon timings and Rivkin too was dead before the trial.[8]
Byrne’s close friends included entertainer Tania Zaetta and actress Kylie Watson, a Home and Away cast member. It was the amateur sleuthing around Watsons Bay armed with photographs of Byrne in the weeks after her death which had Dally-Watkins and Watson uncover the Martin/Melbourne sighting lead.[5]:206 Other celebrity witnesses who figured in the case at some point included businessman John Singleton, journalist Paul Barry and paparazzo Jamie Fawcett.
Inquests, investigation and trials
Two inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coroner John Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998 delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.
Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale” with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidence running to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to press for action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New South Wales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in State Parliament up till 2004.[9]
In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/being projected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principal elements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial of Gordon Wood.[10] In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas CowderyQC agreed with police that there was enough evidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder.[11] Wood was detained in London in April 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4 May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.
The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for the Crown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, Justice Graham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member of the jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remained anonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit to the crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully” and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had to discharge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions and misconducted themselves.”[12]
The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in New South Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual 12 to provide some contingency. [12]
Trial evidence
Presentation of the Crown case
Following the aborted first trial Tedeschi, as Crown Prosecutor, presented the Crown case over a nine-week period from 26 August until 24 October 2008. Over 70 witnesses were called and the jury heard hours of audio and video evidence including taped interviews with Rivkin and Wood.[13]
Witnesses called by the prosecution included Pan, Richardson, Watson, Zaetta, Singleton, Fawcett, Bob Hagan and sports journalist Phil Rothfield. Tony Byrne, Peter Byrne, Dally-Watkins and her daughter Carol Clifford appeared. Doherty and Cochrane gave evidence via video link up from overseas. Police witnesses included Tracey Smit ( ProCst # 61020 ) and Paul Griffiths ( # 23770 ? ) (officers on scene), Sgt Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ), Sgt Neville Greatorex ( # 16136 )(who gave evidence on police procedures), Snr Const Lisa Camwell( # ????? )(who retrieved the body) and the first investigating officer of the case Sgt Craig Woods ( #22599 ? ) of Rose Bay who had first dismissed the death as suicide and who gave evidence that in the first weeks Tony Byrne too accepted the suicide verdict and was explicitly against the idea of an inquest. Another ex-policeman to appear was Byrne’s former boyfriend Andrew Blanchette ( # ????? ). At one stage Justice Barr counselled Blanchette that he ought consider taking legal advice before answering a particular question. Sensationally on his second day in the witness box, Blanchette admitted that early that morning he had phoned another witness – Melinda Medich, his girlfriend and a minor at the time of Byrne’s death – before she was due to give evidence later that day. Blanchette was reported to police by Medich who had not heard from him for a number of years. Blanchette denied that he had been attempting to influence her evidence.
Location of the body
Retired University of Sydney physicist Associate Professor Rod Cross spent two days in the witness box. Over a six-year period Cross had produced six reports on the case – with his initial findings being quite different to the later findings presented in the trial.[10] Although formally qualified in the field of plasma physics, Cross had experience working with biomechanists regarding sports research and had published and refereed many papers on biomechanics;[14] he was therefore proposed by police investigators as a forensic expert in fall dynamics. Between 1998 and 2004 Cross’ reports all concluded that Byrne could have jumped to her death, as he was told that Byrne’s body had been found at a distance of 9 metres (30 ft) from the cliff.[15] In 2005, when he was recontacted by the police that the position of the body was in fact farther away (11.8 metres (39 ft)), he conducted experiments which informed his speculation that Byrne could not have jumped that far and must have been thrown.[5]:210[16] The required launch speed, from the top of the 29 metres (95 ft) high cliff, was 4.5 m/s (see range of a projectile[17][18]), and the available runup distance was only 4 metres (13 ft) – although appeal submissions in 2011 called this into question. Cross tested eleven females from the New South Wales Police Academy and found that they could dive and land head first (in a swimming pool) at about 3.5 m/s after a 4 metres (13 ft) runup. A strong male could throw a 61 kilograms (134 lb) female at 4.8 m/s after a runup of only 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) or 3 metres (9.8 ft).
