BERNARD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *BUT SHOULD BE
Bernie was apparently being ‘interviewed’ inside Collaroy Police Station and when he was left alone in the room, with a loaded gun in a drawer, Bernie has committed suicide with the use of the Service weapon.
FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ABOUT THIS MAN AND INCIDENT AT THE COLLAROY POLICE STATION
David BELL
| 18/05/2015
David BELL
aka Dave
Redfern Police Academy Class # 132
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 15502
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 31 July 1972
Probationary Constable – appointed 11 September 1972
Constable – appointed 11 September 1973
Constable 1st Class – appointed 11 September 1977
Senior Constable – appointed 11 September 1981
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 31 December 1987
Senior Sergeant – appointed 28 August 1996
Final Rank: Senior Sergeant
Stations: ?, 24 Division ( Sutherland ), Miranda,
28 July 1974 transferred to the metropolitan special traffic patrol car crew until 30 September 1975,
East Maitland ( G.D’s ),
Maitland ( G.D’s from 25 June 1988 ),
Patrol Tactician – Cessnock ( 28 August 1996 – ),
Sector Supervisor – Cessnock
Service: From 31 July 1972to 25 October 1999 = 27 years, 2 months, 24 days Service
1989 commendation for his devoted duty during the Newcastle earthquake.
Born: Sunday 13 March 1949
Died on: Monday 25 October 1999
Cause: Fatal heart attack in the meal room of Cessnock Police Station
Age: 50 years, 7 months, 12 days
Funeral date: Thursday 28 October 1999
Funeral location: the church his father helped build in Mayfield.
Buried at: Cremated at Beresfield Crematorium, NSW
Memorial location:
Unknown with David Bell
Memorial stone for David Bell at Beresfield Crematorium
DAVE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * BUT SHOULD BE
As of May 2021, Dave Bell is still NOT Mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra.
Senior Sergeant Dave Bell was the Sector Supervisor at Cessnock Police Station.
On Monday 25 October 1999 he suffered a fatal heart attack in the meal room while he, Senior Constable Mick Wood & Constable Tracey Ward were having morning tea together.
Dave is still not on the list for remembrance day, despite numerous requests/inquiries with Northern Region.
Handshake At End Of Long Arm Of The Law
Newcastle Herald
Thursday April 6, 2000
Andrew Kelly
FIFTY Lower Hunter police and community members were honoured yesterday in a ceremony at Maitland Town Hall.
Awards were presented to several officers for bravery and outstanding policing, and to members of the community who have given up their time to help the police.
Hunter Region police commander Terry Collins presented six officers with the first clasp to the National Medal, recognising 25 years service, including a posthumous honour to Senior Sergeant Dave Bell, who died on duty at Cessnock last October.
Mr HICKEY (Cessnock) [11.45 a.m.]: I bring to the attention of honourable members the death of Senior Sergeant Dave BellatCessnock police station on Monday 25 October. I extend my sincere sympathies to his wife, Noelene, and their four daughters. The Cessnock community has lost a truly remarkable police officer who was extremely dedicated to his position as team co-ordinator and worked very hard building up the morale of the men around him. I first met Dave Bell at the Cessnock police station in early April and was impressed by his positive attitude to his team and his devotion to the community. He was quick to point out that if any problems existed with manning levels, as had been constantly heralded by the former Mayor of Cessnock, Merv Pine, those problems lay with District Inspector Phelps for not allocating the necessary manpower to Cessnock.
Merv Pine’s continued concern in itself had placed pressure upon those at the Cessnock police station to perform above and beyond the normal benchmark, first to appease the mayor and, second, to avoid pressure being applied to the men at the station. Dave Bell raised the issues that I had referred to him: the manning of the station and police carrying out the duties of corrective services officers during court sitting days. He suggested that it would be more beneficial for front-line policing if those duties were returned to corrective services officers.
While being shown around the station by Dave I asked him about the job of escorting prisoners from the holding bays to the court, which I considered left the police in a dangerous situation. Dave was concerned about the safety of the officers but suggested that I should raise the matter with the Minister and the department. Dave Bell’s record shows clearly what the community knew already: that he was a dedicated officer.
Senior Sergeant David Bell joined the New South Wales Police Service on 31 July 1972. After attending the Redfern academy he was stationed at No. 24 division and later worked at Miranda, where he performed highway patrol and general duties. He was promoted to the rank of constable on 11 September 1973. On 28 July 1974 Senior Sergeant Bell was transferred to duty on the metropolitan special traffic patrol car crew, and performed duties in that role until 30 September 1975, when he accepted a transfer to Maitland highway patrol. In 1977 he was promoted to the rank of constable first-class, and he devoted 11 years to this specialist class of duty. In 1981 he was promoted to the rank of senior constable.
Senior Sergeant Bell transferred to East Maitland police station in a general duties role, and in the same year achieved the rank of sergeant third-class. On 25 June 1988 he was transferred to Maitland station, where he served the community for eight years. On 14 December 1988 he received the National Medal, which rewarded him for 15 years of police service. The following year he received a commendation for his devoted duty during the Newcastle earthquake. On 28 August 1996 Sergeant Bell was promoted to the rank of senior sergeant when he took up the position of patrol tactician at Cessnock police station. He later performed general duties.
