Obituary published in the Daily Telegraph on 20 September 2014
SARGENT, Merle Cecily Aged 91 years Late of Doonside. Beloved wife of Allen Francis Sargent (dec). Loving mother to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sister to Renee.
Friends and relatives of MERLE are invited to attend her Funeral Mass which will be held on Monday September 22nd, 2014 commencing at 10:00am at St John Vianney Catholic Church, Cameron Street, Doonside.
Following Mass, the cortege will proceed to Pinegrove Cemetery for burial at 11:30am.
Location of Cemetery:
In the care of Blacktown City Funerals Independent & Family Owned Phone 9620 7328
Merle Seymour married Allan Sargent in 1947 in the Parramatta, NSW, District. BDM Registration # 7459/1947
James ‘ Nick ‘ Thomas O’CONNOR
| 08/10/2014
James ‘ Nick ‘ Thomas O’CONNOR
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 7037
87 old
Rank: ?
Stations: 12 Division ( Kogarah / Rockdale )
31 Division ( Gosford)
Illness – Cancer
also
Royal Australian Navy
NX245650
Died 29 September 2014
Funeral Chapel of White Lady Funerals,
402 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills (car park entry off Boundary Rd)
on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at 10.30am.
NX245650O’CONNOR, James Thomas (Nick).
Late of Marsfield formally Hurstville. Passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer on the 29th of September, 2014. Beloved husband of Win (dec.). Very much loved father and father-in-law of Greg and Anne, Sandra and Peter. Proud and loving Pop to Robert and Anna, Rachel and Adam, Alyssa and Ged and Thomas. Special “Big Pop” to Alex and Alina.Aged 87 years
Always in Our Hearts
The family and friends of Nick are welcome to attend his service at the Chapel of White Lady Funerals, 402 Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills (car park entry off Boundary Rd) on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at 10.30am. In lieu of floral tributes please consider a donation to the Cancer Council of NSW, envelopes will be available at the Chapel.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Oct. 4, 2014
John James Benedict BRERETON
| 08/10/2014
John James Benedict BRERETON
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Inspector ( 1990’s )
Regd. # 8433
Stations: Liverpool ( 1990’s )
Died 30 September 2014
Age 78 years
Funeral Tuesday 7 October 2014 at the
Tweed Memorial Garden, Kirkwood Rd, Tweed Heads
John was a long serving and respected member and life member of the NSW Police Bowling Club.
John represented the Club on 34 occasions at Australian Police Bowls Championships, winning numerous pairs and fours championships. Not forgetting winning numerous NSW State Championships.
The funeral is to be held at 10am on Tuesday 7 October 2014 at the Tweed Memorial Garden, Kirkwood Rd, Tweed Heads.
Following this, there will be a wake held at the Kingscliff Bowls Club.
Although he will be sadly missed, he will be fondly remembered.
BRERETON, John James Benedict.
Passed away peacefully on September 30, 2014
Aged 78 years.Dearly loved Father of Carolyn, Jan (dec’d.) and Kim. Loved Brother, Uncle Grandfather and Great-grandfather.A Funeral Service for JOHN will be held at the Tweed Heads Memorial Gardens Chapel, 176 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South on Tuesday, (October 7, 2014) at 10.00am (NSW time).
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Oct. 1, 2014
Friday, 3 October 2014
rest in peace, a good man. Respect.
~
Dave Hollway,
New South Wales
Thursday, 2 October 2014
In memory of a really nice bloke – from a long retired member of NSWP who shared the same birth date as John.
NSWPF – ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Mounted Constable
Service: From 6 June 1881 to 8 December 1881 = 6 months Service
Stations: Goulburn ( only six weeks )
Born: 23 October 1853 in England
Died: Thursday 8 December 1881
Age: 28 old
Cause: Accident – Thrown from horse – On Duty
Funeral: Saturday 10 December 1881
Buried: at St Saviour’s Cemetery,
Cemetery St, Goulburn ( opposite the gaol )
GPS of grave: -34.74095, 149.74291
The Pointer on the below map is the exact point of the grave
NSW Deaths Registration # 4783/1881
On Thursday 8 December 1881, the Mounted Constable who had only been stationed at Goulburn for about six weeks after leaving the Police Depot ( Redfern Police Academy ), was riding his Police Mount with Mounted Constable Pritzler to Mummel ( an area nth west of Goulburn ) to fetch a person suspected to be of unsound mind.
