March 29, 1982 | Two young constables, Warren John Matheson, 24, and Matthew John Payne, 22, died after a vehicle they were pursuing through Adelaide’s south-western suburbs swerved into their police car. Police subsequently charged the driver of the pursed vehicle with a number of very serious driving offences.
29 September, 2010
Police honour their comrades
By Fred Smith (Cross Media Reporter)
Community members joined Limestone Coast police at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday for the National Police Remembrance Day.
The presence of riderless horse at a ceremony at the Mt Gambier Police Station on Thursday was a time-honoured way of paying respects to the fallen.
Such gestures have been hallmarks of military and State funerals since the nineteenth century.
Local officers arranged for the riderless horse with boots reversed in its stirrups to be part of the annual religious ceremony to mark National Police Remembrance Day.
The 16-year-old grey horse called “Limelight” was formerly a part of the South Australian Police Mounted Cadre.
In retirement, “Limelight” was brought to Mt Gambier by its former rider Senior Constable Stephanie Cooper.
After nine years with the Mounted Cadre, Senior Constable Cooper is now on general police duties in Mt Gambier.
She rode another horse “Star of Courage” to the ceremony while “Limelight” was led to it by Constable Barb Bushell.
The two horses stood guard while community members and police honoured those who had given their lives in the line of duty.
The wreath layers at the 45 minute ceremony included local resident Maureen Matheson.
She laid a floral tribute in memory of her eldest son, Warren John Matheson, who was killed while on police duty in Adelaide in 1982.
At the time of his death, he was a 24-year-old married father with an infant son and daughter.
He was laid to rest in the Carinya Gardens Cemetery in Mount Gambier.
Mrs Matheson said another young officer from this region was killed in the same motor vehicle collision which claimed the life of her son.
“He was 22-year-old Constable Matthew Payne, of Rendelsham.
“Matthew was not supposed to be on traffic duties with Warren on this day but his regular partner could not make this shift.
“Matthew is buried at Rendelsham.
“I have been coming to these annual ceremonies for several years.
“One has been held at Warren’s grave while another took place at the Rendelsham cemetery.
“In recent years, we have been holding the ceremony here at Mt Gambier,” said Mrs Matheson.
The other wreath layers were representatives of the Limestone Coast Police Local Service Area, SA Police Legacy, Mt Gambier City Council, District Council of Grant, MFS, SA Ambulance Service and the Rotary Club of Mt Gambier West.
A wreath was also placed on Constable Payne’s grave later in the day by Sergeant Richard Murphy, of the SA Police Legacy.
The master of ceremonies in Mt Gambier was Sergeant Andy Stott while the prayers were led by Police Chaplain and Mt Gambier Anglican parish priest, the Reverend Canon Brian Ashworth.
Government Gazette of W.A. Friday 13 February 1970.
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Anthony Joseph SECCULL
| 12/04/2017
Anthony Joseph SECCULL
aka Tony
late of Burrumbuttock, NSW
brother to former member Det. Pat Seccull 18112
New South Wales Police Force
Academy Class 260
Regd. # 29948
Rank: Sergeant – Retired
Stations: Waverley, Maroubra, Nyngan ( early 2000 ), Wagga Wagga ( returned to Uniform to Prosecutors upon his own request ), Albury as a Prosecutor – Retirement
possibly worked as a Prosecutor with DPP after retirement from NSWPF
Service: From? ? 1994to 2 February 2012 ( Medical Discharge )= 19 year Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 8 August 1975
Died on: Wednesday 1 February 2017
Age: 41
Cause: Suicide – firearm ( not a Police firearm )
Event date: Wednesday 1 February 2017
Funeral location: Burrumbuttock
Funeral date: Wednesday 15 February 2017 @ 11am
Funeral location: St Patricks Catholic Church, 515 Smollett St, Albury
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: Tony Seccull Award. Internal Award for Police Prosecutors – commenced in 2017
MISSED: Tony Seccull, pictured in November 2007 at Albury Police Station. He was working as a prosecutor at the time. He was so respected, an award will be named after him.
Parents Alice & Patrick Snr with Tony at his Attestation at Goulburn Academy
TONY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
It is believed that Tony, by all accounts a really great bloke and colleague to many Police, took his own life by firearm at his property at Burrumbuttock, NSW ( between Henty & Corowa ).
Tony was the youngest of 8 ( 7 boys and 1 girl ) and dearly loved by his family.
He was in Nyngan, GD’s early 2000’s, when he was called to a domestic dispute on a remote rural property. As he and his partner drove up the driveway, with the western sun behind them, the elderly farmer fired shots at the police vehicle with a high calibre rifle. They were pinned down for a time. When back up arrived, and the offender absconded, Tony was put on a road block, late in the night on his own! He told me that that situation ( he would have been in a serious state of shock ), had a very negative impact on him mentally…. he didn’t know where the shooter was!! When the offender was eventually arrested and interviewed – he made admissions to trying to shoot Tony – stating (I am told)…if the sun wasn’t in my eyes I would have got him. Tony saw the transcript. Attempted murder etc charges were not pursued (DPP decision) – discharge firearm recklessly type charges only. That really upset Tony, long term.
With great support from Lola Scott (unbelievable support), we were able to see Tony moved into Prosecuting. All went well for nearly 15years…. until one day at pistol re-accreditation in Albury, (I am told), he became upset and the demons surfaced. He was admitted into hospital – 8 weeks. Reluctantly, he lodged a HOD claim. He nominated me as his proxy/negotiator with NSW Police. That process was very challenging…for all involved. Thanks to great support from Frank Reitano, we were able to negotiate settlement. However, the impact of that battle with the insurance company – ongoing after his discharge (2/2/2012), was debilitating. I watched him struggle over the past 5 years. He told me towards the end, that he ‘just wished he could have been able to retire’. He was tired and exhausted. He now rests in peace.
18 years in the job – the job caused his seriously depressed state of health.
[blockquote]
I do not know this man, but make the following comment:
This is just a small insight into some of the events that Police generally have to deal with and very little thought is given to their overall health or state of mind, during or after such events.
People react differently to the same event. This, from my own experience, stems from their own personal upbringing, other life events, their own mental or coping capabilities, and how much mental effort they put into “the job”. Some see it as just a job, most see it as a career but most, if not all, put their heart and sole into “the job”. What effects one person does not necessarily affect another.
The fear of Police being “victimised” if they speak up about their lack of coping with a situation weights extremely heavy upon the shoulders of those police, for they love “the job” they are doing and don’t want to be removed from that job but hope they can push through their current situation and it will eventually “go away” with no-one noticing any difference in the person. Sometimes it does “go away” but most times, such as in Tony’s situation, it came back many years later at a re-accreditation pistol shoot, which, for this man, was the “trigger” that pushed him over the edge of his personal coping mechanism.
How many Police are still on the front line unaware that an unforeseen “trigger” is about to impact their life, their mental wellbeing?
How many former Police are unaware that an unforeseen “trigger” is about to impact their life, their mental wellbeing and how long is too long for this “trigger” to happen to someone? 5, 10, 20, 30 years after ” the job “? Has your “trigger” already happened?
There needs to be better support for Serving and Former Police ( not forgetting all the other Emergency Services too ).
Those suffering don’t need to feel the “carpet pulled from under them” = disappointment. They need to be understood, positively reassured and the process explained to them in terms they can understand, at that time, because no matter how strong you are ( mentally ), if you have the “carpet pulled from under” you and you can’t understand why, then you ARE going to fall because of your lack of understanding or seeing a positive outcome.
Those suffering from Depression / PTSD need to know that they are still “worthy” for here was a man, on the “front line” doing “the job” he loved who attended an event ( may very well have been more than just this event ) during his “career” only to be left to his own coping devices which were not enough for this man at that time.
Eventually, with the support of his Commander – Lola Scott, he found another niche’ within “the job” he loved or that suited him = and feeling “worthy” of ( prosecuting ); but even though this man was no longer on the “front line”, the demons of the 2002 event resurfaced years later – leaving the man depressed and being forced into a Medical Discharge instead of serving out his “career” and “retiring” at a mandatory age.