At the time of his passing Senior Sergeant David Bell was stationed at Cessnock station as the team co-ordinator for all staff at Cessnock and outlying stations. Affectionately referred to by police and colleagues as “Dave“, Senior Sergeant Bell had a unique form of respect from police of all ranks. He was a great believer in preserving the traditional ideals, attitudes and respect instilled in police during their early police days. He shared a concern for each and every person at the station, as well as the community in general. His workmates have described him as a true gentleman and scholar.
In the short time I knew Dave, I realised that was completely true. He expected from his troops a high standard of professionalism but showed equal fairness in his discipline. Nothing was a problem to him, especially when it came to his men. His door was open at all times to anyone with a concern or problem, and his confidentiality was always assured to all. I believe that, because of Dave Bell’s service to the Cessnock community, his memory should be highlighted.
Mr WHELAN (Strathfield – Minister for Police) [11.50 a.m.]: The untimely passing of Sergeant David Bell at the age of 50 is tragic. It is, indeed, a great tragedy for his wife, Noelene, and his four daughters and granddaughter. David was much loved, not only by his family but by everyone who serves in the Police Service in the area in which he worked. He was a great and strong member of the community. Yesterday I spoke to his widow and expressed sympathy for the untimely loss of such a dedicated officer. It appears to be true that the harder one works the more dedicated one becomes and that often leads to an early and untimely death. That seems to be what happened in this case.
Dave worked very hard in both the community and the Police Service. He was well respected and revered by other police for the work he did. This is a sad time. Such is the depth of feeling in the community about the untimely passing of such a wonderful police officer who was dedicated to law enforcement in New South Wales and spent so much time looking after the community that I have asked the Deputy-Speaker to represent me at Dave’s funeral today. He will be sadly missed by everyone in the New South Wales Police Service.
Born on the 21st of August 1966 at Liverpool, New South Wales ( go the Blues ), my first couple of years were living at nearby Glenfield where my grandparents ran a bakery. Dad (also Les) was a Baker by trade but had joined the NSW Police in 1966, ( NSWPF # 12662 ) meeting the then arduous entry exam of standing upright, being over 6 foot tall, knowing his left from right and being a reasonably handy footballer. My brother Greg ( NSWPF # 23914 ) was born in February 1968. About two months later my birth mother left us with Dad and we never saw her again. Nowadays you’d say probably post-natal depression or something, back then, none of that was spoken about. My brother and I tried to find her about 20 years ago via the Salvos, mainly out of curiosity and got the message back from them that she didn’t want contact. After she left, Greg and I went to live with our grandparents, as Dad was working shift work. Shortly after that, they retired and we moved to St Georges Basin near Nowra.
The NSW Police being the modern organisation it was in the 1960’s, took pity on Dad, as he had asked for a compassionate transfer to Nowra to be near us, instead sent him to Narrandera, about 500 km west, so we saw him on his days off. Anyway, as luck would have it, a very kind Inspector called Jim Imber worked some magic and after 6 months Dad ended up at Nowra. Jim and Dad became lifelong friends until Jim passed about 10 years ago. Life, as I vaguely remember it back then, was everything a young lad would want, we went fishing a lot, camping, swimming and sports. I started my schooling at St Georges Basin Public School in 1971. In 1972, Dad brought home a young nurse, Irene Dawson, that he’d met at a post mortem, ever the romantic. My brother plonked onto her lap and asked her if she was our new Mummy, that sealed the deal! In 1974 Dad married Mum (she is our Mum in every sense).
Later that year we moved to Rankin Springs in western NSW where Dad was the only police officer. We stayed three years and two baby sisters later, moved to the place I call my home town, Guyra. Dad was the Lock Up Keeper and then promoted to the Sergeant, Officer in Charge. I truly loved my time in Guyra, great town, good people, nothing like those strange Glen Innes or Uralla folks we used to play football against. I left school in 1983 and started work at the Commonwealth Bank. To say banking wasn’t for me is an understatement. However, as I didn’t have my Higher School Certificate I couldn’t join the police, which is what I really wanted to do. I went to TAFE in Armidale three nights a week for two years and got my HSC. In the interim I also had a mobile disco business I did on weekends between playing basketball, cricket, union and league (odd game of soccer as well). I really enjoyed the mobile disco and as Mum used to say, I had a great face for radio. One thing Mum used to make all us kids do was our ironing, share the cooking, housekeeping etc. Really, who did she think she was, just because she worked as a nurse on a 24/7 roster, however when I left home eventually, I was housebroken. I’m quite particular and as Cindy will attest, I still do my own ironing as I’m a bit quirky in where the creases go etc.
