( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
? is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
? is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
? IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
? is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
? IS mentioned on the Sydney Police Centre Memorial Wall, Surry Hills
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
The Seller doesn’t know the original owner or person in the photo.
This NSW Police Sergeant 2nd Class would have possibly been in ‘the job’ pre NSWPF new Registered Number system commencing on 24 February 1915, so he would either have a very early Registered number or a very late ( pre NSWPF ) number which went up to 9999.
The photo was taken by Dalmar Studio, Crows Nest ( NSW ) and would have been either on, for before, 18 May 1936 – although there is a further date of 8/12/?11 – although this could also be a ‘price’ – although 8pound would be rather expensive for a photo.
Your thoughts and investigation would be appreciated.
Who is this Sergeant 2nd Class of the NSW Police?
18/5/36 ( 1936 ) To Liney From yours Mort ( or Mont ) 8/12/?11 Dalmar Studio, Crows Nest ( NSW )
Found this on E-Bay in March 2021 for Sale.
I contacted the SELLER who took further photos of the rear of the photo for me. She doesn’t know the original owner etc. Purchased at a garage sale.
POLICEMAN police PHOTOGRAPH uniform FRAMED MOUNTED antique 1936 BW signed Sydney
Item information
Condition:
Used
Antique, mounted and framed- see pics
Time left:
Time left: 4d 18h
| (07 Apr, 2021 13:58:53 AEST)
Starting bid:
AU $85.00
Seller information mumas_market (2290 )
100% Positive feedback
YOU ARE BIDDING ON:
PRE-OWNED
Antique framed mounted
BW POLICEMAN PHOTOGRAPH
Condition- Excellent condition, photo loose from mounting board- see pics as pictured
Item(s) pictured is what you will receive.
EXTRA NOTES:
Item(s) currently comes from a smoke and pet free household.
SEE MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR SIMILAR ITEMS AVAILABLE, I AM HAPPY TO COMBINE POSTAGE FOR YOU 🙂
POSTAGE AND PAYMENT INFORMATION
All payments to be made within 3 days of auction ending unless other arrangement has been made with us.
All items over $100 receives free postal registration/ insurance within Australia.
All orders are packaged in recycled materials and postage is tracked.
No refund or credit, part or in full will be provided for lost or damaged items due to post, unless a damage report is filed with the postal service. ?
PayPal accepted
International Buyers: Paypal ONLY accepted If your country is not listed, we are happy still to send, just contact us for a quote.
18/5/36 ( 1936 )
To Liney
From yours
Mort ( or Mont )
8/12/?11
Dalmar Studio, Crows Nest ( NSW )
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
Brian Cecil MELENE
| 02/04/2021
Brian Cecil MELENE
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 093
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 10438
Service: From? ? pre Oct 1962? to? ? ? = ? years Service? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 29 October 1962
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 29 October 1967
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 20 October 1971
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 December 1978
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 31 March 1985
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?,
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 November 1980 ( Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 March 1989 ( Sgt )
Born: Tuesday 28 September 1937
Died on: Saturday 13 March 2021
Age: 83 years, 5 months, 13 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 18 March 2021 @ 1pm
Funeral location: Hogbin Dve Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
BRIAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
Police Academy Class 093 Redfern Police Academy Class 93 Sworn In on Monday 29 October 1962
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Time in Retirement from Police: 32 years, 7 months, 25 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 21 August 1989 ( Former Chief Insp. )
Police Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted
Commendations: 1/ Commended for his role in the search for Kevin John SIMMONS & Leslie Allen NEWCOMBE who escaped from Long Bay Gaol in October 1959.
2/ Commended for his role in the search under arduous conditions for William LITTLE, who was wanted for the murder of Sergeant 3/c C. E. HOWE ( # 8663 ) and Reginald HUNTER.
3/ Commended for his leadership, courage and devotion to duty at Bombala on the 25th and 26th May, 1978, when he took control of a Police operation designed to obtain the surrender of Wayne WHITE who was armed with a rifle and was defying all attempts to capture him. During this operation Constable 1/c L.T.D. BODDY ( # 14387 ) & M.W. CASEY ( # 15288 ) were wounded by shots fired by the offender, who eventually surrendered to Police.
Born: Sunday 4 June 1933
Died on: Monday 1 March 2021
Age: 87 years, 8 months, 25 days
Cause: ?
Event location: Karinya Palliative Care Unit, Berry, NSW
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Thursday 11 March 2021 @ 11am
Funeral location: The Chapel, Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens, Worrigee Road, Worrigee, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
Eric EDGECOMBE with Sgt Sean PHILLIPS outside of Nowra Police Stn – 22 July 2020 INSPIRATION: Retiring Sergeant Sean Phillips with his first “boss”, former Chief Inspector Eric Edgecombe, who worked together in Cootamundra in 1987.
ERIC is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
My first memories are of living in Bombala across the road from Eric and Marie.
Like Anthony, I too remember milking the cow ( Clarabel ).
A lovely, ornery old thing that would repeatedly kick the bucket over.
As a very small child however, I also remember being allowed to ride her around the paddock.
Eric (as well as Marie) was a constant and reassuring presence in my early years.
Gruff, cheeky, but with a heart of gold, I would usually find him tending to the garden (when I wasn’t in the kitchen trying to cadge baked goods from Marie).
I’d like to think those early years of being outside with him have helped fuel my enjoyment of getting out into the garden now. I’m fairly sure he was responsible for my entire family’s obsession with Backgammon, a game that always comes out whenever we get together. He was fiendishly good at it though. I always revelled in those rare occasions where I managed to take a game from him. I also like to think he was at least partly responsible for my love of old soul, jazz and blues music. Nina Simone was a particular favourite if I remember correctly.
Eric was always a strong and steady presence in our lives when we were growing up. He was like a grandfather to my siblings and I, at a time when we lived a long way from our actual grandparents.
Thanks for all the great times, strange pastimes I’ve picked up, and enduring life lessons.
I remember Eric very well, having worked with him as a young Constable at Bombala.
He introduced me to milking his cow whilst he was away, he told me it was a police cow and milking it was part of my duties, ha ha. I loved it so much I have never been near a cow since, I can’t recall how many times the #$+** thing kicked me.
He also introduced me to his bees, I recall driving out to their location with Eric one day and him telling me it was all good as they wouldn’t attack, several bees stings later I hid in the car. Needless to say I stay away from them as well.
He was a strict Sergeant with no middle ground, however he was a fair man, as I recall.
As a young Constable on my own in a new town I was often invited to join Eric, Marie and family at their home for a roast dinner.
Bombala was surrounded by many gravel roads in those days and accidents were common place, I know he and Marie offered accommodations to many a stranded traveller following a vehicle accident.
That was how they were and that is how I found Eric strict, but loyal and a concerned member of his community.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
2 March 2021
George Henry BLAKE
| 02/04/2021
George Henry BLAKE
AKA ?
Late of Banora Point, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 035
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6567
Service: From Monday 5 December 1949 to? ? 1986? = ? years Service? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Penrith Police Training College on Monday 5 December 1949 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 6 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 16 January 1950 ( aged 21 years, 7 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 20 February 1967 ( South District )
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 10 March 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 22 January 1980 ( appears in 1985 Stud Book )
Does NOT appear in 1988 Stud Book
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Superintendent – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = ?
Stations: ?, Central Police Station Cells ( 1 Division )( Cst )( May 1954 ), ?, Gilgandra? ( early 1960s ), South District ( Sgt 3/c )( 1967 ), ?, Menindee ( Sgt 3/c )( Mar 1972, Apr 1972 ), Wilcannia ( Sgt 3/c )( Aug 1972, Sept 1972 ), Mitchell ( Sgt 3/c )( Sept 1972 ), Broken Hill ( Sgt 2/c )( 1983 )( lived in the old South Broken Hill Police Station ), “possibly” Casino then Pennant Hills,Tweed Heads – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Former SenSgt )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( March 2021 )
GEORGE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Photograph of Senior Sergeant George Blake (Tweed Heads) taken at Terranora Country Club skeet shooting facility in 1985-86. George joined us for a BBQ and refreshments after training.
It was only two weeks ago ( 10 February 2021 ) that people were talking about George, and others, on FaceBook when he was out at Gilgandra, NSW, in the 1960s..
