XVI.- KING’S POLICE MEDAL AND IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL.
His Excellency the State Governor presented the King’s Police Medal and Imperial Service Medal to several Police Officers and retired members of the Force on the 3rd June, 1937. The presentation ceremony was carried out on the lawn in the precincts of Government House grounds. The medals were distributed as indicated hereunder: –
King’s Police Medal.
…..
…..
Imperial Service Medal
For long Service marked by merit.-
…..
…..
….. and Ex-Matron Mary Dunne, to whom the Imperial Service Medal was awarded, were unable to attend at Government House on this occasion, and other arrangements were made to hand their medals over to them.
…….
Your faithfully,
W. J. MACKAY,
Commissioner of Police.
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In 1962, the NSW Police Force comprised of 6139 members – 5336 Policemen, 58 Policewomen, 175 Police Cadets, 5 Police Trackers, 4 Police Matrons, 109 Special Parking Police, 30 Special Constables and 422 Administrative Officers.
Prince Henry Hospital had close relationships with Long Bay Gaol, with the prisoners growing various vegetables and making the bread for the patients and nursing staff. It also was the hospital for Long Bay Gaol prisoners.
Ironically, it was the designated police hospital used by many of the NSW police members who at times of limited bed capacity and 99per cent patient occupancy, found themselves sharing bathroom space with prisoners.
[alert_yellow]JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Ceremony marks life and work of Aboriginal tracker
March 6, 2013, 4 a.m.
Sergeant Darren Wilkins, Superintendent Stan Single, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, Dubbo MP Troy Grant (back) and descendants of Aboriginal tracker Jimmy Nyrang Ruth Carney and Violet Lousick after the unveiling of the headstone. Photo: FAYE WHEELER
OFFICERS from Orana Local Area Command (LAC) joined forces with the Aboriginal community when they commemorated the life of an Aboriginal tracker and former NSW Police Force employee, Jimmy Nyrang.
James “Jimmy” Nyrang was employed as a tracker by the NSW Police Force between 1900 and 1902.
He played a prominent role in the tracking of Jimmy Governor in the investigation of the deaths of the Mawbey family at Breelong, near Gilgandra, on 20 July 1900.
As part of their 150th year of policing celebrations last year, Orana Local Area Command has been working closely with Narromine Ngurra Mayin Elders for the past 12 months in preparation for this commemoration.
Orana Local Area Commander, Superintendent Stan Single APM, hosted a formal ceremony yesterday morning at the Narromine Cemetery to acknowledge Mr Nyrang.
He died in 1928 near Narromine and was buried in the Narromine Cemetery where his grave was marked with a white timber cross.
A formal headstone was unveiled by Western Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, to honour the former work of Jimmy Nyrang and the symbol of his Aboriginal totem, the possum.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said the collaborative work of Orana Police and the Narromine Ngurra Mayin Elders, had resulted in the ceremony organised for tomorrow.
“We are delighted that the work of Mr Nyrang within the NSW Police Force and the community can be acknowledged formally tomorrow.
“Officers have worked closely with Aboriginal elders in the community to ensure Mr Nyrang could be honoured in this way,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
Members of the Narromine Aboriginal community, Aboriginal Lands Council, Aboriginal elders and representatives from local schools were in attendance.
Evening News ( Sydney ) Saturday 21 July 1900 page 5 of 12
-EVENING NEWS’ OFFICE, 6 P.M.
AWFUL TRAGEDY NEAR GILGANDRA
Three Persons Murdered By a Party of Blacks.
Three Others Dangerously Wounded.
The Murderers Escape.
Police in Hot Pursuit.
Superintendent Sanderson, of Bathurst, telegraphed this morning the following information to the headquarters of the police department at Sydney regarding a horrible atrocity perpetrated by four aborigines, near Gilgandra, a small town, situated between Dubbo and Coonamble.
The news which the telegram contains is concise in the extreme, but it discloses bare details of a crime which is, perhaps, unparalleled in the later history of the colony.
The message says: ” Gilgandra police where Jimmy and Joe Governor and two other aborigines attacked Mr. Mawbey‘s family last night, killing Miss Kerz (school teacher), Percival and HildaMawbey, and dangerously wounding Mrs. Mawbey, Grace Mawbey, and Elsie Clarke. The police arrived at 3 a.m. I am in pursuit of the offenders with a strong party.”
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.
VICTIMS TOMAHAWKED IN BED.
( From our Correspondent. )
GILGANDRA, Saturday morning. — A terrible tragedy was enacted last night at Breelong, about 10 miles from here, at the residence of Mr. Mawbey. The most meagre details are only to be gathered. A messenger galloped in to town last night, and reported that the whole family of Mawbeys had been brutally murdered by blacks.