The man was 41 years old. He still had another 15 – 20 years of his “career” to look forward to. This was cut short due to one of the many events that Police attend and just to add insult to injury, for a man who dedicated himself to a job where you gather “facts”, present them, they are processed, dealt with and then finally an outcome – this man, like hundreds of other Police – was victimised and belittled by an insurance company trying to save money instead of looking after the man in a timely manner.
Instead of the insurance company following through and supporting those that they insure, they purposely delay the process to the extent that even career criminals don’t have to suffer through the Courts.
The insurance company harasses, intimidate and purposely delay their obligation to the victim.
They do this by surveillance, constantly sending the victim to various doctors ( doctor shopping ) hoping that one doctor will contradict another, asking for various reports ( that have already been done and submitted ) and various other ploys over years in the hope that the victim will finally decide that the process far outweighs the benefit and that the victim will withdraw their claim.
ALL of this has a detrimental effect upon the victim who already feels “worthless”.
Insurance companies and the Police Force ( as an organisation ) need to “lift their game” and ensure that these men and women are treated with the Commitment, Value and Loyalty that they, as Police, gave to our country over so many years.
This man, Tony SECCULL, like so many before him and ( no doubt at this time ) so many after him, should have lived a long, happy life in their community, with their family and friends. He should have died with distinction, of old age, not from fear or persecution leading to depression.
This man deserves his name to be etched in the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance – for he didn’t die instantly at the hand of a criminal but died over many years from two institutions that didn’t look after the man.
He should have been resting in life but May he now and Forever – Rest In Peace.
The next award has been recently instituted by the Seccull family in loving memory of former police prosecutor Tony Seccull, who after an 19 year career, tragically took his own life on the 1st February 2017.
Tony was a proud, diligent and committed police officer who joined in 1994. The last 12 years of his career he battled daily with unresolved stress and horrors which had accumulated from a number of traumatic incidents he attended. However, despite this, he went on to become a highly regarded senior prosecutor with 12 years experience, who gained promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
The Seccull family are committed to ensure that positive initiatives arise from his tragic and devastating loss. In Tony’s memory, the family wishes to raise and maintain awareness of the need for each one of us, to be vigilant and be prepared to take steps when a fellow worker appears to be in need of help or support to deal with the challenges of life
Late policeman’s brother vows to help those struggling
BLAIR THOMSON
THE BROTHER of an Albury policeman who took his own life after a battle with post traumatic stress disorder is helping others in the force who are struggling.
Tony Seccull, 41, followed in the footsteps of his older brother Patrick ( # 18112 ) when he joined NSW Police as a young man.
The father of one lost his battle at his Burrumbuttock property on February 1, leaving a gap in his large family that will always be there.
Patrick, who has also worked as an Albury policeman and has had his own fight with the disorder, said his brother died about five years to the day after his discharge from the force.
By the end of his service, Tony was worn out and just wanted to retire without the grinding stress caused by the police insurance company.
MESSAGE: Patrick Seccull says those battling PTSD should know that there is help out there, and that life can be good despite how bad things can get fighting the illness.
The actions of the police insurer when Tony filed a hurt on duty claim and decided to leave the force were “pretty terrible”, according to his brother.
“He struggled with the pressures, particularly those imposed on him by the police insurance company,” he said.
“The insurance company kept pushing.
“That’s a common theme.”
Despite trying to help, Patrick feels somewhat responsible at the fact the 41-year-old followed his career path.
Tony was one of eight children and grew up in a hard-working family in Mulwala.
“He was 17 years younger than me … he was three years old when I joined the police,” he said
MISSED: Tony Seccull, pictured in November 2007 at Albury Police Station. He was working as a prosecutor at the time. He was so respected, an award will be named after him.
“As a result, all he ever wanted to do was be a police officer.
“He was such a caring, passionate and loving person.
“I think he probably internalised a lot of his work.
“The emergency services are a very, very tough gig and the people who are sensitive, and internalise, are often the ones who can fall foul of this disease.”
Mr Seccull links his brother’s PTSD to an incident early in his career, the full impact of which didn’t surface until a firearms training course on the Border sometime around 2010.
Tony had been stationed at Nyngan in central NSW in the early 2000s and like many times before, he was called to a domestic dispute.
But it was no ordinary call out, with a farmer firing shots from a high-powered rifle at Tony and his partner, leaving them pinned down.
The memory of the incident – coupled with other dangerous and horrific experiences – resurfaced at the shooting range all those years later and resulted in flashbacks, a mental breakdown and eight weeks of intensive therapy in hospital.
Patrick said the police force has some made positive steps towards helping officers suffering as a result of their work.
When he was an officer from the 1970s to 1990s, the advice was usually for members to have a drink and “harden up”, which was changing.
Patrick said often the first sign of trouble was when someone suffering isolated themselves from loved ones.
He noticed that in his brother.
When he died, Patrick vowed to help others.
There are no concrete statistics on the number of Border emergency service personnel who have taken their own lives, but The Border Mail is aware of three current or former Albury police members dying by suicide since late-2012.
While police feature prominently in suicide statistics, paramedics and firefighters, particularly men aged 30 to 49, also die in high numbers.
A National Coronial Information System report found 110 emergency workers took their own lives from July 2000 to the end of 2012.
An Albury officer who was recently medically discharged from the force after about 15 years of service said his life had fallen apart after a fatal incident.
The officer – who knew Mr Seccull and said he was a “top bloke” – said it was important to raise awareness of PTSD and its impact.
He has battled to rebuild his life and said there had been no support from NSW Police.
“Ultimately I lost my family life, health, friends, house and career due to PTSD resulting from this incident,” he said.
“I’ve paid an enormous price for just doing my job.
“Now in the wash up I don’t even have the job anymore.
“The thing is when you are in the grips of PTSD you don’t care about the risks or consequences of your behaviour, so things fall apart very quickly and because people don’t understand why you’re acting the way you are, you lose important relationships and support.”
Patrick stressed the importance of officers seeking help.
While the Reconnect program can help serving officers, groups like Backup for Life and beyondblue can assist those out of the force.
Albury SuperintendentEvan Quarmby said support for officers was improving.
“There are lots of options open to police to get help for themselves and for the NSW police force to provide support,” he said.
“I think there’s certainly been an improvement in the way we identify and acknowledge these traumatic events.
“We take the welfare and the support of serving police very seriously.
“We are constantly looking for ways to help them with the difficult things that they’re exposed to and have to see in the course of their duties.”
Patrick joined Reconnect immediately after Tony died in a bid to make a positive out of the tragedy.
“The message is don’t suffer in silence,” he said.
“You’ve got support around you.
“Don’t isolate – that’s the biggest indicator for the family, when someone starts to isolate.
“I saw Tony isolate more and more.”
He believes his brother, who was married and had a young daughter who were supportive of him, mistakenly believed his actions would stop the “burden” he was placing on those around him.
“That perception was so wrong,” Patrick said.
“We, as a family, would like to make people who suffer this condition very aware that you’re not a burden to your family.”
The former Albury prosecutor is missed by many.
A perpetual award in the prosecutions division will carry his name.
“Part of me has gone,” Patrick said.
“He was my little brother, my littlest brother and we were very close.
“We were very, very close and I feel in some ways responsible, because he looked up to me and followed me into an occupation.
“I’ve got to live with that for the rest of my life.”
Despite his own struggles, Patrick can still see the positives.
“I want to make it very clear that life can be good, and life is good if we get the right support, no matter how bad the illness is” he said.
Those seeking help or information can contact Lifeline on 131 114.
Never knew his GD rank, only knew him for about 10 years as a prosecutor for the DPP.
We became family friends, shared home time & visits, dinners, drinks, the usual.
Saw him weekly when we operated the Cowra Crest Motel in Cowra NSW during the period 2000 – 1010, when he was a part of the judiciary court circuit servicing that area, and they all stayed with us.
