( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
PETER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Much loved Poppy of Zeke, Jed, Eden (dec) and Darcy.
A kind, thoughtful and gentle man who loved to make everyone
laugh.
He will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be held for Peter on Friday 22 January 2021.
A livestreaming link to the service can be provided for those unable to attend.
Published 20 January 2021
St George & Sutherland Leader Tribute
Live Stream details being obtained.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
24 Jan 2021
Raymond Charles ROBINSON
| 24/01/2021
Raymond Charles ROBINSON
AKA ROBBO
Late of ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 138C
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 16203
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 14 January 1974 ( aged 20 years, 4 months, 26 days )( 6 weeks at Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed 25 February 1974 ( aged 20 years, 6 months, 6 days )
His wife Fay, and family, have chosen this location as it was a favourite destination for Robbo on his weekly bike ride.
It has been suggested the proposed dress is neat casual and wear medals if desired. The funeral will be conducted outdoors and I am advised that Putty is about 90Km from Windsor and is outside Sydney Metro area.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
19 March 2017
ROBBO is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
This morning at 9.15am EDST, Monday the 18 January 2021. The world became a sadder place and contains a great void in the hearts of many.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to inform all of the passing of:-
Raymond C. ROBINSON
“Robbo”
19/08/1953 – 18/01/2021
Registered No: 16203
Sergeant Retired, New South Wales Police Force
Class No: 138 14/01/1974 – 25/02/1974 Attested Pro/Constable
25/02/1975 Confirmed to Constable
25/02/1979 Promoted to Constable 1st Class
25/02/1983 Promoted to Senior Constable
Promoted to Sergeant 1989
Section 66 Inspector
What can I say Robbo was a close friend to myself and many others and a brother of the Thin Blue Line. He will be sadly missed by one and all even those that did not have the honour of meeting him in person. He was a larger than life character and a mentor to many in Law Enforcement and the Motorcycling world.
Robbo has ridden on ahead to check the roads and rides for those of us that will eventually join him.
R.I.P Brother, Til Valhalla
Funeral arrangements will be posted once they come to hand. Please keep Fay, Ashley and Robbo’s extended family in your thoughts and prayers at this of saddest time.
Harley Willox
Class 138, 16223
Ray Robinson back row second from left
Redfern Police Academy Class 138 of Feb 1974 BACK ROW ( L – R ) Andrew McCOULLOUGH # 16176, RaymondROBINSON # 16203, ?, Barry ODMARK # 16219, ?, ?, ?, ?, Sue BRENNAN P/W 0190 MIDDLE ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, Ray POTTER # 16327, ?,?, ?, ?, ? FRONT ROW: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, D.S. ( STEVE ) PACKER # 16225, ?,?, ?, ?
Ray leaves a legacy that extends literally around the globe, his life brought so many people together that formed so many new friendships it is amazing, but then that is Robbo, amazing. We will miss you, but not forget you. R.I.P..
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” talking things over with Brian Turner (sales Manager)
Ray Robinson “ROBBO” & Mal BROWN attended a Breast Cancer BBQ this morning. Neither of us wear or own anything pink so money went into the donation bucket. 10 November 2016
27 Feb 2019 · Ray Robinson blessing the lemonade at Wollombi.
18 Sept. 2016· Sydney · Castlebrook Memorial Park Rouse Hill for the Dawn Service to remember Bryson Anderson. L to R Mal Brown (me), Ray Robinson (Robbo), Harley Willox (Club President), Simon Bouda (Channel 9) That is my black Harley Ultra Classic. Another memorable Wall to Wall
1 March 2018 · Sydney · Mal Brown, , Bull Ant, Lloyd Taylor & Ray Robinson. Introduced Bull Ant to a NSWPF Association Legend Lloyd Taylor this morning.
Sunday 19 March 2017
Paul HUNT & Ray ROBINSON
Ray Robbo Robinson June 10, 2020 · I am proud to have served as a Cop. I am proud of my brothers and sisters who also took the Oath to be one. I am disgusted in the behaviour of some in our community that would NEVER have had the guts to Serve yet seem to know that ALL Police are shit…. Well, you people that think that, have a good look in the mirror if you want to see a pile of crap then go and have a good meal, go and have a drink before you climb into your nice safe warm beds and keep in that little brain of yours that those people you say are shit willingly provide you with the safety that you enjoy while you scream obscenities at the them…… Caragabal Police Station, NSW
1973, Shelley Beach ( The Shire ) ( Sutherland )
15 June 2020 Putty Rd, Colo, NSW
2 December 2020
Lisa Ann CAMWELL
| 24/01/2021
Lisa Ann CAMWELL nee PARRISH
the First Full Time Female Rescue Operator at Zetland Rescue Squad
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Goulburn Police Academy – PREP Class # 242
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 26988
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on 30 July 1989 ( aged 20 years, 9 months, 26 days ) ( spent 5 months, 26 days at the Academy )
Probationary Constable- appointed Thursday 25 January 1990 ( aged 21 years, 6 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed 27 April 1991
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 30 June 1995
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Retirement / Leaving age: = 49 years, 6 months, 15 days
Stations: Sutherland, Menai GDs, State Protection Group – Police Rescue Squad – Zetland ( 4 July 1993 – ? ), Engadine Police Rescue Squad, ?, Monaro District, Police Rescue Squad – Cooma & GDs & Lock Up Keeper ( 12 July 1998 – 5 January 2004 ), Queanbeyan GDs ( 6 January 2004 – 18 September 2010 ), Queanbeyan had a name change to Monaro / Cooma District ( 12 January 2004 ), Blue Mountains GDs & Police Rescue ( 19 September 2010 – 19 April 2018 )
Service: From 29 October 1989 to19 April 2018 = 28 years, 8 months, 20 days Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system although –
NSW Police Medal ( 10 years ) granted on 30 September 2004
1st Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 30 March 2005
National Medal ( 15 years ) granted on 28 April 2005
2nd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 11 October 2010
NSW Police Commissioners Sesquicentennary Citation granted on 4 October 2012
1st Clasp to National Medal ( 20 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
3rd Clasp to NSW Police Medal ( 25 years ) granted on 10 September 2018
NSW Police National Service Medal granted on 10 September 2018
Born: Friday 4 October 1968
Died on: Saturday 2 January 2021
Age: 52 years, 2 months, 29 days
Cause: PTSD – Liver and Kidney failure
Event location: Blacktown Hospital, NSW
Event date: Saturday 2 January 2021
Funeral date: Tuesday 12 January 2021 @ 2pm
Funeral location: Pinegrove Memorial Park, North Chapel, Kington St, Minchinbury, NSW 02 9625 8066
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Guardian Funerals
Buried at: ? TBA
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
LISA is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Condolences to her partner, Grant Gibson & his two children, family and friends.
Lisa was the eldest child of parents, Ian Roderick Parrish and Marilyn Ann Gibson and Stepmom Judith Parrish.
Sister to Jody and Amanda and Aunty to their children.
Mother of Dayna, Hunter, Kade and Tamsyn.
This was published 13 years ago
Officer who found Byrne’s body grilled
The policeman who found Caroline Byrne dead at The Gap has told a Sydney court that in almost 20 years of rescue work, he had not seen any other bodies so far out from the cliff face.
Senior Sergeant Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ) gave evidence at the committal hearing for Gordon Wood, who is defending the charge that he murdered his former girlfriend.