In 1986 I applied to join the NSW Police but at the same time was transferred to Broken Hill with the bank as an Assistant Loans Officer. I decided to go as I got to live in the bank barracks, paid $2 a week rent, a cleaner was supplied and $50 a fortnight each the 12 residents which covered food and a keg always on tap. I thought I’ll save a fortune, never saved a cent. A group of us would trip off to Melbourne, Adelaide and all points in between. I did have a great time though! However, in 1987 I was accepted to the NSW Police, what I’ve always wanted to do and started in June 1987, graduating in September 1987. I actually won the public speaking award (hard to believe) for the class of 200, one of my proudest moments was marching out to collect it from the Commissioner, with a salute, in front of my parents, Nan (Pop has passed by then) and family. My Dad, who retired as an Inspector at Lismore in 2003, gave me three bits of good policing advice when I joined. They were never rush to a fight at a Hotel, never beat the Ambulance to a traffic accident and get a signature no one can read!
When at the NSW Police Academy, all Recruits were asked to list three preferences for placement, I put Armidale, Tamworth and Broken Hill. Obviously my choices were considered long and hard by the HR gurus as I was sent straight to Kings Cross! I really had a ball working there, never a dull moment for a bright eyed young Constable from Guyra who had been to Sydney about four times, all to watch my beloved Parramatta Eels play. During that time I’d also met the first Mrs Bulluss and in 1990 transferred to Dareton some 1200km south west of Sydney. Followed that with a posting to Gulargambone, back to Kings Cross and finally Warialda. Not much to say except the marriage produced four beautiful children of whom I’m extremely proud. They all moved to the Gold Coast when the marriage ended and I decided if I wanted to see my children, I’d better move to Queensland.
I joined the Queensland Police in 2000 and was stationed at Broadbeach. I then went to the Police Beat at Robina Town Centre where I worked with Peter Venz who was the Broadbeach GSE member for 2003. He introduced me to Col Makin, two months later I was jetting off to India and Nepal on my life changing GSE experience in 2004. About the same time Cindy and I became an item and in 2005 we were married. I was promoted to Sergeant at Broadbeach in 2005. In 2006, I’m sure you’d all remember the episode, I was a contestant on Temptation (the new Sale of the Century). One episode only, I knew most of the answers but the carry over champ and eventual winner of the lot knew them quicker than me! That wasn’t my first foray into games shows, in 1997 I was the carry over champ on the Channel 7 show Concentration, where I ended up winning a reverse cycle air conditioner and a year’s supply of dog food. The dog thought the food was crap, it certainly was able to turn it into great piles of crap at a great rate of knots, I ended up binning the food and sold the air conditioner via the Trading Post.
In 2008 I was promoted to Senior Sergeant Officer in Charge of Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, one of the greatest gigs in Australian Policing. From Saibai Island 5 km from PNG to the eastern Murray Island, the traditional home of Eddie Koki Mabo and all points in between, it was the most enjoyable operational policing I’ve ever done. To help police the division, the only one in Australia that has an international border, we had a plane, several boats, an MOU with Customs regarding free use of their helicopters and the best Esprit des Corps among all services that I’ve ever seen. The Torres Strait Islanders are an extremely generous, traditional and happy people. Catching a fish was not a hard skill to master either, generally a line in the water saw a fish on the end, sometimes a monster. In May 2008 I was inducted into the Thursday Island/Torres Strait Rotary Club, at our peak we had 12 members but really did some great work in supporting the villagers of the PNG Western Province with clothing and school supplies. I first met Bruce Kuhn in 2008 when he was allegedly my boss, and since then we have enjoyed many a soiree in Cairns or on TI, usually to our detriment the next morning.
In April 2011 I transferred to Gladstone as the Officer in Charge, the shortest time ever for anyone in that role, because two months after starting I went to relieve as the District Inspector and ended up promoted to that job. I had joined the Gladstone Port Curtis Rotary Club (which was men only, not now though). I joined that club (there are several in Gladstone) because Monday nights was the best for me to get to meetings, it is a great club and as with all of Rotary, members belong for the right reasons. The 2013 Queensland Police Service Restructure saw all Commissioned Officers jobs declared vacant, as 120 out of 420 positions had to go. Fortunately, the redundancy offer take up and existing vacancies across the service saw no one being forced out, because for a four-day very stressful period just prior to Christmas in 2012, there was talk that some people would be told don’t come Monday, but it didn’t come to that.
When the musical chairs music stopped, I woke up in my current job from 1 July 2013 as the Queensland Police Service Manager of Community Programs and Engagement. I’m based at Headquarters in Roma Street but really have the best Inspectors job in the QPS. I get to travel a fair bit nationally and internationally, I look after our Crime Prevention Programs, Cultural Support and other areas including the Museum. I am on the board of Neighbourhood Watch Australasia as the Queensland representative. I’m quite happy to stay in this job until I retire.
Regarding Greg’s and my birth mother, in mid 2015 I took a phone call from a guy called Ian Lacy in Victoria. He told me that my birth mother had died and he was married to my half-sister, who until her mother had died didn’t know about Greg and I. It turns out that we have two half-sisters who live in Victoria. Greg and I have both met them, they are really nice and have filled in a lot of gaps for us. It’s good to know where my sons type 1 diabetes, my children’s coeliac and other health issues probably come from, because up until then, we really didn’t know. Pretty sure it was from my maternal grandmother’s side of the family.