Maule was riding ahead and Pritzler was behind, when Maule‘s horse shied and plunged forward over a log, causing Maule ( an inexperienced rider ) to lose one of his stirrups. The horse jumped a second log and Maule lost his second stirrup iron and was unseated and fell with his head violently against a tree.
Maule, unconscious and bleeding from the nose, was later loaded into a buggy, with the assistance of the messenger and the prisoner, and taken into Goulburn Hospital – arriving there about 5.30pm.
Maule died from his injuries about 10.30pm as a result of his injuries, including a smashed lower jaw, a split lip, broken nose and severe cut over the temple & concussion of the brain.
Maule was not married.
An Inquest was held on Friday 9 December 1881 with a verdict that Maule was killed by being thrown from his horse accidentally, and added as a rider that they think that more discretion might be exercised in the Sydney depot as to the horsemanship of the men they send out for duty in the country.
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Maule joined the New South Wales Police Force in June 1881. He left England and came to Australia, though it appears his siblings remained in England. We don’t know why he chose to come to Australia and join the NSW Police Force. Two of his brothers served in the military, as did his father, and one of his brothers was a solicitor. His grandfather was a chaplain and his great-grandfather – mayor, alderman and burgess of Huntingdon.
[alert_red]WILLIAM is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red] * BUT SHOULD BE
( This incident was discovered, by accident, in September 2014, by Cal, whilst searching Trove. This Constable is NOT mentioned in any documentation or recognised as having been killed ” on duty ” by the NSW Police Force, at this time, or mentioned on any official Wall of Remembrance. Shortly, this matter will be brought to the attention of those who have the ability to have this Constable officially recognised as being killed ” on duty “. )
Upon checking npm.org.au on 2 May 2018 – William is NOW mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra
[alert_green]WILLIAM IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
An inquest was held last evening at the Goulburn Hospital by the coroner, Mr. Betts, on the body of William Norman St. George Maule, who had died from the effects of injuries received on the previous day. The jury having been sworn and the body viewed, the following evidence was taken: — Simon Pritzler, a mounted policeman stationed at Goulburn, deposed: The body just viewed was that of constable Maule, of the N.S.W. police ; he had been in the force since last June; the deceased was single and 28 years of age ; on Thursday afternoon last he and witness were going to Mummel and got along all right for about 13 miles, when the deceased’s horse shied to the right of a tree and Maule had pulled him to the left; then he had lost one of his stirrup-irons, when the horse bolted, and about 20 yards away witness saw the horse jump a log, when the deceased lost his other stirrup-iron ; witness then saw the deceased lying on the horse’s neck ; the horse took another bound and the deceased fell off; witness, on galloping up, found him lying on the ground insensible; the deceased’s face was all knocked in ; he sent for assistance and fetched him into Goulburn Hospital in a buggy ; he never recovered consciousness and died five hours after the accident occurred ; witness thought deceased must have been dashed against a tree by the horse just after falling off as it rushed on. Deceased was not a good horseman, having no control over his reins.
Dr. Gentle deposed that he had been asked to see the deceased on the previous evening and found him in a comatose condition with nose broken also lower jaw. He found in addition a wound over left eve about 2 inches in length exposing the bone; blood flowed from his right ear. He believed concussion of the brain to be the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met his death by being accidentally thrown from his horse and they would like to add a rider to the effect that they think more discretion might be exercised in the Sydney depot as to the horsemanship of the men sent out for duty service in the country.
( On Tuesday 7 October 2014, I attended the Mortis Street General Cemetery, Goulburn, in an attempt to locate the grave of this Constable. Unfortunately, this historic cemetery is in an extremely poor state with most of the head stones having fallen and most of the graves heavily overgrown with weeds.
There are hundreds of graves at this location, dating back to the early – mid 1800’s. I had to attend the local library where I obtained the attached ‘ plan ‘ of the cemetery in order to find plat CE79 – the recorded location of the Constables grave.
I returned to the cemetery but, at this stage, could not find CE79 at the location as there are many unmarked graves and fallen head stones in this, Goulburns second oldest cemetery which was established in the late 1830’s. )
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Some records have him buried at Goulburn Anglican Cemetery, Cemetery St, Goulburn ( near the gaol ) plot CE79 but his grave is located at the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, OPPOSITE the Goulburn Gaol & NOT in the Mortis St Cemetery.