The body of the 24-year-old model was found wedged head-first in rocks at the bottom of The Gap at Watsons Bay, in Sydney’s east, on June 8, 1995.
Wood, who was stockbroker Rene Rivkin‘s chauffeur at the time, is accused of throwing her from the 29-metre high cliff.
Exactly where Ms Byrne landed is central to the case, but her death was initially treated as suicide and no photographs were taken of her body at the scene.
Sgt Powderley told Burwood Local Court he and Constable Lisa Camwell retrieved Ms Byrne‘s body from a crevice next to a pyramid-shaped rock.
The officer, who spent 19 years in the Police Rescue Squad, said he had recovered up to 20 bodies from The Gap but had never found anyone that far out from the cliff.
Research by physics expert Rodney Cross allegedly shows that Ms Byrne could only have landed at this point, 11.8 metres from the cliff face, if she was hurled using a spear throw.
But a different place was nominated as the point of impact in a 1996 police video, which was played to the court.
In the video, Sgt Powderley narrates from the cliff top as Constable Camwell indicates a place several metres from the pyramid rock.
Sgt Powderley said he “wasn’t really concentrating” when the video – intended to publicise the Byrne case – was recorded.
He had only realised in 2004 that it showed the wrong place.
“If we were there to do a Forensic Services assessment of the scene and pinpoint the exact location … things would have been done differently,” he said.
Sgt Powderley said he saw the video for the first time at the 1997 inquest into Ms Byrne‘s death, but did not notice the position was wrong because he “just wasn’t paying the attention to it that I should have”.
Police initially gave Prof Cross the wrong information about where Ms Byrne landed and he concluded she probably jumped, the court has been told.
Defence barrister Winston Terracini SC suggested measurements of the location had been “wrong for ages”, but were changed when police received a report “that doesn’t suit their purposes”.
Sgt Powderley denied having been asked by the detective heading the investigation, Paul Jacob ( # 18752 ), to reconsider the body’s location.
Earlier, Prof Cross told the court he had not considered information from 1994 about Ms Byrne‘s sporting ability when concluding she could not have jumped so far from the cliff.
Instead, he used reports from Ms Byrne‘s high school teachers that she had no athletic ability.
Mr Terracini asked why he had not taken into account the more recent information which, he said, showed Ms Byrne “excelled at a whole range of different sports” including basketball, swimming and aerobics.
“I presumed that that material was provided by Caroline Byrne herself,” Prof Cross said.
On 9 September 2008 the Daily Telegraph / AAP reported “Exact spot of model’s body ‘forgotten’”
It said a police officer who recovered the body of model Caroline Byrne has told a Sydney court she will never remember the exact location of the body. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell told the New South Wales Supreme Court a controversial 1996 video re-enactment was her best memory of the recovery operation.
Ms Byrne, 24, was found wedged head first in rocks at the base of cliffs at The Gap, in Sydney’s east on June 8, 1995. Her live-in boyfriend Gordon Wood is on trial for her murder. Sen Const Camwell was one of two police involved in retrieving Ms Byrne’s body. She was tasked with carrying a body bag and stretcher across to the recovery site.
The officer today told the jury her recollection of the morning was based solely on her own actions “which was carrying equipment and looking at the ground”. When she took part in a video re-enactment about a year after Ms Byrne‘s death, Sen Const Camwell said she determined the place she believed the body found was based upon an estimate of how long it had taken her to reach it that night. “Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
Sen Const Camwell said she had no further involvement in the case until she was contacted about the video in 2004. She told the court the officer then in charge of the murder investigation said the position of Ms Byrne‘s body had become a ” significant issue ”, and where she had indicated on the video appeared to be incorrect. She agreed with Wood’s barrister Winston Terracini SC that her best memory of events was as recorded on the video.
The location of the body is essential to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death. Sen Const Camwell‘s partner Mark Powderly has told the jury the body was recovered from a different location which is consistent with the theory that Ms Byrne was murdered. The location indicated by Sen Const Camwell supports the hypothesis that Ms Byrne took her own life. The trial continues.
MICK BRUNETTA had heard a lot of screams during his 17 years of fishing at The Gap, but he had never heard anything like the one he heard on the night of June 7, 1995, he told a murder trial yesterday.
Mr Brunetta and his brother-in-law Norm Wano were not having much luck as they cast their lines into the darkness from the clifftop. About 11pm they heard what they variously described as a woman’s “freakish scream” and that she sounded “like someone who was panicked or scared”.
Mr Wano turned and said, “F— man, what was that?” and the pair continued fishing.
Gordon Wood, 45, has pleaded not guilty to throwing his girlfriend, Caroline Byrne, a 24-year-old model, from the cliffs at the notorious suicide spot in Sydney’s east.
Mr Wano said that he contacted the police 11 months later after seeing a re-enactment on television where police asked the two fishermen, who were potential witnesses, to come forward.
Wearing an olive-green bandanna over his dreadlocks and his sunglasses perched on top of his head, Mr Wano said that although he was not a keen fisherman, he often accompanied his brother-in-law.
He said he had heard the scream about 11pm and, “It wasn’t a scream of happiness. It was like a scared scream.”
He said that later three men had come by calling out the name “Caroline”. Upon being told of the scream, Mr Wano said, one of the men had said, “On no, she’s done it, she’s done it.”
Mr Brunetta, who gave evidence with the assistance of an Italian interpreter, said that he recalled seeing a lone man calling out “Caroline” and that later that night that same man, who had blond hair, had come back with two other men. After telling the group of the scream, they asked to borrow his torch.
Mr Brunetta said his torch was not very good because the battery “was a bit flat”.
He agreed that in his 2004 statement he had said that when he saw the men trying to shine the torch to illuminate the bottom of the cliff, he had said, “There’s no way that man will be able to see anything because the torch is not strong enough.”
The two fishermen stayed on until dawn watching the police recover Ms Byrne’s body. Mr Brunetta said no one had ever taken him back to The Gap to try to pinpoint the exact location of where Ms Byrne had landed.
Also yesterday, a police witness contradicted another on critical evidence against Wood.
One officer told the jury that she would never be able to pinpoint the exact location of the body, which is vital to proving that Ms Byrne’s death was murder.
The jury has heard conflicting evidence about where the body was found, with senior retrieval officer Mark Powderly testifying Ms Byrne was some 10 metres from the cliff face.
But his partner, Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, yesterday told the court she believed Ms Byrne was in a crevice closer to the shore.
No measurements or photographs were taken on the night of her death.
A 1996 video re-enactment of the rescue operation shows Senior Constable Camwell pointing to a spot, which is referred to as the “exact location” of Ms Byrne’s body.
The officer yesterday said she had estimated the site based upon how long it took her to reach the body on the night of the retrieval, and the video showed her best recollection of events.
“Most of those large rocks found down the bottom there are mostly just large rocks to me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t ever say I know exactly where her body was.”
During the trial, the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actuallocation where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of theofficers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location.She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of themurder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of MsByrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body positionshe had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reportsduring the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essentialcomponent to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, butwas forcefully thrown to her death [The12]
2.4.3.3
Deliberation and verdictAfter five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years,with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to theconviction.2.4.4Inquests, Investigations and TrialsTwo inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coronerJohn Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale“with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidencerunning to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to pressfor action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New SouthWales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in StateParliament up till 2004.In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/beingprojected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principalelements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial ofGordon Wood. In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of PublicProsecutions Nicholas Cowdery QC agreed with police that there was enoughevidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder. Wood was detained in London inApril 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for theCrown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, JusticeGraham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member ofthe jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remainedanonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit tothe crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully”and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had todischarge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions andmisconducted themselves.”The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in NewSouth Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual12 to provide some contingency.