“Sgt George Blake, legendary ‘hard arse’ copper, got us kids into boxing at the old horse stables in the sixties, at the back of the Golden West Hotel (I was 14 and didn’t last long at boxing, we also had some rough old mats for a bit of ‘judo throwing’ as I recall! I went to school with his daughters and knew the Blake family personally!
Noel Howell (Sgt was also big on sport and youth development (encouraging organised sport and avoiding crime) like George Blake, a typical hard arse country copper and from memory, one of my (and many others) footy coaches in the seventies, he took over as lock up Sgt replacing George Blake (I think)
Lindsay Wilson was a painter and lived just down the road from us, I went to school with his oldest daughter Kay, I am still in touch with her, she is a retired nurse mother and grand mother and lives in SA! An absolutely wonderful women!
Her Dad Lindsay was a very respected man and did a lot of community work too, including being one of the work horses in developing the ‘ new’ Youth Club.
I recall it from 14 years of age up, I can add without doubt though that all three gentlemen mentioned and their families were held in high regard by myself, my family and most of the other families in Gilgandra, for their services and involvement within the community“.
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( in middle ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( on right ) and Mr. Lindsay Wilson ( on left ) – local painter, during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club ( 1960s ).
Bradley Howell NSW Police Historical Society FB Group Bradley Howell 10 Feb 2021 @ 5.11pm As we know police officers quite often become involved with their community in local projects. These photos are from the early 1960s in Gilgandra, NSW. My father, Arthur Noel Howell ( # 5001 )( Sgt 3/c on right ), known as Noel Howell, with George Blake ( # 6567 )( SenCon on left ) during the construction of the Gilgandra Youth Club.
Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954),
Friday 28 May 1954, page 5
Mr. Justice Dovey
Says Evidence
” A Lot of Poppycock ”
Royal Commissioner Mr. Justice Dovey yesterday described evidence by David Edward Studley-Ruxton on the alleged pawning of a stolen overcoat as ” a lot of poppycock. ”
His Honor warned Studley-Ruxton that if he did not behave himself he would spend the night ” in less comfortable quarters than Marton Hall. ”
Yesterday was the 39th day of the inquiry by the Royal Commission into allegations by David Edward Studley-Ruxton, 32, that he had been assaulted by police officers at Darlinghurst, police station on the night of February 25.
When the hearing resumed yesterday Mr. Justice Dovey said he had considered questions asked of Studley-Ruxton late on Wednesday. Studley-Ruxton had indicated that he had not sought protection.
His Honor said: ” It seems to me that, by his answers Studley-Ruxton has indicated that he is not willing to answer the questions.
” The answers given by him should not be admissible against him in subsequent proceedings. ”
” An Ill-Advised Attitude! “
Mr. J. W. Shand, Q.C., for
Inspector J. H. Aldridge, said it was clear that Studley-Ruxton had adopted an ” advised attitude. ”
His Honor: It is an ill advised attitude!
Mr. Shand: He adopted the
same attitude when he had counsel appearing for him. His answers have been given voluntarily, although nothing said here can bind another tribunal.
His Honor: He has been asked certain questions which if answered in a particular way, may amount to a voluntary confession of his guilt of a serious criminal offence. I should indicate that, in my view, by his demeanour and his answers, Studley-Ruxton is unwilling to answer questions.
To his Honor, Studley-Ruxton said, “I wish to answer these questions.”
His Honor: Are you adopting this attitude as a result of advice from somebody else?
Studley-Ruxton: No. It is what I have done all along.
His Honor: But you were represented earlier by counsel. Have you, at present, any solicitor or counsel advising you?
Studley-Ruxton: No. I see Mr. J. Poole and Mr. A. Larkins (barrister) occasionally but they do not advise me.
Mr. Shand: You were asked to consider why you could forget forging and uttering a cheque?
” Cannot Recall The Cheque At All “
Studley-Ruxton: I have thought about it. I cannot recall the cheque at all.
His Honor: Do you think you could have done it when you were drinking heavily?
Studley-Ruxton: It could be so. I can’t remember it.
Mr. Justice Dovey: How could you forget that you had wrongfully and illegally taken possession of a cheque which was not yours – signed it and cashed it?
Studley-Ruxton: If I had done that, I would remember it.
Do you deny that you did it? – I really do not think I did it.
Mr. Shand: Did you take a letter, containing the cheque from the letter rack at the Tiranna guest house?
Studley-Ruxton: I have no recollection of it.
You were hard up then?
Yes.
Did you pawn anything in February this year? – No.
On February 15 this year, will you deny that you pawned an article in William Street? – I don’t know if I did.
His Honor: I don’t believe you! Did you or didn’t you?
Studley-Ruxton: I will swear I did not.
Mr. Justice Dovey: A witness may adopt such an attitude which would compel the Tribunal to conclude that he is deliberately refusing to answer questions. If I draw that inference, and I am reluctant to do so, I will have to take action.
” If Did Wrong Will Admit It “
Studley-Ruxton: If I have done anything I will face up to it. If I did anything wrong I will admit it. I don’t know if I did or not.
His Honor: We want the truth.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know whether I did it or not.
His Honor: I don’t believe you are telling the truth when you say that you don’t know whether you pawned an article or not. You must remember.
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t think I pawned anything. I might have done; I don’t remember.
Mr. Shand: You received £2 for the article you pawned?
Studley-Ruxton: No, I don’t think so. I don’t remember pawning anything.
Showing Studley-Ruxton an overcoat, Mr. Shand asked: “Will you swear that you did not pawn this coat in February this year?”
Studley-Ruxton: I would not pawn that; I would keep it.
His Honor: Is that a serious answer?
Studley-Ruxton: I did not pawn it.
His Honor: Could you have forgotten it?
Studley-Ruxton: I could have.
His Honor: Nonsense!
Studley-Ruxton: I might have done it and forgotten it.
Mr. Shand: What about pawning the stolen overcoat?
Studley-Ruxton: If it was stolen and I pawned it, well, I pawned it.
” Formed Opinion You Are Lying “
His Honor: Do you really, in your fondest dreams, think that anybody could believe such a lot of poppycock! I have formed the opinion that you are lying when you say that you did not know whether you pawned an article or not.
Studley-Ruxton: It is not poppycock, your Honor.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you did it?
Studley-Ruxton: If it will make you content, Mr. Shand I will admit it.
Mr. Shand: Don’t worry about my contentment. Did you do it?
Studley-Ruxton: I cannot remember.
Will you admit it?- I can’t remember. If I did it, I did it; that is all.
Will you deny that you had this overcoat in your possession? I cannot recollect.
His Honor: Is it your coat? Studley-Ruxton: It is not my coat.
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you got £2 from Henry Davidson at a pawn shop in William Street on February 15?
Studley-Ruxton: I might have.
Police ” Said They Would Get Me “
His Honor: From that answer I take it that, very reluctantly, you are admitting that you did?
Not reluctantly. The way I was in February I could have done it.
Does that mean that you might have committed any form of crime and not remember it?- Yes.
Studley-Ruxton added: “This is just what the police said they would do. They said they would get me. I will admit anything at all.”
Mr. Shand: Will you admit that you pawned the coat?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Where did you get the coat?
– I don’t know.
His Honor: I don’t believe you.
Mr. Shand: Where did you get it?
Studley-Ruxton: I don’t know. It is your story you are making up, Mr. Shand not mine.
His Honor: If you do not behave yourself, witness, you will find yourself in less comfortable quarters to-night than in Marton Hall!
[ Evidence was given earlier that Studley-Ruxton was staying in a flat in Marton Hall. ]
Mr. Shand: Will you agree that you got £2 for the coat? Studley-Ruxton: No.
His Honor: But you admit that you pawned it?
Studley-Ruxton: I admit it because Mr. Shand kept at it.
Was it a truthful answer? – If I pawned it, yes.
His Honor: I am getting sick and tired of the way you are humbugging these proceedings. I will not put up with it much longer.
Studley-Ruxton: I think the story fits in very well with what the police said they would do. They told me that if I hit back at them they would get witnesses to make any story stick. They have certainly gone to a lot of trouble.
Mr. Shand: You know that the overcoat and the piece of material came from a stolen car?
” Other Charges ” Mentioned
Studley-Ruxton: Yes.