On Tuesday 24 April 2018 I attended the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, opposite the Goulburn Gaol where I located the grave of MAULE.
The below images are what it presented like on that date.
GPS of grave: -34.74095, 149.74291
The grave has been cleaned up and headstone cleaned also. The cleaning has made the inscription, especially the dates, a lot harder to read.
[divider_dotted]
On Tuesday 21 October 2014 I attended the St Saviour’s Cemetery, Cemetery Rd, Goulburn, opposite the Goulburn Gaol where I located the grave of MAULE.
The below images are what it presented like on that date.
GPS of grave: -34.74091, 149.74289
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
William Norman St. John MAULE
[blockquote]
note:
Email sent:
G’day Bundy,
During my research for my website, I have come across another NSW Mounted Constable who was killed ‘ on duty ‘ at Goulburn on Thursday 8 December 1853 as result of horse accident.
See the link for further details and photos of the grave: https://police.freom.com/william-norman-st-john-maule/
This man is NOT mentioned on any official documentation in relation to the Wall of Remembrance and, according to the paper’s, was ‘ on duty ‘ at the time of the horse accident which resulted in his death.
Can you forward this information so that he may be officially recognised to be included in the Wall of Remembrance.
Cheers mate
Greg ‘ Cal ‘ Callander www.AustralianPolice.com.au 23 October 2014
[/blockquote]
Ronald David FOLLINGTON
| 08/10/2014
Ronald David FOLLINGTON
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 13285
Rank ?
Stations: Tamworth, SWOS – Tamworth, Inverell in early 1970’s
Late of Kootingal, NSW
Born 28 February 1949 ?
Died 17 September 2014
65 old
Funeral – 11am Friday 26 September 2014 at the Alston Chapel, Lincoln Grove Crematorium,
1040 Gunnedah Road, Tamworth.
With regret I advise the death of Ronald David FOLLINGTON, 65 old, former Regd. No. 13285, a non-member of Kootingal, NSW.
Ronald passed away on 17/09/2014 and no funeral arrangements are yet available.
Funeral Service location
Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance
| 08/10/2014
Wall to Wall Ride logo http://www.walltowallride.com
In 2009, two mates, both police officers and both keen motorcyclists, started a conversation over a beer or two. “How about we organise some mates to ride to Canberra and meet at our National Memorial?”
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from the NSW Police Force and Inspector Brian Rix of the Victorian Police had been motivated and inspired by the immense popularity of an American police motorcycle and charity event held in Austin, Texas.
Known as the “Ride for the Fallen”, the ride is a special tribute that honours the service and sacrifices of the many law enforcement officers killed in the service of Texas over its long and proud history.
Around the same time, a chance meeting with Western Australia Assistant Commissioner Steve Brown invariably turned into discussions of motorcycling and plans for Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan to lead a children’s charity ride across the country.
So a few phone calls later and with the much valued support and assistance of the Police Federation of Australia, a group of like minded police, serving and retired, were brought together to develop Australia’s own memorial ride.
With the National Police Memorial as a focal point and highlighting the positive image of police in the promotion of motorcycle safety and awareness, this has now become a much anticipated annual charity event in commemoration of the service and sacrifice of our police and for each of the State’s to raise much needed funds in support of their police charity organisations.
Each of the Australian Police Forces has a dedicated place of remembrance and reflection, where they pay homage to and remember their police officers who have died as a result of their service to the community. From these sites a very special journey begins with the intention of arriving at the outskirts of our national capital to meet and join the other contingents of riders from across Australia.
In a final gesture of police solidarity and remembrance, the ride travels through Canberra to the National Police Memorial for a short, but poignant ceremony to commence the week in honour of our colleagues and mates; their names recorded on the touch stones of the memorial wall.
The Wall to Wall : Ride for Remembrance is promoted through a national organising committee under the auspice of the Police Federation of Australia and the National Police Memorial. Stringent operational and financial controls are maintained to ensure the charitable status of the event and that funds raised are directly used to support the identified policing legacy organisations and charities.