Caroline Byrne (8 October 1970 – 7 June 1995), an Australian model, was found at the bottom of a cliff at The Gap in Sydney in the early hours of 8 June 1995. Her then boyfriend Gordon Eric Wood (b. 1962), who at the time of her death was chauffeur and personal assistant to businessman Rene Rivkin, was convicted of her murder on 21 November 2008 and spent three years in Goulburn jail. He was acquitted of the conviction in February 2012.[1][2]
Events of 7 June 1995
The Gap at Watsons Bay, location of Byrne’s death.
Born on 8 October 1970,[3] Byrne had been in a relationship with Wood since 1992. She was a model but principally worked as a modelling instructor for Sydney deportment and etiquette educator June Dally-Watkins. On 7 June 1995, she failed to turn up for work and for an appointment with a psychiatrist. There were three claimed sightings of her near The Gap at Watsons Bay that afternoon and evening, in the company of two men, one of whom matched Wood’s description. Two of the sightings – at 1 pm and 3 pm – were by local cafe owners, Craig Martin and Lance Melbourne. In 1998 John Doherty, an Irish artist who had been out of the country in the intervening years, came forward to say that around 8.30pm that evening he too had seen Byrne outside his studio window arguing with one man while another man stood nearby.[4]
Wood denied being present at Watsons Bay that afternoon. Evidence was sworn at both inquests by Wood’s friends Brett Cochrane and Nic Samartis that they lunched with him briefly around 1:15 pm in Potts Point before he was called away after a call from Rivkin.[5]:206 Wood claimed that he was asked by Rivkin to chauffeur prominent lobbyist and ex-federal minister Graham Richardson to an appointment and then spent the afternoon doing regular chores for Rivkin before going home around 7 pm. The Richardson alibi was compromised by Richardson when he was interviewed by police in 2001, when he advised that he had lunched that day with rugby league administrator Peter Moore.[4]
Wood’s movements in the afternoon have never been reported prior to the late evening, when Wood said he awoke on his couch having fallen asleep in front of the television and was immediately alarmed that Byrne was still not home. Wood has said he did not know Byrne’s whereabouts but was led by what he termed “telepathic communication” to The Gap. He had first driven to the beachfront car-park at Bondi Beach where he and Byrne had spent much time and then to a favourite park at Camp Cove where they had often picnicked. Heading back from Camp Cove he spotted Byrne’s white Suzuki Vitara parked in a lane at The Gap. It was when running about the cliff-top and shouting her name that Wood encountered two rock fishermen who verified his appearance around midnight.
Wood then rang Tony Byrne and Caroline’s brother Peter. He drove back into Sydney city and collected them and all three then went to the Gap and scoured the cliff-top. Peter Byrne later gave evidence that at about 1am Wood claimed to have spotted her body at the base of the cliff using torchlight. Byrne himself said he could see nothing and nor could the police who arrived soon after with police torches. The night was dark and the cliff misty. Peter Byrne claimed it was difficult to see the rocks below the cliff, let alone a body. The contention whether Wood had claimed he could see something in the darkness figured in much media speculation over the years and formed a key part of Crown evidence in the 2008 trial. In 2011 the Appeal Court felt that the Crown had presented speculation in this area posing as evidence. This was one of the grounds resulting in Wood’s 2011 appeal being upheld.
The identity of the second man supposedly sighted by Melbourne and Martin with Wood in Watsons Bay earlier in the day has remained unclear. With evidence contradicting the likelihood that the man was either of those whom the police considered in investigation (Byrne’s modelling agent Adam Leigh or Rivkin associate Gary Redding) the Crown chose to pose speculation without evidence on either during the trial and drew criticism from the trial judge and later the appellant judges.
Media interest
Byrne’s death was accepted as a suicide by local Rose Bay Police and others. No photographs were taken of the location of her body’s landing point.
In 1996, Byrne’s father begin to agitate against the notion of suicide such that from 1997 onwards the case and circumstances of Byrne’s death were regularly examined in Australia’s national newspapers and reported as “one of Sydney’s unsolved crimes”. The death of a beautiful model at one of Sydney’s notorious suicide spots, the connection to the flamboyant and newsworthy Rivkin, and a net of witnesses and commentators which included some prominent Sydney identities all added to the intrigue of the case.
Offset Alpine speculation
Attention was particularly heightened by the still unproven speculation of a connection with Rene Rivkin’s financial activities. The day before Byrne’s death, Wood and Rivkin were interviewed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission about the Offset Alpine fire of 1993 and the true ownership of share parcels traded in Offset Alpine owned by nominees related to Swiss bank accounts.[5]:203 Tony Byrne claimed that Wood had indicated to his daughter that the fire was a set-up for insurance purposes.
Ultimately in 2001 Rivkin was charged with insider trading (of Qantas shares) and his eventual conviction in 2003 had a devastating effect on his mental stability, culminating in his 2005 suicide.[6] However the ASIC investigation into share trading in Offset Alpine and the true beneficiaries proved an epic that outlived Rivkin, commencing in 1995 and continuing from 2005 with a focus shifted to Graham Richardson and Trevor Kennedy until eventually closed without outcome by ASIC in 2010.[7]
Peripheral celebrities
Adding to this intrigue was a list of celebrities with a peripheral involvement in the case. Byrne’s medical doctor who had referred her to the psychiatric appointment she did not keep on 7 June was television celebrity physician, Dr Cindy Pan.[5]:205Graham Richardson‘s diarised luncheon appointment that day (which caused him to question whether he may have been chauffeured anywhere by Wood) was with rugby league identity Peter Bullfrog Moore at Sydney’s Hilton Hotel and was set up to broker a peace deal in the Super League war which deeply divided Australian rugby league at that time. Wood always claimed that he had driven Moore from a noon meeting with Rivkin to what may well have been a lunch, though the press and (later) the Crown ignored this possibility. Moore died in July 2000 a year prior to the Strikeforce Irondale interview with Richardson, thus preventing corroboration of the luncheon timings and Rivkin too was dead before the trial.[8]
Byrne’s close friends included entertainer Tania Zaetta and actress Kylie Watson, a Home and Away cast member. It was the amateur sleuthing around Watsons Bay armed with photographs of Byrne in the weeks after her death which had Dally-Watkins and Watson uncover the Martin/Melbourne sighting lead.[5]:206 Other celebrity witnesses who figured in the case at some point included businessman John Singleton, journalist Paul Barry and paparazzo Jamie Fawcett.
Inquests, investigation and trials
Two inquests were held into Byrne’s death by New South Wales State coroner John Abernethy, with Wood claiming it was suicide. The second inquest in 1998 delivered an open finding. That same year, Wood left Australia.