Early this year you were engaged in every kind of dishonesty you could lay your hands to?- I must have been very busy.
That is what I am suggesting? – Well, I was on the scoot.
His Honor: You have denied that you feared other charges might be preferred against you by the police. That is the only reason this evidence has been allowed.
Studley-Ruxton: If I go to prison I don’t mind. This Commission’s inquiry is entirely different from what Mr. Shand is putting. If I committed crime I must pay for it.
Mr. Shand: There is no doubt that will be attended to !
Coat Identified By Witness
Charles Phillip Coventry, in evidence, identified an overcoat before the Commission as his property which was in his car, stolen in February.
Henry Davidson, pawn-broker, of William Street, East Sydney, said he lent £2 to a David Edwards, of Springwood Avenue, Potts Point. Edwards was a well dressed, well-spoken, gentlemanly person similar to Studley-Ruxton.
Lancelot Roy Conn, of the Ezi-way Laundry, King’s Cross, said Studley-Ruxton offered him a taxation rebate cheque in the name of another person. He cashed the cheque because he assumed it was in order.
Maxwell John Jarvis, hotel broker, of Castlereagh Street, Sydney, identified Studley-Ruxton as the man who asked him, on February 17, if he wanted to buy a car which was “hot.”
Mr. Justice Dovey, to Studley-Ruxton: Do you still say that on February 25 when you were arrested you had no belief or suspicion that you had committed other offences which might be brought home to you?
Studley-Ruxton: Yes, your Honor.
Constable George Henry Blake, attached to Central police station cells, said he was on duty on February 27 when a man named Gilbert came to see Studley-Ruxton in the cells about bail. Gilbert did not ask Studley-Ruxton anything about his injuries.
As they left the cell after seeing Studley-Ruxton Gilbert said to him, “I don’t know whether I should go bail for him or not. He is not a bad chap. He used to work for me, but I don’t know whether I can trust him.”
The hearing will be resumed at 10.15 a.m. on Monday.
Judge Nield in Quarter Sessions Appeals yesterday called police evidence in a drunken driving charge ” highly colored. ”
He rebuked three policemen for smiling as they left the court when the case ended.
Judge Nield upheld an appeal by Ronald Charles Hobson, 36, engineer, of Minnebah Road, Northbridge, against his conviction and fine on a change of having driven under the influence of liquor.
He set aside the conviction and fine.
Mr. H . Harris, S.M., convicted Hobson on April 2 in Central Court and fined him £50.
Sergeant William Claude Gidders, Sergeant Raymond William McLean, and Constable George Henry Blake gave evidence, in the appeal.
Missing witness
Sergeant Gidders said that on November 24 last Hobson’s car struck a rockery in Strathallen Avenue, Northbridge, careered across the road, and demolished a telephone booth.
When police went to Hobson’s home soon afterwards, Hobson came to the door, leaned against the wall, and munched a raw onion, said Gidders.
Police accused him of eating the onion to disguise his breath, the sergeant added.
Judge Nield said the practice was to put all available evidence before the tribunal, but if for some reason the Crown did not propose to call a witness who might be able to give material evidence, it should place the defence in the position of being able to do so.
He said that in the present case the police had obtained from a person a statement which might have been material in assisting the tribunal reach a decision. The police had not produced the statement, called the person as a witness, or made his name and address available to the defence. “That, to my mind, clouds the whole case with suspicion,” he said.
“The case for the prosecution presented for the magistrate and repeated here is so highly colored that the suspicion is not removed.”
Judge Nield added that two witnesses who gave the starting and finishing point of Hobson’s driving on November 24 — which he said gave the complete answer to the charge — had not been cross-examined about the “highly colored evidence” by the three police that Hobson had been drunk at the time.
[ Yesterday Hobson said that on November 24 he had driven from Alexandria to Northbridge, through the city, during peak-hour traffic. ]
As the police were leaving the court, Judge Nield said: “Would you police refrain from those smiles and comport yourselves properly and decently?”
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
Arthur William HODSON
| 02/04/2021
Arthur William HODSON
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 109
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 12318
Service: From 31 October 1966 to12 July 2001 = 34 years, 8 months, 11 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 31 October 1966 ( aged 22 years, 14 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 12 December 1966 ( aged 22 years, 1 month, 25 days )
Constable – appointed 12 December 1967
Constable 1st Class – appointed 12 December 1971
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 12 December 1975
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 November 1982
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Sergeant ?/c
Stations: ?, Macquarie Fields Police Station – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 56 years, 8 months, 25 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 19 years, 6 months, 8 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 22 April 1983 ( SenCon )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 27 August 1992 ( Sgt )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
Class 109 of 12 December 1966 at Redfern Police Training Centre
Arthur is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
Ian Gordon McPHEE
| 02/04/2021
Ian Gordon McPHEE
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 087A
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 10009
A member of the 1st Class who exceeded the 10,000 mark in Regd. numbers under the new ( current ) numbering system implemented on 23 February 1915.
Service: From 29 May 1961 to? ? ? = ? years Service? ? ?
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on 29 May 1961 ( aged 20 years, 4 months, 25 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 3 July 1961 ( aged 20 years, 5 months, 29 days )
Constable – appointed? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 1 April 1967
Detective – appointed? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed 1 April 1971
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 23 September 1977
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Sergeant ?/Class?
Stations: ?, Clarence St Sydney ( 1 Division )( ProCst ), ?, Queanbeyan?, South District ( 1967 ), North Coast District ( 1969 ), Central Police Stn ( late 1970s ), NSW Police Air Wing?, ?
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 11 December 1980 ( Sgt 3/c )
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?TBA
More guys from class 87A who walked into Redfern Police Training Centre on Monday 29 May, 1961 & were Sworn In on Monday 3 July 1961: Harvey Juergens 10018, Doug Philp 10041, Les Wyatt 10039, Peter (Bob) Drooger 10019, Mike Stephens 10026, Ian McPHEE 10009, Terry Lester 10049.
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
IAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
William Francis Hudson, of Island Bend, via Cooma, was lined a total of £12 on one charge of negligent driving and two of having a faulty muffler on his vehicle.
Const. Clive John McLaughlin told Mr. Hughes that he noticed Hudson’s vehicle in Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, on September 4, 1964, when a loud noise was issuing from the exhaust.
Mr. Hughes fined Hudson £6 for negligent driving and £3 for having a faulty muffler.
He was fined another £3 on a second faulty muffler charge on evidence given by Const. Ian McPhee.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known, or can be found, in relation to this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
15 February 2021
Renee Anne LONGFORD
| 02/04/2021
Renee Anne LONGFORD
NSW Goulburn Police Academy PREP Class # 268
Married to NSWPF Member Sgt Peter Cotton, # ?????
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 31467
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Sunday 17 November 1996 ( aged 19 years & 20 days )( spent 5 months, 29 days at Academy )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 16 May 1997 ( aged 19 years, 6 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1/c – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? 2008?
Final Rank: Sergeant
Stations: ?, Liverpool GDs( 22 Division )( May 1997 – 2000 ), Cabramatta GDs( 34 Division )( 2000 – ? )( involved in Operation Puccini ), Picton GDs ( Sgt )( 35 Division ), Bowral ( 2008 – death )
Service: From 17 November 1996 to 24 January 2012 =15 years, 2 months, 7 days Service
This is a song I ( Tom Longford ) started writing for Renee when she was first diagnosed with Angiosarcoma.
After completing the first verse, I had optimistically hoped that each subsequent verse would be brighter than the last, and that the song would eventually include a happy ending.
Unfortunately, I was never given the opportunity to add anything positive for the rest of Renee’s battle.
I finished the song after we lost Renee and shared it with our Parents and our Brother.
I hope to one day record it properly with my band – but at this stage, if you’re interested in listening, you’ll just be hearing a version recorded via web-mic on my laptop.
Sergeant Longford, of Picton, died on January 24 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer since late 2010.
She served as a police officer for 14 years and worked at Liverpool and Cabramatta before she began working at Bowral in 2008.
Superintendent Worboys said Sergeant Longford would be remembered as an excellent communicator who was positive about her duties, with no task ever too big or small.
“Sergeant Longford was the sort of officer that police commanders just want to have around,” he said.
“Renee was just as good at chasing and catching criminals as she was comforting victims of crime.
“She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family.”