Fully supported by all the police jurisdictions, every State and Territory is represented. Our past rides have been led by the Police Commissioners of the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Tasmania, all of whom share the thrills and excitement found only on a motorbike and who are integral role models in demonstrating our message of motorcycling safety and awareness
Open to serving and retired members (sworn and unsworn) and all other friends, family and proud supporters of policing, the ride is not only a wonderful commemoration of service and sacrifice , but also a fantastic social event for enthusiastic motor cyclists across Australia in celebration of the police family.
So make this the year that you get the bike out from the back of the garage and serviced, renew or obtain you riders licence and join us on a special ride in support of all that is good within the motorcycling community and the policing across Australia.
Our Website will be updated regularly throughout August and September with news of event, routes to be travelled and groups to join up with.
Like Us on Facebook and join our conversations in the lead up to our Australia’s own, Wall to Wall : Ride for Remembrance.
Police Association of Victoria President, Brian Rix travelled by motorcycle to every Capital city in Australia during the month of July 2011 to deliver a hand-made wooden Wall to Wall Ride Baton to each Police Commissioner. The Batons have been engraved with each jurisdiction’s Police Service Logo alongside the Wall to Wall Ride Logo and have a hollow centre allowing for the names of any fallen members to be inserted and carried by their Commissioner (or an appointed representative) on the Wall to Wall Ride to Canberra. These Batons will form an important part of the Wall to Wall Ride Ceremony in future.
Two decades ago at Lightning Ridge NSW Supt Stanley Single began fashioning wooden batons as a gift for departing officers. As an extra special touch each hand-made baton featured small opal doublets – one gem for each year served at the command. Supt Single, originally a fitter and turner by trade, served at Lightning Ridge from 1990 until he transferred to Walgett as commander in 1996. He said that, by then, word had spread about his novel departing gifts. “It just took off from there and it became a monster,” he said. “Everywhere I went everyone wanted one for their send-offs.” Then he got the call from Assistant Commissioner Mick Corboy about making his handiwork hobby a part of policing history – and future. The perpetual batons created for the ride are a hand-crafted wooden style classical baton, slightly embellished with the Wall to Wall logo and a laser engraving of the NSW Police Force badge, along with the wording: ‘We remember them.’
Supt Single said a unique feature of the batons will be their hollow centre. “When I started making batons back in Lightning Ridge I found it to be therapeutic – but it was a bit more work this time around because of the hollow centre, which required a bit more engineering,” he said. “There have been a few malfunctioning problems and it has been quite time consuming, however the hollow tube can contain a scroll sealed within with the names of any deceased police officers for that particular calendar year, bearing in mind the best result would be that each baton arrives at the Wall of Remembrance empty.” Each Australian Hardwood baton took around three hours to make, and each one was individually turned freehand – meaning that although they are similar in shape, size and style, no two are identical. A ceremonial ritual will mark the presentation of the batons at the Wall to Wall Ride’s arrival point in Canberra. In addition to the nine batons created for each commissioner of the nation’s policing jurisdictions, Supt Single has also produced a tenth baton to be auctioned off for charity on the day of the ride. The auction baton features engravings of each of the nine Australian police badges and will contain a scroll bearing the signatures of all the current commissioners. The vision is that from this year onwards, each police commissioner from each Australian jurisdiction will keep their perpetual baton safe, to be carried by them each year in the Wall to Wall Ride, and containing within its hollow centre a list of that year’s deceased officers. And in years to come each commissioner will also hope, as they reach for the scroll inside, to discover an empty page.
Ride – Lunch break at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn on Saturday 13 September 2014
photos taken by Greg Callander – Retired SenCon, NSWPF
[blockquote]NSW Police Academy Lunch break for the riders between Sydney and Canberra during the Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance – Year 5.[/blockquote]
36 OF 237. Remainder will be uploaded when I have the time.
[divider]
2013
Ride – Lunch break at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn on Saturday 14 September 2013
photos taken by Greg Callander – Retired SenCon, NSWPF
[blockquote]Ride – Lunch break at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn on Saturday 14 September 2013[/blockquote]
[divider]
2012
Ride – Lunch break at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn on Saturday 15 September 2012
photos taken by Greg Callander – Retired SenCon, NSWPF
[blockquote]SATURDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2012
WALL to WALL POLICE RIDE FOR REMEMBRANCE – TO HONOR ALL THOSE POLICE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED ON-DUTY SINCE AUSTRALIAN POLICING STARTED OVER 150 YEARS AGO.