Police investigations continued from 2000 onwards as “Strikeforce Irondale” with hundreds of witnesses interviewed and resulting in a brief of evidence running to more than 350 pages. Caroline’s father Tony Byrne continued to press for action from the investigation eventually enrolling the assistance of New South Wales politician Fred Nile who raised questions about the investigation in State Parliament up till 2004.[9]
In 2004 scientific reports relating to the physics of a body falling/jumping/being projected from the cliff produced by Professor Rod Cross were the principal elements of new evidence which encouraged the Crown to push for a trial of Gordon Wood.[10] In March 2006 the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas CowderyQC agreed with police that there was enough evidence to charge Wood with Byrne’s murder.[11] Wood was detained in London in April 2006, extradited to Australia and released on bail by a Sydney court on 4 May. On 6 July 2007, Wood was committed to stand trial for the murder of Byrne.
The first trial started on 21 July 2008 with Mark Tedeschi QC appearing for the Crown and Winston Terracini QC defending Wood. On 6 August 2008, Justice Graham Barr declared a mistrial because of the alleged contact that a member of the jury had with 2GB radio host Jason Morrison. The juror, who remained anonymous, claimed that some of the jurors were planning a secret night visit to the crime scene (the Gap) being organised by a particular juror who was a “bully” and who had “already decided that Wood was guilty.” Justice Barr ruled “I had to discharge the jury … because some jurors disobeyed my instructions and misconducted themselves.”[12]
The second trial commenced on 25 August 2008 and for the first time in New South Wales court history a panel of 15 jurors was sworn in instead of the usual 12 to provide some contingency. [12]
Trial evidence
Presentation of the Crown case
Following the aborted first trial Tedeschi, as Crown Prosecutor, presented the Crown case over a nine-week period from 26 August until 24 October 2008. Over 70 witnesses were called and the jury heard hours of audio and video evidence including taped interviews with Rivkin and Wood.[13]
Witnesses called by the prosecution included Pan, Richardson, Watson, Zaetta, Singleton, Fawcett, Bob Hagan and sports journalist Phil Rothfield. Tony Byrne, Peter Byrne, Dally-Watkins and her daughter Carol Clifford appeared. Doherty and Cochrane gave evidence via video link up from overseas. Police witnesses included Tracey Smit ( ProCst # 61020 ) and Paul Griffiths ( # 23770 ? ) (officers on scene), Sgt Mark Powderly ( # 14425 ), Sgt Neville Greatorex ( # 16136 )(who gave evidence on police procedures), Snr Const Lisa Camwell( # ????? )(who retrieved the body) and the first investigating officer of the case Sgt Craig Woods ( #22599 ? ) of Rose Bay who had first dismissed the death as suicide and who gave evidence that in the first weeks Tony Byrne too accepted the suicide verdict and was explicitly against the idea of an inquest. Another ex-policeman to appear was Byrne’s former boyfriend Andrew Blanchette ( # ????? ). At one stage Justice Barr counselled Blanchette that he ought consider taking legal advice before answering a particular question. Sensationally on his second day in the witness box, Blanchette admitted that early that morning he had phoned another witness – Melinda Medich, his girlfriend and a minor at the time of Byrne’s death – before she was due to give evidence later that day. Blanchette was reported to police by Medich who had not heard from him for a number of years. Blanchette denied that he had been attempting to influence her evidence.
Location of the body
Retired University of Sydney physicist Associate Professor Rod Cross spent two days in the witness box. Over a six-year period Cross had produced six reports on the case – with his initial findings being quite different to the later findings presented in the trial.[10] Although formally qualified in the field of plasma physics, Cross had experience working with biomechanists regarding sports research and had published and refereed many papers on biomechanics;[14] he was therefore proposed by police investigators as a forensic expert in fall dynamics. Between 1998 and 2004 Cross’ reports all concluded that Byrne could have jumped to her death, as he was told that Byrne’s body had been found at a distance of 9 metres (30 ft) from the cliff.[15] In 2005, when he was recontacted by the police that the position of the body was in fact farther away (11.8 metres (39 ft)), he conducted experiments which informed his speculation that Byrne could not have jumped that far and must have been thrown.[5]:210[16] The required launch speed, from the top of the 29 metres (95 ft) high cliff, was 4.5 m/s (see range of a projectile[17][18]), and the available runup distance was only 4 metres (13 ft) – although appeal submissions in 2011 called this into question. Cross tested eleven females from the New South Wales Police Academy and found that they could dive and land head first (in a swimming pool) at about 3.5 m/s after a 4 metres (13 ft) runup. A strong male could throw a 61 kilograms (134 lb) female at 4.8 m/s after a runup of only 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) or 3 metres (9.8 ft).
During the trial the Court was told of some uncertainty regarding the actual location where the body was found. Senior Constable Lisa Camwell, one of the officers who retrieved Byrne’s body in 1995 gave evidence that she had in 1996 participated in a video re-enactment in which she indicated the body’s location. She gave evidence that in 2004 she was contacted by an officer in charge of the murder investigation (Sergeant Powderly) and told that the position of Ms Byrne’s body had become a significant issue. She was told that the body position she had indicated on the video now appeared to be incorrect. Media reports during the second trial suggested the location of the body was an essential component to the Crown case that Ms Byrne was not pushed nor jumped, but was forcefully thrown to her death.[19]
Suicide history
The court heard that Caroline’s mother Andrea Byrne had committed suicide in March 1991 after she became depressed following a breast enlargement operation that went wrong.[20] Terracini also read to the court a letter Tony Byrne had previously provided to police in which he claimed that Caroline had made an attempt on her own life via overdose in 1992. In court Tony Byrne denied that Caroline had on that occasion intended to kill herself and instead was making “a cry for help”. At another stage of the cross examination, he claimed to suppose that had Caroline wanted to kill herself she would have copied her mother’s method rather than jumping from a cliff.[21]
Byrne’s doctor, author and television personality Cindy Pan, gave evidence that she had seen Byrne for two years before her death and had specifically discussed Byrne’s depression with her in the weeks leading up to her death. Dr. Pan told the court Byrne said she had felt depressed for about a month and the condition had worsened in the week leading up to their appointment on 5 June 1995. Pan said the model told her she could not put a finger on what she was unhappy about.
“I was trying to explore with her what she might be depressed about, but she was not really able to identify any one specific thing,” Pan told the court. She said Byrne told her she “had the same thing three years ago” and had been put on medication, which had helped. Pan said Byrne denied having thoughts of self-harm and she referred her to a psychiatrist, obtaining an appointment for 4 pm on 7 June.[22]
Presentation of the defence
One defence witness, Prof John Hilton, a forensic pathologist, was called during the Prosecution case, due to his later unavailability. Otherwise Terracini commenced the defence case on 27 October 2008 calling another physics expert Prof Marcus Pandy, a electromechanical engineer who conducted experiments on running and jumping speeds of two females. Only a handful of defence witnesses were called – two forensic pathologists, one psychiatrist, Prof Pandy, a stunt diver, and Wood’s sister Jacqueline Schmidt – and the defence case concluded within a week.
With the trial drawing to a close, the jury made a number of requests of Justice Barr that included a visit the Gap for a third time; for a transcript of Doherty’s evidence; and for video footage of Pandy’s running experiments.[23]
Deliberation and verdict
For the first time in New South Wales court history, a ballot was used to select the three jurors who would stand down so that twelve of the sitting fifteen would deliberate to a verdict. After five full days of deliberation on 21 November 2008 they found Wood guilty.[24][25] On 3 December 2008 Wood was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 17 years, with a minimum time in prison of 13 years. Wood lodged an appeal to the conviction.[26]
Appeal
Wood’s appeal hearing commenced on 22 August 2011 in the Criminal Court of Appeal before Chief Judge at Common Law Peter McClellan, Justice Megan Latham, and Justice Stephen Rothman. Wood’s barrister Tim Game SC submitted that the jury’s verdict was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence. His submission spoke of nine grounds for appeal. One was that the trial miscarried by reason of the prejudice occasioned by the Tedeschi’s closing address. Others related to criticisms of Barr’s directions to the jury.
