For almost half a century, Don Ritchie would approach people contemplating suicide at the edge of The Gap, just 50 metres from his home in Watsons Bay, his palms facing up.
Mr Ritchie told his daughter Sue Ritchie Bereny he would smile and say: “Is there something I could do to help you?”
[blockquote]Don’s story touched the hearts of all Australians and challenged each of us to rethink what it means to be a good neighbour [/blockquote]
Don Ritchie Photo: Steve Baccon
“And that was all that was often needed to turn people around, and he would say not to underestimate the power of a kind word and a smile,” said Ms Ritchie Bereny.
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Mr Ritchie, sometimes known as the angel or watchman of The Gap, is acknowledged to have stopped about 160 people from jumping to their deaths.
He died at St Vincent’s Hospital on Sunday, surrounded by his wife Moya, 85, daughters Jan, Donna and Sue, and four grandchildren, who travelled from across Australia and from Indonesia to Sydney to see him. He was 85.
Mr Ritchie was born on June 9, 1926 in Vaucluse, and studied at Vaucluse Public School and Scots College.
When World War II broke out, he served in the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Hobart, and was on the ship in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered in 1945.
From his 30s to his 60s, Mr Ritchie worked for a multinational firm and built up a significant career in the corporate world, Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
Don Ritchie in navy uniform … “a smile that could light up the room.”
In 1964, the former life insurance salesman moved into a house on Old South Head Road across the road from Jacobs Ladder at the southern end of the Gap Park. It was his home till the end.
From that time, Mr Ritchie started to rescue suicidal strangers.
“Things were different way back then. It was before there were police rescue vans, before there were more sophisticated mechanisms like hotlines. In those days, he got a bravery medal for saving somebody at the cliff – he actually tackled somebody on the edge of the cliff,” Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
“He is famous for bringing people back to the house for tea or breakfast.”
In 2006 Mr Ritchie was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his rescues.
His actions touched so many hearts that, in 2010, he and his wife were named Woollahra Council’s citizens of the year.
Last year, he was given the Local Hero Award for Australia by the National Australia Day Council.
“In a situation where most would turn a blind eye, Don has taken action … With such simple actions Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives,” the National Australia Day Council said.
Today, Woollahra Council and the National Australia Day Council praised Mr Ritchie for his dedication.
“Don’s story touched the hearts of all Australians and challenged each of us to rethink what it means to be a good neighbour,” the acting chief executive of the National Australia Day Council, Tam Johnston, said in a statement.
“Don was a true gentleman with a smile that could light up the room.”
The mayor of Woollahra, Susan Wynne, called Mr Ritchie a great man whose “courage delivered small miracles”.
Mr Ritchie had joined mental health advisers and the federal Liberal member for Wentworth Malcolm Turnbull in supporting the funding of suicide prevention measures at The Gap.
Mr Turnbull also praised Mr Ritchie.
“His work lives on forever not just in the lives of those he saved but in his heroism and example of public service,” he said in a statement.
Ms Ritchie Bereny said her father was the best role model she could think of for her son.
“When the school that my grandson goes to asked me for input about what sort of child they might produce, I used him as a role model because there are lots of strong people in the world – but I think strength with compassion is what we should strive for.”
Last year, when he was involved in the launch to promote the Australian of the Year awards for 2012, he was asked to take one letter of the word Australia and pin to it a story that inspired him, Ms Ritchie Bereny said.
Mr Ritchie chose the story of Simpson and his donkey.
“I think that epitomises him. It’s about an everyday person who did an extraordinary thing for many people that saved lives, without any want of recognition.”
A service for Mr Ritchie will be held at the Naval Memorial Chapel at HMAS Watson, Watsons Bay at 1.30pm on Friday. There will be a celebration of his life after the service at the Rose Bay RSL.
❏ Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
Australia’s Local Hero Award winner has urged people not to be afraid to speak to someone they believe may be contemplating suicide.
Accepting his award, 84-year-old suicide prevention advocate Donald Ritchie said suicide needs to be taken seriously by the community.
“I ask each of you to consider how we can better support those contemplating suicide,” he said at the ceremony in Canberra.
“To my fellow Australians, never be afraid to speak to those who you feel are in need. Always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word.”
Mr Ritchie has lived near The Gap, a known suicide spot in Sydney for many years.
He is credited with coaxing 160 people away from the cliff’s edge and from the brink of taking their lives there. His strategy: an offer of a cup of tea and chat back at his place.
The National Australia Day Council said Mr Ritchie’s tangible efforts to prevent suicide were “truly remarkable”.
“His kind words and invitations into his home in times of trouble have made an enormous difference,” the council said in a statement.
“With such simple actions, Don has saved an extraordinary number of lives.”
In the early days, he often struggled physically with those wanting to jump while his wife called the police. But now he takes a more hands-off approach.
He’s been recognised more than once for his efforts. He was given a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006, while both him and his wife Moya were named Woollahra Council’s Citizens of the Year in 2010.
Mr Ritchie said his simple techniques preventing suicide at The Gap had worked “wonderfully well” down the years.
“I’ve been involved in many rescues, either talking people out of an immediate jump over the cliff, to ask them to come up to have a cup of tea with my wife and talk about it and see if we can help in any way,” he said.
Lucy, my wife, and I often walk with our dogs along the cliffs leading down to The Gap at South Head. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the electorate of Wentworth.
I can remember my mother walking with me down at The Gap and telling me of of the 1857 wreck of the Dunbar, which missed the entry into Sydney Harbour in a storm, and instead was smashed on the rocks below The Gap.
Only one of the 122 passengers and crew survived, James Johnson. I would imagine him bravely clinging to the rocks, the only survivor of a terrible storm. An anchor from the ship remains as a memorial.
But what we didn’t talk about, and what Australians still don’t talk about enough, is that much of the tragedy amid the beauty of those cliffs is very current. Indeed it could be happening as you are reading this article.
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For well over a century, the cliffs of South Head have been a preferred place for people to commit suicide. It has been estimated about 50 people end their lives at The Gap every year. They come from all over Australia. Some of them are well-known, such as the newsreader Charmaine Dragun, but all of them are tragedies.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44. In 2007, 1881 suicides were registered in Australia, with a further 65,000 attempts recorded. Men make up 75 per cent of the registered deaths. And these figures are likely to be understated.
Tragically, research shows that the taboo surrounding suicide prevents many individuals from reaching out to family or their community when their support is most needed. Yet many of us suffer the result of this silence. The personal and social costs of suicide are immediate and far-reaching, affecting families, friends, workplaces and the broader community. Suicide ends the lives of thousands but devastates the lives of tens of thousands directly affected.
The stigma of suicide is steadily lifting, due largely to the hard work and research of organisations such as beyondblue, Lifeline and the Black Dog Institute.
