Macca was a member of ‘Friends and associates of the Blue Liners Australia’ motor cycle club.
All Blue Liners and friends of Macca welcome, motorcycles highly welcome and Blue Liner Clothing. Lets make this a send off worthy of ‘ THE MACCA ‘.
Lets get together and celebrate our brothers larger than life life.
Paul also was recently married on 1 November 2017
A few of us paid Macca (Paul McKay) a visit today. He seems to be going okay. with Ray Robinson and Paul Porter. 16 January 2018
Constable 1/c Course BACK ROW: ( L – R ) Steve COLEMAN # 16303, Peter RACKLEY # 16113, Peter STARLING # 16173, Peter JOHNSON # 16180, Harry BAKER # 16055, Noel RADBURN # 16167, Don COLQUHOUN # 16252 MIDDLE ROW: George MANERA # 16109, Sam NICHOLSON # 16282, Colin CROSSLAND # 16267, Paul McKAY # 16231, Steve MAWSON # 16163, Stephen DAVIES # 16137, Ross EMERSON # 15904 FRONT ROW: Robert DREW # 16134, Sue BRENNAN # P/W 190, Roger FORD # 11545 ( Instructor ), Kevin JOHNSON # 7887 ( Director ), Peter MOFFATT # 8171 ( Instructor ), Geoffrey JENKINS # 16130, Hank KIRCH # 16011
November 2017
James Gillis McDONALD
| 19/03/2018
James Gillis McDONALD
AKA JIMMY ‘ Tracker ‘ McDONALD
the FirstWiradjuri black tracker with NSW Police in Mudgee, NSW
the Last WIRADJURI black Tracker with NSW Police in Mudgee, NSW
JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
James Gillis McDONALD AKA JIMMY ‘ Tracker ‘ McDONALD is seated – 1st on left together with unknown Police – presumably who were Stationed at Mudgee, NSW.
Jimmy’s leather ‘shin guards’ have been donated, by Peter McDonald, to the NSW Police Museum. Nerida Campbell, the curator, has authenticated them and they will be on display soon ( May 2023 ).
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 – 1954), Monday 19 April 1937, page 4
DEATH
Mr. J. G. McDonald
THE death of Mr. James Gillis McDonald (66), of Perry street. Mudgee, occurred on Friday night. The late Mr. McDonald, who had been a tracker in the police department for 40 years, passed away in his sleep. Born at Cobbora, he had lived in the Mudgee, Wollar, and Rylstone districts all his life.
In his younger days he was a noted athlete, boxer, and swimmer, and had won the famous Botany foot running handicap.
A well respected citizen, his passing will be mourned by many. A widow and eleven children survive.
The funeral was held yesterday afternoon, the interment being carried out in the Salvation Army portion of the Mudgee Cemetery by Messrs. J. C. Swords and Son.
The rites were conducted by Major Gibson.
Among those at the funeral were members of the local police force, who also acted as pall-bearers.
McDONALD ( nee Cubbins )— On the 7th August, suddenly, Catherine ( Kate, relict of James Gillies McDonald, of 459 Drummond street, Carlton, ( Victoria ) beloved mother of Norman, Elsie, and Kathleen, aged 48 years.
Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 – 1954), Thursday 20 October 1904, page 21
LOCAL BREVITIES.
Mr. James Gillis McDonald and Miss Harriet May Cooper were joined in wedlock’s holy bonds, the Rev. T. D. Evans officiating. Miss May Bailey was bridesmaid and Mr. Robert Bailey was groomsman.
Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 – 1954), Monday 14 July 1902, page 2
An Object of Suspicion.
A Mudgee Visitor’s Experience
On Friday the Mudgee police received word that a burglary had been committed near Wellington, and a description of the bold bad men was sent here by wireless telegraphy or some other up-to-date means.
The local suppressors of crime and bad language were soon all alert, and on Friday evening Constable Tully and James Gillies McDonald, the well known tracker, had their cunning constabulary optics on a couple of strangers who had driven over from Wellington that day and were stopping at a local hotel.
The rules and regulation provide that a constable shall always act with caution, and therefore Constable Tully did not rush affairs but engaged a room at the hotel and, presumably, sat up all night with one eye on the back door and the other on the front.
The name of the unconscious object of constabulary cunning was Mr. W. V. Bradley, the representative of the Two Bays Nursery Co., Melbourne.
