Gosford Race Club is saddened to announce the passing of former Vice Chairman and Life Member Norman ‘Norm’ Wilfred Cowell on the evening of Wednesday, 22nd March 2017.
Norm was a life long racing enthusiast who served on the GRC Board from 1991-2010. He was elected as Vice Chairman in 2007 until his resignation from the Board in 2010.
The Club extends its condolences to Norm’s wife Mirril and family. The funeral for Norm will be held at Hillside Chapel, Palmdale on Wednesday 29th March from 1:30pm.
COWELL, Norman Wilfred March 23, 2017 at Hospital Gosford.
Late of East Gosford and formerly of Point Clare.
A very much loved husband to Mirril and loved father and father-in-law to Stephen & Jayne.
Loving Pop to Brendan & Megan and Daniel & Emily.
Aged 85 Years
Always Loved
The relatives and friends of NORM are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of his Life appointed to commence this coming Wednesday (March 29, 2017) at 1.30pm in the Hillside Chapel of the Palmdale Crematorium, Palmdale Road, Palmdale.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 1 October 1971 (No.108), page 3848
The undermentioned Members of the Police Force to be Inspectors under the Liquor Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, for the Licensing Districts preceding their names, from the dates specified, viz.:
Kiama.—Senior Constable Norman Wilfred Cowell, stationed at Kiama, during the absence on leave of Sergeant 3rd Class Ronald Elwin Arthur Douglas, from 28th August, 1971.
Detective Se3rgeant 3rd Class John Melville GUDGEON, Sergeant 3rd Class James William DUNBAR and Senior Constable Norman Wilfred COWELL were Departmentally commended for courage and devotion to duty displayed at Jamberoo on the 30th June, 1966, in effecting the arrest of an armed youth, for whom a search had been made in connection with a number of breaking, entering and stealing offences committed in company with two other young men, both of whom had been previously arrested.
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Patrick J. CURTIN
| 11/04/2017
Patrick J. CURTIN
Late of
Queensland Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Constable
Stations: ?, Rockhampton, Mount Morgan, Central Division, Charleville – Death
Service: From? ? ? to10 July 1891 = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? ?
Died on: 10 July1891
Age: ?
Cause: Horse riding accident
Event location: Adavale, Qld
Funeral date: ? ? ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial located at: ?
[alert_green]PATRICKis mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
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Funeral location: TBA
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
The Charleville Times of the 11th instant says :- Constable Patrick Curtin was accidentally killed at Adavale through his horse running him against a tree. The deceased had served several years in the Central Division, and was transferred here during the strike.” The deceased was well-known both in Rockhampton and at Mount Morgan, having been stationed at each place for a considerable time. He left here for the south in December last.
Rank: His Service Card stated he started as Trainee – commenced 2 March 1959 at the Academy but in the ‘Stud Book’, the 2 March 1959 is the date he was Attested as a Probationary Constable
Probationary Constable – appointed 2 March 1959
Constable – appointed 2 March 1960
Constable 1/c – appointed 2 March 1965
Senior Constable – appointed 2 March 1969
Sergeant 3/c – appointed 15 May 1979
Sergeant 2/c – Retirement
Stations: ?, The Rocks – Retirement
Service: From 2 March 1959to 17 November 1987= 28+years Service
Awards: Pat either received the following. I am unable to determine which is correct from It’s An Honour website:
National Medal – received 15 September 1980.
Born: 19 May 1935
Died on: Saturday 18 March 2017
Age: 81
Cause: ?
Funeral date: Monday 27 March 2017 @ 2.30pm
Funeral location: The Chapel of Pettigrew Family Funerals, 984 Hunter Street, Newcastle West
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
[alert_yellow]PAT 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.
