WA POLICE UNION Members are invited to attend the Funeral Service for our late retired member Ronald GILLIES 2230 at Karrakatta Cemetery on TUESDAY (7.6.2016) at 1′.30pm.
GILLIES (Ronald):
Passed away peacefully on 26.5.2016 at RPH aged 88.
Dearly beloved husband of Rona, much loved father of Geoff, Ray and Neil, daughter-in-law Kate and cherished Poppy of Isabella and Alice.
The emptiness we feel today is comforted by a lifetime of beautiful memories.
Forever in our hearts –
Monday, 6 June 2016
Dear Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil our heart felt sympathy goes out to you with the sad loss of Ron – a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with you – Ray and Irene Kaerger
~
Ray Kaerger,
Mandurah, Western Australia
Monday, 6 June 2016
So very sorry to hear of your sad loss – Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil. I have so many happy memories of Rons broad smile and laughter on holidays at Rockingham. Such a lovely gentleman. Sue Breen (Née Kaerger)
~
Sue Breen,
Mandurah, Western Australia
Monday, 6 June 2016
To Rhona,
My deepest sympathy to you and your sons.
Maryanne (met in the Inglewood Pharmacy)
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Our deepest condolesences to you Neil for the sad loss of your dearly loved father. Our thoughts are with you, your dear Mother and all your family members.
~
Michael & Mark.,
Rozelle, New South Wales
Thursday, 2 June 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Heartfelt sympathy to Rona and family. So sorry about Ron. We have memories of 70 years and fun in early Police days.
Max and Barbara Blight
Published in: The West Australian
Thursday, 2 June 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Our thoughts are with Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil on the sad loss of Ron, a loving husband and father. Our memories will always be of a wonderful, happy man who greeted us with a big warm, welcoming smile. He will be fondly remembered by all of the 59ers.
Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Sincere sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil. It was a privilege to have Ron as our friend.
Mary and Robert Ramage.
Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
GILLIES (Ron ): So many great memories of a special friend and neighbour for over 40 years. One of nature’s true gentlemen and a wonderful family man.
Our heartfelt sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray and Kate and girls and Neil.
Judith and Alan, Andrew and Ellen, Mark and Fiona, Simone and Dave and their families. RIP dear friend.
Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Brethren of the Lodge of Justice 328WAC mourn the loss of their late W Bro Ronald Gillies PGStd Br. A highly respected Freemason.
Sincere condolences to Rona and his family.
Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
GILLIES (Ron ): A wonderful gentleman who touched the hearts of everyone he met. Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil. Fond memories of North Perth Tennis Club days. Julie on behalf of Jim (dec), Pat and McMorrow family.
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Fond memories of a truly great friend. With sympathy and love to Rona and family. Dot and Maurie West
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ron):
To Rona and family. A privilege to have had you as my best friend for many years. Love Peggy.
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
A dear friend of many many years. Thinking of you Rona and boys. You will be remembered Ron. Dot Jones.
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald ): Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray, Neil, Kate, Isabella and Alice on your sad loss. Ron was a fine man of great integrity. Gerry Arthur.
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Loving sympathy to dear Rona and family. Happy memories of a respected friend. A true gentleman. The Leonhardt family.
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronnie):
Long time friend and colleague of John (dec) and Kath. Remembered with affection by all. Sympathy to Rona and family. Greenaway family
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray, Neil and families. Ron was a person of great credibility with a personality that touched everybody he met. Goodbye old friend and mentor. You will be missed. Maureen and Jack
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ron):
Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil on the passing of Ron.
Ron will always be fondly remembered. From Max Robinson and family.
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Ron – the best of men. With our love, Jeanie and Winsome. “The lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time.” A Psalm of Life.
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ron):
One of my best friends who will always be remembered. Sincere sympathy to Rona and family. Pam and family.
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ron ): Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray and Neil on Ron’s sad passing.
Great Memories of social and tennis days.
From all your friends at North Perth Tennis Club.
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald ): A long and cherished friend who was a gentleman in every aspect who will be so sadly missed. Deepest sympathy to Rona, Geoff, Ray, Kate and girls and Neil.
We will always remember you Ron.
Brian Erna and Family
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Good friend and golfing mate for many years. Deepest sympathy to Rona and family. Hazel, Ron Godfrey and family.
Published in: The West Australian
Monday, 30 May 2016
GILLIES (Ron): Heartfelt sympathy to Rona and families. Treasured memories of a jovial lifelong friend. Val and Les (dec) James and families.
Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 31 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Our deepest sympathy to our Auntie Rona, cousins Geoff, Ray and Neil and their families.
From Graham, Helen and Denise and families. May Ron rest in peace.
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 28 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Fond and respected brother-in-law of William (dec) and great friend of Stephanie. Loving sympathy to Rona and family. Rest in peace Ron.
Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 28 May 2016
GILLIES (Ronald):
Cherished memories of my loving husband and soul mate of 64 years. Thank you for the journey we shared. You were the love of my life and will remain in my heart forever. Rona.
Dawn was married to Bill TUNSTALL and Dawn worked from the Women Police Office in the old C.I.B. building, Surry Hills.
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born in Henty NSW.
In 1957 Dawn became a Nurse & Midwife at Yass and in 1963 was sworn in as a Woman Police Constable no 53.
Dawn, ( like all of that early period of women in policing ), performed duties in school lecturing then into Plain Clothes at the CIB performing drug and vice duties.
She went back to Nursing and during this period she found time to hold Commissioned Officer positions in the Girl Guides, St Johns Ambulance and Senior Controller in the SES she gave her life to Public Service.
Vale Dawn Tunstall
by Richard Hurst
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Mark Edward Dyett FORD
| 09/06/2016
Mark Edward Dyett FORD
Late of ” Collingwood ” Kenwyn Street, Hurstville – formerly of Orange, NSW
Nephew of Dr. Frederick Thomas West Ford, police surgeon of Melbourne, Victoria
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ‘Q‘ 1010
For the purposes of this website ‘Q‘ represents those Police joining between 1 March 1862 ( commencement of NSWPF ) – 23 February 1915 ( Commencement of NSWPF current numbering system )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 18 August 1862 ( aged 20+/- )
Inspector
Stations: ?, Rylstone pre 1868 ( Senior Constable – 1868 ), Police Camp – Tambaroora ( SenCon 1869 – 1870 ), German Town – Hill End ( Sgt – 1874 ), Wollongong ( Senior Sergeant 1877 ), Bourke ( Sub-Inspector ), Orange ( Inspector )
Service: From? ? 1862to? ? about 1901 – retired on Pension
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1842 in England
Died on: Sunday 26 November 1911 at ” Collingwood”, Kenwyn St, Hurstville, NSW
Cause: ?
Age: 70
Funeral date: Tuesday 28 November 1911
Funeral location: Church of England, Orange, NSW
Buried at: Church of England Cemetery, Orange, NSW
Grave Location: C of E, Area – Old; Sect: A, Number 350
Memorial at: ?
Mark Edward Dyett FORD – NSWPF – Died 26 Nov 1911
In Loving Memory of Edna Keaquick Rose FORD, beloved wife of Mark Edward Dyett FORD. Died 18 July 1896, aged 47 years. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Also Mark Edward Dyett FORD, Died 26 November 1911, at Hurstville, in his 70th year.
MARK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location: ?
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Retired Inspector of Police Mark Edward Ford, whose last post was at Orange, has died at Hurstville, aged 70 years. When in the service he was of the type that is always popular. He never allowed the officer to submerge the man, and consequently was greatly admired by the men under his control. In his day he was a splendid horse man, and went through many trying experiences in carrying out his police duties In the Interior.
Rear of main photo of Mark Edward Dyett FORD – NSWPF – Died 26 Nov 1911
Truth ( Sydney )
Sunday 3 December 1911 p 10
Mr. Mark Edward Dyett Ford, formerly inspector of police at Orange, died at Hurstville, and was buried at Orange on Tuesday. He was 70 years of age, a nephew of Dr. Frederick Thomas West Ford, police surgeon of Melbourne. He joined the force in Sydney in 1862 as a full private, was sergeant at Hill End in the good old days of the Hill, and was subsequently promoted to a sub-inspectorship. He retired on pension about ten years ago.
The death occurred at Hurstville yesterday of Mr Mark Edward James Ford, who was inspector of the police force at Orange for a number of years, at the age of 70 years.
His wife died at Orange in July, 1896, the body will be brought to Orange by tomorrow morning’s mail train, and the remains will leave the Church of England School-room at 11am for the Church of England Cemetery. Mr F. Ford has charge of the mortuary arrangements.
( Note on headstone has his name as Mark Edward Dyett Ford. )
He lived at ” Collingwood ” Hurstville. Electoral Roll – 1930 – Ford, Mark Dyett – Kenwyn Street, Hurstville – Inspector of Police
The inhabitants of Rylstone, in praise worthy appreciation of the services of the above meritorious officer, have just presented him with a purse of upwards of £25, and an address engrossed on vellum, and signed by the donors. The address reads as follows :
” To MARK EDWARD DYETT FORD, Senior Constable.
” The undersigned, inhabitants of Rylstone and neighbourhood, have much pleasure in presenting you with the following testimonial of their appreciation of your very efficient services as a public officer, in putting down crime,in this district.”