After consuming a very gratifying breakfast he strolled outside his hotel, and was accosted by a man who was a stranger to him, and asked him some tricky little questions as to who he was, where he came from, and where he contemplated going to. Mr. Bradley stated that he was going to the post office, and the stranger at once revealed his official identity, and intimated that the requirements of justice necessitated that the visitor should be searched, for he was suspected of being mixed up in a burglary near Wellington.
Mr. Bradley said he had not the least objection to being searched, and informed the constable that his Gladstone bag was upstairs and contained the usual assortment of clothes soiled and otherwise, and that he had £60 in notes in his pocket, and a fully loaded revolver, which he playfully introduced to the notice of the guardian of the peace.
Constable Tully carefully examined the socks, bicycling knickers, etc., and then sadly abandoned the case as far as Mr. Bradley was concerned. So far as we have heard the genuine desperado has not yet been arrested, but the police are keeping a very wide eye open.
Hi, My name is Jule and I am the great granddaughter of Jimmy McDonald. He was a tracker for the police and I am trying to find information on him.
I know he married Harriot Cooper. I do remember her but I would like to know where is is buried. Thank you I really enjoyed reading your site too. Jules.
I also think he had a police funeral – Jule.
Yes Jule. His family have also seen a photo of him in a NSW Police publication. they are finding out more information – editor.
Mickel Cowie answers: I don’t know anything about Tracker but have noticed that his name has been mentioned in a judgement re Warrabinga-Waradjurie that is accessible via Google using that as the search . Jules could read the judgement and contact the people who have made the claim. Mickel
Jimmy McDonald
My name is Edwin McKenzie and I am the grandson of Jimmy ” Tracker ” McDonald and Harriet Cooper. I’m 65 now, living in Cairns and moving to Brisbane at the end of June – I would love to find out as much as I can about my family and descendants before I die. I would appreciate any information or leads you can give me. Edwin McKenzie
Jimmy McDonald is also my Great Grand Father, my Grandmother (His daughter) Alice Valerie Honeysett (nee McDonald). Jimmy is buried in Mudgee Cemetery in the Salvation Army section. There is still family in the area. The direct Children of Jimmy & Harriet McDonald are: Jimmy, Edie, Doobie, Davey, Jeanie, Donnie, Gertie, Valerie, Dawn, Malcolm McDonald 80 still living in Toronto. I have a photo of them all together which I would be happy to share if you wish. Who are your parents, we must be cousins? Regards, Marina Honeysett
Answering Jules re Jimmy McDonald – he is buried in the Salvation Army section of Mudgee cemetery Row B Plot 50. (unmarked still I think) He lived at 13 Perry St where the RTA now stands and was the last tracker at Wollar between about 1906 to 1919 living there in the trackers hut, then at Rylstone. his obituary. – Anonymous
20/4/1937 (mon) Death – Mr J G McDonald – The death occurred of Mr James Gillis McDonald (66) of Perry St. Mudgee occurred on Friday night. The late Mr McDonald who had been a tracker in the police dept. for 40 years, passed away in his sleep. Born at Cobbora he had lived in the Mudgee, Wollar and Rylstone districts all his life. In his younger days he was a noted athlete, boxer, and swimmer and had won the famous Botany foot-running handicap. A well respected citizen, his passing will be mourned by many. A widow & eleven children survive. Funeral took place Salvation Army section Mudgee cem. Among those at the funeral were members of the local police force, who also acted as pall bearers.
Dear Diane, thanks for your email and yes I do have that information. James is buried in the Salvation Army section of the Mudgee cemetery and he has a plaque which was put there by his daughter Valerie . It is available on the Mudgee cemetery website.
Please pass on email address to Jule , I too am a great grand daughter of Jim McDonald. His son James Henry Crawford McDonald is my grandfather Tanya Scrivener
My name is Edwin McKenzie and I am the grandson of Jimmy “Tracker” McDonald and Harriet Cooper. I’m 65 now, living in Cairns and moving to Brisbane at the end of June – I would love to find out as much as I can about my family and descendants before I die. i would appreciate any information or leads you can give me.