Will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.
Aged 34 years
Forever in our hearts
RENEE’s relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held in St John’s Anglican Church, Menangle Road, Camden on Friday, 10th February 2012, commencing at 12.30pm.
Following the service the cortege will proceed to Forest Lawn Crematorium.
In lieu of flowers, donations to cancer research would be appreciated, a donation box will be available at the church.
FAMILY, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Renee Longford said farewell to their friend and comrade at an official police funeral on Friday.
Sgt Longford died on January 24 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer since late 2010.
She served as a police officer for 14 years and worked at Liverpool and Cabramatta before she began working at Bowral in 2008.
Sgt Longford and husband Peter Cotton, a police officer based at Picton, have three children, Dean, Jake and two-year-old Emma.
Sgt Cotton said his wife was also step mother to two of his children from a previous relationship.
About 500 people attended the service at St John’s Anglican Church in Camden, among those Sgt Longford’s colleagues, some wearing plain clothes and others in uniform.
Sgt Cotton said the rain stopped when his wife was brought to the family home before the funeral and the wet weather held off until after the service.
A police guard of honour saluted Sgt Longford as she was taken into the church and Sgt Cotton said it was only when leaving that he realised how many people had come to pay their respects to his wife.
“They lined the road way and it surprised me on the way out because I knew how many people we had left behind (in the church).
“I’ve done a lot of police funerals in my time and it was one of the biggest I had been to let alone been involved with.”
Sgt Cotton said a second service was then held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Leppington, where the police guard of honour continued the display respect.
He said Goulburn LAC commander Superintendent Gary Worboys and family friends Ben and Tim Mallott were among those who spoke about Sgt Longford at the service.
Supt Worboys said Sgt Longford’s funeral was a fitting tribute to her dedication to her job as a police officer.
He said Sgt Longford would be remembered as an excellent communicator that was positive about her duties, with no task ever too big or small.
“Sgt Longford was the sort of officer that police commanders just want to have around,” he said.
“Renee was just as good at chasing and catching criminals as she was comforting victims of crime.
“She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family.”
Sgt Cotton said the service was the best the family could have hoped for.
“It was quite humbling and quite fitting.
“I’m very proud that she’d touched the hearts of so many people.”
Sgt Longford being taken into St John’s Anglican Church in Camden on Friday for an official police funeral service. Photo by Jeff de Pasquale
Colleagues of Sgt Longford, led by Senior Constable Natalie Innes, speaking at the funeral service on Friday. Photo by Jeff de Pasquale
RENEE LONGFORD isn’t letting an aggressive form of cancer plaguing her body defeat her.
Tracey Bailey, Jill Linford, Dareen Farr ( # 23446 ) and Renee and Emma Longford catch up at Bowral Police Station last week.Photo by Ben McClellan
Picton bowling day organisers Constable Leisa Faulkner and Constable Kim Rutley, Renee Longford, Picton Bowling Club GM Debbie Egan and Mens Bowls president Bob Lang last December. Photo by Jonathan Ng
The Bowral police sergeant, who has been off work since September last year, dropped in on some of her colleagues last week to thank them and the community for all the money raised to help her family.
A fundraising dinner at Mittagong RSL last November along with a host of smaller events and donations raised $47,255.
The family lives in Picton and a fundraising bowls day, where everyone was asked to don Ms Longford’s favourite colour yellow, was another success last December.
Ms Longford’s partner Peter Cotton, also a police officer , has retuned to work at Camden. The couple have five children between them.
The couple has three children, including a one-year-old, and Mr Cotton has two children from a previous relationship.
The 33-year-old has been an officer for 13 years and served at Liverpool and Cabramatta before moving to Bowral as a sergeant in October, 2008.
Ms Longford used the visit to publicly thank the Highlands community.
“Thanks to the business community for their donations and all my colleagues who have been fantastic,” she said.
“Thanks to Graeme Day for hosting the night and Tony Fountain for running the auction.”
Ms Longford has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and she said the cancer around her hips and spine has stopped growing.
She said she was considering using an experimental kidney transplant drug that could help.
While she would never walk the beat again she was focused on getting back to work.
“I’d love to get back to work,” she said.
Bowral colleague Jill Linford said the station had been overwhelmed by the support the community had shown.
“It’s really, really nice,” she said.
Sergeant Darren Farr, one of the longest serving officers at Bowral, said he didn’t realise how much support was out in the community for the police.
Longford appeal
A BANK account has been opened with the BDCU to help Renee Longford and her family:
The Club hosted a Cruise Night on Saturday 15 January 2011 with proceeds going to Renee Longford, the daughter of one of our life members, John Longford.
Renee was recently diagnosed with an aggressive type of bone cancer. The Club members decided to help by organising a cruise night at our clubrooms with all proceeds going to Renee.
The night started about 6.00pm and it wasn’t long before the car park was filled with Hot Rods, Customs and American Muscle Cars. There were many more vehicles parked in the street. All in all there were in excess of 100 cars.
The Flattrakkers provided the music for the evening and the kids were entertained with a giant jumping castle. The members were kept busy cooking the BBQ for the crowd of over 500 people. A monster raffle was held during the night with prizes donated by various members and other supporters of the evening.
It was a great night which was enjoyed by all and we thank everyone for their support. We were able to hand Renee an amount of $3000.00 which will assist her and her family during this difficult time.
A special thanks must go to Mick and Pam Cooley who co-ordinated the night as well as all the members who donated items for the raffle.
His wife Fay, and family, have chosen this location as it was a favourite destination for Robbo on his weekly bike ride.
It has been suggested the proposed dress is neat casual and wear medals if desired. The funeral will be conducted outdoors and I am advised that Putty is about 90Km from Windsor and is outside Sydney Metro area.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
19 March 2017
ROBBO is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
This morning at 9.15am EDST, Monday the 18 January 2021. The world became a sadder place and contains a great void in the hearts of many.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform all of the passing of:-
Raymond C. ROBINSON
“Robbo”
19/08/1953 – 18/01/2021
Registered No: 16203
Sergeant Retired, New South Wales Police Force
Class No: 138 14/01/1974 – 25/02/1974 Attested Pro/Constable
25/02/1975 Confirmed to Constable
25/02/1979 Promoted to Constable 1st Class
25/02/1983 Promoted to Senior Constable
Promoted to Sergeant 1989
Section 66 Inspector
What can I say Robbo was a close friend to myself and many others and a brother of the Thin Blue Line. He will be sadly missed by one and all even those that did not have the honour of meeting him in person. He was a larger than life character and a mentor to many in Law Enforcement and the Motorcycling world.
Robbo has ridden on ahead to check the roads and rides for those of us that will eventually join him.
R.I.P Brother, Til Valhalla
Funeral arrangements will be posted once they come to hand. Please keep Fay, Ashley and Robbo’s extended family in your thoughts and prayers at this of saddest time.
Harley Willox
Class 138, 16223
Ray Robinson back row second from left
Redfern Police Academy Class 138 of Feb 1974 BACK ROW ( L – R ) Andrew McCOULLOUGH # 16176, RaymondROBINSON # 16203, ?, Barry ODMARK # 16219, ?, ?, ?, ?, Sue BRENNAN P/W 0190 MIDDLE ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, Ray POTTER # 16327, ?,?, ?, ?, ? FRONT ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, D.S. ( STEVE ) PACKER # 16225, ?,?, ?, ?
Ray leaves a legacy that extends literally around the globe, his life brought so many people together that formed so many new friendships it is amazing, but then that is Robbo, amazing. We will miss you, but not forget you. R.I.P..
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” talking things over with Brian Turner (sales Manager)
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” & Mal BROWN attended a Breast Cancer BBQ this morning. Neither of us wear or own anything pink so money went into the donation bucket. 10 November 2016
27 Feb 2019 · Ray Robinson blessing the lemonade at Wollombi.
18 Sept. 2016· Sydney · Castlebrook Memorial Park Rouse Hill for the Dawn Service to remember Bryson Anderson. L to R Mal Brown (me), Ray Robinson (Robbo), Harley Willox (Club President), Simon Bouda (Channel 9) That is my black Harley Ultra Classic. Another memorable Wall to Wall
1 March 2018 · Sydney · Mal Brown, , Bull Ant, Lloyd Taylor & Ray Robinson. Introduced Bull Ant to a NSWPF Association Legend Lloyd Taylor this morning.