Dearly Loved Husband of MAUREEN. Much Loved Father and Father-in-Law of CHRISTINE & ROB, PETER & JANE, JO & PHILLIP. Loving Poppy to EMMA, PETER, JERRIE, KATE, TIM, LAYNE & Great Poppy to NOAH, PATRICK, & BENJAMIN. PATRICK will be sadly missed by the O’BRIEN, JENKINS, YEOMAN & WISEMAN Families
The Relatives & Friends of PATRICK are warmly invited to attend a Celebration Of His Life to be held in The Chapel, 984 Hunter St Newcastle West this Monday 27th March, 2017 service commencing at 2.30pm.
A Memorial Service will also be held in Coffs Harbour on a date to be advised in April.
March 30, 2017
One of the great story and joke teller at many a Police smoko and send off. The laughter will be subdued, but only for a while. Condolences to Maureen and family from those who remember at Mayfield P.S.
March 24, 2017
may the sadness turn to happy memories with the passage of time.
Condolences to Maureen and families.
Cousin Edwina and Henryk Drewek
Edwina and Henryk Drewek
Edwina Drewek, Murwillumbah, New South Wales
March 24, 2017
Ivan Cerveny, Copmanhurst, New South Wales
March 24, 2017
May you forever Rest In Peace.
https://police.freom.com/patrick-phillip-obrien/
March 23, 2017
So extremely sad for you all. “Memories are Forever”. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Helen & Peter Ralph, East Cape
share
March 22, 2017
Mark Thomas, Sydney, New South Wales
Published in The Newcastle Herald from Mar. 22 to Mar. 25, 2017 – See more at: http://tributes.theherald.com.au/obituaries/theherald-au/obituary.aspx?n=patrick-phillip-obrien&pid=184613188&fhid=31483#sthash.90Mjo4vN.dpuf
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Prior to Pat joining NSWPF, he worked for 3 years as a Clerk, did 9 months as a Salesman, 2 years as a Machine operator and 2 years as a Truck driver.
When Pat joined the NSWPF, pre March 1959, he was described as: 5′ 10″ tall, 12st 6 lb, blue eyes, brown hair with a medium complexion and was a native of Inverell, NSW.
At the completion of Training Class N062, at the Police Training Centre – he received marks of 90.75%
He married in 1973.
On the 18 September 1959 he passed his Typing test with 30 wpm
He passed his Constable 1/c course on the 6 June 1961 but failed his Sergeant 3/c exams on 15 May 1970, again on 12 May 1972, again on 18 May 1973 and again on 18 May 1978. Tenacity or feeling sorry for him, he finally passed his Sergeant 3/c qualifications on 14 May 1979.
He successfully completed Sergeants Course # 4, Class 4 of 1979 with 86.2%
He successfully completed Methods of Instruction Course # 39 of 1980
Over the period 10 – 12 October 1961 he completed a three day course in Civil Defence.
He was deemed Competent on 7 July 1959 to drive motor vehicles and on 9 January 1980 was Certified to drive 4 Wheel Drives.
He was appointed a Solo cyclist on 29 May 1962.
He also obtained his S.L.S.A. Bronze Medallion and all awards to Bronze Cross and Bar.
He was Commended for the part played by him in the search for Kevin John Simmonds and Leslie Allan Newcombe who escaped from the State Penitentiary, Long Bay, on the 9th October, 1959.
C. J. Delany, Commissioner of Police
On the 15 September 1980 he was Awarded the National Medal.
2 March 1959 Trainee Police Training Metro
3 April 1959 GD’s 10 Division Metro
10 June 1959 GD’s 10 Division ( Rose Bay ) Metro
8 July 1959 GD’s Newcastle North Eastern
29 August 1960 GD’s Mayfield North Eastern
30 July 1964 Vice Sqd (Prob) Newcastle North Eastern
30 Jan 1965 Vice Sqd (Perm) Newcastle North Eastern
13 May 1966 GD’s Mayfield North Eastern
21 Nov 1977 GD’s Newcastle North Eastern
9 Dec 1979 Licencing Maitland Newcastle
9 Jan 1980 OIC Stockton Newcastle
23 Mar 1980 GD’s Mayfield Newcastle
* from this point onwards, the system is now computerised.