James McDonald
Thank you for your great site . Thanks to you I have found more relatives and some I didn’t know I had And I plan to catch up with all of them Congrats on a great site Jule
Profile last modified 2 Nov 2016 | Created 22 Oct 2016
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Biography
True story of Jimmy Governor by Moore & Williams Children of James & Harriet McDonald were as follows Edith – James – Gertie – Hubert – Alice – Davi- Sylvia – Eugene and Donald (twins) – Dawn – Malcolm. Also two who may have died young.
Around the Black Stump.
James Gillis McDonald A well known bush tracker, was born at Laheys Creek on 26-1-1872.
His mother being Eliza McNabb, and his father Thomas McDonald, who was employed by James Falconer as a shepherd.
After his wife’s death Thomas McDonald went to Queensland, leaving his young son James with the Falconers. He was reared by the Falconers growing up with their children Mark & Mary.
The Lady Bushranger.
Page 70.
Sergeant Buckley of Rylstone, his reputation began the day he arrived, for he had brought his milking cow with him.
During the trip the cow produced twin calves, one of which he gave to his tracker Jimmy McDonald, who owned a rogue cow.
Jimmys cow was the terror of the town and was nothing short of a blooming menace, always breaking into everyone’s garden. Yet she fulfilled a much needed role by providing milk for Jimmys extensive brood.
Although Jimmy was a full blood Aborigine his wife was not, and their twelve happy children came in varied colours. Jim could see the humour when he chuckled, with my kiddies, it’s never any use killing a fowl, it would have to be a centipede because everyone begs for a leg.
NSW Aboriginal Trackers James McDonald was the tracker at Wollarah when the Governor brother were on the run. He lived in a four room hut in the police paddock. James knew Jimmy and didn’t shoot him when he had the chance.
Interview with Malcolm McDonald 2012.
Jimmy once fired a warning shot at James which struck his saddle, the children later played with saddle when growing up.
Aboriginal Trackers 1893.
Coolah.
Aboriginal Trackers 1894 – 1901.
Mudgee Jimmy Mack and others.
Aboriginal Trackers 1898 – 1899.
Tambar Springs.
Jimmy Mack and others.
Wages for black trackers varied from four to seven pounds a month.
Mudgee Guardian & North Western Representative 11-11-1918
Police tracker James McDonald stationed at Wollar, who has been doing police duty at Gulgong. Whilst sweeping the yard at the police station here a few days since, picked up a nice nugget of gold , weighing ?? wts.
Mudgee Guardian & North Western Representative 1-7-1920.
Police tracker McDonald, for many years stationed at Wollarah, who recently retired from the service, has it will be learnt with satisfaction rejoined it. Tracker McDonald will resume duty on July 10th. He will be stationed at Rylstone, which will henceforth be the tracker station and depot for the Mudgee Police District.
Mudgee Guardian & North Western Representative 19-4-1937
Death of Mr J McDonald (66) of Perry Street Mudgee occurred on Friday night.
The late Mr McDonald who had been a tracker in the police Dept. for 40 years passed away in his sleep.
Born at Cobbora, he lived in the Mudgee, Wollarah & Rylstone district all his life.
In his young days he was a noted athlete, Boxer, swimmer and he won the famous Botany foot running handicap.
A well respected citizen, his passing will be mourned by many.
A widow & 11 children survive.
Funeral Salvation Army section of Mudgee cemetery. Many at the funeral were members of the local police force, who acted as pall bearers.
James parents Thomas & Eliza McNabb ?????
Sources
Notes from Mr Roy Cameron. Historian of Coolah
BDM Index
DEATH 11485/1937
Mudgee Guardian & North Western Representative 11-11-1918 Mudgee Guardian & North Western Representative 1-7-1920- Mudgee Guardian Newspaper 19-4-1937. Page 4.
The Lady Bushranger , page 70-71. by Pat Studdy-Clift.
NSW Aboriginal Trackers Pathfinders saw.org.au/… List of Black Trackers Coolah & other areas by Roy Cameron Around the Black Stump, page 330. by Roy Cameron
Information from Jeannette Evans, ( on 12 March 2021 ), granddaughter of Tracker McDonald, says that the family have a letter, written by Jeff Falconer, whose family raised Tracker McDonald, and the letter states that Tracker McDonald was given a lifelong job by the Governor after saving two small girls from a bolting horse.
Dad and I have one thing in common. We have both gone as far as we are going to in this job!