THIS IS THE CONTINGENT THAT ARRIVED AT THE NSW POLICE ACADEMY, GOULBURN, FROM AROUND 11AM AND LEFT AROUND 1PM FOR THE RUN TO THE NATIONAL WALL IN CANBERRA.
THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THIS EVENT HAS BEEN HELD.[/blockquote]
[divider]
2011
Ride – Lunch break at NSW Police Academy, Goulburn on Saturday 17 September 2011
photos taken by Greg Callander – Retired SenCon, NSWPF
IN MEMORY: Phil Jacobson APM is fondly being remembered as a man who served his family, the Police Force and his community.
With regret I advise the death of Phillip Keith JACOBSON, 59 old, former Regd. No. 16117, a non-member of the RPA of Sawtell.
Phillip passed away on 11/09/2014 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 10.30am on Thursday 18th Instant at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Gordon Street, COFFS HARBOUR.
Funeral location:
A fitting farewell for ‘Jaco’
18th Sep 2014 4:00 PM
The funeral of Phil Jacobson APM in Coffs Harbour today. Gemima Harvey/Coffs Coast Advocate
IN the measure of the man, a large crowd today celebrated the life of Phil Jacobson in Coffs Harbour.
Family and friends were joined by retired, former and serving police officers, who paid their final respects to the dedicated family man, decorated former police officer, surf club stalwart and revered Sawtell community leader.
In testament to the life Phil lived, and the generosity he shared throughout his 59-years, there was standing room only at Coffs Harbour’s St Augustine’s Catholic Church.
Phil is survived by his partner Suze, and was the loving father and father-in-law of Louise and Nifty, Mark and Amy, Kurt and Amy, Alicia and Ben, Bianka and Rebecca and Ronnie.
His children remembered an extraordinary man, who as a young father and sole parent served as a police officer while raising five children, then aged between 27 months and 13, following the sudden death of their mother Annette.
“Your memories will live on forever,” the family wrote in tribute to the beloved ‘Pa’ to six grandchildren.
A mile long police guard stood in honour of the man, many knew affectionately as ‘Jaco.’
“As police officers we are aware that incidents occur or matters arise that simply do not make sense or cannot be explained. The death of our esteemed former colleague, our mate, Phil Jacobson APM is one of those events,” Coffs Clarence Local Area Commander Mark Holahan said.
“His loss is devastating to his immediate family, his communities that he served so selflessly, his friends and his police family. It is hard to understand why a good man is taken from us so early.
Phil served as a police officer for 41 years and he arrived on the Coffs Coast in 1983 from Cobar.
“His experience, knowledge and personality endeared him to all his colleagues,” Supt. Holahan said.
“His well developed sense of community saw him involved in many and varied interests including developing young people in rugby league and surf life saving.
“He carried this into the workplace and was able to coach and mentor many young police, probably hundreds in this command.
“He was an officer with a great deal of commonsense, loyal and trustworthy.
“Apart from his family, policing was his love.
“His overall ability was recognised in 2009 when he was awarded the Australian Police Medal for distinguished service in the Queen’s birthday honours list. For Phil this was a humbling experience.
“Not often is a Senior Constable awarded this award.
“For me as his Commander it was a well deserved honour, rightfully awarded to a more than worthy recipient.
“Phil’s presence in the workplace was reassuring, what we saw was what we got and how we miss it and him since his retirement.
“Rising to meet personal tragedy, passing on his life experiences to others and his engagement with his community, a police officer of the calibre of Phil cannot be replaced.
“His passing is a great loss to many. Quite simply it hurts. It is not fair. His life though, is an example.
“The people he has touched, the lives he has changed the difference he has made, that is his legacy.
“Good bye old mate. Thank you for being all that you were for your community.”
Many fond memories were shared of Phil’s time as a tireless servant for the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club, the Sawtell Golf Club, Apex and the Sawtell Panthers Rugby League club.
Public recognition of his community service came in 2012 when he was named ‘Sawtellian of the Year.’
Great mate Jason Breton, who served with Phil for a decade at the Coffs Harbour Police Station, remembered a man who always put others before himself.
“It’s strange in a way, but now that Phil is gone he is a better man, but then again we always knew that,” Jason said.
“He was an authority on policing, a man who was above title, there was no demarcation of rank when it came to Jaco, he was the man everyone looked up too for advice in policing and in life.
“Not too many senior constables have ever won the Australian Police Service Medal, but Jaco set the example.