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Darren James STEEL
| 11/04/2017
Darren James STEEL
aka Steely
New South Wales Police Force
Academy Class 208
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 21874[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Academy – Training commenced 7 January 1985
Probationary Constable – appointed 22 March 1985
Constable – appointed 22 March 1986
Detective Sergeant
Detective Chief Inspector – Death
Stations: ?, 9 Division, Moree ( Plain Clothes 1988 ), Tamworth, Bingara, SPSU, Duty Officer at Oxley LAC, Duty Officer / Crime Manager at Tweed / Bryon Local Area Command – Death
Service: From 7 January 1985to 22 March 2017= 32+years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 6 April 2001
Born: 10 October 1963
Died on: Wednesday 22 March 2017 – 32nd Anniversary of being ‘Sworn’ as a Pro Cst
Age: 53
Cause: possible pancreas infection?
Funeral date: Tuesday 28 March 2017 @ 9.30am
Funeral location: Melaleuca Station Crematorium, 9394 Tweed Valley Way, Chinderah, NSW
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
Inspector Darren Steel of Tweed Police is encouraging the members of the public to dob in a dealer for $1000 April 2012
[alert_yellow]DARREN 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.
I have the unenviable task of letting you all know of the passing of Darren Steel Blue Liner No: 8 currently not active with the club. However it is of some note that Darren was a founding member of Blue Liners Australia, being present at the initial meeting at North Region with then Commissioner Tony Lauer, A/C Clive McLachlan, C.I. Middleton and past and famous president Ray “Robbo” Robinson.
It is from these humble beginnings that the Blue Liners Tamworth Ride was commenced and we celebrate the 25 Anniversary of that great event this year.
For those that don’t know of Darren Steel he is a a Duty Officer at the Tweed/Byron LAC. I have had the pleasure of knowing Darren since 1988 when he was an aspiring Plain Clothes Constable at Moree and was the sole Plain Clothes Investigator in the office for sometime an immense responsibility for a young police officer. He was designated as a Detective and moved through the ranks to Detective Sergeant and then to the rank of Inspector, Duty Officer at Oxley LAC and later transferred to Tweed/Byron LAC where he is currently stationed.
Darren was a fine and outstanding Policemen, Friend and Blue Liner ,
Darren will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
R.I.P. Brother, Til Valhalla
Harley Willox
President BLA
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Founding Member # 8 of the Blue Liners TMCC.
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March 28, 2017 | by Darren Coyne
Funeral today for former Tweed/Byron crime manager
A NSW police funeral with full honours will take place today for Detective Chief Inspector Darren Steel, who passed away last Wednesday.
The service is being held at the Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens at Chinderah this morning.
Insp Steel joined the police academy in 1985 and served as a police officer in Moree, Tamworth and the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, rising through the ranks to become crime manager.
Superintendent Wayne Starling, Tweed/Byron’s local area commander, said Insp Steel would be sadly missed by all.
‘I think we are all better people for having Detective Chief Inspector Steel in our lives,’ he said.
Insp Steel passed away last Wednesday with his wife and two children present.
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he was saddened by the event but praised the efforts of an officer who dedicated 33 years of his life to his duties and never once took a sick day.
‘I worked with him for many years and always found him a fine, upstanding officer, deeply committed and dedicated to the wider Tweed community,” MrProvest said.
‘I was very shocked and saddened by what happened and my thoughts and my sympathies go out to his family and friends.’
THE Tweed has lost one of its heroes and a young family must now continue without a father and husband after police confirmed the sudden death this week of Detective Chief Inspector Darren Steel.
The 53-year-old officer’s death, although not suspicious, was unexpected and has left a community grieving.
Tweed Byron LAC Superintendent Wayne Starling paid tribute to his colleague and friend and said the event had left the command in shock.