At The Gap, Woollahra Council – supported by the Black Dog Institute and Lifeline and by the brave advocacy of Dianne Gaddin, whose daughter ended her life there – is seeking to put in place a Gap Master Plan. This involves special fencing (which is hard to get over but easy to get back), landscaping and on-site upgrades, lighting, signs, CCTV cameras and emergency support telephones.
These measures will help in de-stigmatising the location, and will help ensure that those contemplating suicide at The Gap are deterred long enough for somebody to reach them, talk to them and change their mind. These techniques have been proven in other cities to materially reduce and deter suicide attempts. In short, they save lives.
Since late 2008, I have been been supporting Woollahra Council in the so far unsuccessful efforts to secure additional funding of just over $2 million from the federal government to ensure there is a thorough and comprehensive suicide prevention system at The Gap. The council has allocated $500,000 but much more needs to be done to complete the project and the council needs help. This is a life-saving project.
Local residents play an important role. The council hosted a very successful community workshop last year with the Black Dog Institute to raise awareness and build skills on managing depression and improving mental health. It was booked out.
One man, Donald Ritchie, who has lived opposite The Gap for nearly 50 years, has shown what can be done when you have the chance to intervene. He and his wife have talked many back from the brink, with a few kind words and the offer of a cup of tea. Honoured with an Order of Australia, Ritchie has talked more than 160 people out of taking their lives.
We have to lift the taboo about acknowledging suicide as a major, preventable health problem. The Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into suicide has done great work in raising awareness.
Would there be any hesitation in spending a few million dollars to address a road black spot that had been taking 50 lives a year for decades? I hope not.
The Gap is not just an eastern suburbs issue, it is the hottest suicide spot in Australia. The evidence is clear and the federal government must act to ensure that we do everything we can to ensure that those who look over those cliffs with thoughts of death are given every encouragement, every chance, to think again and come back from the brink, come back to live.
Malcolm Turnbull is the Liberal member for Wentworth. Lifeline: 131 114.
’’People will always come here. I don’t think it will ever stop’’ … Don Ritchie. Photo: Marco del Grande
HE IS the watchman of The Gap. A former life insurance salesman who in 45 years has officially rescued about 160 people intent on jumping from the cliffs at Watsons Bay, mostly from Gap Park, opposite his home high on Old South Head Road. Unofficially, that figure is closer to 400.
Some, at his urging, quietly gathered their shoes and wallets, neatly laid out on the rocks, and followed him home for breakfast. Others, tragically, struggled as he grabbed at their clothes before they slipped over the edge.
Still others later sent tokens of thanks, a magnum of champagne or an anonymous drawing slipped into his letter box, labelling him ‘‘an angel walking among us’’.
Don Ritchie, 82, spends much of his time reading newspapers, books and scanning the glistening expanse of ocean laid out before him. His days of climbing fences are gone and he admits some relief that most visitors now carry mobile phones and are quick to contact the police if they see a lone figure standing too close to the edge, too deep in contemplation.
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For its part, Woollahra Council has been campaigning for $2.5 million to install higher fences, motion-sensitive lights, emergency phones and closed-circuit television cameras, but Mr Ritchie is ambivalent.
‘‘People will always come here. I don’t think it will ever stop,’’ he says, with a shrug.
Some deaths have been recorded in his diary, others are eternally etched in his mind.
One summer evening he spotted a young man perched on a thin ledge, beyond the fence.
‘‘I went over and I tried to talk to him, asking him questions about where he was from. He wouldn’t talk much, just kept looking straight ahead. I was talking to him for about half an hour … thinking I was making headway. I said ‘why don’t you come over for a cup of tea, or a
beer, if you’d like one?’ He said ‘no’ and stepped straight off the side … his hat blew up and I caught it in my hand.’’ Later, Mr Ritchie discovered the 19-year-old had grown up next door, playing with his grandchildren.
Years later, Mr Ritchie encouraged a ‘‘nervous and confused’’ woman, sitting on a ledge, shoes by her side, to follow him home. Over tea and toast, she revealed she was unhappy with medication she had been prescribed for depression. Mr Ritchie’s wife suggested she seek a second opinion. ‘‘A couple of months later she came up the path with a bottle of French champagne. We later got a Christmas card from her, and a postcard. It said ‘I’ll never forget your important intervention in my life. I am well’.’’
Despite his bravery and compassion, Mr Ritchie has steered clear of the limelight. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his services to suicide prevention but is all too aware that any publicity attracts more depressed and disturbed people.
In the weeks after the Channel 10 newsreader Charmaine Dragun jumped to her death outside his house in November 2007, Mr Ritchie’s wife is adamant six more followed.
‘‘But what do you do? Not talk about it?’’ he asks. ‘‘It’s the truth. It’s what goes on here.’’
It has long been a haunting dichotomy for rescuers, families and media. To speak out in a bid to have the area made safer, risking more people becoming aware of it, or to keep quiet, letting the deaths go on.
But for an anti-suicide campaigner, Dianne Gaddin, whose daughter Tracy jumped from The Gap in 2005, the answer is easy. If the issue is not aired, the problem will never be solved.
She has written four letters in the past month to the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, urging him to act. While her pleas go unanswered, her desperation balloons. She knows Mr Ritchie will not be standing guard forever.
‘‘Sometimes just a smile and a greeting is all it takes to change the mind of the would-be suicider. I don’t believe people want to die, but living is just too hard. To me, Don is a guardian angel.’’
Lifeline: 131 114; Salvo Crisis Line 93312000; Beyond Blue 1300224 636.
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 26 April 1949
Cadet # 812
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 7417[/alert_yellow]
Uniform #: 3533
Rank: NSW Police Cadet – started 26 April 1949
Probationary Constable – appointed 16 October 1952
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 21 February 1977
Inspector – retirement
Stations: ?, North Sydney, Wollongong, Newtown, The Rocks, Liverpool ( 22 Division – ‘ I ‘ District ), Bankstown, Revesby, George St North – 4 Division ( 1981 ), Petersham ( 1980’s ), Campsie ( 13 Division Traffic Sgt 1969 ) – retired
Service: From 26 April 1949to 16 May 1988 = 39 years Service
Awards: no find on It’s An Honour – but was Awarded: Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Born: 16 October 1933
Died on: Friday 11 March 2016
Cause: Heart failure
Age: 82
Funeral date: Thursday 17 March 2016 @ 11.30am
Funeral location: South Chapel, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Camden Valley Way, Leppington
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: located at Leppington Rose Garden – where the Children’s grave’s are. Both Joe and his wife – Colleen Mary BINGHAM nee Daley, have a plaque each ; on one head stone. They both passed away 14 days apart, Colleen on the 25 February 2016 & Joe on the 11 March 2016 after being married for 58 wonderful years.
[alert_yellow]JOSEPH is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Colleen Mary Bingham nee Daley was born 20-02-1937 to 25-02-201.
Joe & Colleen met in Wollongong whilst Joe was a Constable, stationed there.