During the trial the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actual location where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of the officers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996 participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location. She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of the murder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of Ms Byrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body position she had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reports during the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essential component to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death.[19]
Suicide history
The court heard that Caroline’s mother Andrea Byrne had committed suicide in March 1991 after she became depressed following a breast enlargement operation that went wrong.[20] Terracini also read to the court a letter Tony Byrne had previously provided to police in which he claimed that Caroline had made an attempt on her own life via overdose in 1992. In court Tony Byrne denied that Caroline had on that occasion intended to kill herself and instead was making “a cry for help”. At another stage of the cross examination, he claimed to suppose that had Caroline wanted to kill herself she would have copied her mother’s method rather than jumping from a cliff.[21]
Byrne’s doctor, author and television personality Cindy Pan, gave evidence that she had seen Byrne for two years before her death and had specifically discussed Byrne’s depression with her in the weeks leading up to her death. Dr. Pan told the court Byrne said she had felt depressed for about a month and the condition had worsened in the week leading up to their appointment on 5 June 1995. Pan said the model told her she could not put a finger on what she was unhappy about.
“I was trying to explore with her what she might be depressed about, but she was not really able to identify any one specific thing,” Pan told the court. She said Byrne told her she “had the same thing three years ago” and had been put on medication, which had helped. Pan said Byrne denied having thoughts of self-harm and she referred her to a psychiatrist, obtaining an appointment for 4 pm on 7 June.[22]
Presentation of the defence
One defence witness, Prof John Hilton, a forensic pathologist, was called during the Prosecution case, due to his later unavailability. Otherwise Terracini commenced the defence case on 27 October 2008 calling another physics expert Prof Marcus Pandy, a electromechanical engineer who conducted experiments on running and jumping speeds of two females. Only a handful of defence witnesses were called – two forensic pathologists, one psychiatrist, Prof Pandy, a stunt diver, and Wood’s sister Jacqueline Schmidt – and the defence case concluded within a week.
With the trial drawing to a close, the jury made a number of requests of Justice Barr that included a visit the Gap for a third time; for a transcript of Doherty’s evidence; and for video footage of Pandy’s running experiments.[23]
Deliberation and verdict
For the first time in New South Wales court history, a ballot was used to select the three jurors who would stand down so that twelve of the sitting fifteen would deliberate to a verdict. After five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.[24][25] On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years, with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to the conviction.[26]
Appeal
Wood’s appeal hearing commenced on 22 August 2011 in the Criminal Court of Appeal before Chief Judge at Common Law Peter McClellan, Justice Megan Latham, and Justice Stephen Rothman. Wood’s barrister Tim Game SC submitted that the jury’s verdict was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence. His submission spoke of nine grounds for appeal. One was that the trial miscarried by reason of the prejudice occasioned by the Tedeschi’s closing address. Others related to criticisms of Barr’s directions to the jury.