Police-Constable Barry at once proceeded to the scene. He found Miss Kerz, Hilda Mawbey, and Percy Mawbey were dead and horribly mutilated, evidently by a tomahawk, their skulls being smashed completely in, and Elsie Clarke, a niece of the Mawbeys, Grace Mawbey, and Mrs. Mawbey, wounded to such an extent as to give small hopes of recovery.
The police have not returned yet, but a messenger who has just arrived from the Mawbeys states that they were murdered in bed at about 11 o’clock last night, and the perpetrators were a couple of blackfellows, who were ringbarking for Mawbey. The Mawbeys are among the pioneers of this district, and are fairly well to do, owning a large area of land on the banks of the Castlereagh River. Miss Kerz, a provincial school teacher, who is among the murdered, comes from Girilambone. She has only been in the district a short time, and was boarding at the Mawbeys.
No men were sleeping in the Mawbeys‘ house last night, Mr. Mawbey being away at the old Breelong Post Office, which belongs to him, while the family were residing in the new house at another part of the run about a mile away. Breelong, is a small township on the Castlereagh River, situated about 10 miles from Gilgandra, and 304 miles west from Sydney. Postal communication is via Gilgandra and Mundooran. Gilgandra is 292 miles N.W. from Sydney, and is the centre of an agricultural district containing an estimated population of 400.
Communication is by rail to Dubbo, and thence by coach on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Mundooran, which is situated lower down the river, is 256 miles from Sydney, and has coach communication with Mudgee (73 miles) on Wednesday and Saturday. Its population is estimated at 400.
Later. — It appears that the blacks went to Mr. Mawbey, at the old place, and asked him if he was going to stay there all night. On his answering in the affirmative, they said, ” All right, we want some chaff in the morning. ” The inmates of the house were all in bed, and as fast as they arose and tried to run away, the murderers felled them. A report states that one little boy, seeing what was happening, crawled under a bed, and the blacks missing him, endeavored to find him, but were unsuccessful in their search.
A large party of townspeople has left for the scene of the murder, and some of them have already arrived. The names of the aboriginals supposed to have committed the murders were said to be Jimmy and Billy Governor, of Denison Town, and Cobbora, and Crooked Toed Jacky, from Gulgargambone. There was also a white girl in the camp with the blacks. The cause is supposed to be jealousy. The blacks wanted Mrs. Mawbey to treat the white girl as one of themselves, which she refused to do.
The murderers were employed grubbing out trees on a piece of ground. Mr. Mawbey was getting ready for ploughing. The bodies of Miss Kerz and Miss Grace Mawbey were lying side by side, about 25 yards away from the house. Miss Kerz‘s head was smashed to a pulp with a tomahawk.
A report just to hand states that two blacks, answering the description of Jimmy and Billy Governor, were seen in the vicinity of Balladoran, a roadside hotel on the Dubbo-road, about eleven miles from here. The Dubbo police were wired for early this morning, also a black tracker; but it is now raining, and likely to obliterate, any tracks. There is no hope held out for the recovery of Mrs. Mawbey, Miss Elsie Clarke, and the other Miss Mawbey. Mrs. Mawbey‘s head is very much battered in.
Stations: Mounted Unit, Redfern ( as a 16 year old ‘work experience’ )
V.I.P. ( Volunteer In Policing) – Camden L.A.C.
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: ?
Born: 24 August 1964
Died on: 5 December 2012
Cause: Illness – alcohol
Age: 48
Funeral date: 12 December 2012
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Castlebrook cemetery, Rouse Hill
Annette Vicki BROWN
An unsworn officer that I thought I’d tell you about – my mum.
Her name is is Annette Vicki BROWN ( nee Heather ). Growing up she had some terrible things happen to her in her life and there was nothing more that she wanted than to help people.
She loved horses and with her two passions, she wanted to join the NSWP mounted unit.
In 1980/1981 she was 16 years old and undertook work experience with the NSWP Mounted Police. She thoroughly enjoyed her time and became friends with Wayne (?) from the unit.
It was during her time with the Police she was the victim of a crime. Still wanting to fulfil her dream she reapplied as an adult however was too thin for the old height and weight restrictions.
At 25 she got married and had her first born daughter, Michelle. At 33 she was re married and had her second and third daughters Caitlin and Lisa. Still never letting go of her dream she applied to be a Volunteer In Policing and worked for the Camden LAC.
She very much loved being part of the Police and was very interested in forensics. She learnt how to lift fingerprints and enjoyed pulling finger prints around the house.