So we were his hosts regularly and a friendship grew.
Tony has been very well and accurately described by others.
To us he was dedicated to his job and his family, taking full responsibility for both.
He was very professional and respected in all areas of social and work life.
Tony was a humble and talented man, hard working, diligent, caring and easy to like and respect.
While a Prosecutor, he requested and returned to GD in uniform in Wagga Wagga for a period in an effort to heal himself.
Unfortunately, he suffered severely with his breakdown, which was medically well documented and beyond doubt, but despite that he was then slowly crucified by the Police Service’s insurance system, which seemed to be designed to weed out malingerers while showing a total disregard for causing subsequent damage to the wellbeing of the genuinely sick or wounded, double victim.
Being the responsible person he was, that he suicided is testament to the damage and injury he suffered, and the inherent dangers of depression.
Long suffering casualties like Tony are no less deserving of the full support and respect of the Police Service as extended to those shot on the job.
Sincerely
Tony Neale
Tony & Lynn Neale
Best Western Ambassador Motor Inn & Apartments,
313 Edward St,
Wagga Wagga. 2650
Phone: (02) 6925 7722
Anthony (Tony) Seccull
(8 Aug 1975 – 1 Feb 2017)
SECCULL – Anthony
‘Tony’
Dearly loved husband of Shantel. Loved Dad of Ella. Cherished son of Pat and Alicia.
Treasured brother of Patrick, Ann, David, Graham, Bernard (Dec), Philip and Paul.
Loved son in law of Rex and Alma
Forever In Our Hearts
Funeral Prayers for the late Anthony ‘Tony’ Seccull will be offered at St Patricks Catholic Church, 515 Smollett Street, Albury at 11am on Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Thereafter a private cremation.
Lorrae Kovacswrote
Words cannot express to Shantel, Ella and family the heartfelt pain you must be going through over the loss of Tony. He was such an unassuming, intelligent and humorous gentleman…a guy who both my husband and I enjoyed working with in the NSW Police Force.
Tony often spoke proudly of his beautiful Ella at work and she was certainly his life.
Know Ella, your Daddy now watches over you as your special Angel, as I know he wouldn’t have it any other way…
our hearts go out to you Shantel, Ella and family…
please know Tony’s friends are here for you and we are also feeling his loss greatly…
Lorrae, Paul and Nylah Kovacs
SECCULL Anthony ‘Tony’
Dearly loved husband of Shantel.
Loved Dad of Ella.
Cherished son of Pat and Alicia.
Treasured brother of Patrick, Ann, David, Graham, Bernard (Dec), Philip and Paul.
Loved son-in-law of Rex and Alma.
‘Forever In Our Heart’
February 12, 2017
To Shantel and Ella,
Shock and sadnesses for your loss. Tragic
Unfortunately we will be away from Albury on Wednesday 15th but will be thinking of you all.
Kate and Paul Stares.
February 11, 2017
SECCULL Tony
To Shantel and Ella; Pat and Alicia; Ann and Peter; and all the Seccull families, our thoughts and love go out to you all at this very sad time. –
Frank, Anne and family.
February 15, 2017
Seccull Tony Our condolences to Shantel and Ella.
Tony you were our colleague and our friend, you will be dearly missed. Gone too soon. Rest in Peace.
Glenn, Andrea and all at Australian SMSF Solutions.
February 11, 2017
SECCULL Tony
Our condolences to Shantel and Ella.
Tony you were a cherished mate who will be missed forever.
A GIRL’S pet horse has died after a horrific attack near Lake Hume.
Wodonga Police are hunting for those who fatally maimed Raghtoo, a recent present for 10-year-old Ella Seccull.
The girl’s father, retired Albury police officer Tony Seccull, said it was the worst thing he had seen done to an animal in 17 years of policing.
He offered a $2000 reward for information that leads to fruitful evidence in the case.
Police released this footage of Raghtoo.
Ella Seccull with Raghtoo.
Ella Seccull, 10, holds a picture of her with Raghtoo. Picture: TARA ASHWORTH
Man is charged, appears in court
NORTH Albury man Adam Gilbert Jolly was arrested by police in an early morning raid at his residence yesterday and subsequently charged with four offences relating to a girl’s alleged abduction at Wagga.
The six-year-old girl was allegedly abducted about 11.30am on February 14 and there have been extensive investigations by police since.
Strike Force Shell, comprising police from Wagga and the state’s Sex Crimes Squad, has been involved in the ongoing investigation which culminated in Jolly’s arrest soon after 8am yesterday.
Jolly, 28, appeared in Albury Local Court yesterday afternoon on charges of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 in circumstances of aggravation, assault with intent to have sexual intercourse in circumstances of aggravation, kidnapping and inflicting actual bodily harm and aggravated indecent assault. He was also charged with possessing a prohibited weapon of handcuffs which were found at his home.
Duty solicitor Chris Halburd said there was no application for bail and he sought an adjournment of the charges to Wagga Local Court next Monday.
No facts relating to the accusations against Jolly were tendered in court and his parents sat in the back of the court. Three Corrective Services officers were present in court for Jolly’s short appearance and he was remanded in custody by magistrate Gordon Lerve.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tony Seccull sought a suppression order for the protection of the alleged victim. But Mr Lerve said legislation prevents the identification of sex assault victims. Mr Lerve asked whether Jolly sought an order to be held in protection, but Mr Halburd said he had no instructions regarding that. “I assume the authorities will take the appropriate action,” Mr Halburd said.
The girl was playing in her front yard when she was allegedly abducted on February 14. A man tucked her under his arm before bundling her into the back seat of a utility. Almost two hours later the girl was returned after the attacker dumped her in a nearby street.
Police initially identified a white Toyota Hilux utility as possibly being used in the abduction and the following weekend put a similar vehicle on display at the Wagga Marketplace in the hope of getting leads.
Police said they were led to Jolly after discovering a white Holden Colorado, a vehicle similar to the description of the car used in the abduction. It will be alleged the man lived in Wren Street, Mount Austin, at the time of the alleged attack.– The Border Mail
A MAN who exposed his penis to a young woman in the Albury library last year faces sentence next week after pleading guilty to a charge of committing an indecent act.
Magistrate Geoff Hiatt has ordered a short-form pre-sentence report on Maurice Vagg after a belated guilty plea in Albury Local Court yesterday with the victim giving evidence about the circumstances of what happened.
Police prosecutor Sgt Tony Seccull said the offence by Vagg was at the high end of the scale.
Sgt Seccull said people should be able to go about their business in public without being subjected to such behaviour.
Vagg, 45, of Albury, pleaded not guilty to charges of committing an act of indecency and wilful and obscene exposure on October 19 last year.
When police spoke to him about the incident, Vagg admitted being at the library, but said: “I had a hernia protruding out. It comes up and I was just trying to push it down”.
Mr Hiatt yesterday heard evidence from police and the statements of three other witnesses were tendered before the victim gave evidence.
The victim, who turned 18 last year, attended the library about 11.30am on October 19 and sat at a table.
Vagg sat close to her and she moved a little, saying: “He was a bit close. I thought I might be in the way”.
He started reading a paper, began mumbling something and turned towards the woman.
The victim said she could see the top of his penis and he had both hands around it.
She said she “freaked out” and turned away after seeing him exposed for three or four seconds.
She grabbed her phone and walked quickly to the librarian’s desk and advised what had happened.
Vagg stood up and walked quickly out of the library, but police later obtained closed circuit footage from staff.
Solicitor Terrence O’Riain sought an adjournment to discuss the case with Vagg after the victim gave evidence.
Mr O’Riain a short time later advised that Vagg would plead guilty to committing an act of indecency.
Mr Hiatt said an options pre-sentence report considering community service and periodic detention would be
sought and sentencing was adjourned until next Tuesday.
