Loving father & father-in-law of Chris & Joh, Shane & Donna and Jodie & Geremy.
Cherished “Pop” of Brittany, Jacob, Courtney, Christian, Tyler and Darcie.
Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend Ron’s funeral service to be held at St Andrew’s Chapel, Wingewarra Street, Dubbo on Friday 19th October 2018 commencing at 12 noon followed by a private cremation.
All retired & current Police Personnel are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of floral tributes donations to the Cancer Council would be appreciated and may be left with the funeral director at the service.
Funeral arrangements are in the caring hands of W. Larcombe & Son Dubbo’s Premier Funeral Home FDA Approved
RIP Mr STEER. I worked your last shift with you on the truck, at Dubbo. I remember you said it was most fitting you did your first shift on a truck. You were going out doing the same. What a great man.
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Satisfying retirement with helping troubled youth
SIMON CHAMBERLAIN
AFTER Ron Steer retired from more than 40 years involvement with the police force he did not expect continued involvement with law enforcement and the justice system.
But a decade on after his retirement he is finding satisfaction and fulfilment as a mentor and being part of the youth conferencing process.
Mr Steer grew up in Sydney and at the age of 16 decided to follow the example of a cousin and choose the police force as a career. He joined the force as a cadet and for three years worked alongside trained officers as “a bit of a roustabout”.
“It was on the job training, working in traffic and around the office and picking up the mundane jobs,” he said.
Aged 19 and then a fully-fledged policeman he “went bush” to Harden as the manager of the Police Citizens Youth Club.
“It was a vibrant railway town back then,” he said.
“We had a lot good young kids involved with football and boxing.”
His next posting in the force was a transfer to Broken Hill for a two-year stint and a step up the promotion ladder.
He admitted it was a case of extremes moving from Harden to a strong industrial town in the far west of the state.
His next posting was to Ivanhoe for a four-year stint.
“It was a good town then,” he said.
He then took a posting at Wilcannia as a senior constable, the first of two five-year stints in the town.
After his first posting at Wilcannia, he and his family moved to Moree where he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was the “lock-up keeper”.
Another promotion to second class sergeant and a move to Lake Cargelligo followed where he was officer-in-charge for a five-year spell.
A phone call from the then police commissioner put Mr Steer on the path of his greatest policing challenge.
“There was a death in custody in Wilcannia and the commissioner asked me to go back as the officer-in-charge,” Mr Steer said.
“It was the greatest challenge of my career,” he said.
Mr Steer said all of the staff at the Wilcannia station were replaced and his team was made up of young officers in their early 20s without much experience.
“We started from scratch,” he said.
“The advantage for me was I’d been there before but we had to get back to community-based policing.
“Talking to people face-to-face, foot patrols getting involved with the youth and the football club.
“It was daunting for the young police who were aged between 19 and 21 years who hadn’t been around for long.
“It was a different world in Wilcannia.”
After a five-year posting at Wilcannia, Mr Steer was commissioned as an inspector and took a posting in the Upper Hunter at Muswellbrook.
He admitted he found life across the eastern side of the Great Divide less to his liking and before long he and the family moved west when he was promoted to chief inspector and the officer in charge at Walgett. His daughter still lives in Walgett working in child care.
After Walgett he was posted to Dubbo where he worked until retiring after 38 years as a commissioned officer in the NSW police Force.
His efforts during his second posting in Wilcannia earned him an Australian Police Service Medal.
He said in the decade since retirement he was almost “back full time” working in the youth justice system, mentoring and working one-on-one with young people in strife with the law.
“I do a lot of one-on-one mentoring with kids in the Staysafe system,” he said.
“It’s hard for kids today to come to terms with the real world.
“I enjoy working with them.”
Mr Steer said retirement for him was not about just sitting around all day.
“That’s a disaster and you can’t be forever packing a suitcase and moving around. ”
He said it was about finding a balance, and working with young people in trouble was proving fulfilling and rewarding.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 19 November 1993 (No.127), page 6834
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE SERVICE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the date indicated:
Commander, Region Investigative Unit, Police Internal Affairs Branch, Region North — Chief Inspector: Inspector PAUL ROBERT WHITMORE, date of entry on duty.
Patrol Commander, Walgett — Chief Inspector: Inspector RONALD NORMAN STEER, date of entry on duty.