Early media reporting of the appeal focused on Game’s submission that the scientific evidence used to convict Wood and presented by Associate Professor Cross was flawed. A photograph was presented in the trial and purported to be taken in 1996 showing that scrub near the fence line had limited Byrne’s possible run-up to the jump, supporting an argument that she would have needed to have been thrown to achieve the horizontal distance from the cliff wall that her body travelled. The appeal judges heard and the Crown acknowledged that the photo was in fact taken in 2003 and that photo’s quality meant that a shadow might have appeared to be scrub. The appeal judges heard that a 1996 colour photo which showed that there was no scrub limiting the run-up was available to the Crown during the trial but that the Crown had chosen to introduce the blurrier, non-contemporaneous, more ambiguous image.[27]
Game’s submission, consistent with so much of the trial evidence, concerned matters relating to the exact positioning of Byrne’s body at the base of the rocks and the orientation of her legs and torso and leading to questions regarding the contended launch point and the assumptions and assertions made by Cross in his pre-trial studies and reports and his trial evidence. Day two of Game’s submission focused on the police’s changed view between 1996 and 2005 as to Byrne’s landing spot and specifically trial evidence given by Sergeant Mark Powderly used to justify the reconstruction.[28]
The Criminal Court of Appeal delivered their opinion on 24 February 2012 acquitting Wood of Byrne’s murder and ordering his release from jail.[1] The appellate judges delivered a unanimous decision that there was insufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt that Wood murdered Byrne and that the jury’s verdict was not supported. They dismissed the Crown evidence as being critically flawed and ruled that the possibility of her suicide ought not have been excluded.[1][2]
Justice McClennan described Cross’ experiments as “unsophisticated” and in the summation of his decision said that he was not satisfied by either of the two motives presented by the Crown.[1] Regarding the motive submitted by Tedeschi that Byrne had information about Rivkin’s business dealings that Wood was trying to hide, McClennan said “The exploitation of public rumour and the use of mere innuendo to compensate for inadequate evidence of motive is not consistent with the obligations of a prosecutor to press the Crown case “to its legitimate strength” by reliance upon credible evidence”.[2]:para 305 McLennan was also troubled that the notion Byrne may have been unconscious when she left the cliff top was introduced by the Crown late in the case.[2]:para 277 He described Tedeschi’s suggestion, first made in his closing address and mentioned at no other time in evidence, that a “shot-put” action was used to despatch Byrne as “an invention of the prosecutor…for which there was absolutely no support in evidence”.[29] McClennan also expressed some doubt as the reliability of evidence concerning the claimed sightings of Wood and Byrne at Watson’s Bay on 7 June 1995 noting that some of these witnesses had come forward years after the event and the initial investigations; he raised concerns that the Melbourne/Martin first identification of Wood and Byrne was based on a specific photos shown to them by Dally-Watkins rather than from being picked from a selection. Tedeschi was criticised by McClellan for presenting reasoning that was “dangerous” and “entirely without foundation”. Tedeschi contributed to the alleged miscarriage with his “50 killer questions” which took an “impermissible course” in asking the jury to consider rhetorical questions dealing with matters that had not been presented with in evidence.[29] McClennan ruled that he was not persuaded that Sgt Powderly’s evidence regarding the changed landing position of the body was entirely reliable.[2]:para 317
Wood was freed from prison on 24 February 2012; having served three years two months in Goulburn Correctional Centre, following an initial month in Parklea prison. Three weeks later the new New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Babb SC, issued a press release simply announcing that “the OPDD will not appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal’s judgement in the matter of R v Gordon Wood . No further comment will be issued”.[30] This was 24 hours after meeting Tony Byrne and attending the Gap with him – a meeting which Byrne described as ‘fruitful’.[31]
Post-appeal
Wood left Australia after his release from prison and spent time in the United States and Britain. In 2014 he brought defamation actions against the Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2UE, Channel Seven Sydney, and The Daily Telegraph[32] which were all settled out of court in his favour for undisclosed sums.[33]
In 2016 Wood sued the state of New South Wales for millions of dollars plus costs for malicious prosecution and wrongful imprisonment, based on a number of grounds including a “hopelessly corrupted” and “ridiculous” police case against him.[34] In a witness statement filed as part of his lawsuit against the state, Mr Wood said that during his three years in Goulburn Jail he lived in constant fear of guards who dished out “therapy” and was king-hit (a term widely used in Australia, meaning a very hard punch, usually delivered to the head, that is completely unexpected) and knocked unconscious in the prison yard by an infamous rapist and killer.[35] The suit was dismissed on 10 August 2018, with Wood receiving no compensation.[36]
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( December 2020 )
DENNIS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Here is a brief history of the development of Police Bank.