She was the victim of a number of crimes in the latter part of her life and the post traumatic effects were more than she could handle. She self medicated with alcohol.
She was found deceased on December 5, 2012.
She had a big heart and was too kind in a cruel world. Everyone who met her would know how kind she was. She never forgot a birthday, and always went above and beyond for everyone. She loved her daughters and she will be missed forever.
Born 24.08.1964
died 5.12.12
aged 48 years
Michelle
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Paul Ernest STERRY
| 16/06/2015
Paul Ernest STERRY
New South Wales Police Force – ( Civilian )
Retired VKG2 ( Warilla ) Communications Officer
SES Member
Born 29 November 1959
51 old
Died on Fathers Day, 4 September 2011
Illness – Golden Staphylococcus as the result of surgery in Hospital for Type I diabettes
Funeral Thursday 8 September 2011
Paul STERRY
STERRY, Paul Ernest
Passed away suddenly after a courageous battle on September 4, 2011 (Fathers Day) of Blackbutt. Beloved husband of Bronwyn.Dearly loved and adored father of Mariah, Max.Son of Joan (dec) and Ernest (dec). Loved brother of Wayne. Cherished family member of Joan and Eric Dronfield and family, Margaret and Frank McNamara, the Gullicks and the Callow family. Paul will be sadly missed by his loving family and many dear friends here and in our hearts.Aged 51 Years
God has you in his keeping
We will miss your smiling face, a special person, no one can replace.Relatives and friends are invited to attend Paul’s funeral service to be held at Figtree Anglican Church, Gibson’s Road Figtree on Thursday at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations to Diabetes Australia Foundation would be appreciated.Illawarra Mercury, Wednesday September 7, 2011Paul was a Comms Officer at VKG2 (Warilla) from about 1987 and also worked with the SES and also attended the Thredbo Landslide Disaster.
He was a great bloke with a big heart, a great laugh and was always willing and happy to joke around.
We will miss you mate.
Cal
SES Commissioner’s September 2011 Newsletter page 8
Vale Paul Ernest Steery
SES Commissioner’s Newsletter September 2011 page 8
Paul Sterry joined the New South Wales State Emergency Service in 1978, he was 19 years old. Even though he held a job as a young clerk with the Public Works Department he held down at least another two part time jobs in addition to his role in the communications area of the Illawarra South Coast Division Headquarters.
Paul moved to the Kiama Unit in the mideighties and fitted in straight away, and thus was born a relationship between Paul and the Kiama Unit that lasted more than a quarter of a century. The Paul Sterry that the Kiama Unit knew and loved was generous to a fault and always willing to help anyone.
One of the Unit’s memories of Paul was at the Jamberoo Bus Crash in 2005, when a bus carrying more than 20 tourists rolled over on the Jamberoo Mountain Pass. Paul arrived in his car a few hours after the rescue began, opened his boot and started to distribute drinks, chocolates and snacks to the exhausted rescuers. Within a few minutes the boot was empty and Paul was heading back down the mountain for new supplies.
Paul was known as a joker by those who knew him well. He would often appear to talk very seriously about an issue and then, once everybody was well and truly involved, come out and say “I was only joking”. Even those who knew him well would be caught off guard by his wicked sense of humour and ability to appear completely serious until the right moment to come clean.
Louise Ashton, another member of the Kiama SES unit works at Wollongong Hospital where Paul spent long periods of time during his ongoing battle against diabetes. It was her
ritual to pop in each day before finishing work to check on him and have a quick yarn. Paul’s hospital room was like a mini office – he had bags full of paperwork, including SES receipts at times. Louise reported that the staff often commented that Paul was a delight and would often sing to them. He will be missed by all.
Paul was a recipient of the National Medal in 1999 as well as the State Medal for Hunter and Central Coast Storms in 2007. He also was awarded the SES Long Service Awards for 5, 10,
15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with the SES.
He will be remembered by the members of the Kiama SES as one of its primary carers.
Throughout his 32 years with the Service Paul focused on caring and providing support for its volunteers, especially in times of disaster.
When Kiama SES were out helping others in our community it was Paul that would be standing behind them and supporting them with the food and equipment they needed to get the job done or offer a quiet, comforting word after a horrific crash or rescue.
At the funeral on Thursday 8th of September the SES said farewell to a great SES member.
Paul is survived by his wife Bronwyn and children Moria and Max, who will all miss him greatly.