District Staff Officer, Personnel, Central Coast — Inspector: Senior Sergeant PATRICK JAMES KEYS, date of entry on duty.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 1 May 1992 (No.55), page 3028
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE SERVICE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
Patrol Commander, Petersham — Inspector – Senior Sergeant BRUCE ERIC BELL, date of entry on duty.
Patrol Commander, Muswellbrook — Inspector – Senior Sergeant RONALD NORMAN STEER, date of entry on duty.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Saturday 6 January 1990, page 2
IN BRIEF
SYDNEY: Homicide detectives said last night they were satisfied there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of two 14-year-old boys found at the bottom of a hollow bridge pilon near Picton, south-west of Sydney.
Detective Sergeant Geoff Hollis said homicide would hand over investigations for the coroner to Camden police after post mortem examinations today found the boys’ injuries were consistent with a fall.
The bodies of Jamie Egner and Matthew Kelly, both of Pheasant’s Nest near Picton, were found on Wednesday morning by a Department of Main Roads employee.
Coroner urges six-monthly welfare checks after inquest into four police suicide deaths
Posted
In short: A Hobart coroner who investigated the deaths of four police officers who took their own lives has recommended Tasmania Police conduct mandatory half-yearly well-being screenings for PTSD.
What’s next? The Police commissioner says work will continue with the police association to implement changes
The family of one of four Tasmanian police officers who died by suicide between 2016 and 2020 say they hope the findings of a coronial inquest may prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
Coroner Simon Cooper has handed down his findings into the deaths of Constable Paul Hunt, Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds, Constable Simon Darke and Sergeant Robert Cooke, recommending a swathe of welfare supports be implemented.
WARNING: This story touches on themes of depression and suicide.
During last year’s hearings, the court was told how overworked officers were self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, and of significant shortfalls in welfare support — particularly in areas such as fatigue management and protocols around interactions with the Professional Standards Command.
In his findings, Coroner Cooper, acknowledged the fact that these men were all serving police officers was “only part of the whole picture” of their lives, but he said he had “no doubt” that “Sergeant Cooke‘s police service was the direct cause of his death“.
But he said the provision of welfare support and whether it was adequate was a “central consideration at the inquest.”
He called for Tasmania Police to immediately develop and implement a fatigue management policy saying it was essential it was “addressed urgently”.
The inquest heard Robert Cooke had reportedly worked “16-hour continuous shifts for four weeks” during the Central Highlands bushfires in 2019.
This had left him “exhausted and barely functioning towards the end of the third week”.
“Tasmania Police had no fatigue management policy at any time, up to and including as recently as when the evidence at the inquest was publicly taken at the end of 2022,” he said.
“The absence of any fatigue management policy was, I consider, a direct factor in Sergeant Cooke’s death.”
Tasmania Police officers salute at Robert Cooke’s funeral in 2020 .(ABC News: Luke Bowden)
The coroner also recommended six-monthly screenings of all operation police officers for post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Sergeant Cooke obviously suffered from the effects of PTSD for a long time before it was diagnosed,” he said.
“Every health care professional who gave evidence … unanimously agreed that his PTSD was entirely attributable to his service as a police officer.
“Every health care professional also agreed that earlier detection of PTSD increases the chances of successful treatment and recovery.”
Tasmania Police investigating the feasibility of “introducing a points system”, whereby an officer’s exposure to severe incidents would be tracked, was also recommended.
When a “critical points threshold” was reached, an automatic referral to a psychologist should be triggered, Coroner Cooper said.
The coroner also called for better support for officers under investigation for misconduct — including ensuring that those who had their phone seized by Professional Standards be given a replacement mobile pre-programmed with well-being support numbers.
“The death of any member of the community by suicide is a tragedy,” Coroner Cooper said.
“The suicide of serving police officers, whatever their individual circumstances, is particularly tragic for serving members of the police force and the community at large.
“My sincere hope is that some improvements and learnings can emerge from the deaths of Constable Hunt, Senior Sergeant Reynolds, Constable Darke and Sergeant Cooke.”
Sergeant Robert “Cookie” Cooke was well-regarded among his Tasmania Police colleagues.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)
Families welcome findings
In a statement, Robert Cooke‘s mother Lyn and sister Michelle said they were satisfied with the findings, particularly the recommendations for a fatigue management policy and screenings for PTSD stress disorder.