Sunday 19 March 2017
Paul HUNT & Ray ROBINSON
Ray Robbo Robinson June 10, 2020 · I am proud to have served as a Cop. I am proud of my brothers and sisters who also took the Oath to be one. I am disgusted in the behaviour of some in our community that would NEVER have had the guts to Serve yet seem to know that ALL Police are shit…. Well, you people that think that, have a good look in the mirror if you want to see a pile of crap then go and have a good meal, go and have a drink before you climb into your nice safe warm beds and keep in that little brain of yours that those people you say are shit willingly provide you with the safety that you enjoy while you scream obscenities at the them…… Caragabal Police Station, NSW
1973, Shelley Beach ( The Shire ) ( Sutherland )
15 June 2020 Putty Rd, Colo, NSW
2 December 2020
Bruce David McKEACHIE
| 02/04/2021
Bruce David McKEACHIE
AKA ?
Late of Crown Street, Harrington, NSW
( ” possibly ” related to Glen J. McKEACHIE, NSWPF # 22759 )
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 038
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6785
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 26 June 1950 ( aged 22 years, 1 month, 23 days )( 1 month, 19 days at Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed 14 August 1950 ( aged 22 years, 3 months, 11 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 July 1967
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 April 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 16 September 1977
Inspector 3rd Class – appointed
Inspector 2nd Class – appointed
Inspector – appointed 5 November 1983
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Chief Inspector
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Stations: ?, Ashfield ( Det Cst 1/c )( 1960 ), Liverpool ( 22 Division )( Det Sgt 2/c – 1/c )( ? – 16 Sept. 1977 ), Fairfield ( 34 Division )( 1970s – October 1979 )( Sgt 1/c )( GDs ), Broken Hill ( Sgt 1/c )( GDs )( October 1979 – April 1980 ), ?
Service: From 26 June 1950 to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Former Det C/Insp )
Born: Thursday 3 May 1928
Died on: Thursday 26 January 2012 ( Australia Day )
Age: 83 years, 8 months, 23 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Bruce McKEACHIE ( # 6785 ) taken in 1980s in the meal room at the old Fairfield Police station, Smart St, Fairfield, NSW.
( L – R ): Col PATEMAN ( # 16846 ), Warren McDONALD ( # ????? ), Sgt Don PATERSON ( # 9183 ), Bob McDONAGH ( # 8565 ), Bruce McKEACHIE ( # 6785 ), Trevor TOBIN ( # 14323 ) taken in 1980s in the meal room at the old Fairfield Police station, Smart St, Fairfield, NSW.
Records show that, in the beginning of 1942, the Officer In Charge ( O.I.C. ) of the ‘ Police Depot ‘, Bourke St, Redfern, was A. R. McKEACHIE. ( ” possibly ” another relative ).
Andrew Rowley McKEACHIE, Born 1889, NSW, NSW Police Reg # ‘Q ‘ 9175 – ProCst Thursday 29 December 1910
Info: Police Heritage Story
Cumberland Argus (Parramatta, NSW : 1950 – 1962),
Wednesday 14 December 1960, page 15
Granville Page
Win after close contest
Detective Constable Bruce McKeachie, of Ashfield, played a consistent game to win a stableford event in a competition staged by No. .9 Division Police Golf Club last week.
McKeachie gained 41 points to win from Inspector Ray Blissett, of Paddington, who returned 40 points.
It was McKeachie‘s first win in competition golf events organised by the Police Golf Club.
Presenting trophies to winners, the club president, Detective Senior Constable Jack Thompson, said he was particularly pleased that Detective McKeachie had won. He said he had been playing with the club for a long time, and this was his first victory.
Senior Constable Thompson also congratulated the other winners.
Next meeting of the club will be held at Carnarvon Golf Club, Lidcombe, on Christmas Day.
A single stableford competition event will be staged.
Players will receive a Christmas gift from the club. The event is set down to begin at 8 a.m. sharp.
The club has held elections for the coming year.
Elections resulted: President, Detective Senior Constable J. D. Thompson; vice-presidents, Detective Sergeant 3/c E. W. Quill and Detective Constable 1/c E. A. Booth; secretary, Detective Senior Constable R. S. Cox; treasurer, Detective Sergeant 3/c F. G. Bridges; handicapper and organiser, Senior Constable L. R. Clancy; club captain, Constable 1/c G. A. Dobbins; vice-captain, Constable 1/c L. Weston; committee, Senior Constable J. R. Beswick, Constable S. S. Johns.
Following are results of last week’s game:
Police — Detective Constable 1/c Bruce McKeachie, of Ashfield, first with 41 points; Inspector Ray Blissett, of Paddington, second with 40 points; Detective Sergeant 3/c Ted Bridges, of Lidcombe, third with 40 points.
Bridges was beaten on a count-back for second place.
Visitors: Mr. Hilton Neal, of Liverpool Golf Club, first with 38 points; Mr. Alby Beveridge, of Fox Hills Golf Club, second with 38 points ( beaten on a count-back ), and Mr. George Barker, of Cabramatta Golf Club, third with 35 points.
I remember Bruce as a Sgt 1/c at the old Fairfield Police Station ( same location as the present station but when it consisted of two separate buildings with the driveway down between them ).
Bruce was on GDs and I recall him as being under 6′ tall, with black ‘ brilcreamed ‘ hair – combed back and, I think, had bit of a prominent nose and / or jaw line.
He was a nice bloke.
Cal
13 Jan 2021
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this man at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
Lisa Ann CAMWELL
| 02/04/2021
Lisa Ann CAMWELL nee PARRISH
the First Full Time Female Rescue Operator at Zetland Rescue Squad
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – PREP Class # 242
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 26988
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 30 July 1989 ( aged 20 years, 9 months, 26 days ) ( spent 5 months, 26 days at the Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed Thursday 25 January 1990 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed 27 April 1991
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 30 June 1995
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Retirement / Leaving age: = 49 years, 6 months, 15 days
Stations: Sutherland, Menai GDs, State Protection Group – Police Rescue Squad – Zetland ( 4 July 1993 – ? ), Engadine Police Rescue Squad, ?, Monaro District, Police Rescue Squad – Cooma & GDs & Lock Up Keeper ( 12 July 1998 – 5 January 2004 ), Queanbeyan GDs ( 6 January 2004 – 18 September 2010 ), Queanbeyan had a name change to Monaro / Cooma District ( 12 January 2004 ), Blue Mountains GDs & Police Rescue ( 19 September 2010 – 19 April 2018 )
Service: From 29 October 1989 to19 April 2018 = 28 years, 8 months, 20 days Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system although –
NSW Police Medal ( 10 years ) granted on 30 September 2004
1st Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 30 March 2005
National Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 28 April 2005
2nd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 11 October 2010
NSW Police Commissioners Sesquicentennary Citation granted on 4 October 2012
1st Clasp to National Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
3rd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 25 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
NSW Police National Service Medal granted on 10 September 2018
Born: Friday 4 October 1968
Died on: Saturday 2 January 2021
Age: 52 years, 2 months, 29 days
Cause: PTSD – Liver and Kidney failure
Event location: Blacktown Hospital, NSW
Event date: Saturday 2 January 2021
Funeral date: Tuesday 12 January 2021 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Pinegrove Memorial Park, North Chapel, Kington St, Minchinbury, NSW 02 9625 8066
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Guardian Funerals
Buried at: ? TBA
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
LISA is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Condolences to her partner, Grant Gibson & his two children, family and friends.
Lisa was the eldest child of parents, Ian Roderick Parrish and Marilyn Ann Gibson and Stepmom Judith Parrish.
Sister to Jody and Amanda and Aunty to their children.
Mother of Dayna, Hunter, Kade and Tamsyn.
This was published 13 years ago
Officer who found Byrne’s body grilled
The policeman who found Caroline Byrne dead at The Gap has told a Sydney court that in almost 20 years of rescue work, he had not seen any other bodies so far out from the cliff face.
Senior Sergeant Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ) gave evidence at the committal hearing for Gordon Wood, who is defending the charge that he murdered his former girlfriend.
The body of the 24-year-old model was found wedged head-first in rocks at the bottom of The Gap at Watsons Bay, in Sydney’s east, on June 8, 1995.