“He was an exceptional police officer and an exceptional person.
“Even the crooks couldn’t help but like him, that’s what sort of bloke Jaco was, a true gentleman in every sense of the word,” he said.
Phil Jacobson was laid to rest this afternoon at the Coffs Harbour Lawn Cemetery at Karangi.
PHIL Jacobson APM has been remembered as ‘a man who put others before himself’ following his sudden passing this week.
A dedicated family man, community leader and decorated former police officer, the 59-year-old retired from duty as a Senior Constable last year after 41 years with the NSW Police Force.
Coffs Clarence Local Area Commander Mark Holahan said Phil’s passing had devastated his immediate family, friends, the communities he served so selflessly and his police family.
“It is hard to understand why a good man is taken from us so early,” Supt Holahan said.
“The worth of a person is not the length of time they live.
“It is how they live their life, the legacy they leave and whether they have been good and virtuous.
“Perhaps Phil would have changed a few small things, but not too much.
“His life, as short as it was, was rich and rewarding. Rising to meet personal tragedy, passing on his life experiences to others and his engagement with his community, a police officer of the calibre of Phil cannot be replaced.
“Goodbye old mate.
“Thank you for being all that you were for your community.”
In 2009, Phil was awarded an Australian Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his work as a domestic violence liaison officer.
He was also a long-serving member of the Sawtell Surf Club, the Sawtell Golf Club, Apex and the Sawtell Panthers.
Born in Narromine and a gifted rugby league player, Phil played in the Eastern Suburbs Roosters’ 1976 premiership-winning Under-23s side.
After five years in the job at Cobar, Phil settled in Sawtell with his wife Annette and their young family in 1983.
Friends say they realised Phil’s true strength of character when as a single father he raised his five children.
In his last interview with The Advocate last September, Phil reflected on his family, career and retirement.
“Annette was 30 when she passed away and the kids were aged between 27 months and 13,” Phil said.
“I owe a lot to my parents, who helped me raise the family, the police department was remarkable and the police commanders I served under allowed me to work split shifts and early mornings to spend that valuable time at home.
“Being a father is the best thing I’ve done in my life and I’m the proud grandfather of five.
“I would like to thank friends and acquaintances both in and outside the police for their support over the years. Thanks, I’ve really enjoyed the journey,” he said at the time.
Phil Jacobson, Police Officer, single father, community all-rounder, 2012 Sawtellian of the Year winner and just a breat bloke. Here we find out what motivates a man to continue giving to his community.
You’ve had a huge career, a rugby career with the Roosters, joining the Police Force in the early ‘70s, hitting the pavement in King Cross, before being transferred to Coffs Coast in the early ‘80s. Tell us about your outstanding career …
I was born and bred in Narromine, a small town of 3,000, 25 miles west of Dubbo. In 1971 I had an offer to play professional rugby league with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. Their policy was that you had to have a job if you wanted to play. They were to organise a building apprenticeship, but it fell through, and at 17 years of age I ended up joining the NSW Police Cadets. I was sworn in at 19 years of age and then stationed at Darlinghurst/Kings Cross, playing for the Roosters.
I was part of the Roosters that very successful year, under Jack Gibson. The first grade won in 1974 and 1975. We were undefeated and won the under 23 premiership in 1976.
In 1977, I fractured discs in my back and was told that I would never play contact sport again. After extensive rehabilitation, I commenced playing again in 1978, and later that year I transferred to Cobar, a wonderful western town with great people.
In 1983 I transferred to Sawtell and have been in the area as a Police Officer ever since. I have the luxury of living on the coast, but can visit family who live on properties and in Forbes and Cobar.
I have worked as a general duties Police Officer, an Intelligence Officer and at the present time as the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer. I am going into my 42nd year, and currently I’m in the process of retiring.
Policing is a very unique and rewarding job and one of the few careers where you get to make a difference. It’s also a job where you are required to make tough and unpopular decisions. However, the majority of the community appreciate the job we do.
Your involvement in the community is very honourable. What are you involved in at the moment?
I am currently involved with the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club and Sawtell Rugby League.
New Year’s Day saw you take out the Sawtellian of the Year Award. How exciting!
I was surprised and very honoured to be chosen as the Sawtellian of the Year. I am well aware of a great number of people within our community who also deserve this honour. Volunteers and their work go a very long way to making Sawtell the wonderful community it is.