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy – from Monday 19 July 1982 ( aged 26 years, 10 months, 22 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 15 October 1982 ( aged 27 years, 1 month, 18 days )
Constable – appointed 15 October 1983
Detective – appointed ? ? 1991
Constable 1st Class – appointed 15 October 1987
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Detective Senior Constable – Retired
Was in Special Forces Undercover Course # 2 in 1989
Was in Detective Course # 28 in 1991
Stations: ?, Blacktown & Mt Druitt, ( 27 Division ), Registered Clubs Unit, Drug Squad – Plantation Unit, Hay ( 1990’s ), Ivanhoe ( 1995 ), Deniliquin, Hay – Retirement
Service: From 19 July 1982to 15 January 1999= 16years, 5 months, 27 days Service
Age at Retirement: 43 years, 4 months, 19 days
Time in Retirement from NSWPF: 19 years, 0 months, 5 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 28 May 1999
National Police Service Medal – presented October 2017 – by his father – former Police Commissioner Anthony Lauer
Tony LAUER – Jnr
Born: Saturday 27 August 1955
Died on: Saturday 20 January 2018
Age: 62 years, 4 months, 24 days
Cause: Cancer – Brain
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Saturday 10 February 2018 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Hay Services Club, 371 Murray St, Hay
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: ?
After a private cremation there will be Memorial Service for Tony Lauer ( Junior ) at 1pm 10.2.18. Hay Services Club
RSL club in Hay, New South Wales
Address: 371 Murray St, Hay NSW 2711
Phone: (02) 6993 1206
When further details are known then you will be updated.
ANTHONY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location: TBA
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
I’ve been struggling for words all day but I think my little sister Megan put it best so here it is.
We have tried to remember everyone to call before making a post. Dad would hate to think someone found out via facebook. Sorry if we have missed anyone its been a big day.
Today we lost a husband, dad, grandfather, son, brother, nephew and cousin. A man that has meant so much to many and helped many more.
Through all his health battles he always said that god didn’t want you and the devil was worried you would take over. Well something changed today. We like to think your in heaven watching over us and I am sure you will continue to guide us all through life.
RIP DAD forever in our hearts
Ray GardollTony was also stationed at Ivanhoe in the Barrier District back in 1995-97 by memory. I was at Broken Hill then and met Tony a number of times. I got to speak with Tony back in October at the Barrier Awards Ceremony. His father presented him with his NPSM. Sad to hear of his passing, I was a good guy.
David AsplandI would like to share a funny story. I met Tony in 1995 when he was a Senior Constable at Ivanhoe. I remember his standing joke about his name and family connection (Father was then Commissioner Tony Lauer) :”Well Dad and I have both done the same thing in our careers. We have both reached out ceiling rank”. 🙂 . A very likeable and easy going bloke.
Mick ClarkeRIP Tony. Had many great times with Tony when he was in the Plantation Unit. His favourite comment was”There’s one thing in common with me and Dad and that’s we’ve both gone as far as we can in the Job.”
Peter WallaceHad a yarn to him on the Hume one day. Drove a truck called the Commish. Lovely bloke. Had our NSW Police crest on the cover of his log book. RIP mate.
Tony Lauer Transport – HAY, NSW
Seeking a nice facial photo of Tony for the Memorial Post.
Cal
021222
Susan Lynette BRENNAN
| 19/03/2018
Susan Lynette BRENNAN
aka Sue, Twiggy & Olive Oil
Late of ?
New South Wales Police Force
NSW Police Academy Class 138
Regd. # 00190 ( Police Woman )
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 25 February 1974
Senior Constable – appointed 25 February 1983
( as of the 1989 Stud Book – Sue had passed her Sgt 3/c exam )
Detective Sergeant
Stations: ?, National Crime Authority ( N.C.A. ), Marrickville, Newtown Detectives, Drug Special Forces Unit ( D.S.F.U. ) from 1974, Petersham – Retirement
Service: From 14 January 1974to 1 October 1997= 23+years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted28 May 1990
Born: 27 November 1949
Died on: Thursday 21 December 2017
Age: 68
Cause: Heart attack
Event location: Goulburn shopping centre, ( Centro ), Auburn St, Goulburn, NSW
Event date: Thursday 21 December 2017
Funeral date: Wednesday 10 January 2018 @ 10.15am
Funeral location: Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Chapel, 199 Delhi Rd, North Ryde, NSW
Susan Lynette BRENNAN
aka Twiggy & Olive Oil
Class 138 of Feb 1974 – 30th Class Reunion
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: ?