The signatures, with the sums attached follow, and from the amount (£25 5s. 6d.), it need hardly be said that some modest sums have been given, showing that the esteem this officer is held in is not alone confined to the wealthier class of the community. We have repeatedly had occasion to allude to the activity, zeal, and intelligence of senior-constable Ford, and when a selection was made from the whole of the police force of men to hunt down Clarke’s gang, Senior-constable Ford was chosen among the first. For his sake, we wish the testimonial had had a wider range, as the appreciation of his services is not confined to the district of Rylstone.
Acting Sub-Inspector Mark Edward Dyett Ford ( late of Wollongong and now of Bourke), has been gazetted a Sub-lnspector, a promotion which many friends in this district will be happy to hear of.
THE Bench of Magistrates at Wollongong, have this day appointed Senior-sergeant Mark Edward Dyett Ford, Inspector of Weights and Measures for the District of Wollongong.
Rons’ cancer was deemed a HOD from a rescue response incident in Blacktown to a chemical spill.
Trevor Watkins was also a Rescue Operator who attended the same incident and died some time before Ron of the same cancer. Doctors linked the 2 Police to the same chemical spill event.
Trevor, however, is NOT mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance. ( Last checked 25 Aug 2022 )
Cadets – Class 10 / 1972 ( Class 132 )
a Sergeants course or First Line Commanders course at Penrith Police Station around mid 1980s. Can’t remember all the names but I will give it a try. Back row: Laurie Eddy ( # 16868? ), Greg Peterson ( # 15106 ), Warren Newton ( # 14491 ), Bob Murrell ( # 15864 ), Hank Vanderwaarden ( # 15760 ), Ron Blake ( # 10029 ). Middle row: John HAMER – instructor ( # 11103 ), Ernie Jones ( # 15468 or # 14515 ) , Gary BUCKLEY ( # 16269 ), Ces Kearney ( # 16804 ), Ray Filewood ( # 15912 ), Dave Clouston ( # 16727 ), Alan Targett ( # 14196 ), Helmut Myers ( # 16359 ). Front row: Kieron Power ( # 17384 ), John Findlater ( # 13571 ), Ron McGOWAN ( # 15631 ), Gordon Middlemisss ( # 17058 ), Gary Winchester ( # 15414 ), Mal Roser ( # 16028 ).
Michael Edward MULLANE
| 09/06/2016
Michael Edward MULLANE
( late of Nelson Bay & the Victoria Hotel, Hinton, NSW )
aka Mick
Redfern Police Academy Class # 119
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 13684
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 12 May 1969 ( aged 20 years, 1 months, 15 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 23 June 1969 ( aged 20 years, 2 months, 27 days )
Constable – appointed Monday 23 June 1969
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: ? ( Appears in the 1969 Stud Book but not the 1975 issue )
Stations: ?
Service: From 12 May 1969to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: ? No find on It’s an Honour
Born: Sunday 27 March 1949
Died on: Friday 15 January 2016
Cause: ? ( Died in his sleep )
Age: 66 years, 9 months, ? days
Funeral date: Saturday 23 January 2016
Funeral location: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, East Maitland
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: ?
MICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Aged 66 Years Of Nelson Bay and Victoria Hotel Hinton
Dearly loved husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather of ELLEN, MICHAEL, TRUDY, LILY MAY, AIDAN MICHAEL and RUBY ELENA, son of PATRICIA (dec’d) and EDWARD, brother, brother-in-law and uncle of ANNE and RICHARD CRONIN, BERNARD and MERRYN and Families.
MICK’s Family invite you to attend a Mass in Celebration of his Life to be celebrated at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, East Maitland this SATURDAY morning at 10.30.
A private cremation will follow.
Published in The Newcastle Herald from Jan. 20 to Jan. 21, 2016
Mick was a member of NSW Police Force but left ‘ the job ‘ and eventually became the Licencee / Publican of the Victoria Hotel, Hinton, NSW, with his wife Ellen.
Locally known as the Hinton Pub, it has been continuously licensed since 1840 and is the oldest remaining pub in the Hunter Valley.
Regulars mourn loss of Hinton publican
BELINDA-JANE DAVIS
Tributes have been laid at the doors of the Hinton Pub as the town mourns the death of its publican Michael Mullane.
Mr Mullane died in his sleep on Friday. ( 15 Jan. 2016 )
The Victoria Hotel paid tribute to its fearless publican on Facebook over the weekend as it broke the news to the village.
“Mick passed away [on Friday] peacefully during his compulsory afternoon nap,” the statement said.
Customers and friends have rallied around Mr Mullane’s wife Ellen and their family.
Some took to Facebook to reveal their shock, while others left bunches of flowers at the pub door.
Wayne Campbell had his last drink at the pub on Thursday night and when he left the Mullanes were still behind the bar.
He was shocked Mr Mullane had died.
Ron Bremmell said it was a huge loss to the community and the pub would never be the same without him.