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Ted Collins:Big man. Loved a schooner or two. Traffic Sgt at Campsie for many years rest in peace . Great memories.
Barry Jones: Joe helped me with my first departmental over some shitty complaint. That night at Bankstown he showed me the power of the written report. His response was a pure work of art. The only thing missing was the words ……”Once Upon A Time” at the beginning. I still have that Roget’s Thesaurus he convinced me to buy in 1977 sitting on my desk. The other thing I remember about Joe was his stand up blues with Tom Gerdes, now they were different. Going to miss you big fella.
Ted Collins: Barry Jones. He had that enigma about him. Very very good touch typist. Nothing for him to pitch in and type the synopsis or charge sheets on a wicked night shift. Jump in a car and whiz them into town if we missed the mailman. Never like some sitting there studying the stud book. Gee whiz didn’t he have some stand up blues. The office rocked . He never backed down.
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Denis Brian FETHERS
| 17/03/2016
Denis Brian FETHERS
aka Brian
( late of Hamlyn Terrace )
New South Wales Police Force
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadets on 12 October 1942
Cadet # 383
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 5512[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 17 March 1947
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 16 May 1977 – retired
Stations: ?, Fairfield ( 34 Division ) 1970 – 71 ), Blacktown – 27 Division mid 1970’s ( Sgt ), HQ – College St Sydney – retirement
Service: From 12 October 1942to 29 June 1983 = 40 years Service
Awards: ? – nil found on Itsanhonour
Born: 17 May 1926
Died on: Tuesday 8 March 2016
Cause: ?
Age: 89
Funeral date: Tuesday 15 March 2016 @ 10am
Funeral location: Rose Chapel, Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, 57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
Cadet photo
[alert_yellow]DENIS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Ian Borland: Brian was my Sergeant at Blacktown. A great bloke and a knowledgeable officer with a great sense of humour. Our shift was extremely close knit largely because of his way of running it. Rest in Peace Sergeant.
Paul Bernard Scott: I had the pleasure of working with Brian Fethers @ Fairfield in 70-71, agree with Borlo’s comments, very pleasant bloke, pleasure to work with, Condolences to his family.
Kevin Bishop: Yes, like Col BELL Brian Fethers was our Relief Sergeant at Blacktown. RIP Brian Fethers
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Herman VAN DER VEGT
| 17/03/2016
Herman VAN DER VEGT
( late of Yanco, NSW )
New South Wales Police Force
Academy Class 135
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 15910[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 2 July 1973
Constable 1st Class – appointed 2 August 1978
Senior Sergeant – death
Stations: ?, B.A.S. Operator – early 1980’s ( Breath Analysis Section, Sydney ),
Rockdale ( SenCon ),
Punchbowl ( 13 Division ) Sergeant,
Leeton ( 1990’s – 5 October 2002),
Service: From 21 May 1973to 5 October 2002 = 29+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 December 1989
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 24 March 2000
Born: 3 November 1948
Died on: Friday 4 March 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney
Cause: Herman had a triple heart bypass in 1996. In March 2015 he had another bout of heart issues which resulted in 7 – 8 heart attacks over 3 – 4 weeks ending with 15% heart function. He had a heart device fitted but wasn’t 100%. See further information below.
Dear Family and Friends of our Dad,
Herman Vandervegt. Sadly, our Dad passed away on Friday 4th March, 2016 at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney. We would like to invite you ALL to our Dads funeral service.
Friday 11th March, 2016
Leeton Lawn Cemetery
2pm
Following the service we would love to have everyone join us at Yanco Ex-Servicemans Club from 3:30-4pm. The club provides a courtesy bus until 11:30-12pm should people wish to have a drink or two too many.
We will be having a viewing on Thursday 10th March, 2016, 4pm at Les Watkins funeral home, Leeton should anyone wish to attend.
As I’m certain we do not have contact details for all Dads friends, far and wide, we would appreciate if you could pass on the above to any relevant people. Dee and I have posted the above on our Facebook pages and I have posted the information on Dads Facebook page also.
We have also organised an advertisement in the irrigator newspaper which comes out tomorrow, 8th March and there will also be a radio announcement on Thursday 10th March on radio station 2RG following the 8:30 news.
Don’t think we have forgotten anything and apologies if you receive this message more than once.
Love Kez and Dee
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VANDERVEGT, Herman:
Passed away at St Vincents Hospital Sydney, on Friday, 4 March 2016.
Late of 9 Coonong Ave, Yanco.
Loving father of Kerrie Cameron and Deanne Vandervegt. Cherished Grandfather of Jacob, Nicholas and Alex.
Aged 67 years.
“Resting peacefully in Gods care.”
The relatives and friends of the late Herman Vandervegt are respectfully informed that a graveside service will be held on Friday, 11 March, 2016 at the Leeton Lawn Cemetery, commencing at 2.00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers donations will be greatfully accepted at the service on behalf of St Vincent Heart Transplant Unit Sydney.
Email received, via AustralianPolice.com.au, from Deanne Vandervegt on Wednesday 9 March 2016:
Hi Cal
My name is Deanne Vandervegt. I am the daughter of Herman Vandervegt DOB: 03/11/1948. Dad retired as a Senior Sergeant, from Leeton Police Station in 2002. He was in the police force from 21/05/1973-04/10/2002.
Dad has had heart disease / cardiac issues since 1996 which was also the year he had a triple bypass. 23/03/2015 he had his next bout of cardiac issues which took him through 7-8 heart attacks in 3-4 weeks, multiple admissions to St Vincents Hospital, Leeton Hospital, Wagga Wagga Hospital and Griffith Hospital, eventually resulting in end stage heart failure with less than 15% heart function. As it was the end of the road, we (dad, sister and I) decided to accept surgery of a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) which is a pump inserted into the left heart ventricle that forces injection and contraction of the heart to maintain circulation of blood and oxygen. After coming close to death so many times following this surgery, he finally turned the corner and spent 3 months in rehab. The LVAD essentially gave him life again, nothing close to the life he knew, but he was alive, and that was all that mattered to him. He was then placed on the heart transplant list, awaiting a donor heart.
On the morning of 16/02/2106 we received the phone call we had been praying for… A donor heart was a match. It had only been 6 months following the LVAD surgery, but this chance may never have come around again and whilst too early for our liking, he made his way via the first flight out of Leeton.
Surgery took place at 12pm and finally was completed at 1:30am. Whilst the heart transplant went ok, there were major complications removing the LVAD and things sadly went down hill from there. Major abdomen bleeds, several clots in the aorta and following, a massive heart attack which again, put him back into end stage heart failure resulting in only 5% heart function. No human can sustain “life” with 5% heart function. We requested they just give him some more time and let his poor body heal. A couple of days later we were informed his heart was worsening and the heart “reserve” they were hoping for, was no longer. My sister and I were asked to remove all support. Over several days it was evident that dad just could not conquer this fight, he’d given it everything, his all, and we had to leave him with dignity. Regrettably after removing support dad passed quickly on 04/03/2016.