“The family miss Rob terribly and hope the findings and increased support for mental health may prevent similar events in the future,” they said.
“[Our] thoughts are with all the families involved in this inquest.”
Commissioner committed to ‘safe model of policing’
Police Commissioner Donna Adams acknowledged it was a difficult time for the families and colleagues impacted by the coronial report.
She said improvements had already been made within Tasmania Police.
Strategies included “a strong peer support group, and a critical stress program” to ensure officers could access the help they needed.
But she said changes wouldn’t end there — and that Tasmania Police would work with the Police Association to examine the coroner’s recommendations.
Police Minister Felix Ellis said the government had allocated funding to “Tasmania Police and the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management’s nation-leading wellbeing program”.
“Police officers, by the nature of the job, are exposed to some pretty difficult and extraordinary circumstances, so providing that support is important,” he said.
“We want to work to make sure that policing continues to be a career or choice, and that we’re supporting our officers if they do find themselves facing challenging circumstances.”
Inquest hears Tasmania Police officer Paul Reynolds was facing child exploitation claims before suicide
Posted , updated
The inquest heard the allegations involved numerous underage male youths being sent photos and inappropriate messages.(ABC News)
A senior police officer who was part of the response to the Port Arthur massacre and the Beaconsfield Mine collapse was facing serious child exploitation allegations before his death, a coronial inquest has heard.
Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds was 54 when he died by suicide in September 2018 in Parkham in Tasmania’s north.
The deaths of Constable Paul Hunt, Constable Simon Darke and Sergeant Robert Cooke will also form part of the inquiry.
All four men died by suicide between 2016 and 2020.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Cameron Lee, said Senior Sergeant Reynolds was a “highly respected police officer” but that reputation was tarnished when “shocking and despicable allegations” came to light.
On the night before his death, Senior Sergeant Reynolds was visited at his Westbury property by officers from the Professional Standards Command.
They were there to search the property after allegations he had sent and received child exploitation material, and that he had groomed young men, including members of the local Deloraine Football Club, into doing unlawful acts.
The allegations against Senior Sergeant Reynolds involved numerous underage male youths being sent photos and inappropriate messages.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds is also alleged to have given young boys “rub downs” at the football club, been present when they were showering and during “naked ice baths.”
Police also are alleged to have found photos and sexually explicit messages on his phone sent to other male adults.
The inquest heard a senior officer had lodged a complaint the week before outlining the claims to Blue Teams — a tool available for officers to report and make complaints about colleagues.
At the time of the search, the inquest heard Senior Sergeant Reynolds denied any wrongdoing and told his wife there was no evidence to find.
At the inquest, Mr Lee read a quote from a transcript of Senior Sergeant Reynolds during the search of his property.
“This is career destroying … what an end to a 40-year career,” Mr Lee said.
He told the inquest that “it was widely known in Deloraine that he was a paedophile“.
Paul Reynolds joined Tasmania Police in 1980.
He was one of the first on the scene at the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 and at the Beaconsfield gold mine collapse 10 years later.
The coroner was told Senior Sergeant Reynolds was diagnosed with depression in 2012.
In the same year, he was formally reprimanded for poor work performance and demoted from inspector to senior sergeant.
“He didn’t like being an inspector, he wanted to return to being a sergeant and be one of the troops,” Mr Lee told the inquest.
Welfare officer felt ‘let down’
Sergeant Fiona Smith told the inquest her workload as a welfare officer “was massive”. ( ABC News: Jessica Moran )
Sergeant Fiona Smith was Tasmania Police’s welfare officer at the time.
The inquest heard she was asked to contact Senior Sergeant Reynolds the morning after the search and check on him.
She was unable to get in touch as his mobile was confiscated during the search.
“It was obviously difficult to contact him when he didn’t have a phone,” she said.
During her evidence, she said felt let down by Tasmania Police and was not offered the support she needed for her growing caseload.
When she was in the role, she said she could have more than 100 cases. The role is now split between eight people.
“I had, at one stage, grave concerns for 13 members of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management teams … my workload was massive.”
In regards to the management of Constable Paul Hunt, Sergeant Smith said she was not invited to be involved in his meeting with Professional Standards on the day he died.