Early media reporting of the appeal focused on Game’s submission that the scientific evidence used to convict Wood and presented by Associate Professor Cross was flawed. A photograph was presented in the trial and purported to be taken in 1996 showing that scrub near the fence line had limited Byrne’s possible run-up to the jump, supporting an argument that she would have needed to have been thrown to achieve the horizontal distance from the cliff wall that her body travelled. The appeal judges heard and the Crown acknowledged that the photo was in fact taken in 2003 and that photo’s quality meant that a shadow might have appeared to be scrub. The appeal judges heard that a 1996 colour photo which showed that there was no scrub limiting the run-up was available to the Crown during the trial but that the Crown had chosen to introduce the blurrier, non-contemporaneous, more ambiguous image.[27]
Game’s submission, consistent with so much of the trial evidence, concerned matters relating to the exact positioning of Byrne’s body at the base of the rocks and the orientation of her legs and torso and leading to questions regarding the contended launch point and the assumptions and assertions made by Cross in his pre-trial studies and reports and his trial evidence. Day two of Game’s submission focused on the police’s changed view between 1996 and 2005 as to Byrne’s landing spot and specifically trial evidence given by Sergeant Mark Powderly used to justify the reconstruction.[28]
The Criminal Court of Appeal delivered their opinion on 24 February 2012 acquitting Wood of Byrne’s murder and ordering his release from jail.[1] The appellate judges delivered a unanimous decision that there was insufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt that Wood murdered Byrne and that the jury’s verdict was not supported. They dismissed the Crown evidence as being critically flawed and ruled that the possibility of her suicide ought not have been excluded.[1][2]
Justice McClennan described Cross’ experiments as “unsophisticated” and in the summation of his decision said that he was not satisfied by either of the two motives presented by the Crown.[1] Regarding the motive submitted by Tedeschi that Byrne had information about Rivkin’s business dealings that Wood was trying to hide, McClennan said “The exploitation of public rumour and the use of mere innuendo to compensate for inadequate evidence of motive is not consistent with the obligations of a prosecutor to press the Crown case “to its legitimate strength” by reliance upon credible evidence”.[2]:para 305 McLennan was also troubled that the notion Byrne may have been unconscious when she left the cliff top was introduced by the Crown late in the case.[2]:para 277 He described Tedeschi’s suggestion, first made in his closing address and mentioned at no other time in evidence, that a “shot-put” action was used to despatch Byrne as “an invention of the prosecutor…for which there was absolutely no support in evidence”.[29] McClennan also expressed some doubt as the reliability of evidence concerning the claimed sightings of Wood and Byrne at Watson’s Bay on 7 June 1995 noting that some of these witnesses had come forward years after the event and the initial investigations; he raised concerns that the Melbourne/Martin first identification of Wood and Byrne was based on a specific photos shown to them by Dally-Watkins rather than from being picked from a selection. Tedeschi was criticised by McClellan for presenting reasoning that was “dangerous” and “entirely without foundation”. Tedeschi contributed to the alleged miscarriage with his “50 killer questions” which took an “impermissible course” in asking the jury to consider rhetorical questions dealing with matters that had not been presented with in evidence.[29] McClennan ruled that he was not persuaded that Sgt Powderly’s evidence regarding the changed landing position of the body was entirely reliable.[2]:para 317
Wood was freed from prison on 24 February 2012; having served three years two months in Goulburn Correctional Centre, following an initial month in Parklea prison. Three weeks later the new New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions, Lloyd Babb SC, issued a press release simply announcing that “the OPDD will not appeal the Court of Criminal Appeal’s judgement in the matter of R v Gordon Wood . No further comment will be issued”.[30] This was 24 hours after meeting Tony Byrne and attending the Gap with him – a meeting which Byrne described as ‘fruitful’.[31]
Post-appeal
Wood left Australia after his release from prison and spent time in the United States and Britain. In 2014 he brought defamation actions against the Sydney radio stations 2GB and 2UE, Channel Seven Sydney, and The Daily Telegraph[32] which were all settled out of court in his favour for undisclosed sums.[33]
In 2016 Wood sued the state of New South Wales for millions of dollars plus costs for malicious prosecution and wrongful imprisonment, based on a number of grounds including a “hopelessly corrupted” and “ridiculous” police case against him.[34] In a witness statement filed as part of his lawsuit against the state, Mr Wood said that during his three years in Goulburn Jail he lived in constant fear of guards who dished out “therapy” and was king-hit (a term widely used in Australia, meaning a very hard punch, usually delivered to the head, that is completely unexpected) and knocked unconscious in the prison yard by an infamous rapist and killer.[35] The suit was dismissed on 10 August 2018, with Wood receiving no compensation.[36]
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( January 2021 )
Police identified the 39-year-old woman as serving NSW Police officer, Senior Constable Kelly Foster. Credit: NSW Police
KELLY is mentioned on the National Police Wall of Remembrance
KELLY IS mentioned on the Sydney Police Memorial Wall
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Kelly, prior to joining the ranks of NSWPF was a Teacher.
Chifley Police District
January 2, 2022 9.03PM
Remembering one of our own – Senior Constable Kelly Ann Foster VA
At a special, private ceremony held today ( Sunday 2 January 2022 ) at Lithgow Police Station, close family and colleagues gathered as a mark of respect, to honour Senior Constable Foster VA, one year after her passing.
In memory of Kelly, Lithgow officers, Leading Senior Constable Michael Barr and Senior Constable Jim McMillan, along with members of Kelly’s family and other colleagues built a special memorial garden.
The memorial would not have been possible without the generosity of donations from the local community also.
The garden was unveiled today by Kelly’s parentsTerry and Marilyn, her brother David and sister Leigh.
Lithgow Police, Chief Inspector Chris Sammut said, ” Today’s intimate ceremony between Kelly’s family and Lithgow police staff was beneficial as it formed part of the healing process for family and work colleagues. The memorial wall and garden will be a lasting tribute to Kelly. It will ensure for decades to come that Kelly’s heroic story will never be forgotten by police and the community whom she so tirelessly served “
Senior Constable Kelly Ann Forster VA, tragically died while attempting to save the life of a fellow canyoner, Jennifer Qi, within the Wollangambe Canyon at Mt Wilson on 2 January 2021.
As a result of her brave actions, Senior Constable Foster was posthumously awarded the Commissioners Valour Award.
This morning, Senior Constable Kelly Foster‘s name was placed inside the Commissioner’s Baton, blessed, and carried to the NSW Police Wall of Remembrance.
In a normal year, the baton would be on the road by now, carried by a convoy of motorbike riders in the Wall to Wall – Ride for Remembrance, all travelling towards the National Police Memorial in Canberra with the express purpose of honouring and remembering fallen police mates.
The bikes remain silent today, but the moment loses none of its importance.
COVID has changed everything, but it will never diminish the memories of the fallen.
Kelly Foster‘s name will stay inside the baton until next year, when it will be carried by the Wall to Wall Riders to the Memorial.