If there is any other information I can assist with, please contact me.
Regards
Deanne Vandervegt
On behalf of all us old and retired Police, may your father forever Rest In Peace.
Cal
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Email from Neville Briggs
Former Inspector, Singleton, NSW
I was saddened to see the announcement of the passing of Herman Vandervegt.
All that I could add to his history is that in the early eighties, Herman was one of the mobile Breath Analysis Operators ( The BAS operators in Sydney ) I met him in that role at the old no. 9 Division, Burwood.
Between 1986 and 1990, I was stationed at Punchbowl in Sydney and Herman was a shift Sergeant in those years at Punchbowl, 13 Division.
One amusing incident that I always remember is that one of the Punchbowl Constables came to me to complain that she couldn’t work with Herman on the night shift. The reason, I was told, was that in the car Herman played a radio station all night that only featured Country & Western music, and Herman knew all the songs and sang along with them all. The poor Constable was distraught. Lol.
Neville Briggs,
Former Inspector, Singleton NSW.
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Geoffrey Graham RICHARDSON
| 17/03/2016
Geoffrey Graham RICHARDSON
( late of Nelson Bay – formerly of Razorback )
aka Buddha & Richo & Jedi
Husband of SenCon Margaret King
Academy Class 272
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 32260[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 15 May 1998
Constable – appointed 15 May 1999
Senior Constable –
Sergeant – appointed 26 December 2010
Stations: Campbelltown LAC – 35 Division – 15 May 1998 – 26 March 2005,
Cobar 27 March 2005 – April 2010,
Central Hunter LAC ( SenCon ) April 2010 – 26 December 2010,
Lake Macquarie LAC – ( Sgt ) 27 December 2010 – July 2015,
Port Stephens LAC – July 2015, – Death
Service: From? pre May 1998to5 March 2016 = 18 years Service
Awards: Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery re Off Duty arrest at Nelson Bay on 6 February 2012
Commander’s Commendation
NSW Police Medal
National Medal
National Police Service Medal – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016
NSW Police Medal – 15 year Clasp – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016
The Commissioner’s Commendation for Service – posthumously awarded on 14 March 2016
Born: 6 August 1972
Died on: Saturday 5 March 2016 about 11.50pm
Cause: Motor vehicle accident – driver
Event location: Lovedale Rd, Allandale, NSW
Age: 43
Funeral date: Monday 14 March 2016 @ 11.30am
Funeral location: Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle, NSW
Buried at: ?TBA
Memorial at: PTS12 ( PorT Stephens 12 ) police vehicle is dedicated in May 2016 to Richo with personalised number plates RCH012
[alert_green]GEOFFREYIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
As a sign of respect to our colleague lost overnight in a motor vehicle accident while providing assistance to others, Windsor Police Station is flying the State Flag at half mast. Our colleague leaves behind a wife who is a serving Senior Constable and two young boys aged seven and five months.
Funeral location: ?TBA
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
RICHARDSON
Sergeant
Geoffrey Graham
Of Nelson Bay
Formerly of Razorback
Dearly loved husband of Margaret. Much loved father of Patrick and Aiden. Loved son of Lofty Richardson and Jeanette Richardson. Loved son-in-law of John (dec) and Heather King. Loving brother of Warwick, Grant, Andrew, and Adrian. Loving brother-in-law of Denise, Eric, Raymond, Gordon, Annette, Robert, and John and uncle to their families. Valued member of the NSW Police Force Family.
Family, Friends and Colleagues are invited to attend a Funeral Service to be held in Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle on MONDAY (March 14, 2016) commencing at 11:30 am.
No flowers by request, donations in lieu may be made to NSW Police Legacy –
geoffreyrichardson. gofundraise.com.au
France Family Funerals
Nelson Bay 4981 4488
Monday, 14 March 2016
To the Richardson Family,
Our deepest Condolences you are all.
You all are in our Prayers.
R.I.P Geoffrey
From The Entire Skaines Family
~
Lynda ( Skaines) McGuire,
Guildford, New South Wales
Monday, 14 March 2016
Wish we had been able to get to know you better. RIP.
~
Kristie and Rohan Harrison,
Charlestown, New South Wales
Monday, 14 March 2016
My heart is breaking for The Richardson family at this sad time, My thoughts and prayers are with you all, especially Margaret, Patrick Aiden and Geoff’s colleagues, as a member of the public who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Sgt Richardson, I thank him for his Service. God bless you all, You can be forever Proud of this man taken far too soon.
My husband will be playing in the Police Band today as Sgt Richardson is farewelled.
May He rest in peace.
~
Roslyn Day-Anderson,
Seven Hills nsw
Monday, 14 March 2016
Geoff it was a pleasure to work with you, your enthusiasm for our job is an inspiration. You will be sadly missed as a colleague and a friend. Love to your family and friends.
~
Nadia Theiss,
Cardiff, New South Wales
Sunday, 13 March 2016
Your name will be echoed for ever, through the corridors of Campbelltown Police Station. For your mate ship, tenacity and leadership, we thank you Richo!
~
Conchita Ray,
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Sunday, 13 March 2016
To the Richardson family we extend our deepest sympathy in your time of loss and sorrow.
Kindest thoughts.
Jim & Carole Whitfield.
Tahmoor NSW
~
Jim & Carole Whitfield,
TAHMOOR, New South Wales
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Mar. 11, 2016
RIP Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson thank you for your service, thoughts & prayers go out to your wife Senior Constable Margaret King, & your two young sons.
The NSW Police Force lost a highly respected and much-loved member of its family last night.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens LAC – NSW Police Force was killed when the police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale, around 11.50pm yesterday (Saturday 5 March 2016).
At the time, Sergeant Richardson had been driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
Further police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene, and got there a short time later, however Sergeant Richardson had passed away before their arrival. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The matter is now the subject of a Critical Incident Investigation, which will be supported by the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit and overseen by the Professional Standards Command.
Sergeant Richardson graduated from the NSW Police Academy in 1998. He served the Campbelltown LAC – NSW Police Force as a Constable until 2005, when he was transferred to Cobar and promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.
In April 2010, he was transferred to Central Hunter Local Area Command, before moving to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command upon his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in December 2010.
He served Lake Macquarie LAC – NSW Police Force until July of 2015, at which time he transferred to Port Stephens Local Area Command.
Sergeant Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012.
In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served.
Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.
As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson’s family , his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation.
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Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson killed on way to emergency in Hunter Valley
Date
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has paid tribute to a police officer killed in a crash in the Hunter Valley on the way to an emergency on Saturday night.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, 43, from Port Stephens Local Area Command died when his vehicle hit a tree at Allandale at about 11.50pm.
Standing outside of Nelson Bay police station on Sunday morning Commissioner Scipione said Sergeant Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW.