“I know Mick is looking down from heaven at all of us. Be strong as hard as it must be – Mick I’ll have an extra drink for you tonight,” Paul and Anne Martinovic added.
The pub is the oldest in the Hunter Valley and has been an integral part of Hinton since 1840.
The Mullanes renovated the pub and added a bistro where up to 70 people can dine.
New look Victoria Hotel Hinton ready for grand unveiling Friday
DONNA SHARPE
It has been the lifeblood of the Hinton community for 176 years, a meeting place and a safe haven for isolated residents and farmers in times of flood.
If the walls of the historic Victoria Hotel at Hinton could talk it would be the making of a best seller.
Steeped in history the pub is about to start a new chapter with a relaunch on Friday following its untimely closure in January when former owner Michael Mullane died suddenly.
As a result the premises was sold and purchased by a local consortium, Goldthor Hotels.
Over the past four months the landmark pub has undergone a massive transformation, with a total refurbishment on the ground level.
New licensee Tom Greene said all will be unveiled when the Victoria’s doors re-open on Friday at 5pm.
NSW floods: Hinton barman admits defying owner to open pub without power
MATTHEW KELLY
BARMAN Bill Bailey doesn’t dispute that he was told not to open Hinton’s Victoria Hotel last Thursday.
But his sense of civic duty got the better of him and he rode his tinny across the rising floodwaters to open up for a few hours after lunch.
“It has never been closed during a flood for 140 years,” Mr Bailey, told the Newcastle Herald after assisting clean-up crews at Wallalong on Sunday.
“It’s where everyone goes not just for a drink, but to meet.
“There were people putting up signs with important information on them.”
There’s no shortage of stranded locals who are grateful for the barman’s defiance, but the hotel’s owner and publican Michael Mullane isn’t among them.
Mr Mullane said he specifically directed Mr Bailey not to open up because there was no power.
“Any reasonable person would understand that the hotel cannot operate when there is no electricity.
“It could have led to a whole range of safety and insurance issues,” Mr Mullane, who bought the hotel five years ago, said.
“There’s been two floods since I bought it and it’s remained open each time because the power wasn’t cut.”
Mr Mullane, who was told on Thursday night that the pub was operating, denied he had sacked Mr Bailey.
The pair have spoken once on the phone since Thursday and are expected to meet later this week to discuss the situation.
“It’s a private matter,” Mr Mullane said.
Mr Bailey said he had no regrets about opening up for the community’s benefit.
“It’s my issue; there’s nothing I can do; I did the wrong thing,” he said.
The pub’s doors have remained closed since Thursday, but that didn’t stop a sizeable crowd of Anzac Day revellers gathering outside on Saturday for a game of two-up.
It is with regret that we advise of the death of Les Gorman, a NSW member of the 12th Contingent to Cyprus (1975-76). Les passed away on 26 May. An email from John Crowley advising of his death and funeral details is below.
On behalf of the UNOPAA National Executive, our National Committee, our NSW Branch and all members of UNOPAA, I would like to acknowledge Less service, particularly to overseas peacekeeping, and to express our sympathy to his wife Val, his family and his friends.
He will be missed.
Regards
P McD
Peter McDonald
National Secretary/Treasurer
United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia (UNOPAA)
HIS Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, approved of the following appointments:
The undermentioned members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, for the dates specified viz.:
Queanbeyan.— Sergeant 1st Class Leslie Lyall Gorman, stationed at Queanbeyan, during the absence on leave of Inspector 2nd Class Percy Roy Hale, from 7th August, 1977, to 20th August, 1977.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Sunday 30 July 1978, page 17
POLICE AND COURTHOUSE OPENING
GRAND DAY FOR QUEANBEYAN
It will be a gala occasion tomorrow when the Premier of NSW, Mr Wran, officially opens the new police station and courthouse in Queanbeyan.
The two buildings, costing $4 million, took 2½ years to complete.
The opening ceremony will be performed at 4pm in the foyer of the courthouse and about 400 people are expected to attend.
After the ceremony, the guests will move to the Queanbeyan Leagues Club for afternoon tea.
Among the dignitaries who will attend the function with their wives will be the NSW Attorney-General, Mr Walker, the NSW Police Commissioner, Mr Woods, and Deputy Commissioner, Mr Lees, a previous Queanbeyan police inspector, Mr Percy Hale, and the Superintendent in charge of country districts, Mr Alec Birnie.
In the evening, there will be a dinner at which the public will have an opportunity to meet members of the NSW Cabinet which will be in town for a meeting on Tuesday.
Forty policemen, including the policewoman, are now working in the comfort and luxury offered by the new station which is a far cry from the previous surroundings. The NSW Police Commissioner is considering an application to increase the number of general duties and traffic police.