On Monday, the inquest heard that Constable Hunt took his life on the day he had a meeting with the police professional standards team.
“I knew him very well, we were very good friends, he trusted me and our relationship was really good,” she said.
“I stressed to the inspector at the time that I needed to be in that meeting … it made me quite angry that I wasn’t, even just for me to be outside afterwards.
I’m not saying he wouldn’t have done what he did when he got home, but I’m confident I would have got him home and supported him.”
The inquest also heard Sergeant Smith was served with an official directive to not communicate with Paul Hunt’s family after his death as it could be perceived as a conflict of interest.
“Paul was the Inspector in Charge during the rescue operation at the Beaconsfield mine collapse on the 25th April 2006 where one person died and two others, Todd Russell and Brandt Webb were rescued a fortnight later. Paul received a Police Commendation for his efforts in that disaster.” – FB user
“This event (Beaconsfield mine rescue) was a defining moment in his career. His ability to adapt his leadership approach from briefing EM committees to the media conferences (where he virtually led the way for TasPol, to the sensitivities of dealing with volunteers eg. within SES was without a doubt, extraordinary. It was recognised from afar eg WAPOL who flew us over to learn from the experience. I remember the way Beau stood out the back with Bill Shorten and how he carried himself in those moments. Sharp wit mixed with tailored delivery.” – FB user
“I’ll never forget the cheeky look on his face every time I walked into the PFCP at beaccy and he’d kick you and your slow typing off the computer. Every single time. I can’t believe I’ll never see that cheeky smile again.” – FB user
“I was only a young boy growing up in the town of Savage River and PR was our local police officer, a fresh-faced young Constable. Sorry, I can’t recall the years, I was born in 77 and we left in 90. He left before we did, I believe they closed the station a few years before we left.” – FB user
“Paul ‘Beau’ Reynolds was serving at Tullah in the late 80s when I was about 14/15 years old. I was playing basketball for the Tullah men’s side as teenagers and Paul was a part of that… he taught us hardness and respect… treating us as adults… absolute champion bloke who had our respect both as a person and a police officer. RIP Beau… absolute legend!!” – FB user
“A truly wonderful gentleman whom we had only met in the last few years through football but he made such a positive impact in our son’s life and ours he certainly will be missed. RIP Paul. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and work colleagues” – FB user
“I first came across Beau having him as our basketball coach, then as a referee when I joined the Coppers. A true gentleman who treated everyone with respect. His jokes and laughter were infectious… Always made people smile.” – FB user
“So many funny and fond memories of my friend Beau from our St Brendan’s Shaw days then later in life when I happened to be at the police academy for a visit. What a great funny man who should have been beside the great comedians in Hollywood. Forever his pranks and humour will live on. The world is now less without you in it old mate” – FB user
“Directing Staff on 2002 Sergeants Course. I never forgot his influence…” – FB user
Tasmania Police senior sergeant Paul Reynolds has died
Matt Maloney
We are mourning the death of Paul “Beau” Reynolds who passed away suddenly on Thursday, 13th September 2018.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds served with Tasmania Police for 38 years, including time as an inspector in Launceston. He was born in Devonport and attended Charles Sturt University.
He was most recently in charge of prosecution services in the North-West.
Commissioner Darren Hine said welfare support was being provided to his family and the wider police community.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds was elected president of the Northern Tasmania Football Association last year after serving as coach for the Longford Tigers and working with the St Patrick’s College senior team.
He was chairman of the Tasmanian Football Council.
AFL Tasmania chief executive Trisha Squires said the Tasmanian State League would observe a moment of silence this weekend and players in all three grand finals would wear black armbands in his memory.
He will forever be remembered for his dedication to serving the community and as a true leader within the state’s police and football community.
Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds remembered as ‘a wonderful father, husband and a very fine police officer’
19 2018, 5:30PM – Melissa Mobbs
Hundreds of police formed a guard of honour at Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds’ funeral on Wednesday. Pictures: Scott Gelston
As the church bells rang on Wednesday, hundreds of police officers stood side by side, in solidarity, as they farewelled their colleague and their mate.
Senior Sergeant Paul “Beau” Reynolds tragically died last week, leaving his family, friends and Tasmania Police team devastated.