Wood, who was stockbroker Rene Rivkin‘s chauffeur at the time, is accused of throwing her from the 29-metre high cliff.
Exactly where Ms Byrne landed is central to the case, but her death was initially treated as suicide and no photographs were taken of her body at the scene.
Sgt Powderley told Burwood Local Court he and Constable Lisa Camwell retrieved Ms Byrne‘s body from a crevice next to a pyramid-shaped rock.
The officer, who spent 19 years in the Police Rescue Squad, said he had recovered up to 20 bodies from The Gap but had never found anyone that far out from the cliff.
Research by physics expert Rodney Cross allegedly shows that Ms Byrne could only have landed at this point, 11.8 metres from the cliff face, if she was hurled using a spear throw.
But a different place was nominated as the point of impact in a 1996 police video, which was played to the court.
In the video, Sgt Powderley narrates from the cliff top as Constable Camwell indicates a place several metres from the pyramid rock.
Sgt Powderley said he “wasn’t really concentrating” when the video – intended to publicise the Byrne case – was recorded.
He had only realised in 2004 that it showed the wrong place.
“If we were there to do a Forensic Services assessment of the scene and pinpoint the exact location … things would have been done differently,” he said.
Sgt Powderley said he saw the video for the first time at the 1997 inquest into Ms Byrne‘s death, but did not notice the position was wrong because he “just wasn’t paying the attention to it that I should have”.
Police initially gave Prof Cross the wrong information about where Ms Byrne landed and he concluded she probably jumped, the court has been told.
Defence barrister Winston Terracini SC suggested measurements of the location had been “wrong for ages”, but were changed when police received a report “that doesn’t suit their purposes”.
Sgt Powderley denied having been asked by the detective heading the investigation, Paul Jacob ( # 18752 ), to reconsider the body’s location.
Earlier, Prof Cross told the court he had not considered information from 1994 about Ms Byrne‘s sporting ability when concluding she could not have jumped so far from the cliff.
Instead, he used reports from Ms Byrne‘s high school teachers that she had no athletic ability.
Mr Terracini asked why he had not taken into account the more recent information which, he said, showed Ms Byrne “excelled at a whole range of different sports” including basketball, swimming and aerobics.
“I presumed that that material was provided by Caroline Byrne herself,” Prof Cross said.
On 9 September 2008 the Daily Telegraph / AAP reported “Exact spot of model’s body ‘forgotten’”
It said a police officer who recovered the body of model Caroline Byrne has told a Sydney court she will never remember the exact location of the body. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell told the New South Wales Supreme Court a controversial 1996 video re-enactment was her best memory of the recovery operation.
Ms Byrne, 24, was found wedged head first in rocks at the base of cliffs at The Gap, in Sydney’s east on June 8, 1995. Her live-in boyfriend Gordon Wood is on trial for her murder. Sen Const Camwell was one of two police involved in retrieving Ms Byrne’s body. She was tasked with carrying a body bag and stretcher across to the recovery site.
The officer today told the jury her recollection of the morning was based solely on her own actions “which was carrying equipment and looking at the ground”. When she took part in a video re-enactment about a year after Ms Byrne‘s death, Sen Const Camwell said she determined the place she believed the body found was based upon an estimate of how long it had taken her to reach it that night. “Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
Sen Const Camwell said she had no further involvement in the case until she was contacted about the video in 2004. She told the court the officer then in charge of the murder investigation said the position of Ms Byrne‘s body had become a ” significant issue ”, and where she had indicated on the video appeared to be incorrect. She agreed with Wood’s barrister Winston Terracini SC that her best memory of events was as recorded on the video.
The location of the body is essential to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death. Sen Const Camwell‘s partner Mark Powderly has told the jury the body was recovered from a different location which is consistent with the theory that Ms Byrne was murdered. The location indicated by Sen Const Camwell supports the hypothesis that Ms Byrne took her own life. The trial continues.
MICK BRUNETTA had heard a lot of screams during his 17 years of fishing at The Gap, but he had never heard anything like the one he heard on the night of June 7, 1995, he told a murder trial yesterday.
Mr Brunetta and his brother-in-law Norm Wano were not having much luck as they cast their lines into the darkness from the clifftop. About 11pm they heard what they variously described as a woman’s “freakish scream” and that she sounded “like someone who was panicked or scared”.
Mr Wano turned and said, “F— man, what was that?” and the pair continued fishing.
Gordon Wood, 45, has pleaded not guilty to throwing his girlfriend, Caroline Byrne, a 24-year-old model, from the cliffs at the notorious suicide spot in Sydney’s east.
Mr Wano said that he contacted the police 11 months later after seeing a re-enactment on television where police asked the two fishermen, who were potential witnesses, to come forward.
Wearing an olive-green bandanna over his dreadlocks and his sunglasses perched on top of his head, Mr Wano said that although he was not a keen fisherman, he often accompanied his brother-in-law.
He said he had heard the scream about 11pm and, “It wasn’t a scream of happiness. It was like a scared scream.”
He said that later three men had come by calling out the name “Caroline”. Upon being told of the scream, Mr Wano said, one of the men had said, “On no, she’s done it, she’s done it.”
Mr Brunetta, who gave evidence with the assistance of an Italian interpreter, said that he recalled seeing a lone man calling out “Caroline” and that later that night that same man, who had blond hair, had come back with two other men. After telling the group of the scream, they asked to borrow his torch.
Mr Brunetta said his torch was not very good because the battery “was a bit flat”.
He agreed that in his 2004 statement he had said that when he saw the men trying to shine the torch to illuminate the bottom of the cliff, he had said, “There’s no way that man will be able to see anything because the torch is not strong enough.”
The two fishermen stayed on until dawn watching the police recover Ms Byrne’s body. Mr Brunetta said no one had ever taken him back to The Gap to try to pinpoint the exact location of where Ms Byrne had landed.
Also yesterday, a police witness contradicted another on critical evidence against Wood.
One officer told the jury that she would never be able to pinpoint the exact location of the body, which is vital to proving that Ms Byrne’s death was murder.
The jury has heard conflicting evidence about where the body was found, with senior retrieval officer Mark Powderly testifying Ms Byrne was some 10 metres from the cliff face.
But his partner, Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, yesterday told the court she believed Ms Byrne was in a crevice closer to the shore.
No measurements or photographs were taken on the night of her death.
A 1996 video re-enactment of the rescue operation shows Senior Constable Camwell pointing to a spot, which is referred to as the “exact location” of Ms Byrne’s body.
The officer yesterday said she had estimated the site based upon how long it took her to reach the body on the night of the retrieval, and the video showed her best recollection of events.
“Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
During the trial, the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actuallocation where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of theofficers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location.She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of themurder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of MsByrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body positionshe had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reportsduring the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essentialcomponent to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, butwas forcefully thrown to her death [The12]
2.4.3.3
Deliberation and verdictAfter five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years,with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to theconviction.2.4.4Inquests, Investigations and TrialsTwo inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coronerJohn Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale“with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidencerunning to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to pressfor action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New SouthWales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in StateParliament up till 2004.In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/beingprojected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principalelements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial ofGordon Wood. In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of PublicProsecutions Nicholas Cowdery QC agreed with police that there was enoughevidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder. Wood was detained in London inApril 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for theCrown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, JusticeGraham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member ofthe jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remainedanonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit tothe crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully”and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had todischarge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions andmisconducted themselves.”The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in NewSouth Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual12 to provide some contingency.
Caroline Byrne (8 October 1970 – 7 June 1995), an Australian model, was found at the bottom of a cliff at The Gap in Sydney in the early hours of 8 June 1995. Her then boyfriend Gordon Eric Wood (b. 1962), who at the time of her death was chauffeur and personal assistant to businessman Rene Rivkin, was convicted of her murder on 21 November 2008 and spent three years in Goulburn jail. He was acquitted of the conviction in February 2012.[1][2]
Events of 7 June 1995
The Gap at Watsons Bay, location of Byrne’s death.