The new station has elaborate safety measures. These include sensitive alarm systems, a closed circuit TV which keeps constant watch on the backyard and an internal public-address system.
The courthouse is another modern building and comprises a district court and a court of petty sessions.
Inspector Jack Gudgeon, the Divisional Inspector of eight sub-stations around Queanbeyan, his wife, Betty, and Sergeant Les Gorman, Officer-in-Charge of the Queanbeyan Police Station.
I have been informed that Bob HAWKINS, former Tamworth Sgt, passed away yesterday ( Saturday 28 May 2016 ) and that his funeral will be next Tuesday, 31 May 2016, at an unknown church in Carthage St, Tamworth, at an unknown time ( at this stage )
May he forever Rest In Peace.
Clifford Stanley LOVE
| 09/06/2016
Clifford Stanley LOVE
( late of Warners Bay, NSW )
aka Cliff
NSW Police College, Penrith – Class # 003
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 4958
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 21 January 1946 ( aged 23 years, 2 months, 24 days )
Sergeant 2/Class – appointed 20 February 1967 ( North East District – Muswellbrook )
‘Inspector First Class,
Officer in Charge, Newcastle District’
(Retired 1982.)
Dearly loved husband of JOYCE.
Much loved father and father in-law-of MAX LOVE & RAE COUGHLAN, MAREE & MICHAEL, COLLEEN & DIAMOND.
Loving Grandfather of MARC & SARAH.
Great Grandfather to HARMONY.
Also a much loved uncle, great uncle, Police colleague and Friend to many.
Relatives and Friends are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of CLIFF’s Life to be held in The Chapel of Lake Macquarie Memorial Park, Palmers Road, Ryhope this MONDAY 30/5/2016 commencing at 10AM.
An interment will follow in the Lawn Cemetery.
Published in The Newcastle Herald from May 27 to May 28, 2016
Cliff LOVE was the Officer In Charge of the infamous Star Riot in Newcastle on the night of 19 September 1979 when police had to deal with an estimated 4000 rioters when the Star Hotel was closed down.
The Police vehicle Cliff had at the scene was rolled over by the hoodlums and ‘ torched ‘ ( burnt ) at the riots. Paddy Wagons ( Police trucks ) were also rolled and burnt. One officer lost his .38 Smith & Wesson which was later recovered some distance away.
Some of the 40 Police, but not limited to, who attended and were confronted by odds of 100:1 were:
Cliff LOVE
Cliff Judd
Paul Baker
Brian Atkins ( broken wrist )
The night the Star exploded
September 17, 2004
Twenty-five years after the infamous Newcastle riot, many are still wondering who was to blame, writes John Huxley.
The trouble started just after 10pm when, to scattered cries of “kill the pigs”, an angry, alcohol-fuelled crowd started pouring out of the pub and on to the street to confront a painfully thin blue line of police officers.
Within minutes, missiles were – in the words of one witness – “raining down like rice at a wedding”. Rocks, bottles and beer cans. Watched by several hundred spectators gathered in the middle of the road, the mob rushed police lines and overturned paddy wagons. It was only after two hours of violent mayhem that the crowd was dispersed by fire-brigade hoses. By then, the street had been transformed, says a witness, into a “a sea of rubbish”.
Fourteen officers and eight civilians were on the way to hospital with injuries. Eventually, 46 people were charged with 79 offences, ranging from assault occasioning actual bodily harm to resisting arrest and riotous assembly.
To this day, it is remembered as Newcastle’s “night of infamy”: a Wednesday night, almost exactly 25 years ago, which started much like any other but ended in violent confrontation as about 40 police battled more than 4000 rioters angered by the closure of the Star Hotel in the city’s West End.
As dramatic pictures of the riot flashed round the world, putting the ugly face of Newcastle on front pages of newspapers everywhere, the then NSW premier, Neville Wran, called the events of September 19, 1979, un-Australian. “It was a shocking, disgraceful episode,” he said.
Possibly. But that has not prevented the riot becoming part of Australian folklore. Newcastle City Council produced a lengthy report. The band Cold Chisel recorded a famous song about it (see above). A Hunter Valley theatre group staged a controversial musical about it.
“From this distance it’s easy to lose sight of what really happened, ” Phillip McIntyre, a music writer and lecturer in communications at Newcastle University, explains. “There’s been a lot of myth-making going on.”
Indeed, Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes recently said people still came up to him to say how f—ing great he was at that gig he played on the last night of the Star. The band never performed at the hotel. Doubts have even been raised about the authenticity of some of the pictures taken that night.
It’s not surprising, then, that a quarter of a century on, the riot remains the subject of controversy. What sparked it? Was it a drunken rabble, a provocative band or heavy-handed police. Or was it the media, who were in place for hours, waiting for something to happen? Was it premeditated or largely spontaneous? And, most importantly, just what was its significance? Nothing more than a shocking show of drunken hooliganism, as Wran put it? Or a political demonstration by an alienated youth triggered into action by the loss of one of the few focuses of community expression?