SUE 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.
BACK ROW: ( L – R ) Steve COLEMAN # 16303, Peter RACKLEY # 16113, Peter STARLING # 16173, Peter JOHNSON # 16180, Harry BAKER # 16055, Noel RADBURN # 16167, Don COLQUHOUN # 16252 MIDDLE ROW: George MANERA # 16109, Sam NICHOLSON # 16282, Colin CROSSLAND # 16267, Paul McKAY # 16231, Steve MAWSON # 16163, Stephen DAVIES # 16137, Ross EMERSON # 15904 FRONT ROW: Robert DREW # 16134, Sue BRENNAN # P/W 190, Roger FORD # 11545 ( Instructor ), Kevin JOHNSON # 7887 ( Director ), Peter MOFFATT # 8171 ( Instructor ), Geoffrey JENKINS # 16130, Hank KIRCH # 16011
Sue – demonstrating one of her skills with the bonsai
Presentation Photo: Sue Brennan standing in for Colin Hugo at the Presentation.
Passed out 1958 left police 1966 to become a Ordinance Inspector at Wollongong City Council later to become Administrative officer.
Worked in Wollongong General Duties, Highway Patrol and then Court Officer Wollongong Court.
PATMORE, Noel
of Keiraville ( NSW )
Passed away peacefully on January 29, 2015.
Beloved husband of Joan.
Dearly loved father of Ian.
Devoted Pa of Sam, Kip.
Son of the late Edna and Fred.
Loved brother and brother in law of Naomi (dec) and Alan Walton (dec).
Aged 78 Years
Always in our Hearts
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Noel’s funeral service to be held at Lakeside Memorial Park Chapel, Kanahooka Road Kanahooka on Monday at 10am.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.”
John Burton Gibbs # 9060 (right) riding Police cycle EV-915, with Noel Patmore, riding Police cycle ES-575, at Figtree Oval in 1961… the photo is captioned “Escorting Mr Maloney” to Wollongong.
John Burton GIBBS ( NSWPF # 9060 ) DoB: 20 June 1939, was a Probationary Constable on 30 June 1958 and a Constable 1/c on 22 September 1964 – working in the North East District.
Appears in the 1988 ‘Stud Book’ as a Sgt 3/c but does NOT appear in the 1989 issue.
Additional results of the final examinations conducted by the Wollongong Technical College at the close of the 1952 session are:
PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL METALLURGY AND TESTING
Distinction: Derek Lovell;
Credit: John Aldridge;
Pass: …….
BOILERMAKING Stage I
Pass: John Alfred Calcott, Charles Keith Campbell, . Noel John David, Terence Charles Denton, Brian Thomas Edwards, Ronald John Frith, Clifford Brian Guyatt, Geoffrey Norman Hancock, Barry Colin Hazelgrove, Edward John Holland, Ronald Vincent Hush, John Kershaw, John George McCauley, Donald James McCombie, Michael McPake, Kevin Edward Maloney, Robert Dudley Matley, James Joseph Micale, Robert David Mountford, John Oberon Murray, Noel Frederick Patmore, Frank William Peterson, Keith Phillips, Kenneth Keith Solomon, John Michael Splitt, Robert Trevethan, John Vaughan, Harold Stanley Wheatley.
Bruce, prior to joining the NSWPF, was a tow truck operator.
Members of Class 145 who Trained at Redfern Police Station between 5 November 1974 – 16 December 1974 but this list does NOT contain the names of the Cadets who were in this Class.
Bruce arriving
Peter CameronGroup AdminJust for the information of some who knew Bruce; he had a very large turnout for his funeral today. A whole bunch of retired and serving people there and even one bloke, Mick Pearce, who flew in from Melbourne. Bruce was given a very fitting service for his 32 yrs in the cops and I must say camaraderie is still alive and well despite what we sometimes think.