What do you regard are your biggest achievements?
My number one biggest achievement is that I’m a dad to my kids. My second greatest achievement, either as a Police Officer or a member of the community, was being in a position to make a positive difference to some people’s lives. To see a person who was not coping with life or going down a destructive path, and then later for them to turn it all around and prosper is very rewarding.
What inspires you to continue to keep contributing to the community …
To make the Sawtell community a better and safe place to live. It is as simple as that. If we all do our little bit, it is very achievable.
HIS mates say he’s a man “who never says no to doing a favour” and as a police officer Phil Jacobson has done his duty.
The decorated Senior Constable has called it a day retiring from the New South Wales Force after 42 years service.
Hailing from Narromine, Phil said he enrolled in the police force in Sydney at age 19 “as every rugby league player had to have a day job back then.”
Retiring police officer Senior Constable Phillip Jacobson at Coffs Harbour Police Station Photo: Trevor Veale / The Coffs Coast Advocate
As a hard running centre, he played in the Eastern Suburbs Roosters’ 1976 premiership winning Under 23s side and went on to play two seasons in reserve grade.
After five years spent in the job at Cobar, Phil settled in Sawtell with his late wife Annette and their young family.
Friends say they realised Phil’s true strength of character when as a single father he raised his five children.
“Annette was 30 when she passed away and the kids were aged between 27 months and 13,” Phil said.
“I owe a lot to my parents who helped me raise the family, the police department was remarkable and the police commanders I served under allowed me to work split shifts and early mornings to spend that valuable time at home.
“Being a father is the best thing I’ve done in my life and I’m the proud grandfather of five.”
Voluntary work in Sawtell has also been close to Phil’s heart, serving with Apex, volunteering at the Sawtell Golf Club and surf club and coaching junior teams with the Sawtell Panthers.
Reflecting on his career, he says policing is all about “upholding the law and public trust”.
“As police officers we deal with people who find themselves in complex situations on a very personal level.
“Our role is to help and protect and through the job I’ve met a lot of good people over the years.
“I would like to thank friends and acquaintances both in and outside the police for their support over the years. Thanks, I’ve really enjoyed the journey.”
Phil Jacobson is congratulated by Coffs Harbour City Council Mayor Cr Keith Rhoades after being named Sawtellian of the Year.
ACCORDING to organisers of the annual Sawtell Fun Day, this year’s choice for Sawtellian of the Year was fairly simple.
Although a strong field of nominations was received, organising president Warren Hollyman said Phil Jacobson was a more than deserving winner due to his heavy involvement in the Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club and Sawtell’s junior rugby league as well as his interest in doing community work as part of his role as a police officer.
“He (Mr Jacobson) is a very good community guy,” Mr Hollyman said.
“He got it (the award) for those three facets and they’re all involved with looking after the community, it’s not his own personal gratification.”
Mr Jacobson was presented with the award on New Year’s Day at the Sawtell Family Fun Day and was congratulated by many members of the large crowd at the successful event.
Aside from bestowing the annual honour on Mr Jacobson, the organising committee for the day was thrilled with how well the Fun Day went – the 92nd time it has been held.
“We put a lot of work into it and our sponsors are unbelievable,” Mr Hollyman said.
Publication: Sydney Morning Herald
Section: News and Features
Page: 14
WHEN Phillip Keith Jacobson put his career on hold to raise four children as a sole parent, he expected little reward.But today the senior constable is being recognised for his “devotion to the community” and “selfless sacrifice” with an Australian Police Medal often reserved for those of higher ranks.
The man, who had become a police officer by default and nearly quit when his wife died, has been a highly respected domestic violence liaison officer in Sawtell, near Coffs Harbour, for almost seven years.
Jacobson says he knew it was a field in which he could make a difference: “It gives me great satisfaction that I meet people when I first came across them, they were despondent, down-and-out, distrusting … to be able to see them blossom.
“What people needed was plenty of support and plenty of courage to take control of their life.”
A local women’s refuge and family centre supported his nomination, highlighting his “kind manner, professional knowledge and ability to help those most in need without discrimination”.
Jacobson, 54, became a police officer when his rugby coach, Jack Gibson, insisted he needed a proper job. He was resistant at first but, 37 years later, he says: “It’s been wonderful for me. Every day is a unique day. You get up close and personal with the good and bad side of life.”