“His fellow police will greatly miss Darren,” Supt Starling said.
“He was an outstanding police officer who cared for the welfare of the community he served.”
A NSW police funeral with full honours is planned for next Tuesday at Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens at Chinderah.
Darren Steel Awarded National Clasp 25, with A/Comm Carlene York
Tweed MP Geoff Provest said he was saddened by the event but praised the efforts of an officer who dedicated 33 years of his life to his duties and never once took a sick day.
“I worked with him for many years and always found him a fine, upstanding officer, deeply committed and dedicated to the wider Tweed community,” Mr Provest said.
“I was very shocked and saddened by what happened and my thoughts and my sympathies go out to his family and friends.”
Det Ch Insp Steel will be remembered and celebrated by his wife and two children.
He served New South Wales Police in regions that include Moree, Tamworth and the Tweed Byron Local Area Command.
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Gold Coast R.P.A.
Dear Members,
I am aware that our Secretary has advised you of the pending funeral of Inspector Darren James STEEL of Tweed Heads Police Command – who was merely 53 years of age.
As Secretary KING has indicated Darren, was a man who not only overtly supported retired police, but one who went out of his way, to ensure serving police appreciated that
those who preceded them in the Police Force, were men & women of honour, deserving of the utmost respect, from all serving members.
Darren was a quite outstanding young man who never failed in his support for us ‘older folk’ – he was always there for US …. can we not repay in kind?
Please do make an earnest endeavour to see your way clear, to join with me and other members of your Executive Board, to honour Darren for his sincere advocacy on behalf of all retired NSW Police Officers.
He was never reticent in singing the praise of us ‘older folk’ – can we not now herald, our true appreciation, of this outstanding young man.
Rest in Peace Darren James Steel.
Malcolm Cox
Chairman
Gold Coast RPA Members – Darren was well known to our Branch members. Whilst he was still in the job, he was the one who looked after us on Retired Police Day, cooked the BBQ etc. When I told him that Bryan Kelaher would like one of the badges but couldn’t make it to the Retired Day, Darren went out of his way to personally deliver a badge to him at his home. That was the sort of bloke he was. Leaves a wife and 2 young sons. Very sad – JK
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Ronald SAVAGE
| 11/04/2017
Ronald SAVAGE
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 8523
Rank: Senior Constable – Retirement
Stations: ?, Orange – Retirement
Service: From? ? 1956-57? to 18 August 1969 = 12years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
Born: 25 December 1935
Died on: Friday 10 March 2017
Age: 81
Cause: Cancer
Funeral date: Wednesday 15 March 2017 @ 1.30pm
Funeral location: Mary’s Catholic Church, Park Street, Orange
Buried at: ?
Memorial at: ?
[alert_yellow]RON 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.
Beloved brother and brother-in-law to Robert, Alan and John (deceased) and to Brian and Roslyn.
Fondly remembered and missed by his extended family.
A Service for the Celebration of a life well lived will be held Wednesday 15th March 2017 commencing at 1.30pm at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Park Street, Orange
Donations may be made to Can Assist Orange at the church.
A special thank you to the specialists in cancer services, Palliative Care teams and staff at Orange Health Service for their support and love.
Thank you to Dr Louis Christie, Dr Mazhar Nazir and Dr David Howe and staff.
Thank you to Tim Grey and the staff of Peter Smith Chemart.