Like it or not, few would dispute that the Star Hotel was, if not salubrious, then special. Built in 1885 – its distinctive facade dated from 1925 – it was a huge, rambling place stretching a block between King and Hunter streets, and comprising three very different bars and clienteles.
As the National Times newspaper wrote at the time, the front bar “served sailors from around the world, RAAF men, petty criminals and pimps, parachutists and ‘short back and sides’ misfits who didn’t fit into sophisticated taverns”. The middle bar catered for local gays entertained by drag acts, such as that staged by the notorious “Stella the Fella”. And the back bar was where the young people went, where the bands played for free almost every night of the week.
Far from being at each others’ throats, the different groups rubbed along peacefully. “There was a real sense of community, of belonging to the place,” recalls Mark Tinson, of the Heroes, the band playing the last set at the Star on that memorable night.
“Aesthetically though, it was a big toilet. But for the fact I was being paid to perform there, I don’t think I’d have been seen dead in the place.”
Unusually, bands played on a raised stage behind the bar, upon which young girls danced. Often they were semi-naked. Money and $1 cans of beer, dispensed from large ice-filled troughs, were traded across the boozing, cheering crowd.
Most nights, drinkers at the Star could be counted in their hundreds. Estimates of the number of people present on September 19 to drink, to farewell the hotel – peacefully or forcefully – range from 3000 to 8000.
Though only one week’s notice was given to the licensee Don Graham, the writing had been on the Star’s white-brick walls for some time. For the same reasons that patrons loved it – for its rebelliousness, its rowdiness, its unruliness – licensing authorities loathed it. “The Star had a definite reputation,” says McIntyre, with heavy emphasis. A few years earlier, a sailor had been stabbed to death at the hotel. There were regular reports of drugs and of underage drinking. Even Stella the Fella had been given her-his marching orders a few months earlier.
As Tooths Brewery moved to close the Star, its regulars mobilised to defend it. “Save the Star” T-shirts were produced, a petition supported by several thousand names was started, and a group of tradespeople who used the pub even offered their services free to renovate the fallen Star.
“People strongly believed it was ‘their’ pub and they weren’t going to allow anybody take it off them,” McIntyre recalls. Even without the offer of one happy hour’s free beer, the scene was set for an emotional, potentially explosive closing night.
By the time the Heroes started their final number, shortly before the scheduled 10pm shutdown, the crowd had swelled to thousands. Many had been drinking heavily for several hours. “You could feel the electricity in the room,” Tinson says. “But, really, more like a mardi gras or a street party.”
How the party turned into a riot remains unclear. Tinson says the “pivotal moment” occurred shortly before 10pm when police entered the bar and insisted they finish immediately. “I mean we’d 30 seconds to go. And everyone was, well, you’ve got to be kidding.”
In the ensuing chaos, the Heroes stopped playing. There were cries, Tinson says, of “kill the cops, from a couple of idiots”. As the mood turned ugly, the Heroes decided to play their final encore, as they had planned. “I mean we didn’t want to cause a riot.”
Their choice of song, The Star and the Slaughter, led later to singer Peter de Jong being charged with the incitement to riot. One verse runs: “I want action, And I want fighting in the streets. Gonna take this town by storm, Gonna burn the buildings down … ”
Prophetically, the chorus proclaimed, “They will remember the night of the Star and the Slaughter.” Within minutes, the band were interrupted again, Tinson says. “One of the crew came in and said, ‘you should see what’s happening out there’.” The infamous Star Hotel riot had begun.
Tinson, a lifelong teetotaller and still a respected member of the music industry, does not defend the behaviour of the rioters. “They behaved abominably,” he says. And he was reluctant to do or say anything that might prompt people to celebrate – or recreate – the riot. But he insists that by their action, the police inflamed the situation. “I think if they’d given us a few more minutes, the situation could have been avoided,” he says.
He also defends the band’s choice of song which, he insists, did not originally refer to the hotel, had been a regular item on their playlist and had been written many months previously – not, as some critics alleged, earlier that evening. “If only we had that sort of ability.”
For their part, the police, supported by the politicians, insist they had no alternative but to act after the crowd started interfering with traffic and a difficult situation threatened to turn dangerous. Senior officer Cliff Love said at the time that there was no way a force of 40 would choose to confront a crowd of thousands, most of them out of control on alcohol, many of them at least prepared for trouble. “It’s no exaggeration to say that police were in fear for their lives.”
As Mike Scanlon, a Newcastle Herald journalist and historian, recalled, it was also subsequently revealed that authorities were concerned a lost police firearm had been stolen by a rioter. It was later found away from the scene.