Long-time friend and celebrant of the funeral Father Richard Ross said Senior Sergeant Reynolds was remembered as a man “who had time for everyone”.
“He always made the person he was speaking to feel so special,” he said.
“He was full of love, warmth, and generosity, and was just such a terrific and well-respected guy.
“He was a wonderful father and husband, and a very fine police officer. He was a really effective coach and administrator, particularly in the football community, and the sense of loss [during the funeral] was massive.”
Father Ross also shared a message for Senior Sergeant Reynolds’ colleagues, and that was “thank you”.
“Just for what they do, they see the worst of humanity and they deal with that on a daily basis,” he said.
“The cumulative effect of trauma has been well documented and I think ultimately Paul was a victim of that.
“I encourage police to take care of themselves and know it is OK to ask for help.”
Speaking at the service, Commissioner Darren Hine shared some of the many highlights from Senior Sergeant Reynolds’ 38-year career.
He was one of the first officers on the scene at Port Arthur after the 1996 massacre and received a commendation for his work following the tragedy.
He was also commended by the Commissioner for his performance as the officer in charge of managing police activities during the rescue of miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb and the recovery of the body of Larry Knight at Beaconsfield in 2006.
The dedicated officer also spent time working in the Coroner’s office and attended countless fatal crashes throughout his career.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds’ 38-year career with Tasmania Police was recognised.
“Beau was posted all over the state during his 38-year career,” Commissioner Hine said.
“Beau successfully completed many courses throughout his career and he put those skills to good use wherever he served.
“His loss will be deeply felt across Tasmania Police, and our thoughts are prayers are with [his family] at this difficult time.”
Officers from across the state formed a guard of honour after the funeral service for the much-loved son, husband, father, brother and uncle.
Beyond his work in the force, he was highly regarded among the local football community.
Last year he was elected president of the Northern Tasmania Football Association and had served as coach for the Longford Tigers, worked with the St Patrick’s College senior team, and was chairman of the Tasmanian Football Council.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds leaves behind his wife Sharon, and children Jacob, Emily, Ben and Tori.
Launceston road closures expected as police, family prepare to farewell Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds
September 19 2018, 8:18AM
Police officers, family and friends will gather in Launceston today to farewell Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds.
The funeral service is expected to cause some delays and police are asking drivers to be patient.
Margaret Street between Frederick Street and York Street and Elizabeth Street between Margaret Street and Bathurst Street will be affected from about noon.
Senior Sergeant Reynolds died suddenly last week.
He served with Tasmania Police for 38 years, including time as an inspector in Launceston.
His funeral will be held at 11am today at The Church of the Apostles in Margaret Street.
Beau served as a member of the Tasmania Police Service for 38 years and his loss will be felt deeply across our agency.
The Commissioner, Members and Employees of Tasmania Police are saddened by the sudden death of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.
Brett leaves behind his wife Debbie of 35 years and 3 children; Mel, Nathan (deceased) and Matt. He also leaves behind 6 grandchildren; Harry, Bella, Jack, Ruby, Layla and Liam.
Brett’s brother Scott is also a serving Police officer with Goulburn HWP.
Brett was also a Retained Fire Fighter with NSWF & R at 305 Station ( Goulburn ) for a while.
FERGUSON, Brett Ronald – passed away peacefully on the 6th September 2018.
Late of Dewhirst Street Goulburn.
Very much loved husband of Debbie.
Cherished & loved father & father in law of Mel & James, Nathan (dec) and Matthew.
Adored pop of Harry, Bella, Jack, Ruby, Layla, Liam.
Loved brother & brother in law of Scott & Tanya, Lesley & Tony & their families.
Loved son of Ron (dec) & Ena.
Aged 56 years.
“Forever in our hearts “
Brett’s relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at NSW Police Academy Chapel, McDermott Drive Goulburn commencing at 11.30am, Wednesday 12th September 2018.
Following the funeral service the cortege will proceed to the Lawn Cemetery Goulburn for Interment.