Martin Errol Price, 38, was refused bail at Albury Court yesterday after his arrest at Centro Lavington ended a dramatic chase — on foot and behind the wheel — in the crowded shopping precinct and on nearby residential streets.
Assistant court registrar Yvette Robertson was told patrolling police had seen Price in North Albury just before 3.30pm, driving a gold Mitsubishi Magna which they believed was stolen from Canberra.
The officers signalled for Price to pull over, but he accelerated away from them on Resolution Street and a pursuit ensued.
Price reached speeds of 90kmh in a 50kmh zone on Union Road, before police called off the pursuit when he ran a red light at the intersection of Urana and Sanders roads.
Soon after, another officer saw Price driving down Griffith Road, where he collided with another car, the court was told.
Police claim Price continued driving after the crash, which forced the Mitsubishi’s bonnet up, into the Centro Lavington car park.
On the upper level, Price grabbed a black backpack and ran from his car into the shopping centre, where he was chased by police.
An officer yelled for Price to stop when he was near Big W.
The court was told Price turned around and said, “Don’t come near me or I’ll stab you”.
He kept running and was arrested outside the centre.
A police search found he was carrying a Leatherman containing a knife.
A search of the car found a receipt for the vehicle for $400, which Price had paid in Canberra in June.
The number plates had allegedly been reported stolen by an ACT man in the same month.
Defence solicitor Andrea MacDonald said her client had moved to Albury six weeks ago to be closer to his daughter in Wagga.
Ms MacDonald said he had been undergoing counselling for drug and alcohol problems and had recently found work.
Police prosecutor Sgt Tony Seccull opposed bail, saying Price had a lengthy criminal record and was likely to be jailed if convicted of the fresh charges, which include assault police without actual bodily harm, custody of a knife in a public place, negligent driving, not giving particulars to other driver or police, displaying unauthorised number plates, using an uninsured and unregistered motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, driving in a dangerous manner, and dealing with the suspected proceeds of crime.
Price was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear before a magistrate today.
Former Euroa public cemetery caretaker Max Burnside never expected to discover the grave of a police officer who died in the line of duty almost 150 years ago.
He was busy mowing the lawn at the cemetery about 10 years ago when he spotted some white marble sticking out of the ground.
‘‘I thought it was just a stone that would hit the mower and do some damage one day, but it turned out to be a headstone completely under the ground,’’ Mr Burnside said.
The headstone belonged to Victoria Police Mounted Trooper Constable Patrick Francis Curtin, who was born in Ireland on March 17, 1836, and died near Violet Town on May 28, 1872.
Mr Burnside managed to uncover Const Curtin’s headstone and cleaned it up.
Having an active interest in history, Mr Burnside then went home and started researching the police officer’s death.
It was believed Const Curtin was the first police officer to serve at the Euroa police station and died when he was travelling back from Violet Town by wagonette after obtaining a warrant.
While attempting to avoid a rough area on the road the horse stopped, causing Const Curtin to be thrown from the wagon.
The incident caused Const Curtin’s pistol to perforate his bowel and his neck was broken during the incident.
He died a short time later, aged 36, and was buried at the Euroa public cemetery, where he quietly rested until his grave was brought to the attention of police in 2009 when a break-in happened at the cemetery’s storage shed.
During this event Mr Burnside met Leading Senior Constable Simon Hutchings, who was stationed at Euroa police station and showed a keen interest in the discovery.
Leading Sen Const Hutchings obtained a range of records about Const Curtin’s service and brought the grave to the attention of the Victoria Police Graves Committee.
The committee was known to restore graves of police officers who died in the line of duty and hold ceremonies to honour the sacrifice they made in the line of duty.
Const Curtin was honoured during a grave re-dedication ceremony on Wednesday at the Euroa public cemetery.
The service was attended by Victoria Police Chief Commission Graham Ashton, who spoke about the importance of these ceremonies in showing police that their service would never be forgotten.
Const Curtin’s great-great-granddaughter Dawn De Vond accepted a Victoria Police Star from Chief Comm Ashton.
Ms De Vond said it was wonderful for her great-great-grandfather to receive recognition.
‘‘When I got the initially phone call I was just blown out of the world, I just thought this is incredible,’’ Ms De Vond said.
‘‘I’m proud to be here, it’s just really lovely and I didn’t expect such an occasion.’’
Before Victoria Police contacted Ms De Vond she did not know a lot about Const Curtin.
She said the Victoria Police Star she accepted on her great-great-grandfather’s behalf would be donated to the historic society.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 29 April 1871, page 2
SHOCKING DEATH AT EUROA. Dr. Henry, M.B., deputy coroner for the Benalla district, held an inquest on Wednesday, the 26th inst., at the Pilgrim Inn, Euroa, on the body of Fritz Bohlmann, a waggoner.
The jury consisted of Messrs. Joseph Freeman, foreman ; James Fraser, David Cree, John Morgan, Charles Pratt, William Hewish, William Hogg, William Beaton, Andrew McGee, Charles Clusky, Thomas Lake, and John Gordon.
The jury having viewed the body, Daniel Kelly, carrier, residing at Benalla, deposed on oath.- I know the deceased Fritz Bohlmann. Have been acquainted with him seven or eight years. He was about 40 years of age. He was born in Holstein-Schleswig. He was, I believe, a single man. I saw him last alive at the Duck Ponds about 12 o’clock noon yesterday. He was a little the worse for drink when I first saw him; and I advised him to go into his waggon and have a sleep, and I promised to drive his team till we came to Euroa, which I did. When I went to awaken him I found he was dead. He was lying with his face downwards on his blankets. His head was lower than his feet, which were resting on some sheep. skins. I reported the matter to the police immediately.
By the Foreman. – It is five miles from the Duck Ponds to Euroa. I saw him several times during the journey, and he had not altered his position. He never spoke to me after he got into the waggon. I did not disturb him thinking him to be asleep.
By the Police. – He has a brother in Melbourne. He has a waggon and seven horses. On the waggon were some sheepskins and a hide. The harness was complete all but one set.
John Nicholson, M.D., deposed.- I am a legally.qualified medical practitioner, residing at Benalla. I have this day made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased Fritz Bohlmann, now lying dead at the Pilgrim Inn. The body is of a stout, muscular build, height about 5 feet 7 1/2 inches, and aged I should say about 40. The head,, neck, and upper part of the chest were very much congested and black. There were no marks of violence externally, nor any old scars. Internally the lungs were gorged with blood; all the other organs were healthy. It appears to me that deceased died from suffocation. Lying on his face in the manner described by last witness, during a state of intoxication, would be sufficient to account for the suffocation. There was no blood in the pleural cavity. I did not examine the stomach.
Patrick. Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed.- From Information I received yesterday I proceeded to a waggon in the main street of Euroa. nearly opposite the Pilgrim Inn. – I found the deceased Fritz Bohlmann, and had him removed to the Pilgrim Inn. I searched him in company with several others. and found 17s. in one pocket and 6d. in another, also a knife. I and two others searched the waggon by candlelight to see if we could find any money, as the deceased was supposed to have some. Not finding any last night I tried again to-day in company with others, and found three £5 notes and two half-crowns. The total amount in my possession is £16 2s 6d., together with seven horses, a waggon and harness, a hide, and some sheepskins When I went first to the waggon he was partly sitting, one leg being bent under him.
The jury brought in the following verdict:- ” That Fritz Bohlmann did, on the 25th day of April, 1871, on his journey from the Duck Ponds to Euroa, die of suffocation, and that there were no marks of external injury on the body of deceased.”
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Saturday 15 April 1871, page 2
FATAL ACCIDENT AT EUROA.
A magisterial inquiry was held by Mr Gall, on Friday evening, the 8th instant, at the Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa, touching the death of Henry Bond, who had been run over that morning.