Anyway, between Cindy and I we have 6 adult children (3 boys, and 3 girls) and two wonderful grandchildren. As their parents work shifts, we have the grandkids most weekends under sufferance (not really). Three of the children live on the Gold Coast, my son is in Mackay, my eldest daughter is in Melbourne studying social work at RMIT and my second eldest daughter lives in the UK with her Englishman (treason I say).
Life is very good for Cindy and I. We live at Boonooroo Park (Carrara), I’m a very happy member of Broadbeach Rotary, the greatest Rotary Club in the world!
Sergeant Keith Clark, ( possibly # 3640 ) who has been stationed at Broadwater for the past three years, has left for his new station at Coraki.
During his service in Broadwater, he and his wife did good work in the February flood on the Richmond, earning the appreciation of residents of the district…………
Constable Frederick James Imber, accompanied by his wife and family of three, has taken up duty at Broadwater, in succession to Sgt Keith Clark.
Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales (Taree, NSW : 1898 – 1954),
Wednesday 27 November 1946, page 1
WEDDINGS
PAFF — BURNETT
At the wedding reception of Miss Alma Burnett, and Mr. Oscar Paff, ( # 4790 ) on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 5th, the wedding cake was cut with a Samurai sword, which the bride’s brother, Mr. Max Burnett (ex-RAAF) had brought back with him from New Britain.
Alma is the second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Burnett, of Macquarie St., Cowra, and the groom is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Paff, of Krambach.
The ceremony was performed at St. John’s Church of England, by the Ven. Archdeacon Mirrington. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a white gown of self patterned heavy cloque crepe, featuring a heart shaped neckline, ruffled bodice and sleeves, with a very full skirt, ending in a train. Her tulle brocaded veil which was loaned to her for the occasion, was held in place with a halo of white camellias. She carried a shower bouquet of arum lilies and freezias. Her two sisters, Mrs. V. Cooke, of Bathurst, and Mrs. B. Rodwell, of Cowra, were matrons of honor. The former was dressed in a blue crepe gown, the skirt of which was very full. She added a shoulder length veil, held in position with a curvette of roses, and carried a bouquet of roses, ranunculus and mignonette. The latter wore a dusty pink crepe frock with cape sleeves and a full le plum and skirt. Her matching shoulder veil was held in place with a curvette of sweet peas and carnations. She chose similar flowers for her bouquet. The only jewellery worn by the bride was a string of pearls, while the attendants wore pendants with matching ear-rings. Mr. Max Burnett, brother of the bride, carried out the duties of best man, and Mr. Vic Cooke, the bride’s brother-in-law, was groomsman.
A reception was held at the Lyric Hall, where the guests were received by Mrs. Burnett, who was dressed in black, with a shoulder spray of tiger lilies. She was assisted by Mrs. Paff, who was also in black relieved with pink. Chairman at the breakfast was Mr. Hoodless, uncle of the bride. The three-decker wedding cake was made and decorated by Mr. Doug Jackson. Soloist at the wedding was Miss Beryl Thomas, who sang ‘I’ll Walk Beside You.’
An amusing feature at the wedding was that Constable Jim Imber, friend of the groom, who was in the vicinity when the bride’s bouquet was being thrown, caught the bouquet.
The honeymoon is being spent on the North Coast. Their future home will be at Cowra, where the groom is a member of the Cowra Police Force.
Among the guests at the wedding of Miss Alma Burnett and Mr. Oscar Paff were Mr. and Mrs. Hoodless, of Ginjelli; Mr. and Mrs. Con’n. of Hill End; Mrs. Paff and Miss Coral Paff, of Taree; Mrs. Kimm, of Hill End; and Mr. Kevin Rodwell, of Parkes.
On Tuesday the 7th May 2013 Leading Senior Constable Chris Plummer, from Bankstown Local Area Command, lost his battle with an extremely aggressive form of cancer.
He was diagnosed only seven weeks before his death.
Chris was married to Juliet and they have four daughters, all under the age of 12.
The NSW Police Force is asking for the public to donate money to help support Chris’ wife and their children.
Funds can be donated to the following account:
POLICE BANK
ACCOUNT NAME: CHRIS AND JULIET PLUMMER
BSB: 815000
ACCOUNT No: 274618
TRIBUTES AND TEARS FOR OFFICER AND LOVED DAD
LEADING Senior-Constable Christopher Otis Plummer was remembered as a loving husband, proud father and outstanding policeman at his funeral service at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Camden, on Monday.
Sen-Constable Christopher Plummer with his wife, Juliet, and four daughters before his illness.
Tears flowed as the community and NSW Police farewelled the beloved family man, friend and colleague who died last Tuesday aged 43.
Sen-Constable Plummer’s death came as a shock after he was diagnosed with cancer just seven weeks ago. He is survived by wife Juliet and four children.
Supt David Eardley, of Bankstown police, said SenConstable Plummer, of Currans Hill, was a role model.
‘‘Chris was important to everyone, whether it was his colleagues, people at the gym or his friends in the Army Reserves,’’ he said.