NORMAN J PENHALL FUNERALS
Deidre and Norman Penhall
AFDA, FDA of NSW 33 William Street, Orange
Phone 63623751
Our family caring for your family
Published in Central Western Daily from Mar. 11 to Mar. 15, 2017 – See more at: http://tributes.centralwesterndaily.com.au/obituaries/centralwesterndaily-au/obituary.aspx?n=ronald-savage&pid=184428749&fhid=31520#sthash.tINJEYuz.dpuf
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March 17, 2017
So sorry to hear Ron has passed away, I will always remember him as a kind man, generous with his time and knowledge. May his lovely wife Jan have the love comfort and support surrounding her as she. Travels her life without her beloved Ron. Ron had lots of jokes he shared and laughter abounded when he was around. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Robin & Les Finn, Orange, New South Wales
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/lithgowmercury-au/ronald-savage-condolences/184428749?&eid=viewgb#sthash.YIyZV8EO.dpuf
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Michael HOWELL
| 11/04/2017
Michael HOWELL
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 12704[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1967
Senior Constable – appointed 26 September 1976 ( lost 3 months seniority for some reason )
My name is Richard Howell and Michael was my identical twin brother. We were born at home in England at 66 Weymouth Road Hayes Middlesex at home on the 29th November 1940.
We were premature babies born at 28 weeks. I was born at 7.30 pm and Michael was born at 7.40 pm, I was 1.4kg born and Michael was 1.2kg.
born: Because we were born during the second world war and was looked after by a Nurse Rumble at home because there was no hospital accommodation available and no such thing a humidi crib’s at all.
Michael was employed in England by EMI ( HMV) Company in Hayes, Michael was a maintenance fitter able to strip down and repair various types of factory equipment. I think he migrated to Australia in January 1966. He worked at the AWA company as a maintenance fitter. Michael then joined the NSW police force… He always wanted to join the police force, he tried to join the London police force but was knocked back; the reason was they said his education was not good enough.
Well I must say cheerio, I thank you for putting a tribute to Michael.
Regards
Richard Howell
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Simon David DE WINNE
| 11/04/2017
Simon David DE WINNE
Victoria Police Force
Regd. # 27590
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 19 July 1989
Senior Constable – appointed 9 December 1996
Stations: D 24 General Duties, Traffic Operations Group – Melbourne Metro,
Benalla General Duties, Benalla Traffic Management Unit from 10 November 1997 – Death
Service: From 13 March 1989to 26 December 1998= 8+years Service
Awards: Victoria Police Star – posthumously in 2007. Presented to his sister – SenCon Megan De Winne.
No find on It’s An Honour
Born: ? ? 1969
Died on: Saturday 26 December 1998 about 9.35am
Age: 29
Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – Driver – Urgent Duty -v- Tree
Event location: Midland Hwy, Yin Barun, near Swanpool, Victoria
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: 1/ Benalla Police Station Memorial Garden
2/ Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital
Senior Constable Simon De Winne Plaque Located at 19 Bridge Street West, Police Station, Police Memorial Garden, Benalla, 3672 in Victoria in Australia. GPS Location: Lat: -36.555495 Long: 145.975424
Senior Constable Simon David De Winne was posthumously awarded the Victoria Police Star
[alert_green]SIMONIS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
At 9.35 a.m. on Saturday, 26th December 1998, Senior Constable De Winne was travelling south along the Midland Highway, near Swanpool, intending to intercept a vehicle for a traffic offence. He lost control of his vehicle and collided with a tree, killing him instantly.
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Simon David De Winne joined Victoria Police on 13th March 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony on 19th July 1989. Simon worked on General Duties, D.24 and the Traffic Operations Group in metropolitan Melbourne before transferring to Benalla General Duties where he was promoted to Senior Constable on 9th December 1996. Senior Constable De Winne then transferred to the Benalla Traffic Management Unit on 10th November 1997.
On Saturday, 26 December 1998, Senior Constable Simon De Winne died on duty when his patrol vehicle collided with a tree on the Midland Highway, 15 kms south of Benalla.
The Victoria Police Star was posthumously awarded to Senior Constable Simon De Winne at graduation ceremony in 2007. The award was presented to Senior Constable De Winne’s sister, Senior Constable Megan De Winne.
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Senior Constable Simon David De Winne died doing what he loved.