1970-79
Rapid Growth of Services
The Credit Union employed its first full time administration officers in 1970 to meet the growing demand for services. By late 1971, membership had reached 2,583 and deposits grew by over half a million dollars from the previous year. By 1972 the organisation was lending nearly $50,000 per month.
Appointed Representatives Bob Dines became Chairman in 1970 with Arthur Sharp taking on the General Manager role the following year, a position he would hold for over a decade. Ian Pettit, Terry Seery, John Gorman, Bob Page, Merv Taylor and Alan Dahl joined as Directors in the early to mid seventies. Alan Dahl was elected Chairman in 1975 with the auditing firm, Nicholls & Thomas (Kevin Thomas principal), appointed in the same year.
Around this time the Credit Union appointed Dennis Neate as a ‘Field & Promotions Officer'(the forerunner to our Business Development Officers of today) to increase awareness of Police Credit Union across the state.
Pedal car from childhood restored for 91-year-old owner
Murray Trembath
Patricia (Patsy) Browne, 91, couldn’t believe her eyes when daughter Yvette Graf took her on a surprise visit to the Sutherland Shire Toy Restoration Centre at Jannali.
Waiting to be picked up was the toy pedal car Mrs Browne adored as a child, beautifully restored to its original condition by volunteer Dennis Neate, a retired policeman and former panel beater.
The pedal car, which was made in 1929 – the same year Mrs Browne was born – was a present from her grandfather Herbert Cato, who was a car dealer, mechanic and served petrol at Cato’s Garage in Clare, South Australia.
The car was painted light green, the same as Mr Cato’s Buick.
Mrs Browne, of Caringbah South, has very strong memories of pedalling her little car around the large garage and parking it next to her grandfather’s vehicles within white lines, which he had painted on the concrete floor specially for her.
“I used to be able to go backwards easily when parking it,” she recalled.
“I used to check the readings as I knew one should. There were transfers on the dashboard for fuel level, battery charge and speedo.”
Mrs Browne said the pedal car had been “almost around the world since then”.
“It’s been shared with everyone in the family and now it’s back with me.
“Yvette had it last and I noticed it was missing.
“I thought someone might be trying to fix it up, but had no idea of what she was organising.
“Then, one day she said to me, ‘I am going to take you out on Saturday and you have wear something that’s better than your gardening clothes.’
“It was a wonderful surprise and I am very grateful.”
Mrs Browne’s recollections of the car of her childhood were written down, along with her mother’s other memories, by Ms Graf and guided Mr Neate, who also did a lot of independent research.
“It had strong celluloid windscreen with a transfer on the corner, a fake light on one side and a magnificent horn with a trumpet and rubber squeeze tube,” the notes said.
“I think it had a new bumper bar and a pedal set up which included the two rods to the rear wheels.
“There was a mascot on front of the bonnet, some sort of cross, I think. It was a soft moss green with thin strip paint lines on the ventilators, at side of engine, and also along the bonnet body and the outer ridges of the mudguards and wheels.”
Sutherland Shire Toy Restoration Centre, which is operated by volunteers, reopened in June in an amended arrangement after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Takings have recovered to the extent that the centre recently gave $10,000 to charities assisting with food support because of Covid.
There have been many great artists and observers, from Da Vinci to Darwin, who have drawn nature from life by observing it in its natural habitat. Here we have a previously undiscovered collection of life drawings of NSW cops in their natural surroundings (you really need to read this in a voice that sounds like Sir David Attenborough). Many thanks to Kade May for loaning these excellent drawings by her father Senior Constable Dennis Neate.
Colin William Hugh NAPIER
| 27/01/2021
Colin William Hugh NAPIER
AKA Col
Son of Colin NAPIER ( B: 16 Dec 1903 – D: 26 Feb 1989 ) who was born in the Police Stn, Johnshaven, Benholm, Kincardineshire, Scotland. He married Louisa Jena MARSHALL in 1936 in NSW
Late of ?