John Wakenshaw, residing at Model Farm, near Violet Town, deposed — I have seen the deceased, Henry Bond. He was in my employment about seven weeks. He was assisting me to break in a young horse to harness for Alexander Munroe, and to see him safely on the road. Henry Bond took charge of the break at the incline on the bridge where the floods washed it away. I was in charge of the body horse when going up the incline, and I looked back and saw the wheel go over the deceased’s body. I called to Mr Munroe to stop the team, but seeing that the wheel was likely to come back on the body I called to him to go on to level ground. I then assisted deceased to the nearest hotel. He then said he thought he was dying. Deceased was perfectly sober at the time.
Alexander Munroe deposed — The deceased, Henry Bond, was helping me with a young horse to break it into harness. When we came to the Euroa bridge I asked him to take charge of the break. Next saw him lying on the road. I stopped the horses and came back to his assistance. Deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over him. Assisted to carry him to the nearest hotel. The weight on the dray was about 35cwt. There were three horses in the dray at the time of the accident. We started this morning from Mr Garrett’s, Euroa. The accident happened about half-past 11 this day (Friday).
John De Boos deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day I saw the deceased Henry Bond, and assisted him into my hotel and placed him on a bed, having heard he had been run over. I assisted to undress him. A doctor who was in the township arrived 10 minutes after the accident. In answer to the doctor, deceased said that the wheel of the dray had gone over his body. The doctor examined deceased and said that he could not do anything for him at the present, that the injuries were internal, and deceased was bleeding internally. Remained with deceased until he expired, which was at 12 o’clock at noon. The doctor, being under engagement to attend a patient at the Broken River was unable to be present at this inquiry.
Thomas Bond, son of John Bond, farmer, residing at the Bald hills, near Violet Town, deposed — At about half-past 12 o’clock to-day (Friday) I received information that my brother Henry Bond was hurt at Euroa. Arrived at Euroa at about 1 o’clock, and then saw my brother dead. He was about 22 years of age, and in the employment of John Wakenshaw.
Patrick Francis Curtin, police constable stationed at Euroa, deposed — At about half-past 11 o’clock to-day from information received I ran from the tollhouse on to the road. I saw Mr Wakenshaw assist Henry Bond off the road. Mr Munroe came up nearly at the same time. I spoke to deceased and asked him what had happened to him. He told me that the wheel of the dray had gone over his loins. He then walked about 70 yards with the assistance of two men to the Seven Creeks Hotel, at which place he was supplied with a bed and other necessaries. His clothing and boots were taken off. Mr Clarke was sent for. The doctor was in attendance in about 12 minutes after he was placed on the bed. From the time of the accident up to his death was about half an hour.
The finding was that the deceased, Henry Bond, was accidentally killed by a loaded dray going over him on the bridge at Euroa.
Benalla Ensign and Farmer’s and Squatter’s Journal (Vic. : 1869 – 1872), Friday 1 April 1870, page 2
Inspectors of slaughter yards have been gazetted within the shire of Benalla as follows.:. Constables Patrick Francis Curtin, Euroa;. Timothy Riordan, Violet Town; William Arthur, Benalla, and Augustus Harris Purcell at Longwood.
The Charleville Times of the 11th instant says :- Constable Patrick Curtin was accidentally killed at Adavale through his horse running him against a tree. The deceased had served several years in the Central Division, and was transferred here during the strike.” The deceased was well-known both in Rockhampton and at Mount Morgan, having been stationed at each place for a considerable time. He left here for the south in December last.
Further information is needed about this man, his life and his death.
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Michael (Stevo) Stephenson
The relatives and friends of the late MICHAEL STEPHENSON are respectfully invited to attend his funeral to be held at the Chapel of the Broulee Memorial Gardens Crematorium, 195 Broulee Road, Broulee with a service commencing at 2.00pm on Friday the 7th April 2017.
I have the unenviable task of letting you all know of the passing of Darren Steel Blue Liner No: 8 currently not active with the club. However it is of some note that Darren was a founding member of Blue Liners Australia, being present at the initial meeting at North Region with then Commissioner Tony Lauer, A/C Clive McLachlan, C.I. Middleton and past and famous president Ray “Robbo” Robinson.
It is from these humble beginnings that the Blue Liners Tamworth Ride was commenced and we celebrate the 25 Anniversary of that great event this year.
For those that don’t know of Darren Steel he is a a Duty Officer at the Tweed/Byron LAC. I have had the pleasure of knowing Darren since 1988 when he was an aspiring Plain Clothes Constable at Moree and was the sole Plain Clothes Investigator in the office for sometime an immense responsibility for a young police officer. He was designated as a Detective and moved through the ranks to Detective Sergeant and then to the rank of Inspector, Duty Officer at Oxley LAC and later transferred to Tweed/Byron LAC where he is currently stationed.
Darren was a fine and outstanding Policemen, Friend and Blue Liner ,
Darren will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
R.I.P. Brother, Til Valhalla
Harley Willox
President BLA
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Founding Member # 8 of the Blue Liners TMCC.
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March 28, 2017 | by Darren Coyne
Funeral today for former Tweed/Byron crime manager
A NSW police funeral with full honours will take place today for Detective Chief Inspector Darren Steel, who passed away last Wednesday.
The service is being held at the Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens at Chinderah this morning.
Insp Steel joined the police academy in 1985 and served as a police officer in Moree, Tamworth and the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, rising through the ranks to become crime manager.
Superintendent Wayne Starling, Tweed/Byron’s local area commander, said Insp Steel would be sadly missed by all.
‘I think we are all better people for having Detective Chief Inspector Steel in our lives,’ he said.
Insp Steel passed away last Wednesday with his wife and two children present.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he was saddened by the event but praised the efforts of an officer who dedicated 33 years of his life to his duties and never once took a sick day.
‘I worked with him for many years and always found him a fine, upstanding officer, deeply committed and dedicated to the wider Tweed community,” MrProvest said.
‘I was very shocked and saddened by what happened and my thoughts and my sympathies go out to his family and friends.’
THE Tweed has lost one of its heroes and a young family must now continue without a father and husband after police confirmed the sudden death this week of Detective Chief Inspector Darren Steel.
The 53-year-old officer’s death, although not suspicious, was unexpected and has left a community grieving.
Tweed Byron LAC Superintendent Wayne Starling paid tribute to his colleague and friend and said the event had left the command in shock.
“His fellow police will greatly miss Darren,” Supt Starling said.
“He was an outstanding police officer who cared for the welfare of the community he served.”
A NSW police funeral with full honours is planned for next Tuesday at Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens at Chinderah.
Darren Steel Awarded National Clasp 25, with A/Comm Carlene York
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he was saddened by the event but praised the efforts of an officer who dedicated 33 years of his life to his duties and never once took a sick day.
“I worked with him for many years and always found him a fine, upstanding officer, deeply committed and dedicated to the wider Tweed community,” Mr Provest said.
“I was very shocked and saddened by what happened and my thoughts and my sympathies go out to his family and friends.”
Det Ch Insp Steel will be remembered and celebrated by his wife and two children.
He served New South Wales Police in regions that include Moree, Tamworth and the Tweed Byron Local Area Command.
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Gold Coast R.P.A.
Dear Members,
I am aware that our Secretary has advised you of the pending funeral of Inspector Darren James STEEL of Tweed Heads Police Command – who was merely 53 years of age.
As Secretary KING has indicated Darren, was a man who not only overtly supported retired police, but one who went out of his way, to ensure serving police appreciated that
those who preceded them in the Police Force, were men & women of honour, deserving of the utmost respect, from all serving members.
Darren was a quite outstanding young man who never failed in his support for us ‘older folk’ – he was always there for US …. can we not repay in kind?
Please do make an earnest endeavour to see your way clear, to join with me and other members of your Executive Board, to honour Darren for his sincere advocacy on behalf of all retired NSW Police Officers.
He was never reticent in singing the praise of us ‘older folk’ – can we not now herald, our true appreciation, of this outstanding young man.
Rest in Peace Darren James Steel.