Brett Timothy HANDRAN
| 19/03/2018
Brett Timothy HANDRAN
Late of Brisbane
Queensland Police Academy, Oxley
Queensland Police Force
Regd. # 6074
Rank: Commenced Training – 15 July 1985
Probationary Constable – appointed 17 January 1986
Constable – Plain Clothes ( unarmed at the time )
Stations: ?, Brisbane City, Roma, Warwick, Juvenile Aid Bureau ( JAB ) – death
Service: From 15 July 1985 to 29 June 1989= 3+years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: Sunday 17 April 1966
Died on: Thursday 29 June 1989
Age: 23
Cause: Shot – Murdered
Event location: Carmichael Crt, Wynnum
Event date: Thursday 29 June 1989
Funeral date: Monday 3 July 1989 @ 10am
Funeral location: Queensland Police Academy Chapel
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial located at: Queensland Police Vessel ” Brett T. Handran “. Brett T. Handran II ( 2009 ) at Brisbane Water Police
BRETT IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot by Tony Leif Dolerud at Wynnum, Brisbane on 29 June 1989 while attending a serious domestic dispute in company of his partner Plain Clothes Constable ( Stephen ) Clarey ( 24 ).
Dolerud had earlier stabbed his wife in an argument and, as a friend tried to take her to safety, armed himself with a high powered rifle and began firing indiscriminately into the street.
Plain Clothes Constable Handran was fatally shot as he alighted from the police vehicle outside the man’s unit. Constable Clarey was also shot as he took shelter behind the police vehicle.
Dolerud later took his own life ( suicide ) after killing his two-year-old daughter. Four others were wounded.
On Monday 3 July 1989 Brett Handran’s family were joined by a large contingent of his colleagues including senior officers of the New South Wales, Victorian and Australian Federal Police Forces.
The Service was conducted at the Queensland Police Academy Chapel with full police honours.
BRISBANE: On the day that all the headlines were about the Fitzgerald report and its recommendations for massive changes to the Queensland police force, not many would have been thinking of Constable Brett Timothy Handran, 23, who was gunned down last Thursday when he went to investigate a domestic dispute.
His funeral was held an hour after the first embargoed copies of the Fitzgerald inquiry report were handed to state Cabinet and journalists yesterday.
More than 300 police and mourners attended the 10am service.
Constable Handran was shot through the heart at a block of welfare flats in the bayside suburb of Wynnum.
The man who shot him also killed a little girl and then himself.
Four people were injured, including another officer, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24.
The Minister for Police, Russell Cooper, told the congregation, “I express deep regret at the loss of a loved one and a fellow officer.”
Among the mourners were police representatives from NSW, Victoria and the ACT. The Queensland police contingent was headed by Acting Commissioner Ron Redmond.
Some officers at yesterday’s service could not hide their frustration over Constable Handran‘s death, at a time when police morale had taken a battering.
“If only people could accept that we are proud of our job,” one officer said. “You get abused when you hand out a traffic ticket, but there are a lot a crazies running around and it’s the police who are expected to bring them in.”
Constable Handran, a single father, was attached to the Juvenile Aid Bureau. He and Constable Clarey were in Wynnum on another police matter and were the first to respond to the emergency call.
Last week, as police gathered up their equipment and prepared to leave the scene of the Wynnum shootings, one officer said, “Constable Handran will be buried on Monday, the same day the Fitzgerald report is released. Guess which story will get the biggest headlines?”
BRISBANE: The Queensland Government has been criticised for not providing police with bullet-proof vests following a shooting in suburban Wynnum yesterday in which three people were killed.
A two-year-old girl and an unarmed policeman were shot dead outside a flat in Carmichael Court by a man who later turned a rifle on himself and committed suicide.
Police said the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute.
The Opposition spokesman on police affairs, Terry MacKenroth, said every police car in the state should have at least two vests in it to protect officers called to emergency situations such as yesterday’s siege.
“Mr. Cooper, along with every other Ahern Government minister, including Deputy Premier Bill Gunn and the Premier himself, must take the blame for the death of a young police officer today,” he said.
Liberal leader Angus Innes said the Government had promised two years ago to provide police with bullet-proof vests.
He said that it was only in June this year that 1400 bullet-proof vests for police had been finally approved.
“Police know that they are more likely to be killed attending a domestic disturbance than in any other area of police work,” Mr Innes said. .
“The minister for Police, Russell Cooper, said last night that he had ordered a meeting today with Acting Police Commissioner Don Braithwaite to investigate the incident.
“Police said a man, a woman and two children had gone to the Wynnum flat, occupied by the woman’s former de-facto husband, to collect some of the woman’s property.
Police believe an argument started, which resulted in the woman being stabbed several times in the back, chest and arm.
As she fled with her male companion the man in the flat fired a rifle from an upstairs bedroom window, wounding the man in the back.