It’s nice to be nice
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 088
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 10187
Uniform # 4099
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 30 October 1961 ( aged 24 years, 3 months, 15 days )
Constable – appointed 30 October 1962
Constable 1st Class – appointed 1 April 1967
Detective – appointed 2 November 1967
Senior Constable – appointed 1 April 1971
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 February 1978
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 30 June 1986
Final Rank = Detective Senior Sergeant
Retirement / Leaving age: = 54 years, 11 months, 29 days
Stations: Parramatta ( 18 Division )(GDs)( 4 December 1961 – 18 August 1963 )( ProCst – Cst ),
Granville ( 18 Division )(GDs)( 19 August 1963 – 2 August 1964 ), Granville ( 26 Division )( GDs )( 3 August 1964 – 1 November 1964 ),
Vice Squad ( 20 Division )(2 November 1964 – 26 July 1965 ), Parramatta ( 18 Division )( Vice Squad )(27 July 1965 – 1 June 1966 ),
Bankstown ( 19 Division )( C.I. Duty )( 2 June 1966 – 6 February 1967 ),
Liverpool Dets ( 22 Division )( 2IC to Bert EDWARDS )( 7 February 1967 – 13 March 1969 ),
C.I.B. ( 20 Division )( Vice Squad )(14 March 1969 – 11 April 1972 ),
( *28 Division )( C.I. Duty )(12 April 1972 – 20 May 1978 ) * 28 Division was the Water Police at Dawes Point in 1978. In 1988 28 Division was then allocated to Mt Druitt.
Liverpool ( 22 Division )( C.I. Duty )(21 May 1978 – 12 April 1980 ),
Newtown ( 5 Division )( C.I. Duty )( 13 April 1980 – 20 June 1981 ),
Fairfield ( 34 Division )( Det Sgt )( 21 June 1981 – 17 July 1982 ),
Liverpool ( 22 Division )( C.I. Duty )( 18 July 1982 – ? )
Records were then computerised.
Merrylands GDs – Retirement ( 14 July 1992 )
Service: From? ? 1961 to14 July 1992 = 31 years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 November 1980 ( Det Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 2 November 1988 ( Det SenCon )
Born: Thursday 15 July 1937 at Strathfield, NSW
Died on: Friday 18 December 2020 surrounded by family
Age: 83 years, 5 months, 3 days
Cause: Cancer = Prostate
Event location: Home of his daughter.
Event date: Suffering terminal cancer in October 2020
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Col, unselfishly, donated his body to science
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( December 2020 )
” anyway, the fish was thissss big “
COL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Back row, left to right: Det. SenCon RJW King, Det Cst 1/c K.A. Barr, Det Cst 1/c R J Seery, Det SenCon P.B. Scott, Det Cst 1/c P.W. Gould Front row. Det SenCon B.A. Brown, Det Sgt 2/c J. Waldmanis, Det Sgt 3/c C.W.H. Napier, Det Sgt 3/c D.E. Pike
Col with Peter GOULD
Col had been suffering from a rare Cancer which failed to show up on tests.
As a result, Col donated his body to science in the hope of helping to cure Cancer.
Cal
David Ritzau
Yesterday celebrating the life of Colin William Hugh Napier, firstly at the Anglican Church Guildford, and the for the rest of the day and evening at one of Col”s favourite spots at the Guildford Leagues Club with Steve Ryan and Anthony Field where we spent time remembering:
Fairfield Detectives 1980’s: Detective Senior Sergeant Colin William Hugh Napier wasn’t just our boss, he was our Leader, our Mentor, our Protector, our Motivator, our Mate, and for us younger Detectives our virtual dad during working hours. We’ve lost a good one. R.I.P. Col and I bet you are already at the bar enjoying a beer with Rod. Thank you. We’ll never forget you.