‘‘Today we farewell a much loved member of the police force, and on behalf of the NSW Police, I offer our deepest condolences.’’
From his homeland of Jamaica, Sen- Constable Plummer’s sister, Anona Griffith, said her brother was a talented athlete who loved Liverpool Football Club. ‘‘He was always determined to be a good husband and father and I admired his strength of character,’’ she said.
In a statement on behalf of Juliet, sister-in-law Shannon Jansen said SenConstable Plummer was a great friend to many people.
‘‘It became apparent just how loved he was with the number of people who came to visit him in hospital,’’ she said. ‘‘Being a police officer wasn’t just his job, it was who he was.
‘‘Our four beautiful girls will remind me every day of the great man he was.’’
Police across southwestern Sydney have started an appeal for the Plummers.
Bankstown police have opened a bank account to help the family with expenses and the NSW Police Rugby League competition is also raising money.
Macarthur Bulls president Sgt Rod Sheraton said the police rugby league competition raised more than $3800 last Wednesday night.
‘‘ We all wore black armbands to mark Chris’s passing,’’ Sgt Sheraton said. ‘‘We’re hoping to raise more at future events.’’
Police officers, family and friends farewelled Currans Hill police officer Constable Christopher Plummer in Camden on Monday. Picture:Jeff de Pasquale
Police officers, family and friends farewelled Currans Hill police officer Constable Christopher Plummer in Camden on Monday. Picture:Jeff de Pasquale
Police officers, family and friends farewelled Currans Hill police officer Constable Christopher Plummer in Camden on Monday. Picture:Jeff de Pasquale
Police officers, family and friends farewelled Currans Hill police officer Constable Christopher Plummer in Camden on Monday. Picture:Jeff de Pasquale
Police officers, family and friends farewelled Currans Hill police officer Constable Christopher Plummer in Camden on Monday. Picture:Jeff de Pasquale
A POLICE helicopter flew low over the heads of more than 100 police officers in three long ranks on John Street, Camden, on Monday.
The officers formed a guard of honour for Leading Senior Constable Christopher Plummer, 42, who died on May 7 after a short battle with cancer.
Hundreds of family, friends and colleagues filled St Paul’s Catholic Church, Camden, on Monday including a representative of the Australia Army Reserves, politicians and Assistant Commissioner of Police Frank Minnelli — evidence of the high regard in which Leading Senior Constable Plummer was held.
The mourners heard how Leading Senior Constable Plummer had always worked for others, joining the London Metropolitan Police Force at the age of 23.
He moved to Australia after meeting his wife Juliet and after a brief period in The Oaks, settled in Currans Hill.
Leading Senior Constable Plummer joined the NSW Police Force in 2001 followed by the Australian Army Reserves in 2004.
He started his career at Campbelltown police station before moving to Bass Hill and Green Valley commands before settling in the Bankstown local area command.
He was awarded two Commissioner’s Unit Citations for outstanding bravery and dedication to duty.
Superintendent David Eardley from the Bankstown local area command spoke with an emotion-filled voice of farewelling “a much-loved member of the force”.
“It is with profound sorrow that I offer, on behalf of the police force, to Chris’s family our deepest sympathies on the loss of a very fine son, brother, husband and father and an outstanding police officer,” Superintendent Eardley said.
A eulogy read on behalf of Juliet Plummer spoke of her husband’s passion for his family, for health and fitness and his love of people.
“I always knew Chris was an amazing man, but when I saw how much he meant to so many people it really hit me,” she said.
“I want to thank everyone for letting Chris know how special he was in those last seven weeks.
“To me Chris was my world. He was my strength, the one who always seemed to know just what to do when I was at a loss.
“I have four beautiful little girls who will always remind me of the great man he was.”
Leading Senior Constable Plummer is survived by Juliet and his daughters Olympia, Amalia, Gypsy and Aliyah.
Robyn Molloy, daughter of Bob and Helen Molloy of Harden and sister to Graham, Judith and Phillip has been living in Perth for many years. Robyn attended Murrumburrah Public School and completed her studies as Dux of Murrumburrah High School in 1989. She took up a position as a cadet journalist with News Limited in Sydney working on the Daily Telegraph, The Mirror and The Sunday Telegraph in 1996. She met and married Anthony Streher, a police officer from Narrandera, in a beautiful ceremony in her parent’s garden. Sadly, only five weeks later Anthony was involved in a fatal car accident on the way home from work. After this tragic event Robyn travelled the world for a time and did travel writing for the UN in Laos. Upon returning to Australia, she made Perth her new home and worked on the Sunday Times whilst contributing to the West Australian. A total change of pace came with running Old Macdonald’s Farm for 9 years.
The business transported baby farm animals around schools, shows and nursing homes all over the state. A return to journalism came after Robyn had her 3rd boy. But this time she found that technology had undergone a major transformation. Instead of ‘bricks’ for phones and fax machines the internet had become the main mode of communication. Robyn fast tracked computing skills with Curtin University and took lessons in shorthand. She soon found herself on a News Website contract, then the Examiner in a part time position. She is now the editor of four newspapers under the Examiner umbrella. Robyn is a passionate photographer however, her writing skills have attracted attention of late. She has recently been honoured by being shortlisted as a finalist in the Western Australian Media Awards. Robyn, although the Editor says she still loves to write. To be eligible for the awards, journalists were asked to submit three feature stories.