Malcolm Cox
Chairman
Gold Coast RPA Members – Darren was well known to our Branch members. Whilst he was still in the job, he was the one who looked after us on Retired Police Day, cooked the BBQ etc. When I told him that Bryan Kelaher would like one of the badges but couldn’t make it to the Retired Day, Darren went out of his way to personally deliver a badge to him at his home. That was the sort of bloke he was. Leaves a wife and 2 young sons. Very sad – JK
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William Thomas HUGHES
| 12/04/2017
William Thomas HUGHES
aka Bill
late of Eastgrove
New South Wales Police Force
Redfern Police Academy Class 138
Regd. # 16212
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 25 February 1974
He was a ‘Goulburn boy’ through and through and never wanted to leave the place he loved.
But as the late Bill Hughes would have said, he was actually from Eastgrove.
Mr Hughes, a highly regarded former detective, died in Canberra Hospital on Saturday, following complications from cancer. The 67-year-old had suffered the disease on and off for five years.
Wife Cheryl paid tribute to him yesterday as a humble man.
“He was highly intelligent and very giving person, very much loved by his family. He never had a bad word to say about anyone,” she said.
Mr Hughes knew intuitively he wanted to join the NSW Police Force. But after his education at St Patrick’s Technical School he firstly went to work on the railway. Mrs Hughes said he was always talking about the police and she urged him to sign up.
Following training at Redfern, all he wanted was a ‘bush posting.’ Constable Hughes spent three and a half years at Young before coming back to his hometown. He vowed he’d never leave again.
Here he rose to the rank of Detective Senior Constable and worked on many major cases over the years. He also acted in several senior roles. Mr Hughes won the respect and enduring friendship of his colleagues, at the same time maintaining a healthy sense of humour.
“He was very good at his job and was very well liked,” Mrs Hughes said.
Despite his busy career, family always came first. Mr Hughes took a strong interest in his two sons’ sports. Son Robert excelled at hockey and played at State level.
His father was no slouch when it came to sport either. Mr Hughes also played hockey, squash tennis and cricket in his younger years. He was a life member of the NSW Junior Boys Hockey Association, managed the under 17s and 18s teams and was involved in the game locally. Mr Hughes also enjoyed rally car driving.
But his great love was golf. Mr Hughes was well known and loved at the Goulburn Golf Club, where he was also captain for many years. He resigned from the position when he first became sick but then resumed the post when he was again well enough. Fittingly, his home overlooked the course.
Retirement in 2005 allowed more time to indulge his passions, including photography. Often seen with a camera in hand, he snapped iconic Australian scenes which adorn the family home walls.
In 2012 he was struck with cancer which eventually went into remission. But it returned last year and he again endured intensive treatment.
“He was doing okay until the last few months. I thought we had it but we didn’t,” Mrs Hughes said.
He passed away on Saturday, leaving a world of fond memories.
“Nobody knew about a lot of the things he did. He was no publicity seeker. He was also a great family man,” Mrs Hughes said.
His sister, Barbara Creese, described him as a reserved person who was the pillar of their family.
“He wasn’t an outgoing person but he was a great brother and I shall miss him,” she said.
“He probably wouldn’t be too excited about this (attention) but perhaps quietly chuffed that he was so respected.”
Mr Hughes is survived by son Robert and wife, Tammi, son Mark and wife, Janet and six grandchildren. His sisters Barbara (Goulburn), Margaret (Sydney) and Pat (Bundaberg) also mourn his passing.
His funeral service will be held at Sts Peter and Paul’s Cathedral at 10.30am Monday followed by a private cremation.
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 July 1989
Senior Constable – appointed 9 December 1996
Stations: D 24 General Duties, Traffic Operations Group – Melbourne Metro,
Benalla General Duties, Benalla Traffic Management Unit from 10 November 1997 – Death
Service: From 13 March 1989to 26 December 1998= 8+years Service
Awards: Victoria Police Star – posthumously in 2007. Presented to his sister – SenCon Megan De Winne.
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1969
Died on: Saturday 26 December 1998 about 9.35am
Age: 29
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Urgent Duty -v- Tree
Event location: Midland Hwy, Yin Barun, near Swanpool, Victoria
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: 1/ Benalla Police Station Memorial Garden
2/ Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital
Senior Constable Simon De Winne Plaque Located at 19 Bridge Street West, Police Station, Police Memorial Garden, Benalla, 3672 in Victoria in Australia. GPS Location: Lat: -36.555495 Long: 145.975424
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star
[alert_green]SIMONIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
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Funeral location: ?
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
At 9.35 a.m. on Saturday, 26th December 1998, Senior Constable De Winne was travelling south along the Midland Highway, near Swanpool, intending to intercept a vehicle for a traffic offence. He lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree, killing him instantly.
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Simon David De Winne joined Victoria Police on 13th March 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony on 19th July 1989. Simon worked on General Duties, D.24 and the Traffic Operations Group in metropolitan Melbourne before transferring to Benalla General Duties where he was promoted to Senior Constable on 9th December 1996. Senior Constable De Winne then transferred to the Benalla Traffic Management Unit on 10th November 1997.
On Saturday, 26 December 1998, Senior Constable Simon De Winne died on duty when his patrol vehicle collided with a tree on the Midland Highway, 15 kms south of Benalla.
The Victoria Police Star was posthumously awarded to Senior Constable Simon De Winne at graduation ceremony in 2007. The award was presented to Senior Constable De Winne’s sister, Senior Constable Megan De Winne.
——
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne died doing what he loved.
It was 9.35am on Boxing Day, 1998. It was wet and miserable, but Sen Const De Winne was out on our roads working while most of us were at home recovering from an indulgent Christmas feast.
Sen Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Hwy near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. But as he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly.
Almost 15 years on, his brother Nick De Winne said the memories of his best mate were still so vivid and the pain of his tragic and unexpected death still so raw.
As Victorians prepare to remember our 131 fallen officers with National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, Nick paid tribute to the work of his brother and his colleagues.
“Simon was the type of guy who just made the best of every day, he loved life and loved being a police officer,” Nick said.
“I appreciate the work of our police more now, they deal with a lot of ferals every day,” he said. “I definitely do respect them (the police) a whole lot more.”
Nick said his brother’s zest for life continued to be an inspiration.
“Simon lived life to the full and he was just a bag of fun to be around,” he said.
Nick said for Simon joining the police force was his lifelong dream.
“He was like a father figure to us; we grew up without dad so he took me under his wing,” Nick said.
“It is shocking, nothing ever replaces it and no matter what I do I won’t be able to see him or hear him again and that’s the hardest thing.”
Sen Const De Winne joined the Victorian Police on March 13, 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony in July that year.
Like all officers, Sen Const De Winne began his career at the frontline of the force, in general duties in Melbourne before driving his passion into highway patrol.
But when country life took over, Sen Const De Winne transferred to Benalla Police Station where he accepted a general duties position before securing another highway patrol berth.
Sen Const De Winne didn’t just inspire his brother Nick or other brother Byron, he also encouraged his sister Megan to pursue a career within the force.
Megan De Winne is a police officer in Melbourne and has often starred on the television show Highway Patrol.
“Megan failed the first time but after Simon was killed she had more determination than ever to do it and she did,” Nick said.
His legacy continues to live on through Nick and his two mates from the station, Senior Constables Paul Bronsgeest and Richard Cameron.
“I guess I wonder why people speed, why they do it — I ask myself that all the time,” Nick said.
“It’s unnecessary and it’s not cool and it causes trauma. What our family has gone through I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.”
National Police Remembrance Day is on September 29.
Benalla Police will host a ceremony at the station on September 28 from 9.20am. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family.
Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Front Inscription
Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre
Plaque :
The Urgent Health Care Unit at Benalla Health was officially dedicated as a Police Memorial in memory of Senior Constable Simon De Winne, (27590) by Mr William Noonan, OAM Chairman, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation on Thursday, 10th May 2012
Location of Urgent Care Centre: 45 – 53 Coster Street, Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre, Benalla Hospital, Benalla, 3672
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family. Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
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Benalla Health Report – 2012
Following the refurbishment and reopening of the former emergency department in July, now known as the ‘Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre’, a Dedication Ceremony was held earlier this year by the Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to honour Simon.