Flags at Half Mast for the funeral of Brett Ronald FERGUSON
Brett Ronald FERGUSON & his son Matt
Brett Ronald FERGUSON in Fiji
October 9, 2018
Debbie Ferguson, Goulburn, New South Wales
LIGHT A
CANDLE
October 9, 2018
Matt Ferguson
October 9, 2018
Matt Ferguson
October 9, 2018
Matt Ferguson
October 9, 2018
Matt Ferguson, Goulburn
LIGHT A
CANDLE
September 11, 2018
Shane Hunter, Queensland
LIGHT A
CANDLE
September 11, 2018
Brett your the mate that nothing is or was a problem. Your taken way to early before your time. Now you can start to humor every one that you meet in you new journey that your now taking. RIP bro until we meet again and have fun like the night at Tully Park out the front when we were awaiting Deb to pick us up. See you soon best friend. xxx
Laurie is reported to have passed away whilst in Rome, Italy.
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VALE LAURIE ANDREWS – A MAGPIE GREAT
by Peter (Parra) Montgomery
Received sad news on the weekend of the sudden death of former much loved Hay-ite Laurie Andrews.
Laurie passed away in Italy on September 1 while on holidays with his partner Annette and friends.
He had celebrated his 71st birthday just a few weeks before, and had been in good health up until his sudden death.
Laurie was a great mate to all who knew him. He was particularly close to his Rugby League mates with the Hay Magpies, and was a regular attendee of functions to do with the Magpies Club, especially involving the 1967 premiership team of which he was a prominent member.
Laurie travelled to Hay in October 2017 to attend the Magpies Presentation Night, and was a chief organsier of the 1967 Premiership Re-union held in Coffs Harbour late last year.
Laurie was an outstanding horseman, and represented Australian in TentPegging, He became involved in TentPegging while he was a member of the Mounted Police in Sydney.
The Australian State Mounted Police also adopted Tentpegging as a demonstration of their skill and horsemanship, participating in demonstrations and competitions at Royal Shows.
The sport got its first international recognition when the Olympic Council of Asia accepted Tentpegging as an official event in the 1982New Delhi Asian Games. Since then countries have been hosting International Events. 1994 saw the establishment of a World Tentpegging Organization, “International Equestrian Tentpegging Association”. International events are becoming more frequent with growth of the sport in countries such as South Africa, Namibia, India, Pakistan, Israel, Great Britain, Netherlands, USA, Canada, and New Zealand.
Just reading through my ‘archives’ and came across this story I wrote about Laurie and George – two great mates – two brothers who gave 100% effort to the Hay Magpies Club during the mid-late sixties…
Players of the Past – George and Laurie Andrews
During the mid to late sixties a pair of brothers, George and Laurie Andrews from a strong Aussie Rules background made their way to Hay, and almost immediately became an integral part of the Hay Magpies.
They were employed by the late Jack Carver at Toogimbie Station, and soon linked up with Jack’s sons, Phillip and Ray.
Phil and Ray were both playing with the Magpies, and it wasn’t long before the Andrews brothers joined them in the ranks
Although they were Victorians they adapted to Rugby League like ducks to water.
Not only were they tough and un-comprising players, they were also good blokes.
Both George and Laurie have remained firm friends with all their team mates since the sixties and enjoy nothing better than catching up at reunions.
Since he sold his Water Truck in Tamworth and retired George has been a regular visitor to Hay, to catch up with his son (Laurie) daughter (Roslyn) and his grand children
On the field, George and Laurie were different style of players. George, was more a Blue Collar type player. A forward who loved mixing it with the tough players of his era in Group 17.
The game, in those heady days of the sixties, was much more physical, and not as ‘fitness orientated’ as it is now.
Training consisted of a game of touch, laps of the Oval, exercising, and ball handling. High shots, stiff arm tackling and rough house tactics were the order of the day. The ‘survival of the fittest‘.
The tougher the game the more George liked it.
Both the Andrews boys were involved in successive Grand Final appearances for Hay – 1966 and 1967
Laurie was a backline player with silky skills, and tough defence.
He was comfortable at home in the centres or or the wing, and was one of the first blokes picked each week.
Laurie left Hay to join the Mounted Police, and by the time he retired from the Police Force had risen to the position of Licencing Sergeant of the Tamworth District.
George and Laurie were blokes who played huge roles in the strong development of the Magpies Club, both as a successful organisation, and a Club to be respected on the paddock.
Both were players who gave 100% effort. Blokes who helped dig the well others are drinking from now.
Rest in Peace Laurie. You were a great mate and loved by all who knew you. Sincere condolences to Annette your extended family.