She chose stories on emergency services workers on the front line as she found the people working in this area fascinating and they all had diverse stories to tell. One of her stories featured a hearing impaired fireman, another featured a policeman who had been a professional dancer in Asia before coming to Australia. The third story was about an ICU nurse and how he and his colleagues worked intensively to save people whilst at the same time working at preparing loved ones for the possible loss of that person. When asked if she had met any well known people in her career. She said that when she was in Sydney she had met quite a few, but then went on to say that she had met Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop recently as Don Randell’s electorate office was next door and they were in WA for the Canning By-election. She says she is honoured to be considered for the award as her colleagues produce high quality work. Robyn and her partner Andrew have 4 children, Jayden 13, Cameron 11, Lachlan 9 and Ryan 8. We would like to take this opportunity to wish her well from the Twin Town Times.
Service with NSW Police Force: From 12 August 1908to 9 May 1915
[blockquote]
Service with Australian Imperial Force ( A.I.F.): ( Volunteered ) From 18 August 1914 – 9 May 1915
Regiment attached to: First Infantry, Brigade Headquarters
Rank: Private
Regd. # 9
[/blockquote]
Awards: British War Medal issued, 1914 /15 Star issued 14 February 1965, Victory Medal issued
Born: ? ? 1882in Stafford, Staffordshire, England
Died on: 9 May 1915
Cause: KIA on 9 May 1915
Death location: Dardanelles, Gallipoli peninsula
Age: 35
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Isolated Graves ANZAC. Inland from Bridges Rd, around McLaurins Hill, about 1/2 mile east of ANZAC Cover, Gallipoli Grave # 1
Memorial stone: Row B, Grave 9
[alert_blue]SYDNEY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Funeral location:
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Constable Sydney Stevenson COOKE was a Constable with the NSW Police Force when he voluntarily enlisted on the 18 August 1914, aged 32, to join the Australian Imperial Forces for the War. He gave his address, at enlistment, as the Police Depot, Sydney.
He sailed from Sydney aboard the ‘Euripides’ on the 20 October 1914 with the Rank of ‘Private’
Francis Andrew MURRAY
| 18/05/2015
Francis Andrew MURRAY
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Mounted Constable / Corporal 2 ALH
Stations: ?, Tamworth
Service: From ? to ?
Enlisted with A. I. F: 25 August 1914 at Lismore.
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1892 at Tamworth, NSW
Died on: 28 April 1917
Cause: Cancer
Location of Death: Randwick Medical Hospital, NSW
Age: 24
Funeral date: 1 May 1917
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Kootingal-Moonbi cemetery, 20 k’s north of Tamworth upon George St, Moonbi
[alert_blue]FRANCIS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
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Cemetery location:
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In Egypt in late 1916 sought medical treatment for a very painful left shoulder. Could not raise his arm above shoulder height. His condition worsened and was sent back to Australia arriving 21/2/1917 for treatment at the Randwick Medical Hospital. X-rays reveal that he had in-operable bone cancer of the left humerus ball joint and stem which had also affected his lungs.
Died 28/4/1917 at the Randwick Hospital. Funeral occurred on 01/05/1917 and is buried in the Moonbi cemetery, 20 k’s north of Tamworth.
Elise Veronica KREJCI
| 18/05/2015
Elise Veronica KREJCI
( late of Shellharbour, NSW )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 41513
Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 2 May 2005? with Class # ???
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Stations: Wollongong – Death
Service: From ? 2005 to 20 April 2008 = 3 years Service
Awards: ?
Born: Wednesday 26 May 1976
Died on: Sunday 20 April 2008
Cause: Injuries received in a motor vehicle accident – Off Duty
Event location: Picton Rd, Cataract Dam
Age: 31 years, 10 months, 25 days
Funeral date: Tuesday 29 April 2008
Funeral location: St Agatha’s Church, Pennant Hills, at 11am on Tuesday
Buried at: North Rocks Cemetery, North Rocks Rd, North Rocks, NSW ( with her Mother – Ann )
Grave location: Sect. B, Row 8, Grave 2
GPS -33.768712, 151.040709
Engaged just two days … Elise Krejci.
ELISE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
Grave location:
Herald Sun 22 April 2008
Elise couldn’t wait to tell her news to police mates
WITH a new engagement ring worn proudly on her finger, Elise Krejci could not wait to return to work to share the news with her police colleagues.
After accepting a romantic Gold Coast proposal from boyfriend and workmate Brett Wright on Saturday, the 31-year-old Wollongong constable was rostered back on duty at 6.30am yesterday.
But Constable Krejci did not make it back to work to share her happy news as she was killed in a road crash on Sunday.
And the popular officer’s engagement ring was locked in a safe at Wollongong police station, removed from her finger by a numbed colleague.