Whoever was to blame, whatever the degree of premeditation involved, one thing does appear clear with hindsight: the riot was the product of booze and boredom. More, drunken rabble or not, the rioters – most of them young, many of them unemployed – were representatives of a bigger, nationwide group of boozed, bored people who felt increasingly at odds with the political system.
Over the next few years, similar riots, brawls, battles were to occur across Australia.
As the Newcastle City Council report concluded, across the land there was a “general sense of anger and frustration”.
Life has moved on. Tinson lectures at the local TAFE. He, de Jong and the other Heroes reunited last month to perform at a hospital fund-raiser.
And the Star Hotel, after many incarnations, is scheduled to be demolished to make way for a swish, 12-storey apartment block. Perhaps the old facade will be retained. Perhaps a plaque recording the events of September 19, 1979 will be erected. Perhaps not.
As Tinson says, “The idea of celebrating a riot is a bit off.”
Lithgow this season can easily lose a player to the octupus city clubs before he even appears locally.
He is Constable Cliff Love, who had been posted as a player in the newly formed Diggers‘ team.
Reported to be extra fast, Love, last Sunday was contacted by Sydney Eastern Suburbs officials and asked to appear with them in this week’s trials. Hard on the heels of Easts’ offer came another from Balmain, who will be meeting Easts in this week-end’s series. However, it was a case of first come, first served, and Love will try out with Easts.
If background is anything, Love should be a footballer whom Lithgow will not want to lose. In his younger days, he played school football and was also an athlete of no mean ability, while in later years he appeared with Group 16 on the South Coast prior to his enlistment in the Army, with which he served in New Guinea.
Lithgow Mercury ( NSW ) Wednesday 14 August 1946 p2
Alleged Hit-Run Driver Committed For Trial
Eight police witnesses testified against Henry Lam, of Newtown-street, Alexandria, in Lithgow police court yesterday, when he was committed for trial at Bathurst Quarter Sessions next Tuesday on a charge of having, by a negligent act – driving a motor vehicle negligently – caused grievous bodily harm to Const. Clifford Stanley Love on the night of July 20.
Mr. J. S. Hart, P.M, was on the Bench. The charge was a sequel to an alleged hit-run accident several weeks ago when Const. Love was struck by a car and thrown against an ambulance when investigating an accident in which Mr. Harry Earp, of McKellar’s Paddock, had been injured by another car.
After the accident, said Det. Sgt. E. E. Mabbutt in evidence, he went to Church-street and saw an “A” Model Ford in front of George Corney’s residence. He had a conversation with Corney, examined the car and with Corney took the vehicle to the police station, where it was subsequently photographed. The near side mudguard had a slight dent.
Witness continued that on July 25, accompanied by Det. Armstrong, of Redfern police, he saw the defendant at his home and had a conversation with him.
In respect to the accident and injuries sustained by Constable Love, Lam, he alleged, said he was very sorry to hear that the Constable had been Injured.
Det. Sgt. Mabbutt stated that the defendant admitted that he had been in Lithgow on the Saturday and had left for Sydney on the 6.30 p.m. train and that prior to his departure he had had an arrangement with George Corney to use a car, owned by a man named Purcell, for the purpose of driving to Littleton to pick up his port at his sister’s place.
ADMITTED SWERVING
Lam, he added, also admitted that he had seen an ambulance in Main-street east and had swerved to the right to avoid a collision. He denied having seen the light in the rear of the ambulance or having seen a Constable standing nearby.
When told that the crowd in Main-street had became hostile after he struck the Constable and called out, “stop, you have hit someone,” Lam said he had not felt a bump, nor did he hear any one call out. Lam, added the witness, said he had not been licenced to drive at the time of the accident.
Det. Sgt. Mabbutt then exhibited an overcoat, which, it was claimed, had been worn by Const. Love on the night of July 20. It was torn in several places and streaked with duco. An envelope containing strips of duco taken from the mudguard of the car was also tendered.
VISIBILITY BAD
In reply to Mr. Ian L. Higgins, witness said that at the time of the accident the night was damp and visibility was bad. He said he did not know Lam had been a transport driver in the R.A.A.F. or that he was on discharge leave when the accident occurred.
George Burgess, a miner, said he was the driver of a car which had collided with a pedestrian about 50 yards west of the Court House Hotel corner. He was standing near the ambulance when he heard Superintendent Purdie ( A. Purdie, NSW Ambulance ), or someone call out a warning. He moved towards the Superintendent, heard a terrific bump and saw Const. Love knocked by a car. Love struck the ambulance door and fell to the ground. He helped him to his feet and saw a car turning Bridge-street comer an increasing speed.
Just as he was stepping from the ambulance, after having placed an Injured pedestrian inside, Const. Love spoke to him about the accident and at the same moment was struck by the mudguard of a car, said Superintendent A. Purdie.