Extracted from the eulogy by John Wall, Deputy Local
Controller, Kiama
Funeral Service Location
4 Gibsons Rd, Figtree NSW 2525
THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2011 FUNERAL SERVICE FOR PAUL STERRY, DIED FATHER DAY, SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2011 AS A RESULT OF TYPE ONE DIABETES. FIGTREE ANGLICAN CHURCH, GIBSON’S RD, FIGTREE AT 1PM.
Valda Patricia SCHENOUDA (nee THOMAS)
| 16/06/2015
Valda Patricia SCHENOUDA
(nee THOMAS)
New South Wales Police Force
Civilian Support Staff – Balmain Police Citizen Youth Club
Born 10 July 1937
Died 22 January 2013
75 years
SCHENOUDA, Valda Patricia (nee Thomas).
10.07.1937 – 22.01.2013
Late of Gladesville.
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Devoted first wife of William (deceased) and beloved wife of Wadid. Dearly cherished mother of Adam, Grant and Carla. Much loved grandmother of Jennifer, Bianca, Jasmine, Will, Jake, Cosette and Billy. Adored sister of Jeff (deceased). Dearest friend of Dorrie (deceased), Claire, Pat, Jan, Joan and Val.
Longtime serving secretary at the Balmain Police Citizen Youth Club, an active community member who will be sadly missed.
Aged 75 years.
Forever in our hearts.
Relatives and friends of VALDA are invited to attend her funeral service to be held at the Balmain Presbyterian Church, 7 Campbell Street Balmain on Friday (January 25, 2013) commencing at 11am. Following the service the cortege will proceed to Macquarie Park Crematorium.
MANNINGS FUNERALS
ALL SUBURBS
Australian Owned
and Family Operated
9555 7551 9555 7092 www.mannings.com.au
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Jan. 24, 2013
Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ BEDELIS receives the 15 Year Lapel Pin to the NSW Police Medallion.
Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ BEDELIS
Lizzy BEDELIS, 47 old, worked at Harbourside Local Area Command, NSW, as a General Support Officer ( Civilian ) and passed away on Tuesday 24 December 2013, as a result of cancer.
She leaves behind her 20 year old son, Con, who has a severe disability.
Lizzy worked at Kings Cross Police Station for many years and in September, 2013, was awarded the 15 Year Lapel Pin to the NSW Police Medallion.
May Lizzy forever Rest In Peace.
Jayne WILSON – Salvation Army, Wollongong
| 16/06/2015
Jayne WILSON
Salvation Army, Wollongong Corps.
Cancer
December 2013
a strong supporter of Police in the Illawarra
Jayne Wilson, community program manager at The Salvation Army Wollongong. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
Earlier this year, while the Salvation Army’s Jayne Wilson was on a hospital bed getting chemotherapy for her cancer, she saved someone’s life.
It’s an example of how Mrs Wilson, who died of cancer in Wollongong Hospital on Christmas afternoon, would happily give her time to help others, whether it be through her work with the Salvation Army in Wollongong, as the police chaplain for Lake Illawarra or as a celebrant.
One day in August, when she was about to start a session of chemotherapy, she received a call on her mobile phone from a woman on Bulli Tops who was contemplating ending her life.
While treatment to try and save her own life began, Mrs Wilson stayed on the phone and talked the woman out of jumping then arranged for her to see other people who could help.
That woman who was on the phone is still alive and had met Mrs Wilson to thank her.
‘‘That’s the kind of woman she was,’’ said Salvation Army spokesman Bill Simpson.
‘‘In that circumstance, she had every right to say: ‘Look, I can’t do this. I’m about to have chemotherapy’, but she didn’t, she still spoke to the woman and did what had to be done.
‘‘We regarded her as a saint; she was quite remarkable.’’
That woman was one of many people touched by Mrs Wilson’s gentle heart, most of whom she helped through her work at the Salvation Army.
With a hospitality background, she first joined the Salvation Army shortly after it moved into the old Cleo’s Nightclub in Burelli Street.
There was a working bistro and kitchen and Mrs Wilson came on board to run a hospitality training program for unemployed people.
She noticed that many of those people had addiction issues and soon started an addiction counselling service to help them – but she didn’t stop there.
‘‘She noticed there was a lot of assistance for people with addiction issues but little for the families of the people who were in addiction,’’ Mr Simpson said.
‘‘So she started something that was quite new at the time. She started running support programs for the children of people in addiction, the partners and the parents, and the grandparents.’’
That was the known as the First Floor Restoration Program, which has since been replicated by the Salvation Army in Sydney, Canberra and Canada.
Salvation Army Wollongong Captain Ray Lotty said Mrs Wilson felt helping others was very important.
‘‘She was certainly a modest person but she did realise that the work that she was doing was work that was given to her by God and therefore was very important,’’ Captain Lotty said.