Police said as the couple drove to a nearby doctor’s surgery for help, a woman neighbour apparently attempted to carry the injured woman’s two-year-old daughter to safety.
The gunman fired another shot from the bedroom window, killing the girl and injuring the woman.
They said two plain-clothed officers from the Juvenile Aid Bureau who were in the area went to investigate.
The gunman then opened fire on the officers as they left their car and 23-year-old Constable Brett Timothy Handran was shot in the back and later died in hospital.
His partner, Constable Stephen Clarey, 24, suffered a bullet graze to the head and was not expected to be detained in hospital overnight.
The woman, her male companion and the female neighbour were also being treated in hospital.
A police spokesman said when the Tactical Response Unit arrived, they were told an eight month-old baby boy was still in the flat with the gunman.
They forced entry through the kitchen and rescued the baby, who was crawling on the floor.
About 45 minutes later police again entered the flat and found the gunman dead in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head.
A man with a baby in his arms runs from the siege area.
14.8 metre Norman R Wright and Sons fast patrol launch, triple diagonal planked hull with a dynel sheath. Powered by twin 420 hp Detroit 6v 92 series motors.
‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘
Brett T Handran II
BRETT T. HANDRAN II – 2009
The Brisbane based ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was delivered to the Queensland Police Service in March 2009.
Built at a cost of over $1m, and one of three similar vessels (‘W.CONROY V’, ‘LYLE M. HOEY IV’ ), the ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ was built by Austral at their Margate shipyard just south of Hobart, Tasmania.
The ‘BRETT T. HANDRAN II‘ is a 22 metre aluminium catamaran powered by two MTU Series 60 diesel engines, each rated at 499kw, with Twin Disc Quickshift MGX-51355C gearboxes driving two Bruntons five-bladed fixed pitch propellers giving a maximum speed of 26 knots (cruise speed 20 knots) and a maximum range of approximately 900 nautical miles.
FROM THE VAULT – Star of Courage: Constable Robert Rodgers
Robert Rodgers joined the Queensland Police as Constable number 5904 on 10 October 1986. He served at the following stations: City; Mooroka; Brisbane Mobile Patrols; Inala, Brisbane CIB and Wynnum and retired on 7 February 1990.
On 29 June 1989Constable Robert Rodgers and Senior Constable Peter Edwards of the Wynnum Police, were told to attend an incident at Carmichael Court where a man was going berserk with a gun and where several persons had been shot, including Plain Clothes Constable Brett Handran. Rodgers and Edwards arrived at Carmichael Court, alighted from the vehicle and took cover. Constable Rogers ascertained from local residents the approximate location of the gunman and learned that a child and woman had been shot.
Constable Rogers found a position of safety close to the gunman’s location and communicated with the man to negotiate access to the wounded people. Without thought for his own safety, Constable Rogers successfully removed the child and woman from harm’s way. Constable Rodgers was awarded the Star of Courage on 18 April, 1991 for displayed conspicuous courage.
The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. It is the second highest Australian Bravery Decoration. Only four Queensland Police officers have been in receipt of the Star of Courage since the award was established in February 1975.
Australian Bravery Decorations date from the establishment of the Australian honours system in. The Group Bravery Citation was added in 1990. The decorations recognise acts of bravery by members of the community. There are four levels of decoration:
Cross of Valour (CV)
Star of Courage (SC)
Bravery Medal (BM)
Commendation for Brave Conduct
The book – BRAVE, written by Mark Whittaker and first published in 2011 by Pan MacMillan Australia P/L also goes into further detail about this event.
Ronald Wayne KING
| 19/03/2018
Ronald Wayne KING
Late of Boronia House, North St Marys, NSW
New South Wales Police Force
Redfern Police Academy Class 105
Regd. # 11712
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 1 November 1965
Constable – appointed 1 November 1966
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 1 November 1974
Sergeant – appointed 30 June 1981
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 July 1987
Retirement
Final Rank: ?
Stations: ?, Redfern Police Academy – Drill, Weapons & Special Training Section ( 1960’s – 70’s ), Parramatta ( 18 Division ) – Retirement
Service: From? ? pre November 1965? to 4 April 1991= 25+years Service
Age at Retirement: 54 years, 11 months, 30 days
Time in Retirement: 26 years, 3 months, 26 days
Awards: There are two Ronald Wayne KING’s on It’s An Honour website; One being a Warrant Officer Class 2, the other being a Policeman. I don’t know if Ron was still a Serving Member of the Army during his Policing career.