Prior to employment with NSWPF – Col had been an a shop assistant for 3 weeks, Labourer for 3 months, member of the R.A.A.F. for 6 years, A Clerk for 14 months and a Copy boy for 14 months.
He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 28 April 1955 as an Aero Engine Fitter.
He was Discharged ( from the R.A.A.F. ) ” Termination of period of enlistment ” at the Rank of Aircraftman with a trade as an Engine Fitter.
His proficiency was satisfactory and Conduct was exemplary.
On the 9 January 1962 he was Commended with Constable D.W. Gibbens for keen observation when, on seeing a motor car at Westmead on 9 January 1962, of similar description to one believed to be used in connection with the commission of crime, they followed the vehicle, and after a chase, in which it was abandoned, the three occupants decamping, arrested one of the offenders and found stolen property in the vehicle.
Subsequently, the other two offenders were arrested by Police and all three charged with stealing.
Sign: N.T.W. Allan – Commissioner of Police
At the time of joining NSWPF he was 5′ 11″, 12 Stone in weight, hazel eyes, brown hair with a medium complexion and was Married.
He attained 74% at completion of Training Class 089A at the Police Training Centre ( Redfern )
He completed a three day course in Civil Defence Oct / Nov 1962.
He satisfactorily passed his typing test on 17 August 1962 at 20 w.p.m.
Successfully completed Sergeant Course # 4, Class 4 of 1979 with 82.4%
He passed his Constable 1/c examinations on 22 September 1964.
He failed his first attempt at the examinations for Sergeant 3/c on the 15 May 1975 but passed them on the 13 May 1976.
He passed his Sergeant 1st Class examinations on the 10 May 1983.
He completed his Detective Course on 26 October 1966 and was Designated ‘Detective’ on 2 November 1967.
He completed his Solo Motor Cyclist course on the 12 April 1962.
He completed his General duty utilities and light trucks ( Bull Wagons – F100s ) on 29 January 1964.
He completed his High Speed ( Automatics ) course on 17 November 1970.
He completed his 4 wheel driving course on the 15 May 1978.
Terence William NEWMAN
| 27/01/2021
Terence William NEWMAN
AKA Terry
Late of Mittagong, Southern Highlands, NSW
Terrypassed away on 22 December 2020. His funeral being held on 30 December 2020.
His wife, Dianne, who was also a resident of the same Nursing Home and also suffering from Alzeimers, passed away on the evening of 31 December 2020. He may have died from a combination of Alzeimers and Heart Break.
Funeral details, for Dianne, are unknown at this time.
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 175
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 19896
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on Monday 17 August 1981 ( aged 29 years, 0 months, 22 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Friday 6 November 1981 ( Aged 29 years, 3 months, 11 days )
Service: From 17 August 1981 to15 May 2009 = 27 years, 8 months, 28 days Service
Age at Retirement: 56 years, 9 months, 19 days
Time In Retirement: 11 years, 7 months, 7 days
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system
Born: Saturday 26 July 1952
Died on: Tuesday 22 December 2020 during the morning
Age: 68 years, 4 months, 26 days
Cause: Alzhiemers ?
Is known to have been suffering from Alzhiemers for the past few years and lately, Septicaemia. His wife, Dianne, also resides at the same Nursing Home and is also a sufferer of Alzhiemers.
Event location: ? Nursing Home
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 30 December 2020 @ 1.30pm
Funeral location: St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2 Bendooly St, Bowral, NSW
All friends and former colleagues are invited to attend.
NO LIVE STREAMING
All persons attending are to be mindful on the current Government restrictions on gatherings in the venue and congregations outside the venue. Guidance given by Clergy, Funeral Directors, Venue staff or other persons controlling the service should be followed.
A streaming service may be provided and will be sent as a nemesis in the future.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: G. BEAVAN Funeral of Bowral, NSW
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( November 2020 )
TERENCE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Deepest condolences to their son, Wayne NEWMAN and family.