“It’s a very sad day for the NSW Police Force today.”
“We have farewelled one of our officers.
“43-year-old Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens Local Area Command was tragically lost to us, killed in a motor vehicle accident just before midnight last night”.
Commissioner Scipione met with Sergeant Richardson’s wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and two children on Sunday morning to offer his condolences.
He said police had been at the family home since last night and would remain there to offer their support.
Sergeant Richardson graduated from the NSW Police Academy in 1998. He served the Campbelltown Local Area Command as a Constable until 2005, when he was transferred to Cobar and promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.
In April 2010, he was transferred to Central Hunter Local Area Command, before moving to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command upon his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in December 2010.
He served Lake Macquarie until July of 2015, at which time he transferred to Port Stephens Local Area Command.
He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012.
In a statement, NSW Police said: “In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served.”
“Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.
As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson’s family , his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation,” the statement said.
Sergeant Richardson had responded to calls for help in a police pursuit through the Hunter when the crash occurred on Lovedale Road about 11.50pm.
Paramedics attended but the officer, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.
Details of the police pursuit through the Hunter have not yet come to light.
Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit will assist a critical incident team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.
“All information will be provided to the coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the officer’s death,” a police statement said.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone who can assist police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police investigating death of father-of-two sergeant in NSW Hunter Valley crash
A police sergeant who died after his squad car crashed into a tree in the NSW Hunter Valley last night has been remembered as a highly respected officer and a loving father to two young sons.
Port Stephen area Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, 43, was driving through Allandale on his way to help other officers in a pursuit when his car ran off the road and crashed into a tree about midnight.
He was the sole occupant of the patrol car and died at the scene.
Sgt Richardson is survived by his wife, a serving member of NSW Police, and two sons.
Police say Sgt Richardson put his life on the line countless times in order to protect others, and had won bravery awards for his tireless work.
A critical incident investigation is now underway to establish how and why the experienced police officer lost control of his car rounding a bend during a routine callout.
“At the moment we don’t have too many details. It’s all subject to investigation, obviously,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said.
“The investigation will take some time, obviously, and we may have some further information we can provide at a later time.
Act. Dep. Comm. McKechnie said his thoughts were with Sgt Richardson’s friends and family.
“He is a father of two young children, and his wife and family are currently being supported by extended family and colleagues of the officer,” he said.
“NSW Police Force will ensure that all available welfare, support and assistance is provided to his family and his colleagues as we work through this tough period ahead.”
Sgt Richardson was remembered as a dedicated police officer who provided 18 years of service, in a tribute statement released by the NSW Police Force.
“In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served,” the statement read.
“Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father.
“His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.”
“As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson’s family, his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation.”
The full NSW Police Force statement is below:
The NSW Police Force lost a highly respected and much-loved member of its family last night.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson from the Port Stephens Local Area Command was killed when the police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale, around 11.50pm yesterday (Saturday 6 March 2016).
At the time, Sergeant Richardson had been driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
Further police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene, and got there a short time later, however Sergeant Richardson had passed away before their arrival. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The matter is now the subject of a Critical Incident Investigation, which will be supported by the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit and overseen by the Professional Standards Command.
Sergeant Richardson graduated from the NSW Police Academy in 1998. He served the Campbelltown Local Area Command as a Constable until 2005, when he was transferred to Cobar and promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.
In April 2010, he was transferred to Central Hunter Local Area Command, before moving to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command upon his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in December 2010.
He served Lake Macquarie until July of 2015, at which time he transferred to Port Stephens Local Area Command.
Sergeant Richardson provided 18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012.
In every sense, he was a hard-working, highly regarded, popular and committed police officer, who will be sorely missed by the organisation he so ably represented and the communities he diligently served.
Above all else, he was a loving and much-loved husband and father. His wife, Senior Constable Margaret King, and his two young sons, are naturally devastated, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.
As the men and women of this organisation always do in times of tragedy, we will band together and support Sergeant Richardson’s family, his friends, and each other, through this extremely difficult situation.
Hunter Valley sergeant dies in crash on way to help colleagues involved in police chase
Updated
A police sergeant on his way to help colleagues involved in a car chase has been killed in a crash in New South Wales Hunter Valley.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, 43, was driving his patrol car when it veered off Lovedale Street at Allandale and hit a tree late on Saturday night.
He was on his way to help colleagues involved in a car chase when the accident happened.
Paramedics were called but Sergeant Richardson, who worked at the Port Stephens Local Area Command, died at the scene.
He was the only person in the vehicle.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, who has travelled to the region, said the force had lost a “very good man” in the tragedy.
“I have had a chance to meet with his family and certainly paid my condolences to his wife Margaret and his children,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“It is a terribly sad event, we’ve lost a very good man.
“He was respected, he was loved, and certainly he was one of our finest, and NSW is a much poorer state as a result.”
The accident is now the subject of a critical incident investigation to be conducted by Newcastle Local Command, Commissioner Scipione said.
“The officer was not involved in a pursuit, he was on his way to assist others that were involved in a pursuit,” he said.
Commissioner Scipione said support would be provided to Sergeant Richardson’s family, including his wife who was also a senior constable in the police force.
“My heart goes out to his family, we’ll do all we need to to make sure that they’re looked after, because they’re a really important part of our [policing] family,” he said.
Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
In a tribute released to media, police said Sergeant Richardson provided “18 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the people of NSW”.
“He was the recipient of numerous awards, including a Regional Commander’s Commendation for Bravery after he arrested a number of offenders while off-duty at Nelson Bay in 2012,” the statement reads.
He was a loving and loved husband and father, the statement reads, who leaves behind a “devastated” family.
In support of the Police Family your Association with NSW Police Legacy has set up a fund for the family of Sgt Geoffrey Richardson killed in a motor vehicle accident on the weekend.
The details are:
NSW Police Legacy Appeal BSB: 815 000 A/C: 282951S1 omit S1 if not transferring from a Police Bank account
(The S1 is only used for Police Bank to Police Bank transfers.)
Links to the fundraising site have also been added to the PANSW website homepage.
The 43-year-old Sergeant (Class 272 – 18 Years Service), who’s wife is Senior Constable Margaret Richardson (Nee King), was a much-loved husband and father with two young sons Patrick aged seven and Aiden five months of age.
As many members would be aware, Sgt Richardson was killed on his way to help colleagues engaged in a pursuit in the Hunter Valley, NSW.
It’s at these times the strength of the police family is fortified as we rally together to support the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic loss.
Like any member of the emergency services would know – it takes a great deal of courage to leave your own family behind to protect those you have never met on a daily basis.
It takes a particular type of person to step forward, often into harm’s way, and commit himself or herself to such a job, and to give up peace of mind to preserve it for others.
Our thoughts are with our fallen colleague, his family and friends and fellow officers at Port Stephens Local Area Command during this difficult time.