The Ceremony was attended by over 100 guests and officiated by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner of Road Policing, Kieran Walshe APM.
We are very fortunate to have a generous community and we are extremely grateful to those who support us through philanthropy, volunteering and membership
of one of our auxiliaries. We sincerely thank them all for their tireless efforts to ensure that both patients and staff are given the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.
The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.
Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.
In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.
Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.
“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.
“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”
Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.
“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.
“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.
He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.
“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.
“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”
Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.
Ann Brimblecombe’s life was one well spent with almost 1000 mourners turning out to Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Cathedral yesterday to bid the Victorian policewoman farewell.
Killed in a car accident at Larsens Cutting near Eskdale, last Wednesday, Sen-Constable Brimblecombe was known about the North East for her work in schools as a bicycle education officer.
The service, conducted with full police honours, reflected her jovial nature, her sense of community and voluntaryism and most of all, her strong relationship with the region’s children.
Her older brother, Peter Brimblecombe spoke of her love for sport, the Geelong Football Club, her idol Gary Ablett and of the North East as her “spiritual home”.
“After graduating from Chadstone College, she attended teachers’ college at Bendigo and after getting her degree there were no primary teaching jobs available,” he said.
“It was then she made the decision to join the Victoria Police.”
Mr Brimblecombe said his sister had eight nephews and nieces and remembered all their birthdays, was highly active in the Wangaratta bowls club, and taught adult literacy.
“Her other great loves were dogs and chocolate,” he said.
“She was old fashioned, quirky, bright and bubbly, she had a daggy sense of humour.
“Ann was a one and only.”
The service was attended by Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Christine Nixon and Victorian Police Minister Tim Holding.
Most knew her as Senior Ann, and pupils of Wangaratta West, Chisholm St Primary, Wangaratta Primary, Cathedral College, St Monica’s Primary in Wodonga, St Patrick’s at Wangaratta, Moyhu Primary, Everton Primary, Wangaratta West, Yarrunga, Appin Park Primary and Bright P-12 College formed a guard of honour.
Wangaratta Primary teacher David Capper paid tribute.
“She had a terrific sense of humour, she used to make the kids do her Prince Philip walk and make them say ‘just like Senior Ann’ whenever she taught them anything,” he said.
Beth Hutchinson, of Beechworth, said her daughter India-Rose, 11, taught by Senior Ann, had asked to attend the service.
“She really got through to the kids, we were ever so grateful — she’s such a loss to the community,” Ms Hutchinson said.
– By Riccarda Burley, August 22, 2006
Police form honor guard at Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe’s funeral.
In memory of our friend and colleague Ann Brimblecombe Senior Constable 21795 `Senior Ann` Tragically killed performing road safety in active duty August 16, 2006 Member of the Wangaratta Police complex ——- Commemorates Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe placed in the Wangaratta Paediatric Unit. The memorial plaque was officially dedicated at Batchelor’s Green on the 10th May 2012. Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a Wangaratta Highway Patrol member who was killed in a car crash in August 2006 while travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta to give a bicycle safety lecture. She was affectionately known as “Senior Ann” by children as she ran bicycle education programs throughout the North East. Address of plaque: 21 Handley Street, Wangaratta Police Complex, Wangaratta, 3677, Victoria, Australia
BRIMBLECOMBE SEN.CON. ANN JANE “SENIOR ANN” 8.12.1957 – 16.8.2006 Loved daughter of Alex and Jennifer. Sister to Peter, Claire, Ian & Ross Treasured Memories
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‘Safety – Think It .. Do It’ to win $2,000 for your school
A message about safety at your school or in the community could win your school $2,000 and also have them receive the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award. The ‘Caring About Regional Safety’ (CARS) program, which is now in its eighth year, is a primary school based competition that gets kids thinking about safety.
CARS began as a way to both commemorate the valuable work that Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe did with primary school children and also help ensure her messages about safety are ongoing. Tragically ‘Senior Ann’ as she was affectionately known by hundreds of school children, died as the result of a motor vehicle accident in August 2006.
Get Your Class Involved
The competition is open to all local primary schools in NE Victoria and Southern New South Wales and asks children to actively think about safety and create a promotional poster. It could be safety at home, in the school yard or even when they are travelling.
Teachers may like to encourage students to think about a safety message that they are individually interested in or have the class decide on a safety theme that everyone can concentrate on.
Teachers should collate all their students’ posters (ensuring that each students name, class and school are written on the back) and send to the CARS Action Team before the competition closes each year.
To help stimulate the students, a representative of the police force will be available to visit every school to talk to students about safety. If your school would like to organise a visit or if you would like to find out more about CARS contact:
CARS Action Team – Senior Sergeant Michael Connors
Wangaratta Police Station
1 Handley Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677
Phone: 0357 230 830
Safety Sam – Think It .. Do It
‘Safety Sam’ is our mascot to help promote the ‘Safety- Think It .. Do It’ message. If the winning poster has the image of Safety Sam included in it, the students who created it will (pending parental approval) win a ride in a police car as well as a ride in a police boat. Download an image of Safety Sam here.
Canberra United?Verified account @CanberraUnited 10 Dec 2016 Congratulations @ashsykes91, winner of the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Medal for Player of the Match! #BlueRibbonCup #MCYvCBR pic.twitter.com/HZjAC0OM5c
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The Blue Ribbon Cup – Melbourne City v Canberra United
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Canberra United
Melbourne City & Canberra United will play for the Blue Ribbon Cup on Saturday in their second meeting of the 2016/17 Westfield W-League season.
The Blue Ribbon Cup is held in partnership with the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, which perpetuates the memory of members of the Victorian Police Force killed in the line of duty, by supporting worthwhile community projects within the State.
This will be the first edition of the W-League Blue Ribbon Cup, with the player of the match to be awarded the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Medal.
Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe passed away on duty in 2006 when her vehicle ran off the road while travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta.
Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a serving member of the Victorian Police Force for over 26 years, and was promoted to Senior Constable in 1985 after six years in the force.
Canberra United Head Coach Rae Dower, a former member of the Queensland Police Force for over 20 years, said that the occasion adds something of a personal feel to the matchday.
“It’s a lovely initiative from Melbourne City, the Blue Ribbon Cup, played for between the two teams,” she said.
“And with nearly 21 years in the Police service I’ve lost a lot of friends on the job, unfortunately, but also with some illnesses; a lot of emergency services personnel commit suicide after they retire, or whilst they’re still on the job.”
“So it certainly will be a more personal touch, and probably gives us a little more incentive to go on and win that as well.”
More information on the Blue Ribbon Foundation can be found at http://www.remember.org.au/, including information on the projects managed by the organisation, and an honour roll of those who have served.
– See more at: http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/the-blue-ribbon-cup—melbourne-city-v-canberra-united/camla3n5avhj1y2g4ax87nq9a#sthash.9P5iK5hl.dpuf
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2016
Brimblecombe, Senior Constable Ann Jane
08/12/57 – 16/08/06
To those involved in keeping ‘Senior Ann’s’ work and memory alive for ten years. Thank you with pride and gratitude from her family.
Published in The Border Mail o – See more at: http://tributes.bordermail.com.au/obituaries/bordermail-au/obituary.aspx?pid=181073547#sthash.1Mi0dvMF.dpuf
NEVER FORGOTTEN: Claire Lewis with the pink rosemary to be planted in memory of her sister, policewoman Ann Brimblecombe who died 10 years ago. PHOTO: Wendy Stephens
TWO rosemary bushes will be planted next to an existing commemorative plaque for Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe.
The plants will be installed at Wangaratta Police station by Ann’s sister, Claire Lewis, on Tuesday on the 10th anniversary of Ann’s death.
The former Wangaratta police officer, affectionately known as ‘Senior Ann’, was tragically killed in a car accident at age 49 in 2006, on her way from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta to present a bike safety session.