Constable Krejci was returning home from a week-long holiday with Senior-Constable Wright and his three children – aged seven, 10, and 13 – when the Holden Commodore she was driving slammed head-on into a Ford Fiesta at Cataract in Sydney’s southwestern outskirts, killing her instantly.
As Sen-Constable Wright, 36, remained in a serious condition with spinal injuries at Wollongong Hospital, family and colleagues yesterday spoke of the cruel twist of fate that robbed of a life together. Stephen Krejci told The Daily Telegraph how his younger sister had phoned home overjoyed at her engagement after Sen-Constable Wright’s proposal on Saturday.
The couple had been together for about a year and Constable Krejci was excited about becoming a stepmother.
“She was so happy about it (the engagement). Everyone was very happy,” Mr Krejci, 38, said.
“They were planning on building a house in Wollongong. They had bought the land and had it all planned out. They had everything to look forward to.
“It’s just a tragedy. She was such a warm, friendly person. We’re all a bit numb.”
Mr Krejci said his sister, who would have turned 32 on June 3, joined the police about four years ago. She was following in the footsteps of her younger sister Anna, who worked at Wollongong police as a school liaison officer.
She was working in the same 20-officer general duties team as Sen-Constable Wright and cherished being close to her sister – two girls in a family of five brothers.
“She transferred to Wollongong only a few years ago to be close to her family and friends,” Mr Krejci said.
“That’s where she met Brett. They’d been together about a year. I just hope that he can recover.”
Colleagues, including officers who attended the crash site on Picton Rd, near Cataract dam, remained in shock with a chaplain and psychologist offering counselling.
Wollongong crime manager Inspector Mark Lavers said Constable Krejci “was such a lovely girl. We have 240 people here and a lot of them will be upset.”
Police believe that the crash occurred after Constable Krejci’s Holden Commodore hit a patch of water and aquaplaned into the Ford Fiesta in heavy weather.
Sen-Constable Wright’s three children escaped the crash unhurt.
The driver of the Ford, a 23-year-old Lurnea man, was flown to Liverpool Hospital with hip, leg and facial injuries.
A female passenger in that car was taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition.
The crash yesterday, and right, Elise Krejci. Photo: David Tease and Syliva Liber
Daniel Emerson
April 21, 2008 – 9:34AM
A policewoman who yesterday died in a traffic crash that seriously injured her partner, a fellow officer, became engaged to be married two days ago, their commanding officer has revealed.
Constable Elise Krejci, 31, and Senior-Constable Brett Wright, both attached to Wollongong local area command, were travelling along Picton Road at Cataract at about 1pm yesterday when their Holden Commodore collided with a Ford Fiesta.
Constable Wright’s three children were in the back of the car and suffered minor injuries.
Constable Wright remains in a serious but stable condition in Liverpool Hospital with a fractured hip and spine and internal bleeding.
“I just found out they were engaged two days ago,” he said.
Inspector Lavers said Wollongong highway patrol officers who did not work with the pair were first on the scene.
Command of the crash scene was transferred to Illawarra police and crash investigation officers as soon as possible to reduce the trauma for officers who had worked with the police couple.
Wollongong officers have received counselling.
“We have had psychologists and police chaplains at the station,” Inspector Lavers said.
He said the deceased officer, from Shellharbour, was very popular.
“She’s a lovely girl and a good officer,” Inspector Lavers said. “We never had to chase her up for her work. She was well respected by her peers and senior management.”
Constable Krejci was first stationed at Wollongong in December 2005,
Police said the 23-year-old driver of the other car, a Ford Fiesta with L-plates, suffered hip, leg and facial injuries, and was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition. His female passenger was taken to St George Hospital.
The Illawarra Mercury today quoted the officers’ team leader, Inspector Brian Wyver, saying each of the five teams at Wollongong Police were made up of 20 officers and camaraderie in the teams was strong.
“She has been in the police for about two years and she was well-liked and it was a close team,” he said. “Brett was her fiancé and he is on that team as well . . . it’s just a sad day.
“Morale is always good and this is where they really get behind each other.
“It’s a sad day and they are dealing with it in their own way.”
Inspector Wyver said Constable Krejci enjoyed bush walking with Constable Wright and others in the team.
He said they both had family in the Wollongong area and that Constable Krejci’s sister, Anna, was a school liaison officer with Wollongong Police.
We had that perfect love, says killed cop’s fiancé; Elise Krejci
Fond memories … Brett Wright and Elise Krejci with Brett’s three children.
HE calls her his soulmate and just 10 days ago Brett Wright was ecstatic when a smitten Elise Krejci agreed to become his wife.
The Wollongong policeman was yesterday lying in hospital with a broken back and his “perfect” woman’s engagement ring hanging from his neck as he bravely prepared a eulogy for the love he cruelly lost in a road crash.
Six days after Constable Krejci was killed as the couple returned from a family holiday, Senior-Constable Wright spoke for the first time about the “wife” he planned to spend his life with.
“We had that absolute perfect, beautiful, wonderful, true love. We were true soulmates,” the 36-year-old told The Daily Telegraph from his Wollongong hospital bed.
“Elise was the perfect partner in every way. She lived to please me and I lived to please her and that’s what made us happiest. We spent virtually every moment together from the time we got together until Sunday.