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NSW Police Force FB page: Tuesday 8 March 2016
A man has been charged with a number of pursuit-related offences after a police officer died in a motor vehicle crash in the Hunter Valley at the weekend.
About 11pm on Saturday (5 March 2016), police became involved in a pursuit with a white Ford Falcon sedan on Ken Tubman Drive Maitland, after it allegedly failed to stop.
The pursuit continued for approximately 30 minutes before police lost sight of the vehicle.
About 11.40pm, the vehicle was seen on Wine Country Drive, Lovedale, and a second pursuit began.
During the pursuit, Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, who was making his way to assist other officers, died after his vehicle left the road and struck a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale.
Sergeant Richardson, aged 43, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The second pursuit ended and the Ford was last seen on Elderslie Road, Greta.
Following investigations, about 1pm yesterday (Monday 7 March 2016), a 34-year-old man was arrested at Maitland. ( Paul JOHNSON )
Checks of the man’s licence status revealed he had been disqualified from driving for life in 2000.
He was subsequently charged with two counts police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (Skye’s Law), driving in a manner dangerous, exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h, driving whilst disqualified, using an unregistered/uninsured vehicle, using unauthorised plates, having custody of a knife in a public place, and resisting arrest.
The Greta man has been refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Tuesday 8 March 2016).
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VALEDICTORY – Sergeant Geoffrey Graham Richardson???
As delivered by NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM:
At about 11.50pm on Saturday the 5th of March 2016, Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, from the Port Stephens Local Area Command, was driving to assist colleagues who were engaged in a pursuit.
The police car he was driving crashed into a tree on Lovedale Road, Allandale. He was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene by nearby residents, and they arrived a short time later. Sadly, Sergeant Richardson had passed away before they arrived.
Sergeant Geoffrey Graham Richardson attested as a Probationary Constable on the 15th of May 1998.
He commenced general duties at Campbelltown before being confirmed at the rank of Constable on the 15th of May 1999.
He remained at Campbelltown until the 26th of March 2005 when he transferred to Cobar in far western New South Wales. While at Cobar he was promoted to the rank of Senior Constable.
After just over five years at Cobar, Sergeant Richardson moved to the Central Hunter Local Area Command.
Shortly thereafter, on the 26th of December 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and commenced duties at the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command.
Sergeant Richardson transferred from Lake Macquarie to Port Stephens Local Area Command – his final posting – in July 2015.
He was awarded the NSW Police Medal and the National Medal. He also received a Commander’s Commendation, a Region Commander’s Unit Citation, and many accolades from people in the community who had written in appreciation of his compassion and professionalism.
The day before Geoff’s passing, I travelled to Dungog to honour the memory of Sergeant 1st Class William Bowen, who passed away 100 years ago as the result of injuries he received while on duty.
The occasion was a commemoration; a centenary; almost a celebration of his memory. Time had eased the rawness of the tragedy of his passing.
But it brings to mind a sobering message that danger has always been a police officer’s enduring companion. It’s there both on and off duty, at the back of mind or at front, possibly in individuals or groups, in buildings, on pavements, around corners and on roads.
Police officers place themselves in harm’s way to reduce violence, crime, and the fear of crime. Sometimes their oath to protect and serve, their determination to do the best by their community, has a tragic outcome.
The price is a terrible one, but one that police officers are prepared to pay because they believe that the values we hold – and the freedom we enjoy – are worth the sacrifice.
We all pay the toll but we do not pay in equal measure; the burden falls heaviest on the families of officers who fall in the line of duty. No one feels more keenly the death of a police officer than their loved ones.
And on this occasion the loss is even more keenly felt because Geoff’s wife, Margaret, is also a police officer. Not only sharing the bond of family, but also sharing the ideals of protecting people and having to face hardship, conflict, and potential danger together.
Margaret, Patrick and baby Aiden have lost an adored husband and father. His father Graham – better known as Lofty – and mother Jeanette have lost a dearly-loved son; Warwick, Grant, Andrew and Adrian their friend, companion and brother.
However much we would like things to be different, nothing we do or say can change what has happened. All we can do is honour Geoff’s memory and hold his family in the warm embrace of the Police family.
Geoff was a much-loved and respected police officer. He was known as Geoff or “Richo”. To his close mates he was “Buddha”.
In the words of one colleague, he was a “policeman’s policeman”… committed to his job, committed to his mates, and committed to the community he served, and of which he was a part.
He was the exemplar of a family man. With his son Patrick, Geoff was involved in local junior Rugby and he was also deeply committed to his local Anglican Church – another bond that he shared with Margaret.
He took great pride in his uniform. He was always immaculately turned out and wanted other police to share that same pride. He was a protocol officer and serious about it. He understood that the way police present themselves matters; that authority brings with it a responsibility and that the symbols of office are important.
He wasn’t overbearing or a stickler. He led by example and other officers followed. He did not order or command or even badger. He didn’t need to.
And, by unanimous verdict, Geoff was not just a first-class police officer but a gregarious good bloke. A man popular with fellow officers and good with those he encountered in the course of work – he was firm with offenders but he would also empathise with victims.
One of his colleagues said of Geoff that his imposing stature and copybook attire never seemed to be a barrier to how victims responded to him. With Geoff they felt a genuine and comforting empathy in their time of need.
Geoff’s rapport with victims was part of a larger picture of a man who cared for those around him; especially his fellow officers. Geoff and Margaret were often in the vanguard of fundraising activities for colleagues in need.
Geoff himself was a peer support officer, an officer who volunteers to help colleagues in times of need. He would often reach out to colleagues he could see were in need of some support.
But it would be misleading to characterise Geoff as just a big-hearted Good Samaritan. As I said, he was equally at home handling a violent offender as he was with supporting the victim of an assault.
In fact, given the occasion, both husband and wife presented a formidable law enforcement presence.
The Region Commander’s Unit Citation he received was in recognition of bravery and commitment to duty when arresting offenders while off-duty in Nelson Bay on the 6th of February 2012.
What is remarkable about this incident is that the other recipient of that unit citation was his wife, Margaret. Together, while off-duty, they attended the scene of a collision to render assistance, but were confronted by a crowd of 10 to 15 hostile people.
Their citation read in part, “The officers responded to a motor vehicle collision to ensure the welfare of the occupants. Instead they faced a volatile and dangerous crowd who were actively protecting an offender and hindering police response.”
Despite both being assaulted, they managed to detain the driver and several other offenders, who were charged with various offences including High Range PCA, resisting arrest, hindering police, affray and malicious damage.
A key principle that underpins our Police Force is the notion that Police are the community, and the community are the Police. The reputation and success of the NSW Police Force therefore depends on the trust the community places in each and every police officer.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson epitomised all of the qualities needed to gain – and to maintain – that trust.
It is inevitable and appropriate that we grieve and feel his loss. To my mind, it is just as appropriate that we do his career and life proper justice; that we honour his memory by following his example.