Rod JohnsI attended and took charge at this collision a very sad day and one I reflect on often, a lovely lady who put so much energy into the children at the schools she attended. A great community loss and to her family.
Nicole ShortisI was a member at the Wangaratta bowls club with Anne and her family when this tragedy happened. It was nice to see her face come up on Facebook. Great to see such a good project come from a sad tragedy.
Greg DohertyAnne was always on the look out for teaching aids I managed to get hold of the bicycle helmet that my sons mate was wearing when he was hit by a car the inner helmet was shattered saving the boys life it made a great teaching aid for her . Anne was always pleasant to talk to despite her illness she just kept on going. She was a very dedicated person and her sudden demise came as one hell of a shock to the T.M.U office at wangaratta. Vale Annie Brimblecombe.,
Pam O’SullivanRIP Ann. I hope those school kids get the message you were on your way to deliver. You’ve shown by example how quickly and without warning death can take the life of a road user. My condolences to your family and colleagues..
Ann Brimblecombe’s students teach police a thing or too
NATALIE KOTSIOS
Winners are grinners: Sgt Michael Connors and WAW Credit Unions Peter Challis gave Wooragee pupils their prize yesterday. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK
A COMPETITION designed to give children safety awareness is teaching Victoria Police a thing or two, too.
This year’s Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award was launched yesterday at Wooragee Primary School, the winner of last year’s safety awareness competition.
The award, in its 7th year, commemorates Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe, the North East’s road safety in schools officer, killed in a car accident in 2006.
She was the state’s only such officer and there hasn’t been another in the North East since.
Her memory lives on through this competition, which involves North East and Albury pupils creating posters with safety messages.
Sgt Michael Connors, of Wangaratta highway patrol, encouraged children to talk about all aspects of safety.
He said their observations gave police greater insights and were often “completely different to what the police are thinking”.
“I can’t stress enough how important that is. You couldn’t gauge how many kids have been saved by Ann Brimblecombe’s message,” he said.
Wooragee’s winning entry focused on stranger danger. Other themes were cyber-bullying, kitchen safety and phoning while driving.
The winning school receives $2000 from WAW Credit Union.
Wooragee Primary School principal Christine Varker said the children were already brain-storming ideas.
She said the competition had changed how pupils thought about safety and they “now talk about much broader issues than just road safety.”
The school will spend its prize money on building a chicken coop.
“They’ve even considered the safety of the chickens,” Ms Varker said.
“They’ve ensured it will be fox and wedge-tail eagle-proof.”
North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.
The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.
Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.
In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.
Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.
“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.
“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”
Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.
“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.
“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.
He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.
“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.
“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”
Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.
The Wangaratta community joined forces to honour one of their most beloved police officers and continue her dedication to road safety with the launch of the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award today at Yarrunga Primary School.
Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe was Victoria’s only dedicated Road Safety in Schools officer, making her “truly one of a kind” according to her colleagues.
Tragically, S/C Brimblecombe was killed in a vehicle collision in August 2006 on her way to Mitta Mitta Primary School.
Assistant Commissioner (Region 4) Bob Hastings said the award was a fitting tribute to S/C Brimblecombe.
“One of Ann’s strengths was her commitment to road safety and the impact she had on hundreds of young lives in the area,” A/C Hastings said.
“I’m very proud to launch the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award and I strongly believe it will continue her work in road safety.
“Victoria Police is grateful for the support of WAW Credit Union and local schools in this initiative, which allows the community to be actively involved in promoting and developing the road safety message.”
The award was the idea of a number of Wangaratta police members after Region 4 Division 5 Superintendent Jock Menzel suggested they look at a way of honouring S/C Brimblecombe’s memory.
It invites schools to ‘Care About Road Safety’ (CARS) by identifying a road safety issue and developing an action plan to combat it.
The school that submits the entry judged to deliver the most benefit to their school community will also receive $2000 from WAW Credit Union.
A/C Hastings spoke at today’s launch about the impact S/C Brimblecombe had on the community.
“Ann had her own way of passing on the road safety message, trying to make it as fun as possible and as a result her messages would be remembered,” A/C Hastings said.
“There would be many occasions where Ann would purchase small toys or action figures on her own initiative, in an effort to show kids a message she was trying to get across, such as toy rollerblades and the correct way to lace them up.
“If you went to her class, you would probably remember the big board game of safety she invented so children could remember the rules of road safety. The message at number 100 was ‘You made it to school safely – well done!’.”
A/C Hastings also reflected on S/C Brimblecombe’s generous nature and her ability to make everyone feel special.
“Ann was awarded prize money at one point by the Wangaratta Council Youth Representatives and approached Senior Sergeant Bill Gore to check she was allowed to keep it, then spent it on prizes for the kids at schools,” he said.
“She had a way of making sure nobody missed out and when there were kids who maybe needed a helmet for riding their bike to school but perhaps couldn’t afford it, Ann always made sure they had the right equipment.
“She also received money from the North East Community Road Safety Council each year to communicate the road safety message through schools and Ann always spent this money on equipment to ensure ‘her’ kids were on safe bikes.”
In an effort to promote road safety, WAW Credit Union has also lent their support to the award.
“As part of our Community Support policy, WAW Credit Union actively looks for ways to support worthwhile projects in the areas our service centres operate,” said WAW spokesperson Linda Butler.
“The work S/C Ann Brimblecombe did within our region’s schools was invaluable and so we were very excited to be asked to be part of the Caring About Road Safety initiative.
“WAW knows that these sort of activities are certain to keep the memory of Ann and the work she did ongoing for many years to come and we applaud Victoria Police and the Blue Ribbon Foundation for their work in this area.”
A/C Hastings urged all students to think about how they could best make a positive impact on their school.
“This competition is about the school community so think about the ways you can improve road safety around it,” he said.
“A safer bus shelter, a fence around your school crossing to ensure children don’t spill out on to the roadway, road signs, anything else that you can think of that will make your school safer – put it together in a submission and send it in.
“We’ll never know how many young people are alive today because of Ann’s work over the years and Victoria Police and its partners in this competition hope to see this work continue.”
THICK fog is believed to have caused a single-vehicle crash that killed a country policewoman dedicated to teaching children about road safety.
Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe, 49, was on duty and travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta yesterday when her vehicle ran off the Omeo Highway about 2½ kilometres south of Eskdale and struck a tree.
Senior Constable Brimblecombe, a bicycle education officer, was on her way to give a lecture at the time.
Police believe she left Wangaratta at 7.30am and at some stage her car left the road in foggy conditions. It was discovered by a farmer about 11am.
She had been a police officer for 27 years and had worked at force reserve in Russell Street before being stationed at Kew.
In 1981 she was stationed at the Russell Street policewomen’s division and also served in the community police squad in Melbourne’s east. She was promoted to senior constable in 1985 and while she returned to force reserve in 1993, she transferred to Wangaratta in 1995 where she had worked ever since.
Yackandandah Primary School, where Senior Constable Brimblecombe had spent the two days before her death teaching road safety, was in shock after learning of the tragedy.
Principal Kathy Petzke said the pupils looked forward to Senior Constable Brimblecombe’s annual visit.
“It was quite an interactive program she provided with a lot of home-made props … We’re all very shocked about what has happened yet grateful for the important role she played.”
Wangaratta police acting Inspector David Ryan said her death was a great loss not only to Victoria Police, but also to the general school community.
Assistant Commissioner Bob Hastings said Senior Constable Brimblecombe regularly travelled long distances as part of her job. “She was always a very cautious and safe driver … she was well prepared and knew the country and the terrain,” he said.
“I went to visit Ann’s parents and spoke with her mum and dad and brother and sister there and they are handling it as well as can be expected.”
Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a well-respected member who would be sadly missed.
Police Minister Tim Holding yesterday expressed sympathy to Senior Constable Brimblecombe’s family. “Our thoughts also go out to her friends and fellow officers,” he said. “We honour her service and are greatly saddened by the tragic circumstances of her passing.”