UNSUCCESSFUL CHASE
He told the Constable to get into the front of the ambulance and they would try to catch the car. They were unsuccessful and he took Love to the hospital, where five stitches were inserted in his head wounds.
Alexander John Jenkins, a bus driver, stated that he was standing near the bus stop on the northern side of Main-street and saw the car which it was alleged had struck Const. Love. He knew the vehicle well because he had sold it a few days before.
Evidence was given by Athol Joseph Rigg, a grocer, that he was standing near Leighton’s tailor shop when he noticed a car approaching from the west. Before it reached the ambulance it swerved to the right, hit the open door of the ambulance and caught Const. Love. The car kept going and passed between the vehicle involved in the first accident, which was in the centre of the road, and the footpath near the Court House Hotel. It cut the corner and went up Bridge-street.
George Corney, garage proprietor, said he allowed Lam, who was well known to him, to use the car to assist him to catch the 6.30 p.m. train. He did not know the car had been returned to his home until Sgt. Mabbutt questioned him. When he examined the vehicle he noticed a slight dent on the near side mudguard.
DID NOT REMEMBER MUCH
Victim of the accident, Const. Clifford Stanley Love, told the police prosecutor ( Sgt. H. Taylor ) that he did not remember much after being hit. He added he had suffered much pain as a result of head and hip injuries, which had resulted in him being off duty for several weeks.
A description of Love’s injuries was given by Dr. Geoffrey Athol Williams, R.M.O., Lithgow hospital.
Mr. Higgins, who asked the Bench to dismiss the charge, said there was no evidence of criminal negligence. It could not be shown in the evidence that the defendant had planned to cause an accident, nor that he had deliberately committed the act.
Mr. Hart said he was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to support a charge of negligent driving and committed the defendant for trial. Bail of £50 was allowed. Lam declined to make a statement and reserved his defence.
On two charges of failing to stop after an accident and driving without a licence Lam was remanded until September 29 on £20 bail. He was discharged on a third count of causing bodily harm by wanton driving.
Henry Lamb, of Lithgow, recently discharged from the RAAF, was also discharged by Judge Shortland at Bathurst Quarter sessions yesterday.
Lamb was charged with driving a motor vehicle upon a public street, negligently, whereby he caused Constable Clifford Stanley Love bodily harm.
After hearing evidence, his Honor directed the jury to acquit Lamb. Judge Shortland pointed out that it would be necessary to prove criminal negligence on the part of Lamb and it did not appear that such evidence was forthcoming. Under another section of the Act, a case might have been made out, but under the section by which Lamb was charged a definition – not so far made – was necessary if the court was to be clear on the matter.
Evidence heard was to the effect, that Lamb had been driving a car along Main Street, Lithgow, on the night of July 20, and had hit Constable Love when Love was standing at the rear of an ambulance car. An accident had occurred a short time before Lamb drove along the street. The ambulance was parked in the street with all lights on, an injured person was receiving attention, visibility was bad, and there were buses parked near the scene of the accident, and a crowd had gathered in the street.
Lamb’s defence was that he did not see the ambulance car until almost upon it and swerved to avoid it. He was not aware, however, that he had hit the constable.
St. Paul’s Church of England was, on Saturday, November 8, the scene of a pretty wedding, the parties being Joyce Isobelle Triplett, youngest daughter of Mrs. C. Triplett and the late C. Triplett, of Read Avenue, and Clifford Stanley Love, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. T. Love, of Bega. Rev. A. E. Begbie officiated.
The bride, who was given away by her brother, Mr. E. R. Triplett, was gowned in French Chantilly lace over taffeta, cut with sweetheart neckline and trained hem. Her veil of billowy tulle was surmounted by a coronet of white flowers. The bridal bouquet was of roses, sweet-peas and lily of the valley. The matron of honor was Mrs. A. N. Thomas, of Wallangarra, the bride’s sister. She wore heaven-blue crepe with matching straw hat veiled with stiffened net. She carried a bouquet of crimson roses.
Mr. B. Schonbeck was best man.
Many guests were received at Bolt’s Hall by the bride’s mother, who wore a pastel pink frock with navy accessories and a shoulder spray of roses. The bridegroom’s sister, Mrs. H. Lush of Sydney, who was acting in the absence of his parents, wore a suit of navy and white silk jersey, with white accessories and shoulder spray of red roses.
The chairman, Rev. A. .E.. Begbie, rendered a solo, “Passing By.” The wedding cake was made by the bride’s mother and decorated by Mr. W, Smith.
The happy couple left for Sydney, the bride travelling in a suit of turquoise blue crepe, with black accessories. The honeymoon is being spent at Surfer’s Paradise and Bega.
Mr. and Mrs. Love will make their home in Lithgow.