“Every day was perfect. I’m so fortunate to have had my time with her.”
The couple met when Constable Krejci moved to Wollongong two years ago. They had a fairytale romance, moving in together two days after their first kiss during a holiday with colleagues last September.
When Sen-Constable Wright gave his 31-year-old love a commitment ring a month later, she immediately placed it on her wedding finger and began calling him her husband.
That destiny was to be fulfilled, with the couple already booking their church and reception, before Sen-Constable Wright proposed 10 days ago.
Yesterday, the grieving officer spoke of memories of their final days and plans for children, before their car slammed head-on into another vehicle, driven by a learner driver at Cataract, just 20 minutes from their Wollongong home.
Choking back tears, Sen-Constable Wright said he was feeding his fiancee a mandarin when the car hit water on Picton Rd and collided with oncoming traffic.
He passed out for several minutes before waking to find Constable Krejci dead and his children, Sarah, 13, Renee, 10, and Matthew, 7, crying in shock.
“I just remember the car started to aquaplane and I could see us sliding towards the other car and thinking ‘this is not good’, then I think I passed out and the next thing I woke up and the car was on its side,” he said.
“It happened so fast, one minute we were laughing and sharing a mandarin and then . . .”
The policeman, who will deliver a eulogy from a stretcher at Constable Krejci’s funeral on Tuesday, broke down as he showed photographs of their engagement and final holiday together.
The couple had driven to the Gold Coast with Sen-Constable Wright’s children, spending a day at Movie World and soaking up the sun, before going to Port Douglas on April 15, where the wedding proposal occurred.
“It was just the most perfect day. I’m just glad we were given that last holiday with the family,” he said.
“We were brought safely all the way back to Wollongong and when we were back she was taken.
“But I believe she was taken because there’s another purpose for her. She’s got other things to do now and I believe I was left behind because I’ve still got the kids to look after.
“When my time is finished I know that she’ll be up there waiting for me. She’ll probably say something along the lines of: ‘What took you so long?’
“That’s what I believe. To believe anything else would be too painful.”
Sen-Constable Wright said, although his back and hip were broken, his spinal cord was not damaged and he was determined to return to work at Wollongong, where a plaque will be erected to commemorate Constable Krejci. He also vowed to build their dream home on the block of land in Wollongong’s south.
“I’ll do everything the way we planned, I know she’ll be looking down.”
A Requiem Mass will be held for Constable Krejci at St Agatha’s Church, Pennant Hills, at 11am on Tuesday, followed by a burial service at The North Rocks Cemetery.
The Daily Telegraph 30 April 2008
On stretcher Brett Wright lays true love Elise to rest
True love … Policeman Brett Wright and his fiancee Elise Krejci.
True love … police officer Brett Wright on stretcher at the funeral of his fiancee Elise Krejci. Picture: Channel 9
True love … a photograph of policewoman Elise Krejci adorns her coffin. Picture: Channel 9
WHAT began as the hardest journey Brett Wright would ever make ended, fittingly, in an emotional send-off for Elise Krejci, his “perfect, beautiful, wonderful, true love”.
The Wollongong policeman and father-of-three travelled by ambulance from Wollongong Hospital to St Agatha’s Catholic Church in Pennant Hills yesterday, where he joined family and friends at his fiancee’s funeral.
Speaking from a hospital bed and supported by emergency services personnel, Senior Constable Wright spoke for almost 20 minutes about his love for Constable Krejci, his “soulmate”.
He is still recovering from injuries to his spine, lung and ribs, which he sustained in the accident that killed Constable Krejci, 31, on April 20.
The couple was returning from a family holiday on the Gold Coast with his three children when the Holden Commodore she was driving collided with a Ford Fiesta on a wet and slippery Picton Rd.
She had accepted his proposal of marriage a day earlier and couldn’t wait to return to work to share the news with colleagues and friends.
Yesterday, the 200-strong crowd also heard a series of other tributes from a number of Constable Krejci’s friends and relatives, including her sister Anna, brother Paul and 13-year-old step-daughter Sarah.
Her duty officer, Detective Inspector Brian Wyver, said she had become an integral and essential part of his team, despite having being stationed in Wollongong for only a relatively short time.
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who attended the funeral, said Constable Krejci’s family had supported each other through the death of her mother Elaine, who succumbed to ovarian cancer in 1999.
Their “strength and stoicism” was again evident yesterday, he said.
“All in all, it was one of the tearier and more emotional funerals I’ve been to but when you lose one of your own, it becomes doubly sad,” he said.
“Elise was a beautiful girl – very stunning in appearance, well-travelled, well-educated and very respected. She was a teacher and a nurse, and then she joined us.”
Mr Scipione said he had been struck by the courage of Constable Krejci’s father Ernie. “The tragedy, when you reflect upon what’s happened here is that no parent should ever have to bury one of their children – the time is not right,” he said.
“She has left this Earth far too early, at 31, and certainly we’re much poorer, as an organisation, for having lost her but at least we knew her and in terms of policing, she was an important part of the landscape wherever she worked.”