From all of us at Chifley Police District, we would like to thank the community for their love and support in relation to the untimely death of Senior Constable Kelly Foster.
As you can appreciate, we are expecting a significant gathering to bid her farewell, and with the current COVID restrictions, not everyone who would like to pay their respects in person will be able to do so.
We are urging members of the public not to attend the church; instead, please demonstrate your community spirit by forming a socially distanced line along either side of Bridge Street (between Mort and Short streets) from 1:30pm tomorrow (Thursday) to view the procession as it leaves the church.
On behalf of Kelly’s family and the broader NSW Police Force family, thank you for your ongoing support.
ROAD CLOSURES FOR FUNERAL OF SENIOR CONSTABLE KELLY FOSTER-
THURSDAY 14/1/2021.
CHIFLEY PD
Police advise of a soft road closure of Bridge Street Lithgow at the intersection of Mort Street- the road will be closed all the way to the intersection of Short Street and includes closure of the Church St intersection with Bridge St. Residents will be able to enter and exit by advising Police at the traffic points. Road closed from 6 am until abut 4 pm. The funeral commences at 12.30 pm
Senior Constable Kelly Foster, aged 39, died following a canyoning incident at Mount Wilson yesterday (Saturday 2 January 2021).
Snr Cst Foster attested on 27 August 2010, after which she commenced duties as a probationary constable at Newtown Local Area Command.
She was confirmed as a constable in May 2012.
In May 2014, Snr Cst Foster joined the State Crime Command working as an intel analyst until May 2020.
She was most recently working at Chifley Police District, stationed at Lithgow Police Station.
NSW Police Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon has extended his condolences to the Foster family on behalf of the NSW Police Force.
“It’s a very sad time for the NSW Police Force and Kelly’s death is a loss to the whole community,” Acting Commissioner Lanyon said.
“To hear reports that Kelly was trying to help another woman when she died demonstrates her commitment to the community she served and the ability to put the needs of others before her own.
“Kelly was a highly regarded and dedicated officer who will be sorely missed by colleagues across the force.
“Her policing career was put on hold when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, however, her strength to survive this and return to work is another testament to her strength and resilience.
“Above all, Kelly was a kind and loving daughter, sister and partner.”
Snr Cst Foster’s family have requested privacy at this time.
Kelly FOSTER – On top of Australia at Mt Kosciusko
An international student, 24, was among a group swimming on inflatable lilos at the popular Wollangambe Canyon (pictured) when she was sucked into the whirlpool. Her body was recovered on Sunday, along with Senior Constable Foster’s
The couple bonded over their mutual love of adventuring and regularly went camping, hiking and on mountain bike rides throughout Australia
Senior Constable Kelly Foster (left) drowned while trying to save an international student who became stuck in raging waters in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, on Saturday. Senior Constable Foster had trekked to the picturesque spot with her boyfriend Gavin Morom (right)
Mr Morom (right) had posted about his trek with Senior Constable Foster (left) on adventurers social media app Strava on Saturday. The policewoman only recently returned to the job after overcoming breast cancer
Gavin & Kelly – Cedar Creek
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised about 2.30pm on Saturday, but poor weather conditions meant a search had to be called off about 6pm. When it resumed on Sunday the bodies of the two women were located by NSW Police divers
Eight other members of the group who the international student was with were uninjured
It’s believed both women were canyoning in water only that can only be reached after hours of hiking through rough terrain
Missing canyoners found after sucked into whirlpool in Blue Mountains including NSW police officer
There has been a sad end in the search for two missing canyoners after they were sucked into a whirlpool in regional NSW.
The women had not been seen since disappearing beneath the water’s surface on Saturday in Wollangambe Canyon at Mount Wilson, north of the Blue Mountains.
But on Sunday, police divers joined the search and located two bodies around midday.
Police identified the 39-year-old woman as serving NSW Police officer, Senior Constable Kelly Foster, who has most recently been stationed at Lithgow Police Station.
The other woman is believed to be an international student, aged 24, from Chiswick.
She is yet to be formally identified and police are waiting for confirmation that family members are notified.
Witnesses told police the younger woman fell off her inflatable lilo and it was swept into the whirlpool.
Snr Cst Foster was also swept out when she tried to rescue her.
Port Hacking High School pays tribute to Senior Constable Kelly Foster
The Port Hacking High School community is saddened by the tragic news that former student, NSW Police Senior Constable Kelly Foster, who lost her life in a tragic canyoning accident over the weekend.
Senior Constable Foster, 39, died following a canyoning incident at Mount Wilson on Saturday.
“Kelly graduated in 1999 and according to her peers was very smart, kind, had an easy going nature and always put others before herself,” a statement on the Port Hacking High School Facebook site said today.
“We send our deepest condolences to Kelly’s family and friends at this time.”
Former Son-In-Law to Artie DOVER # 14576 & former partner to Artie Dovers daughter – Shelly ( previously of Cessnock Police Stn )
Service 1: Goulburn Police Academy PREP Class # 270
New South Wales Police Force
Service 1 & 2: Regd. # 31897
Rank: Service 1
Service 1: Commenced Training at Goulburn Academy on 18 May 1997 ( aged 23 years, 9 months, 11 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Friday 14 November 1997 ( aged 24 years, 3 months, 7 days )
Constable – appointed 14 November 1998
Stations: Service 1
Service 1: Kurringai LAC – Hornsby GDs, HWP – Scone ( from 15 September 2002 – 3 November 2002 ), Hunter Valley ( 4 November 2002 – 17 December 2005 ) , Lower Hunter LAC – Kurri Kurri & Cessnock GDs ( Team 4 ) ( 18 December 2005 – 17 September 2011 ) – ( left ‘the job’ – Resigned )
Service 1: From 18 May 1997 to 17 September 2011 = 14+ years Service
After Resigning from the employ of NSWPF, Scott joined the mining industry as a ‘Fly In – Fly Out’ miner in Western Australia before rejoining the NSWPF as a Rejoinee.
Service 2 – REJOINEE: NSW Goulburn Police Academy – PREP Class # “possibly” 324 – 328
Rank: Service 2
Service 2: Commenced Training at Goulburn Police Academy on ? ? ?
Probationary Constable- appointed 24 October 2016
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: Service 2
Service 2: North Shore – Harbourside LAC ( ProCst ), North Shore PAC – Hornsby ( 3 June 2018 – 17 December 2019 ), Central Hunter, Bingara ( 2 man station as Lock Up Keeper – New England Police District ( 18 December 2019 – 9 November 2020 ) Death
Service 2: From? September 2016 to9 November 2020 = 4+ years Service
Total Service with NSWPF = 18+ years
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system – however
National Police Medal – granted on ? ? ?
National Police Service Medal – granted on ? ? ?
NSW Police Medal for Ethical & Diligent Police Service – granted on ? ? ?
1st Clasp to NSW Police Medal – granted on ? ? ?
Commanders Citation & Commanders Unit Citation granted 30 November 2020 ( Posthumously ) – Acts of Bravery re Arrest at North Shore Command
Born: Tuesday 7 August 1973 – Royal Newcastle Hospital, NSW
Died on: Monday 9 November 2020
Age: 47 years, 3 months, 2 days
Cause: Suicide – Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Event location: Bingara Police Station
Event date: Monday 9 November 2020
Funeral date: Monday 23 November 2020 @ 11am
Funeral location: *North Chapel, Newcastle Memorial Park, 176 Anderson Dve, Beresfield, NSW
*Due to the current Public Health restrictions, attendance at the funeral service is by personal invitation from the next of kin. No other persons are permitted on the grounds of the Memorial Park.