Laurie wasfather of Leila, Lachlan and Alisha Andrews, Step father to Joanne & Shaun Harrison, Kate & Dave Horsley and Rebecca Howat
Adored Poppy Loz to Ali, Nick, Gabbi and Caprice.
Loving brother to George, Judith, Robert and Graham
Members of the Magpies Class of 1967 will remember your mateship with much fondness, and your memory will live on, particularly in the close-knit group of friends.
“Once a Magpie, Always a Magpie” Laurie, a star of the class of 1966, 1967, 1968 Hay Magpies…and a bloody good mate to all who knew him.
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Laurence Kenneth Andrews
Passed away suddenly while holidaying in Rome, Italy on 1st September 2018.
Loving partner of Annette Arthur,
Cherished father of Leila, Lachlan and Alisha Andrews, Step father to Joanne & Shaun Harrison, Kate & Dave Horsley and Rebecca Howat
Adored Poppy Loz to Ali, Nick, Gabbi and Caprice.
Loving brother to George, Judith, Robert and Graham.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Laurie’s funeral Service to be held in the Chapel of Coffs Harbour Crematorium & Memorial Gardens, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour on Friday 21st September 2018, commencing at 1.00 pm, thence for interment in the Coffs Harbour Lawn Cemetery, Karangi.
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Mervyn Walter BUSH
| 09/10/2018
Mervyn Walter BUSH
AKA Merv
Late of Southport, Qld
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 8393[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 1 May 1956
Senior Constable – appointed 1 May 1967
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 2 September 1972
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?
Service: From? ? pre May 1956? to? ? ? = ? years Service
It is not confirmed, but research shows that Mervyn Walter Bush may have been a Prison Warder ( on probation, General Division, Prisons Dept. ) as of 14 September 1953 until his official resignation from the Dept. of the Attorney General and of Justice, as a Warder with Dept of Prisons on 14 May 1956 before joining NSWPF.
Despite him being appointed as a Probationary Constable on the 1 May 1956 and the time he would have spent at the Academy, it is possible he was on annual leave from the Dept. of Prisons whilst he tested the waters of the NSWPF.
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Nothing further, at the time of publication, is known about this mans career.
Cal
070918
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Judith Mary MORTON-KING
| 09/10/2018
Judith Mary MORTON-KING
Widow of Jim KING ( nothing further known about Jim who died July 2009 )
Late of ?
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Police Wife
Stations: ?
Service: From? ? ? to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: Friday 31 August 2018
Age: 85
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Monday 10 September 2018 @ 10.30am
Funeral location: at the graveside of Bernard Francis ‘Bud’ MORTON at Point Clare Cemetery, Coolarn Ave, Pt Clare, NSW
Wake location: Breakers Country Club, 64 Dover Rd, Wamberal, NSW
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Point Clare Cemetery, Coolarn Ave, Pt Clare, NSW
Grave location: Lawn 7, Row 39, Plot 19
GPS: -33.43487377338858 151.31234952799878
Memorial located at: ?
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Funeral location:
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Judith, who married former NSWPF Retired member John KING, after the death of her first husband ( Bernard MORTON ) will be buried at the grave of Bernard.
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Bernard Francis ‘Bud’ MORTON ( late RAAF – Warrant Officer / Flying Officer / Squadron Leader – 025983 ) – the first husband to Judith, was born 7 April 1931 and died on Monday 16 August 1993, aged 62. Bud is buried at Point Clare Cemetery: Lawn 7, Row 39, Plot 19.
Further research shows that Bernard was murdered, by sawn-off shotgun, at the The Grange Hotel, Wyoming, where he worked part time in the bottle shop.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Wednesday 18 August 1993, page 5
‘Callous’ murder
SYDNEY: The shooting death of an elderly bottle shop attendant on the NSW central coast on Monday has baffled and shocked police, who describe the shooting as “callous and senseless”.
The detective in charge of the investigation. Sergeant Pat O’Brien, said yesterday police did not know why 62-year-old Bernard Francis Morton, of Wyoming, was shot.
They believed the gunman’s main motive was robbery.
Mr Morton was shot once in his chest with a sawn-off shotgun at The Grange Hotel in Wyoming, where he worked part-time, about 5 pm.
He died soon after, despite desperate attempts by ambulance officers to revive him.