Born on 8 October 1970,[3] Byrne had been in a relationship with Wood since 1992. She was a model but principally worked as a modelling instructor for Sydney deportment and etiquette educator June Dally-Watkins. On 7 June 1995, she failed to turn up for work and for an appointment with a psychiatrist. There were three claimed sightings of her near The Gap at Watsons Bay that afternoon and evening, in the company of two men, one of whom matched Wood’s description. Two of the sightings – at 1 pm and 3 pm – were by local cafe owners, Craig Martin and Lance Melbourne. In 1998 John Doherty, an Irish artist who had been out of the country in the intervening years, came forward to say that around 8.30pm that evening he too had seen Byrne outside his studio window arguing with one man while another man stood nearby.[4]
Wood denied being present at Watsons Bay that afternoon. Evidence was sworn at both inquests by Wood’s friends Brett Cochrane and Nic Samartis that they lunched with him briefly around 1:15 pm in Potts Point before he was called away after a call from Rivkin.[5]:206 Wood claimed that he was asked by Rivkin to chauffeur prominent lobbyist and ex-federal minister Graham Richardson to an appointment and then spent the afternoon doing regular chores for Rivkin before going home around 7 pm. The Richardson alibi was compromised by Richardson when he was interviewed by police in 2001, when he advised that he had lunched that day with rugby league administrator Peter Moore.[4]
Wood’s movements in the afternoon have never been reported prior to the late evening, when Wood said he awoke on his couch having fallen asleep in front of the television and was immediately alarmed that Byrne was still not home. Wood has said he did not know Byrne’s whereabouts but was led by what he termed “telepathic communication” to The Gap. He had first driven to the beachfront car-park at Bondi Beach where he and Byrne had spent much time and then to a favourite park at Camp Cove where they had often picnicked. Heading back from Camp Cove he spotted Byrne’s white Suzuki Vitara parked in a lane at The Gap. It was when running about the cliff-top and shouting her name that Wood encountered two rock fishermen who verified his appearance around midnight.
Wood then rang Tony Byrne and Caroline’s brother Peter. He drove back into Sydney city and collected them and all three then went to the Gap and scoured the cliff-top. Peter Byrne later gave evidence that at about 1am Wood claimed to have spotted her body at the base of the cliff using torchlight. Byrne himself said he could see nothing and nor could the police who arrived soon after with police torches. The night was dark and the cliff misty. Peter Byrne claimed it was difficult to see the rocks below the cliff, let alone a body. The contention whether Wood had claimed he could see something in the darkness figured in much media speculation over the years and formed a key part of Crown evidence in the 2008 trial. In 2011 the Appeal Court felt that the Crown had presented speculation in this area posing as evidence. This was one of the grounds resulting in Wood’s 2011 appeal being upheld.
The identity of the second man supposedly sighted by Melbourne and Martin with Wood in Watsons Bay earlier in the day has remained unclear. With evidence contradicting the likelihood that the man was either of those whom the police considered in investigation (Byrne’s modelling agent Adam Leigh or Rivkin associate Gary Redding) the Crown chose to pose speculation without evidence on either during the trial and drew criticism from the trial judge and later the appellant judges.
Media interest
Byrne’s death was accepted as a suicide by local Rose Bay Police and others. No photographs were taken of the location of her body’s landing point.
In 1996, Byrne’s father begin to agitate against the notion of suicide such that from 1997 onwards the case and circumstances of Byrne’s death were regularly examined in Australia’s national newspapers and reported as “one of Sydney’s unsolved crimes”. The death of a beautiful model at one of Sydney’s notorious suicide spots, the connection to the flamboyant and newsworthy Rivkin, and a net of witnesses and commentators which included some prominent Sydney identities all added to the intrigue of the case.
Offset Alpine speculation
Attention was particularly heightened by the still unproven speculation of a connection with Rene Rivkin’s financial activities. The day before Byrne’s death, Wood and Rivkin were interviewed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission about the Offset Alpine fire of 1993 and the true ownership of share parcels traded in Offset Alpine owned by nominees related to Swiss bank accounts.[5]:203 Tony Byrne claimed that Wood had indicated to his daughter that the fire was a set-up for insurance purposes.
Ultimately in 2001 Rivkin was charged with insider trading (of Qantas shares) and his eventual conviction in 2003 had a devastating effect on his mental stability, culminating in his 2005 suicide.[6] However the ASIC investigation into share trading in Offset Alpine and the true beneficiaries proved an epic that outlived Rivkin, commencing in 1995 and continuing from 2005 with a focus shifted to Graham Richardson and Trevor Kennedy until eventually closed without outcome by ASIC in 2010.[7]
Peripheral celebrities
Adding to this intrigue was a list of celebrities with a peripheral involvement in the case. Byrne’s medical doctor who had referred her to the psychiatric appointment she did not keep on 7 June was television celebrity physician, Dr Cindy Pan.[5]:205Graham Richardson‘s diarised luncheon appointment that day (which caused him to question whether he may have been chauffeured anywhere by Wood) was with rugby league identity Peter Bullfrog Moore at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel and was set up to broker a peace deal in the Super League war which deeply divided Australian rugby league at that time. Wood always claimed that he had driven Moore from a noon meeting with Rivkin to what may well have been a lunch, though the press and (later) the Crown ignored this possibility. Moore died in July 2000 a year prior to the Strikeforce Irondale interview with Richardson, thus preventing corroboration of the luncheon timings and Rivkin too was dead before the trial.[8]
Byrne’s close friends included entertainer Tania Zaetta and actress Kylie Watson, a Home and Away cast member. It was the amateur sleuthing around Watsons Bay armed with photographs of Byrne in the weeks after her death which had Dally-Watkins and Watson uncover the Martin/Melbourne sighting lead.[5]:206 Other celebrity witnesses who figured in the case at some point included businessman John Singleton, journalist Paul Barry and paparazzo Jamie Fawcett.
Inquests, investigation and trials
Two inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coroner John Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998 delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.
Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale” with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidence running to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to press for action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New South Wales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in State Parliament up till 2004.[9]
In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/being projected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principal elements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial of Gordon Wood.[10] In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas CowderyQC agreed with police that there was enough evidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder.[11] Wood was detained in London in April 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4 May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.
The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for the Crown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, Justice Graham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member of the jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remained anonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit to the crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully” and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had to discharge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions and misconducted themselves.”[12]
The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in New South Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual 12 to provide some contingency. [12]
Trial evidence
Presentation of the Crown case
Following the aborted first trial Tedeschi, as Crown Prosecutor, presented the Crown case over a nine-week period from 26 August until 24 October 2008. Over 70 witnesses were called and the jury heard hours of audio and video evidence including taped interviews with Rivkin and Wood.[13]
Witnesses called by the prosecution included Pan, Richardson, Watson, Zaetta, Singleton, Fawcett, Bob Hagan and sports journalist Phil Rothfield. Tony Byrne, Peter Byrne, Dally-Watkins and her daughter Carol Clifford appeared. Doherty and Cochrane gave evidence via video link up from overseas. Police witnesses included Tracey Smit ( ProCst # 61020 ) and Paul Griffiths ( # 23770 ? ) (officers on scene), Sgt Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ), Sgt Neville Greatorex ( # 16136 )(who gave evidence on police procedures), Snr Const Lisa Camwell( # ????? )(who retrieved the body) and the first investigating officer of the case Sgt Craig Woods ( #22599 ? ) of Rose Bay who had first dismissed the death as suicide and who gave evidence that in the first weeks Tony Byrne too accepted the suicide verdict and was explicitly against the idea of an inquest. Another ex-policeman to appear was Byrne’s former boyfriend Andrew Blanchette ( # ????? ). At one stage Justice Barr counselled Blanchette that he ought consider taking legal advice before answering a particular question. Sensationally on his second day in the witness box, Blanchette admitted that early that morning he had phoned another witness – Melinda Medich, his girlfriend and a minor at the time of Byrne’s death – before she was due to give evidence later that day. Blanchette was reported to police by Medich who had not heard from him for a number of years. Blanchette denied that he had been attempting to influence her evidence.