It is believed that Dianne wanted to be with Terry again.
Terry is known to have attended Primary School in the north Campbelltown area.
He was a footy player and cricket player and also enjoyed ferreting as a youngster around the Campbelltown hills.
NEWMAN
Terence William (Terry)
Passed away surrounded by family
22nd December, 2020.
Aged 68 years.
Beloved husband of Dianne.
Much loved father and father-in-law of Wayne & Janice, Russell, Todd & Daryle, Megan & Michael, James & Kristy.
Adored Poppy to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren
A Funeral Service and offering of prayers for Terry will be held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Bendooley Street Bowral on Wednesday 30th December, 2020 commencing at 1.30pm.
Police Awards: National Medal – granted 28 May 1990 ( Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 28 May 1990 ( Sgt )
Born: Sunday 28 July 1946 in Sydney, NSW
Died on: Monday 12 December 2020
Age: 74 years, 4 months & 14 days
Cause: Cancer – ( Type = ? )
Back in May 2014, Mick suffered several strokes was was admitted to John Flynn Hospital, Gold Coast, Qld and his condition, at that time, was critical.
Event location: Tweed Heads District Hospital, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Monday 21 December 2020 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Tweed Valley Cemetery, 813 Eviron Rd, Eviron, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( December 2020 )
Four young useless golfers from the 70s. Left to right, Grahame Fahey, Chris Duncan (RIP), John Marine and Mick Hayman, deceased this week (RIP).
MICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Notification of Death of former Incremental Sgt Michael HAYMAN, formerly of Kingscliff Police Station within the Tweed Heads District.
Mick passed away at Tweed Heads District Hospital last Saturday 12 December, 2020 from Cancer.
He will be cremated at the Tweed Heads Crematorium next Monday 21 December, 2020.
A service will be held at that Crematoriums Chapel, commencing 2.00pm Daylight saving time. Anyone interested in attending may do so and there will be a large screen video link of the service outside if there are more numbers than are permissible within the Chapel.
Briefly, Mick served with A.D.F, Royal Australian Engineers for six years with a tour of Vietnam in 1966 & two following consecutive tours of Malaya.
He later joined the N.S.W Police force in February 1970, being attached to Penrith, Broken Hill, Murwillumbah and Kingscliff before being discharged, H.O.D on 6 October 1999 and retired to Murwillumbah.
Mick unfortunately spent the last five years of his life in Buppa Nursing Home at Pottsville Beach after suffering a fall in his home resulting in brain trauma.
He is survived by three adult sons and a daughter.
Mick was a larger than life character and a pretty good operator. He enjoyed life when he was able to and played harder than possibly any other person I have met.
I have known a few A graders over the years but for consistency, Mick was definitely in a league of his own.
Lest we forget.
Michael John KEAN
| 27/01/2021
Michael John KEAN
AKA Mick
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 159
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 18181
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 26 June 1978 ( aged 24 years, 3 months, 17 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 26 June 1987
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: ?, Breath Analysis Section ( B.A.S. ), Method of Operation Unit ( M.O. ), Blacktown GDs ( 27 Division ) – Death
Service: From? ? ? to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 7 May 1994 ( SenCon )
Born: Tuesday 9 March 1954
Died on: ? August 2001
Age: 46 – 47
Cause: Suicide – possibly at his home in Lalor Park, NSW – Hanging
Event location: Home
Event date: ? August 2001
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( December 2020 )
( L – R ) Mick KEAN ( # 18182 ) & Grahame FAHEY ( # 12622 ) & at Blacktown Police Station
MICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Mick had just left “the job ” when offered the new superannuation scheme to get off pre 88 – his intention was to rejoin but Commander Wales knocked it back. Depression etc led to his suicide.
KEAN Michael John Death notice 21AUG2001 Death late of Lalor Park. Sydney Morning Herald
FURTHER INFORMATION NEEDED.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this man at the time of publication.