We, all of us, can do well to look out more for others, at work and outside of work. To lead through our actions. To live our ideals.
Through his family, Geoff’s memory also lives on. And through his wife Margaret, his commitment to service will also live on.
It is my honour today, to posthumously confer three awards on Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
The National Police Service Medal: recognising his ethical and diligent service in protecting the community.
The establishment of the National Police Service Medal was signed by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in November of 2010, and the Governor General awards the Medal on the recommendation of the responsible Commissioner of Police.
The 15 year clasp to the NSW Police Medal: recognising his ethical and diligent service.
After being approved by the Minister for Police and the Commissioner of Police, the medal was instituted on the 5th of February 2002. The medal is NOT awarded automatically for length of service. It is only awarded after a detailed review of the nominee’s service history to ensure the service was ethical and diligent. The clasp to the medal denotes the length of ethical and diligent service.
And:
The Commissioner’s Commendation for Service.
In part the citation reads:
…. for outstanding and meritorious performance of duty as a member of the New South Wales Police Force, from 1998 to 2016 ….
Sergeant Richardson has displayed integrity, loyalty, commitment, professionalism and devotion to duty as a member of the New South Wales Police Force and is highly commended for his service.
Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson gave his life in the very way he had lived it; in the service of others.
His loss, tragic for his family and many friends, is profound for each and every one of us. No words are quite adequate to express or diminish that loss.
His passing reminds us that preserving our values and our freedom can exact a heavy toll. A toll that is not shared equally in our community.
We farewell Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson but he will not be forgotten. As is right and proper, his name will be etched into the granite of the Police Wall of Remembrance in Sydney as a permanent reminder that he laid down his life for the people of New South Wales.
I am humbled and deeply honoured to represent every member of the NSW Police Force here today to farewell a highly-regarded police officer who served his community with courage, honour and distinction.
A husband and father.
A son and brother.
A friend and colleague.
A police officer.
Vale Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
Our prayers go with you … may you rest in peace.
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Boy’s poem for policeman killed in accident
By TIM CONNELL
TOM Finlay, 13, wrote a poem after he saw the funeral procession for Port Stephens police sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
His teacher at Newcastle Grammar School had suggested poetry as a way for students to process the funeral taking place across the road at Christ Church Cathedral.
Tom’s poem is reproduced below.
The Great Knights of Port Stephens, by Tom Finlay.
Port Stephens, Port Stephens/Your knights are brave and bold
From the newest of the new, to the oldest of the old.
When criminal cometh to/Town, you mustn’t worry/For when knights hear thy/Criminals they come in quite a/Hurry.
But sometimes things don’t end/Like they do in the story,
Because some knights will end up/In heaven with all their glory.
But if your knight goes to heaven/You mustn’t feel a sting,
Because the great Richardson will/Give them their wings.
TOUCHED: Port Stephens Superintendent Chris Craner thanks Tom Finlay for his poem about police killed in the line of duty. Picture: Jonathan Carroll.
“HAVE you ever thought about it – would you ever see the police cry?”
The question at Newcastle Grammar School on Tuesday came from the Port Stephens police commander, Superintendent Chris Craner.
It was something Tom Finlay, a boy in year seven with autism, had asked himself.
Earlier this month Tom, 13, had watched from his school’s playground as the funeral procession for Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson, who had died in a crash on his way to an emergency, wound its way into Christ Church Cathedral.
“I’d just been thinking how people go to work every day, and how not everyone comes home,” he said.
“So I just wrote it.”
THANKS: Port Stephens police officers at Newcastle Grammar School thank students for their poems dedicated to their late colleague, Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson.
When Tom’s mother Michelle posted his The Great Knights of Port Stephens on social media, it got back to the police mourning one of their own.
In the superintendent’s words, “there were tears in the station”.
Some of the officers who read Tom’s poem – and the poems penned by his classmates, at the suggestion of their teacher Jordan Grant – attended Tuesday’s school assembly to express their thanks.
Outside, Senior Constable David Wynne from the dog squad introduced students to an as-yet unnamed pup being trained as a police dog, and the bravery award-winning German shepherd Ulrich demonstrated how to follow a scent.
Supt Craner said “carloads of cops” had wanted to visit the school, and he thanked Tom personally.
Shane Finlay said he was “amazed at how far” his son had come in his studies and social interactions with the help of his teachers at Newcastle Grammar and his previous teachers at the Aspect Hunter School for students with autism.
“The [autism] spectrum is wide, and in the last four years he’s really come on,” Mr Finlay said.
“I mean, he wrote that poem in 20 minutes.”
His mother Michelle Finlay added, “everything he does blows us away”.
About 1000 mourners, including NSW Governor David Hurley and Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, attended the funeral earlier this month of Sergeant Richardson, who died aged 43.
Sgt Richardson is survived by his police officer wife Senior Constable Margaret King and their two young sons Patrick and Aiden.
New Port Stephens police car a fitting tribute for fallen brother in blue, Geoffrey Richardson
TRIBUTE: Superintendent Chris Craner and Sergeant Martine Morley with the new Port Stephens police car, which is dedicated to Geoffrey Richardson who died in the line of duty in March. Picture: Simone De Peak
THE newest addition to the Port Stephens police command’s fleet is not just any other car; it is a fitting tribute to fallen brother in blue Geoffrey Richardson.
Light blue in colour and bearing number plates that read RCH, the distinctive police car will serve as a visual memory for officers and members of the community that have been affected by Sergeant Richardson’s death.
Port Stephens Sergeant Martine Morley said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be amongst the officers who will drive the car, which arrived on Wednesday.
“It is a wonderful tribute to a fantastic officer and work colleague,” an emotional Sergeant Morley said.
“It’s really quite a special thing; a really special tribute.
“Geoff is part of Port Stephens, he always will be.
“This just reminds us of that.”
Superintendent Chris Craner said the tribute to Sergeant Richardson, who died in the line of duty on March 5, came from Port Stephens officers who wanted to do something a little different.
“We had a couple of different ideas from different staff,” he said. “We wanted to do something a little bit different.
NEVER FORGOTTEN: The newest addition to the Port Stephens police command’s fleet is a car dedicated to Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson. Picture: Simone De Peak
“It’s a change of colour, it’s a blue colour which represents a sergeant and it’s got personalised number plates that represent Sergeant Richardson.
“It’s just a nice way for the cops to look at the car and think about Geoff. And it’s a nice way for the community when you’re driving down the street to go ‘why is that a blue car?’ and find out why.
“The car tells a story and the story is Geoff. Geoff died on duty and his memory won’t be forgotten.
“You can walk out the front of the police station, have a look at this car, stop a minute, have a think about Geoff, jump in and take off.”
The car is a standard Toyota Camry. It will be driven by Port Stephens police Sergeants and used for patrols.
I think Ron used to play in the Carlton Football Premiership for Campbelltown around 1985.
Ron used to also Trade under Ron Hystek Home Handyman in the Southern Highlands, NSW.