Location of the body
Retired University of Sydney physicist Associate Professor Rod Cross spent two days in the witness box. Over a six-year period Cross had produced six reports on the case – with his initial findings being quite different to the later findings presented in the trial.[10] Although formally qualified in the field of plasma physics, Cross had experience working with biomechanists regarding sports research and had published and refereed many papers on biomechanics;[14] he was therefore proposed by police investigators as a forensic expert in fall dynamics. Between 1998 and 2004 Cross’ reports all concluded that Byrne could have jumped to her death, as he was told that Byrne’s body had been found at a distance of 9 metres (30 ft) from the cliff.[15] In 2005, when he was recontacted by the police that the position of the body was in fact farther away (11.8 metres (39 ft)), he conducted experiments which informed his speculation that Byrne could not have jumped that far and must have been thrown.[5]:210[16] The required launch speed, from the top of the 29 metres (95 ft) high cliff, was 4.5 m/s (see range of a projectile[17][18]), and the available runup distance was only 4 metres (13 ft) – although appeal submissions in 2011 called this into question. Cross tested eleven females from the New South Wales Police Academy and found that they could dive and land head first (in a swimming pool) at about 3.5 m/s after a 4 metres (13 ft) runup. A strong male could throw a 61 kilograms (134 lb) female at 4.8 m/s after a runup of only 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) or 3 metres (9.8 ft).
During the trial the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actual location where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of the officers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996 participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location. She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of the murder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of Ms Byrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body position she had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reports during the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essential component to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death.[19]
Suicide history
The court heard that Caroline’s mother Andrea Byrne had committed suicide in March 1991 after she became depressed following a breast enlargement operation that went wrong.[20] Terracini also read to the court a letter Tony Byrne had previously provided to police in which he claimed that Caroline had made an attempt on her own life via overdose in 1992. In court Tony Byrne denied that Caroline had on that occasion intended to kill herself and instead was making “a cry for help”. At another stage of the cross examination, he claimed to suppose that had Caroline wanted to kill herself she would have copied her mother’s method rather than jumping from a cliff.[21]
Byrne’s doctor, author and television personality Cindy Pan, gave evidence that she had seen Byrne for two years before her death and had specifically discussed Byrne’s depression with her in the weeks leading up to her death. Dr. Pan told the court Byrne said she had felt depressed for about a month and the condition had worsened in the week leading up to their appointment on 5 June 1995. Pan said the model told her she could not put a finger on what she was unhappy about.
“I was trying to explore with her what she might be depressed about, but she was not really able to identify any one specific thing,” Pan told the court. She said Byrne told her she “had the same thing three years ago” and had been put on medication, which had helped. Pan said Byrne denied having thoughts of self-harm and she referred her to a psychiatrist, obtaining an appointment for 4 pm on 7 June.[22]
Presentation of the defence
One defence witness, Prof John Hilton, a forensic pathologist, was called during the Prosecution case, due to his later unavailability. Otherwise Terracini commenced the defence case on 27 October 2008 calling another physics expert Prof Marcus Pandy, a electromechanical engineer who conducted experiments on running and jumping speeds of two females. Only a handful of defence witnesses were called – two forensic pathologists, one psychiatrist, Prof Pandy, a stunt diver, and Wood’s sister Jacqueline Schmidt – and the defence case concluded within a week.
With the trial drawing to a close, the jury made a number of requests of Justice Barr that included a visit the Gap for a third time; for a transcript of Doherty’s evidence; and for video footage of Pandy’s running experiments.[23]
Deliberation and verdict
For the first time in New South Wales court history, a ballot was used to select the three jurors who would stand down so that twelve of the sitting fifteen would deliberate to a verdict. After five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.[24][25] On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years, with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to the conviction.[26]
Appeal
Wood’s appeal hearing commenced on 22 August 2011 in the Criminal Court of Appeal before Chief Judge at Common Law Peter McClellan, Justice Megan Latham, and Justice Stephen Rothman. Wood’s barrister Tim Game SC submitted that the jury’s verdict was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence. His submission spoke of nine grounds for appeal. One was that the trial miscarried by reason of the prejudice occasioned by the Tedeschi’s closing address. Others related to criticisms of Barr’s directions to the jury.
Early media reporting of the appeal focused on Game’s submission that the scientific evidence used to convict Wood and presented by Associate Professor Cross was flawed. A photograph was presented in the trial and purported to be taken in 1996 showing that scrub near the fence line had limited Byrne’s possible run-up to the jump, supporting an argument that she would have needed to have been thrown to achieve the horizontal distance from the cliff wall that her body travelled. The appeal judges heard and the Crown acknowledged that the photo was in fact taken in 2003 and that photo’s quality meant that a shadow might have appeared to be scrub. The appeal judges heard that a 1996 colour photo which showed that there was no scrub limiting the run-up was available to the Crown during the trial but that the Crown had chosen to introduce the blurrier, non-contemporaneous, more ambiguous image.[27]
Game’s submission, consistent with so much of the trial evidence, concerned matters relating to the exact positioning of Byrne’s body at the base of the rocks and the orientation of her legs and torso and leading to questions regarding the contended launch point and the assumptions and assertions made by Cross in his pre-trial studies and reports and his trial evidence. Day two of Game’s submission focused on the police’s changed view between 1996 and 2005 as to Byrne’s landing spot and specifically trial evidence given by Sergeant Mark Powderly used to justify the reconstruction.[28]
The Criminal Court of Appeal delivered their opinion on 24 February 2012 acquitting Wood of Byrne’s murder and ordering his release from jail.[1] The appellate judges delivered a unanimous decision that there was insufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt that Wood murdered Byrne and that the jury’s verdict was not supported. They dismissed the Crown evidence as being critically flawed and ruled that the possibility of her suicide ought not have been excluded.[1][2]
Justice McClennan described Cross’ experiments as “unsophisticated” and in the summation of his decision said that he was not satisfied by either of the two motives presented by the Crown.[1] Regarding the motive submitted by Tedeschi that Byrne had information about Rivkin’s business dealings that Wood was trying to hide, McClennan said “The exploitation of public rumour and the use of mere innuendo to compensate for inadequate evidence of motive is not consistent with the obligations of a prosecutor to press the Crown case “to its legitimate strength” by reliance upon credible evidence”.[2]:para 305 McLennan was also troubled that the notion Byrne may have been unconscious when she left the cliff top was introduced by the Crown late in the case.[2]:para 277 He described Tedeschi’s suggestion, first made in his closing address and mentioned at no other time in evidence, that a “shot-put” action was used to despatch Byrne as “an invention of the prosecutor…for which there was absolutely no support in evidence”.[29] McClennan also expressed some doubt as the reliability of evidence concerning the claimed sightings of Wood and Byrne at Watson’s Bay on 7 June 1995 noting that some of these witnesses had come forward years after the event and the initial investigations; he raised concerns that the Melbourne/Martin first identification of Wood and Byrne was based on a specific photos shown to them by Dally-Watkins rather than from being picked from a selection. Tedeschi was criticised by McClellan for presenting reasoning that was “dangerous” and “entirely without foundation”. Tedeschi contributed to the alleged miscarriage with his “50 killer questions” which took an “impermissible course” in asking the jury to consider rhetorical questions dealing with matters that had not been presented with in evidence.[29] McClennan ruled that he was not persuaded that Sgt Powderly’s evidence regarding the changed landing position of the body was entirely reliable.[2]:para 317
Wood was freed from prison on 24 February 2012; having served three years two months in Goulburn Correctional Centre, following an initial month in Parklea prison. Three weeks later the new New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Babb SC, issued a press release simply announcing that “the OPDD will not appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal’s judgement in the matter of R v Gordon Wood . No further comment will be issued”.[30] This was 24 hours after meeting Tony Byrne and attending the Gap with him – a meeting which Byrne described as ‘fruitful’.[31]
Post-appeal
Wood left Australia after his release from prison and spent time in the United States and Britain. In 2014 he brought defamation actions against the Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2UE, Channel Seven Sydney, and The Daily Telegraph[32] which were all settled out of court in his favour for undisclosed sums.[33]
In 2016 Wood sued the state of New South Wales for millions of dollars plus costs for malicious prosecution and wrongful imprisonment, based on a number of grounds including a “hopelessly corrupted” and “ridiculous” police case against him.[34] In a witness statement filed as part of his lawsuit against the state, Mr Wood said that during his three years in Goulburn Jail he lived in constant fear of guards who dished out “therapy” and was king-hit (a term widely used in Australia, meaning a very hard punch, usually delivered to the head, that is completely unexpected) and knocked unconscious in the prison yard by an infamous rapist and killer.[35] The suit was dismissed on 10 August 2018, with Wood receiving no compensation.[36]