In 1991 he wrote his resignation. His wife Annette had died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage at 30, leaving him to raise four children aged 27 months to 13. But his parents, friends and the “crew in blue” came to the rescue. He opted out of the promotions system and was granted permanent day shift so he could spend time with the children.
“I’m eternally grateful to my Mum and Dad … They put their life on hold,” he says.
PHIL Jacobson has given his all as a policeman on the Coffs Coast.
So much so the 54-year-old senior constable featured in today’s Queen’s Birthday honours with an Australian Police Medal (APM).
“It’s recognition I suppose of doing your job to the best of your ability,” Phil said.
“I’m part of an organisation which does good work every day in different fields.”
Phil is the Coffs/Clarence domestic violence liaison officer (DVLO) and according to his citation, it’s a role in which he’s excelled, ‘receiving the respect of his peers, his supervisor and his commander, as well as serving the North Coast community, especially those in need’.
“I’m assisted in this work by local agencies and organisations which are very committed and very passionate,” Phil said.
“We’re incredibly lucky as a Coffs Harbour community to have these services in this area.”
A young Phil left Narromine for the Big Smoke initially to play league with the Roosters and his under 23s would go on to win the competition in 1976.
He’s been a member of the NSW Police Force since 1972 after serving as a cadet at the tender age of 17.
He spent his first years of service at Darlinghurst and Kings Cross before transfer to Cobar in 1978.
In 1983 he arrived at Sawtell Police Station where he was the lock-up keeper ahead of his 1990 transfer to Coffs Harbour. The following year, his wife, Annette, died.
Phil stepped up from general duties policing to a 13-year stint with the intelligence division, followed by his appointment to the DVLO post.
Chief Inspector Shane Cribb from Coffs Harbour police described Phil as a ‘very knowledgeable, approachable and team-orientated’ officer.
Phil, a father-of-five, is also heavily involved in his community.
He’s spent the past 15 years with Sawtell Surf Club – where he’s a patrol captain – and has coached juniors and under-18s for Sawtell Rugby League. And is active in another sport where he remains an active junior rugby league referee.
Ashley is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Constable Ashley John HARDIN, NSWPF
Ashley HARDIN, aka Bull, died as the result of a gun shot wound to the head with his service revolver.
He committed suicide as a result of how Police management treated him in relation to a 181D ( show cause why his employment should not be terminated ).
The NSW Police Commissioner at the time was Peter Ryan.
Plaque in the Muster Room of Sutherland Police Station in memory of Ashley John HARDIN
14 September 2015:
Ray Lambie: Gosh it is bad today! I went to Sutherland in 1998 & I was a team leader there. Bull was on my team and had suffered a malicious complaint arising from a domestic dispute that had occurred prior to his entry to the academy. Every time the domestic dispute was re visited a complaint was lodged with NSWPOL. He was cleared to enter the job, cleared whilst in the job on a number of occasions. In 1998 when the domestic complaint was raised again PIAB decided to give Bull a 181D ostensibly to make him do the work to get out of the complaint merry go round. He was suspended. He one day came in and took his service revolver to Darks Forest and committed suicide. On the day of his funeral I returned to the Sutherland Police Station and submitted my resignation. An absolute disgrace.
Robert ‘ Bob ‘ Wesley WHILEY
| 08/10/2014
Robert Wesley WHILEY
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 7543
Rank: ?
Stations: ?
Born 24 May 1931
Died 3 September 2014
83 old
Funeral 8 September 2014, Castle Hill
With regret I advise the death of Robert Wesley WHILEY, 83 old, former Regd. No. 7543, not an RPA Member of Sydney. Robert passed away on 03/09/2014 and his funeral is proposed to be held at 2pm on Monday 8th Instant at Allen Drew Chapel, Old Northern Road, CASTLE HILL.
Obituary:
WHILEY, Robert Wesley (Bob)
WHILEY, Robert Wesley (Bob)24.5.1931 – 3.9.2014 Beloved husband of Margaret, much loved father of Robert, Michael, Ross and Carolyn. Step father of Alan (dec), Graeme, David, Philip and their partners. Adored grandfather and great grandfather.
Family and friends of BOB are warmly invited to Celebrate his Life at Allan Drew Heritage Chapel, 221 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill on Monday September 8, 2014 at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Ronald McDonald House Westmead.
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.