Registration will be required via name and email address after which an invitation to the streaming service will be received at the email address given.
In an effort to include all that knew and loved Scotty, we would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the service via livestream on the day.
any Future Wake location: ??? TBA
any Future Wake date: ??? TBA
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( November 2020 )
SCOTT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
SCOTTSHOULD BE entitled to be mentioned on the Sydney Police Centre Memorial Wall, Surry Hills
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 158C
New South Wales Police Force
ProCst # 92095
Regd. # 17936
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on 23 January 1978 ( aged 19 years, 8 months, 14 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 3 April 1978 ( aged 19 years, 9 months, 19 days )
Constable – appointed 3 April 1979
Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 April 1983
Detective – appointed 9 July 1987
Senior Constable – appointed 3 April 1987
Does NOT appear in the 1989 Stud Book
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: Phillip St ( 4 Division )(ProCst )( 1978 – 1979 )( 2 yrs ), Burwood GDs ( 1980 ), Drummoyne GDs ( 1981 ), Burwood GDs ( March 1985 ), Five Dock ( 14 July 1985 ), Burwood Dets ( 9 Division )( 27 July 1987 – 25 November 1988 ) – Resignation
Service: From 23 January 1978 to 25 November 1988 = 10 years, 9 months, 2 days Service
* * *
After leaving NSWPF, moving to Sunshine Coast, Qld, Dave drove a truck until he joined the Queensland Police Force & Served until his retirement as a Senior Sergeant at Surfers Paradise, Qld.
Qld Police Academy – Class # ? ? ?
Queensland Police Force
Regd. # 11127
Rank: Commenced Training at Qld Police Academy on 6 October 1997
Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? 1998
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? 2001
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? 2006
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? 2011
Final Rank = Senior Sergeant
Stations: 16 years at Surfers Paradise ( Team 2 ) – Retirement
Service: From 6 October 1997 to13 December 2013 = 16 years, 2 months, 7 days Service
* * *
TOTAL POLICE SERVICE = 26 years, 11 months, 9 days Service
* * *
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system – however:
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?TBA
Buried at: ?TBA
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( September 2020 )
DAVE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Class 158C – Redfern Police Academy Back Row: R.S. HANSEN, T. HAYWARD, P.A. HARRIS, D.W. HODSON, ALLAN R. GROGAN, P.F.J. HERRING, K.R. HAIGH, MARTIN P. KILLEN # 17965 ( son of FRANK ), M.W. KEENE, P.J. HAYNE Middle Row: W.E. ( WAYNE ) JOHNSON, G.L. GRUMLEY, OWEN I. JENNINGS ( RIP ), T.R. HILL, S.S. HORDEN, B.J. HAYLOCK, P.M. HOPPER, C.R. GREENTREE, J. JOBSON Front Row: P.R.( DUTCHY ) HOLLAND, D.L. JOACHIM, R.C. HOWARD, T.R. HANSON, L.J. DAVEY, M. HUMPHRIES, L.I. JONES, A.J. HAMILTON, P.A. KENNEDY, Bruce J. GRIMALDI.
R.I.P. David Leslie Joachim
15.06.1958 – 17.09.2020
Brother in Blue NSWPOL. 1978 – 1988
QLD Police. 1997 – 2013
On Thursday 24th September we said our farewell to the love of my life, my husband David – Dave, Jocho, loving father to Lauren and Yvette, with our immediate family and friends.
Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions we could only have 50 people attend David’s service.
Our family and I would like to thank you all for the most beautiful and respectful messages we have received. We are overwhelmed by the love and support hundreds of friends and work colleagues have shown David and our family.
David had been very ill for many years. The early signs that David was unwell commenced in 2012 and in August 2015, David was diagnosed with Early Onset Frontal Temporal Dementia.
David’s health deteriorated where he was losing his motor skills, unable to see properly and kept having numerous falls.
Among many other symptoms, his ability to speak, eat, swallow and to walk deteriorated.
David had 167 consultations and follow up consultations over a 3 year period.
I took him to many different medical specialists and he also attended the Frontier Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney in order to properly diagnose him.
David had the most tenacious neurologist on the Gold Coast, Dr Arman Sabet who completed his studies in the U.S.
Dr Sabet kept stating David has a more specific disease because David was still very cognitive and still had an amazing long term memory which he did up until he passed. He did have difficulty with his short term memory. He knew what he wanted to say but his brain wouldn’t allow his thoughts to be transmitted through his speech.
After many tests and bloods sent overseas by Dr Sabet, David was fully diagnosed with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy which is somewhat similar to MND Motor Neuron Disease. PSP is also like a Parkinsonian disease.
David suffered a horrible and cruel 5 years and on the 17th September, David passed into God’s eternal care. No more torment. No more pain.
I know that you will all miss David as much as we miss him. We all have wonderful and funny stories to tell but that would take forever and I’m sure you will all share those stories and memories.
You all know David was a good, loyal, caring man, always had everyone’s back and you all hold him dearly to your hearts. Our lives will never be the same again.
There are too many people for our family to thank individually. We thank you all very much.
The last thing I would like to say is: If anyone becomes ill from Dementia, PSP, MND, Cancer or whatever terminal disease, please don’t be frightened to keep in contact or visit that person as that person is still the same person you all knew and loved.
That person also remembers you all and also loves you.
Keep safe and healthy our very dear friends, previous work colleagues and families.
Much love.
Helen xxoo
Geoffrey Neil McDOWELL
| 24/01/2021
Geoffrey Neil McDOWELL
AKA Fluffy, Fluffy Duck, The Duck, Geoff
Late of ?
Son to former NSWPF Member – Les WHITDALE # ???? who was a DetSgt at Darlinghurst at one stage.
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern Class # 102
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 11314
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on Monday 11 January 1965 ( aged 22 years, 11 months, 29 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 22 February 1965 ( aged 23 years, 1 month, 9 days )
Constable – appointed 22 February 1966
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed 22 February 1974
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 December 1980
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 January 1987
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 31 December 1987
Inspector – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Detective Inspector
Stations: ?, Fraud Squad ( 1974 ), Special Crime Squad ( renamed Homicide Squad in 1972)( Det SenCon ), Bureau of Crime Intelligence ( BCI ), Ryde ( Commander )( 1980s – 90s )(17 Division ), Chatswood, Human Resources HR Manager – North Region – Retirement
Service: From 11 January 1965 to3 April 1997 = 32 years, 2 months, 23 days Service
Age at Retirement: 55 years, 2 months, 21 days
Time in Retirement: 23 years, 5 months, 0 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 15 April 1981 ( Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 28 May 1992 ( Insp. )
Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct Medal ( Imperial ) – granted 1 October 1976 ( Det SenCon ) – Apprehension of an armed man.