General Service Medal – 1962 – Clasp – South Vietnam
General Service Medal – Year ? – Borneo Bar ( Served as a Commando )
Born: Sunday 5 April 1936
Died on: Sunday 30 July 2017 during the evening
Age: 81 years, 3 months, 25 days
Cause: Natural causes
Event location: Boronia House, St Marys, NSW
Event date: Sunday 30 July 2017
Funeral date: Monday 7 August 2017 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Pinegrove Memorial Park Northern Chapel, Kington Street Minchinbury, NSW
Buried at: Memories Garden, Pinegrove Memorial Park, Minchinbury, NSW
Memorial located at: ?
Ron KING wearing the Infantry Combat Badge ( ICB ) under which is the General Service Ribbon (Cyprus 1963 – 1964 ), then General Service Ribbon 1962 ( Clasp – Vietnam ), Reserve Force Ribbon, National Ribbon with Clasp, UN-UNFICYP ( Police Overseas Service Ribbon – Cyprus )
RON 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.
Very little is known about this man, at this time – other than he was a Cadet Instructor at the Redfern Police Academy in the 1970’s and was known as Heavy Kevin or Heavy Kevvy. He was a very funny man and willing to give the Cadets time and advise over the years.
Cal
18 July 2017
John Leslie WINDSOR
| 19/03/2018
John Leslie WINDSOR
Late of ?
AKA Jack
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 14805
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 9 August 1971 ( aged 19 Years, 2 months, 22 days )
Probationary Constable – attested 20 September 1971 ( 19 years, 4 months, 2 days )
Constable – appointed 20 September 1972
Constable 1st Class – appointed 20 September 1976
Senior Constable – appointed
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 22 April 1987
Final Rank: Sergeant – Death
Stations: ?, Grafton
Service: From 9 August 1971 to 9 January 2009=37years, 5 months, 0 days Service
Time in Retirement: 2 years, 3 months, 20 days
Age at Retirement: 56 years, 7 months, 22 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 2 November 1988 ( Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 6 June 1997 ( Sgt )
Born: Sunday 18 May 1952
Died on: Friday 29 April 2011
Age: 58 years, 11 months, 11 days
Cause: Cancer – Melanoma
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 4 May 2011 @ 11.30AM
Funeral location: Christ Church Cathedral, Duke St, Grafton, NSW
The funeral of Sergeant John Windsor at the Christ Church Cathedral.
THERE was a potent message from the funeral yesterday of popular former Grafton policeman Sgt John Windsor … get your skin checked regularly for skin cancers.
Sgt Windsor’s two daughters Alison and Jenny told a packed Christ Church Cathedral their father, a devoted and loving family man, had died after a long battle with melanoma.
“We urge you all to see a doctor and get your skin checked,” they told the congregation.
They described their father as a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life, someone who didn’t like crowds and never wanted to be the centre of attention.
“He was dedicated to his friends, his family and work,” they said.
“He always had a friendly g’day.”
They said he was a man of limited fashion sense, who wore trademark check shirts for 30 years and an Akubra hat, and loved to travel – with a particular fascination for Queensland.
He also had a deep appreciation of food and a soft spot for animals.
“He was a gentle soul who lived his life with integrity and honour,” they said.
Many of his former colleagues in the NSW Police Force, including many who are now retired, attended yesterday’s service and spoke of his dedication to serving people.
Coffs Clarence Local Area Police Commander Mark Holahan said that when he first arrived at the Grafton Police Station as a young constable in 1987, Sgt Windsor was a calming influence.
“He retired on January 9, 2009, having spent 37 years and 162 days in the service of New South Wales,” he said.
“Rest in peace, old friend, you have served your community to the best of your ability. Vale John Windsor.”
Another of his former colleagues, Senior Sergeant Chris Tuite, gave a list of words to describe Sgt Windsor.
He said he was loving, particularly of his two daughters and wife Margaret, his father Keith and the police.
“He loved coming to work and you could set your clock by him,” he said.
He was kind and never had a harsh word against anyone.
He was respectful and showed this with his dealings with his superiors and women.
And he was generous.
“He was always a gentleman in the true definition of the word,” Sen Sgt Tuite said.