It was 9.35am on Boxing Day, 1998. It was wet and miserable, but Sen Const De Winne was out on our roads working while most of us were at home recovering from an indulgent Christmas feast.
Sen Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Hwy near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. But as he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly.
Almost 15 years on, his brother Nick De Winne said the memories of his best mate were still so vivid and the pain of his tragic and unexpected death still so raw.
As Victorians prepare to remember our 131 fallen officers with National Police Remembrance Day on September 29, Nick paid tribute to the work of his brother and his colleagues.
“Simon was the type of guy who just made the best of every day, he loved life and loved being a police officer,” Nick said.
“I appreciate the work of our police more now, they deal with a lot of ferals every day,” he said. “I definitely do respect them (the police) a whole lot more.”
Nick said his brother’s zest for life continued to be an inspiration.
“Simon lived life to the full and he was just a bag of fun to be around,” he said.
Nick said for Simon joining the police force was his lifelong dream.
“He was like a father figure to us; we grew up without dad so he took me under his wing,” Nick said.
“It is shocking, nothing ever replaces it and no matter what I do I won’t be able to see him or hear him again and that’s the hardest thing.”
Sen Const De Winne joined the Victorian Police on March 13, 1989 and was sworn in at a graduation ceremony in July that year.
Like all officers, Sen Const De Winne began his career at the frontline of the force, in general duties in Melbourne before driving his passion into highway patrol.
But when country life took over, Sen Const De Winne transferred to Benalla Police Station where he accepted a general duties position before securing another highway patrol berth.
Sen Const De Winne didn’t just inspire his brother Nick or other brother Byron, he also encouraged his sister Megan to pursue a career within the force.
Megan De Winne is a police officer in Melbourne and has often starred on the television show Highway Patrol.
“Megan failed the first time but after Simon was killed she had more determination than ever to do it and she did,” Nick said.
His legacy continues to live on through Nick and his two mates from the station, Senior Constables Paul Bronsgeest and Richard Cameron.
“I guess I wonder why people speed, why they do it — I ask myself that all the time,” Nick said.
“It’s unnecessary and it’s not cool and it causes trauma. What our family has gone through I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy.”
National Police Remembrance Day is on September 29.
Benalla Police will host a ceremony at the station on September 28 from 9.20am. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family.
Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
Front Inscription
Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre
Plaque :
The Urgent Health Care Unit at Benalla Health was officially dedicated as a Police Memorial in memory of Senior Constable Simon De Winne, (27590) by Mr William Noonan, OAM Chairman, Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation on Thursday, 10th May 2012
Location of Urgent Care Centre: 45 – 53 Coster Street, Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre, Benalla Hospital, Benalla, 3672
The Simon de Winne Urgent Care Centre at Benalla Hospital commemorate Senior Constable Simon de Winne who was killed in the line of duty on December 26, 1998. The Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre was opened on Wednesday 14th July 2011 by members of the Simon De Winne family. Senior Constable De Winne was in pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist on the Midland Highway near Swanpool when he was forced to terminate the pursuit as it had turned dangerous. As he was slowing down, his patrol car slid off the road, slammed into a tree and killed the 29-year-old instantly. Senior Constable De Winne was a member of the Benalla Traffic Management Unit.
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Benalla Health Report – 2012
Following the refurbishment and reopening of the former emergency department in July, now known as the ‘Simon De Winne Urgent Care Centre’, a Dedication Ceremony was held earlier this year by the Police Blue Ribbon Foundation to honour Simon.
The Ceremony was attended by over 100 guests and officiated by Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner of Road Policing, Kieran Walshe APM.
We are very fortunate to have a generous community and we are extremely grateful to those who support us through philanthropy, volunteering and membership
of one of our auxiliaries. We sincerely thank them all for their tireless efforts to ensure that both patients and staff are given the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.
North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER
THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.
The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.
Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.
In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.
Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.
“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.
“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”
Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.
“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.
“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.
Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.
He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.
“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.
“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”
Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.