Final farewell for loved policeman
MORE than 300 people gathered at Bowral’s Uniting Church last Thursday to remember Highlands policeman Ron Hystek, who recently lost his fight with stomach cancer.
Bowral police honoured the 28-year veteran of the force, who spent a decade walking the beat in Bowral, with a guard of honour.
Following the service Ron’s eldest son Wayne and wife Julie drove the casket on a home-made trailer with a Ulysses motorcycle group escort to Mittagong Showground before the casket was transferred to a hearse.
Senior Constable Hystek joined NSW Police in 1974; he was stationed at Bowral from 1985 to 1995 before transferring to Campbelltown until his discharge in 2002 on medical grounds.
He was awarded the National Medal and the NSW Police Medal.
Wayne Hystek said his father touched a lot of people and the family was “blown away” by the turnout to the service.
Ron Hystek started the Where’s Wally Ron charity to raise funds for cancer and arthritis research after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in May 2007.
For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Wednesday, April 15
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 10 August 1999 p2
After a shooting incident in 1993, Senior Constable Ronald Hystek refused to wear a firearm or carry handcuffs. He has also had his police driving certification withdrawn for nodding off at the wheel. The 25-year veteran, who has not been fully operational since the shooting, claims the Police Service has discriminated against him over promotions. Constable Hystek has taken the service to the Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal, where he wants seven days he took off work last year………
have his medical expenses paid by the Police Service. Constable Hystek won a previous decision before the tribunal over hurt-on-duty leave claims for time he took off in 1994. That leave, he said, was due to stress caused by a faulty departmental investigation into the shooting, for which he was deemed negligent. He had opened fire on the vehicle as it sped through an intersection near Bowral during a pursuit. The hearing continues.
Kevin John LAUBE
| 17/03/2016
Kevin John LAUBE
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # 14707
Rank: Senior Constable
Stations: Bourke St West, St Kilda, Mentone, Mobile Traffic Section ( from 1972 )
Service: From 21 February 1964to 3 March 1976 = 12+ years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1944
Died on: Wednesday 3 March 1976
Cause: Motor vehicle accident – Police cycle – rider
On the afternoon of Wednesday, 3 March 1976, about 4.50pm, when Sen Const Laube was performing a motorcycle patrol north along Coolart Road, Somerville, and collided with a car which had pulled out into his path from Eramosa Road.
Sadly, he received fatal injuries and died at the accident scene. He was 31.
Sen Const Laube joined Victoria Police on 21 February, 1964 and worked at various police stations during his career including Bourke Street West, St Kilda and Mentone before transferring to the Mobile Traffic Section in 1972.
Bill James was a long time, and original V.I.P. who stated work out of the old Warilla Police Station ( Lake Illawarra LAC ) in 1996.
Bill retired from V.I.P’s prior to the Station being moved to Oak Flats.
Bill, upon retiring from his career job, applied for a VIP role at the suggestion of his wife. He said he enjoyed his work with the police for a number of reasons.
” I like everything about it – keeps me active and I like working with all the police and staff, they are a great crew. This role has been eye-opening and I really appreciate all the work the police do. It’s great to be able to help them out and my family are very pleased with what I do. “
Joined NSW Police Force via the NSW Police Cadet system on 2 February 1976
Cadet # 3244
Rank: NSW Police Cadets – started 2 February 1976
Probationary Constable – appointed 5 September 1977
Constable – appointed 5 September 1978
Detective Sergeant – retired
Stations: ?, Philip Street ( 1978 ), Macquarie Fields, Broken Hill, Chatswood, Major Crime Squad North West, Wagga Wagga – retirement
Service: From 2 February 1976to 7 September 2007 = 31+ years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 22 July 1993
Born: 5 September 1958
Died on: Thursday 25 February 2016
Cause: possibly cancer
Age: 57
Funeral date: 3 March 2016 @ 1pm
Funeral location: South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, SUTHERLAND
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: ?
Daryl Venables Black jewfish caught on Melville Island. Clearwater fishing lodge. Put it on your bucket list! April 14, 2014 at 3:39pm Daryl Venables Daryl Venables I would like to thank all those who sent best wishes for my birthday. What may seem to be a small thing, is greatly appreciated by me as I struggle with this insidious cancer. Any small thought can mean so much when you are doing it tough. (Trust me I am no SNAG, but just a normal bloke doing his best to deal with the disease). Look forward to saying the same words next year. September 7, 2014 at 11:49pm
Photo taken at TDC reunion held at Manly 2008. Trying to make a point on another important issue.
DARYL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance*NEED MORE INFO
Fu
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Loving husband of Kerrie, father of Glenn, Scott and Patrick. Lifelong mate of the T. D. C.
“Ciao for now OBE you big Galoot!”
All friends are invited to attend a celebration and commemoration of his life on Thursday March 3, 2016 in the South Chapel, Woronora Crematorium, Linden Street, Sutherland at 1:00pm.
Relatives and Friends of RONDA are warmly invited to attend a Memorial Service in Celebration of her Life to be held at the Fingal Bay Surf Life Saving Club, 3 Marine Drive, Fingal Bay this Wednesday morning 3rd February 2016 commencing at 11am.
A private cremation has preceded this service.
May She Rest In Peace
MEIGHANS FUNERALS Locally owned 4952 3099
Published in The Newcastle Herald on Jan. 30, 2016
STATE MEMBER for Dubbo and NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant learned of the “importance of caring for people and serving your community” from his mother who will be farewelled at a memorial service on Wednesday morning.
Ronda Grant, a former aged-care nurse, died suddenly late last month at the age of 64.
She was cremated last Thursday at Newcastle.
Wednesday’s service at Fingal Bay Surf Club from 11am will be attended by Mr Grant’s parliamentary colleagues, family and friends, many of them from Dubbo.
Born at Newcastle and raised at North Haven, Ms Grant lived at Moree and Kootingal before settling into retirement at Nelson Bay.
The venue for the service, overlooking Fingal Bay, was chosen because the mother of two and grandmother of four “loved the beach”.
Her only son has spoken of his “devastation” at her unexpected passing.
“Mum was the life of every party,” Mr Grant said in a statement released to the Daily Liberal.
“She grew up in impoverished conditions but she didn’t let that detract from being a positive person.
“She was a world traveller and an adoring grandmother to four grandkids.”
Mr Grant said he had his mother to thank for his contribution to NSW initially through policing and in recent years the state parliament.
“She taught me the importance of caring for people and serving your community,” he said.
“I am devastated by her sudden death and I have been overwhelmed by all the good wishes and cards from the people in my electorate.”
Among the Dubbo residents who have headed to the coast for the service are David and Stella Aird, formerly of Gilgandra where Mr Grant began his policing career.
The Aird family welcomed the newcomer into their home and later met his mother.
“She was a lady who was so very, very proud of everything Troy achieved,” Mrs Aird said.