‘‘I can remember quite vividly Jayne saying that, for every person that is trapped in the cycle of addiction, there are 46 others that are also affected, and we’re here for all of them.’’
Mrs Wilson had been fighting cancer for nearly two years but had finished her treatment several months ago and returned to work.
She was on long-service leave and had just returned from a holiday with her husband, Vince, last week when she was feeling unwell and went back into hospital.
Captain Lotty said that Mrs Wilson’s death had come as quite a shock to those who knew her.
‘‘The people I’ve spoken to, that’s the words they’ve used – absolutely shocked,’’ Captain Lotty said.
‘‘I only spoke with her and prayed with her the evening before and Jayne is a real fighter – so it was quite a shock.’’
He said she would be remembered as ‘‘a lady that encouraged not only people with her words but with her life’’ and that her work would live on at the Salvos.
He said in one way she had left a hole but in another way her legacy would live on in the lives of her team through the encouragement and training she gave.
… She came to see me later and said, ‘it was amazing to think that I was on the telephone … and you were saving my life while you were on a drip to save yours’.
As Jayne Wilson, community program manager at The Salvation Army Wollongong Corps, sat in hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer, her phone rang. On the other end was a woman threatening to take her own life.
Despite her own health issues, Jane calmly talked the woman through her crisis and arranged support. She says that experience showed her clearly that service to God “is a lifetime tenure, no matter the circumstances”.
For more than 15 years, Jayne has overseen the establishment and then development of The Salvation Army’s First Floor Restoration Program in Wollongong.
The service offers support for those in addiction, for families with a member in addiction, plus a range of other services including employment training and support for those released from prison.
Jayne is also chaplain to the Lake Illawarra Command of NSW Police, has helped establish a support program for emergency services personnel, and played a key role in a number of pilot programs with agencies including the Department of Corrective Services.
Jayne spent her early years working in the hospitality industry. As her seven children got older, she began studying and training with organisations such as Drug Arm and Teen Challenge, working with people in addiction until a door opened to support chaplaincy work in a prison.
“I worked with two people [who’d been in addiction] for 18 months and they stayed clean,” she says. “But one night they … committed a really bad crime.
“I rang the [prison] chaplain and asked if he’d look out for them, and when he said no I was shocked. But then he said, ‘it’s about time you churchy people got out of your churches and looked after them yourself’. So I said, ‘well you get me in and I’ll come’.”
The experiences she had in that environment were life changing and provided a deep foundation for her later work at First Floor.
Jayne says at times she is humbled at the thousands of lives saved and changed through the Army’s Wollongong centre, plus the dedication and unique skills of the First Floor staff. “God is just amazing,” she says.
Our great friend, Jayne Wilson has been called to her eternal home. Our love, care and prayerful support goes to her husband Vincent and her family. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Envoy Jayne Wilson, you gave of yourself unstintingly for others. You were a blessing to so many.
You were loved by so many. Your family included your own and the rest of society, because you adopted us all.
You truly followed wherever your Lord led you. You gave of yourself to all who were in need of your counsel and care. You set the pace for the rest of us.
To know you was to love you as a true friend and to be challenged by you passion for people facing very difficult situations.
I thank God for every interaction with you. The many hours on the Corps Building Committe for 8 years. Your personal friendship and the thoughts and concepts you produced.
You were God’s Gift to The Salvation Army. You have been faithful to your calling. God has blessed your ministry to so many here in Australia & in Canada.
My last conversation with you was on Christmas Eve at Wollongong Hospital.
Thank you for everything.
Graeme John JACKSON
| 16/06/2015
Graeme John JACKSON
aka Jacko
aged 60
Civilian Radio Technician
VKG2 – Warilla / Lake Illawarra, NSW
Memorial: NSW Police force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, C24 ( right wall )
JACKSON, Graeme “Jacko”
The relatives and friends of Jacko are warmly invited to attend a celebration of his life to be held at the Northcliffe Chapel of Hansen & Cole Funerals, 634 Northcliffe Drive, Kembla Grange on Friday November 29th 2013 commencing at 2:00pm.
The family request in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Wollongong Hospital ICU. A bowl will be located at the chapel door.
Suddenly taken from us way too soon. Adored and much loved husband of Sue. Beloved son of Enid & John (dec). Brother of Liz. Uncle to Tara and great uncle to Adam and Ellie. Legend dad to Daniel & Alannah, Jason & Christa, Lance & Debra, Brett & Lucia. Grandfather of Zac, Tia, Cory, Tyler and Beau. Lost mate of Kim and Jim (Three Musketeers).