Born: Tuesday 13 January 1942
Died on: Thursday 3 September 2020
Age: 78 years, 7 months, 21 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 9 September 2020 @ 12.15pm
Funeral location: North Chapel, Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Delhi Rd, North Ryde, NSW
FUNERAL RESTRICTED TO 35 in Chapel and 15 outside)
Wake location: North Ryde RSL, 27 – 41 Magdala Rd, North Ryde, NSW
Wake date: Wednesday 9 September 2020 @ 1.30pm
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( September 2020 )
18 April 1977.
GEOFFREY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
NSW Homicide Squad: Geoffrey Neil McDowell – back row, 2nd from right.
the Special Crime Squad which was renamed the Homicide Squad in the 70’s. This is a photo of that squad taken about 1976 . Geoff McDowell – back row, far left. Jenny Gormley ( Public Service ) – only female in photo.
From John Cooke 7 September 2020 – NSW Fallen Police: Homicide Squad reunion at Police HQ in 2016 with Geoff McDowell on left & Wilfred ‘ Bill ” TUNSTALL ( who died shortly after in 2016 ). Both Geoff and Bill received bravery awards following a siege at Granville in 1975 in which Bill received a gunshot wound to his shoulder/arm. Geoff continued to back up Bill despite being severely affected by tear gas. The offender died in the shootout.
Photo – courtesy of John Cooke NSW Fallen Police
23 months old son of Tunstall, Mathew could not resist to join his father despite the strict protocol and National Anthem during the ceremony. On the right side of Tunstall are Detective Sen.Const Aldo Lorenzutta and further Det Sen Const Geoffrey Neil McDowell, awarded with Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct . Queens’ Awards at the Government House today. Detective Senior Constable Wilfred Tunstall awarded with Queens Gallantry Medal. Two-year-old Matthew Tunstall ignored protocol and the national Anthem to run to his father, Detective Senior Constable Wilfred Tunstall who was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal at Government House yesterday, April 18, 1977. (Photo by Antonin Cermak/Fairfax Media via Getty Images).
Queens Awards at the Government House today. Detective Senior Constable Wilfred Tunstall awarded with Queen’s Gallantry Medal. Det Tunstall (middle) with others awarded with Queens Commendation for Brave Conduct for the same action left Det Sen. Const. Aldo Lorenzutta and Det. Sen. Const. Geoffrey Neil McDowell. April 18, 1977. (Photo by Antonin Cermak/Fairfax Media via Getty Images).
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Monday 4 October 1976, page 3
Six NSW policemen get bravery awards
SYDNEY, Sunday. -Six NSW policemen have received awards from the Queen for bravery, the Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler, announced on Friday.
Constable Lindsay Reginald Basile, who disarmed a man who had attacked him with an axe at Leichhardt about 14 months ago, has been awarded the Queen’s commendation for brave conduct.
For their part in a siege of a gunman in a Granville house in May, 1975. Detective-Senior Constable Wilfred Tunstall has been awarded the Gallantry Medal and Detective-Senior Constables Aldo Lorenzutta and Geoffrey Neil McDowell have been commended for brave conduct.
Police shot the gunman dead after he had wounded a woman and Senior Constable Tunstall.
Constable First-Class Udo Starkis, of Parramatta, and Constable Philip Robert Baldwin, of Blacktown, have been recommended for brave conduct for overcoming an armed man in the grounds of the Parramatta Psychiatric Centre in January.
Stations: ?, Broken Hill, Cowra ( 1946 ), White Cliffs ( Constable )( 1948 ), Menindee ( Constable )( 1949 ), Spring Hill ( Constable )( 1955 ), Casino ( Sgt 3/c )( 1962, 1963, 1965 ), North East District ( 1969 ), ?, Bourke ( Inspector)( 1973, 1974, 1975 ), Gosford ( Senior Inspector )( 1978 ), OIC – Regent St Police Station – Retirement
Service: From? ?Pre November 1945 ? to12 July 1981 = 35+ years Service
[blockquote]
C.M.F.
A.I.F. Special Forces
World War II
Regiment:
Enlisted: On 7 May 1941
Service #NX7122
Rank:
Embarkation:
Next of kin: Charlie PAFF – Father
Religion: C of E
Single / Married: Single
Returned to Australia: ?
Date of Discharge: 30 October 1944
Posting at Discharge:
WWII Honours & Gallantry: None for display
POW: No
Occupation upon joining: Farm Hand
War Service In Au:
Active Service outside Au: 783 days
Active Service in Au: 372 days ( Total of 1273 days in Service
Description: Med Complexion, 6′ 1.5″ tall, Brown hair, Hazel eyes. Scar below the left knee.
Seems that old Oscar might have ‘fibbed’ a little to get into the A.I.F.
His True Date of Birth is 13 July 1922 but he told the Recruitment Officer that he was born on the 15 March 1920 giving him a ‘false’ age of 24 instead of 21 for some unknown reason.
At the time of Enlistment – with his True DoB – he was 21 years, 9 months & 24 days old.
At the time of Enlistment – with the False DoB – he would appear as 24 years, 1 month & 22 days.
[/blockquote]
Police Awards: No Find On Australian Honours system
Born: Thursday 13 July 1922
Died on: Wednesday 26 August 2020
Age: 98 years, 1 month, 13 days
Cause: ?
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Monday 31 August 2020 @ 12.30pm
Funeral location: Pettigrew Family Funerals, 444 Pacific Hwy, Belmont, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( August 2020 )
OSCAR is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
The Manning River Times & Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of NSW
Wednesday 27 November 1946
WEDDINGS
PAFF — BURNETT
At the wedding reception of Miss Alma Burnett, and Mr. Oscar Paff, on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 5th, the wedding cake was cut with a Samurai sword, which the bride’s brother, Mr. Max Burnett (ex-RAAF) had brought back with him from New Britain.
Alma is the second eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Burnett, of Macquarie St., Cowra, and the groom is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Paff, of Krambach.
The ceremony was performed at St. John’s Church of England, by the Ven. Archdeacon Mirrington.
The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a white gown of self patterned heavy cloque crepe, featuring a heart shaped neckline, ruffled bodice and sleeves, with a very full skirt, ending in a train.
Her tulle brocaded veil which was loaned to her for the occasion, was held in place with a halo of white camellias. She carried a shower bouquet of arum lilies and freezias.
Her two sisters, Mrs. V. Cooke, of Bathurst, and Mrs. B. Rodwell, of Cowra, were matrons of honor.
The former was dressed in a blue crepe gown, the skirt of which was very full. She added a shoulder length veil, held in position with a curvette of roses, and carried a bouquet of roses, ranunculus and mignonette.
The latter wore a dusty pink crepe frock with cape sleeves and a full le plum and skirt. Her matching shoulder veil was held in place with a curvette of sweet peas and carnations. She chose similar flowers for her bouquet.
The only jewellery worn by the bride was a string of pearls, while the attendants wore pendants with matching ear-rings.
Mr. Max Burnett, brother of the bride, carried out the duties of best man, and Mr. Vic Cooke, the bride’s brother-in-law, was groomsman.
A reception was held at the Lyric Hall, where the guests were received by Mrs. Burnett, who was dressed in black, with a shoulder spray of tiger lilies. She was assisted by Mrs. Paff, who was also in black relieved with pink.
Chairman at the breakfast was Mr. Hoodless, uncle of the bride. The three-decker wedding cake was made and decorated by Mr. Doug Jackson.
Soloist at the wedding was Miss Beryl Thomas, who sang ‘I’ll Walk Beside You.’
An amusing feature at the wedding was that Constable Jim Imber, friend of the groom, who was in the vicinity when the bride’s bouquet was being thrown, caught the bouquet.
The honeymoon is being spent on the North Coast.
Their future home will be at Cowra, where the groom is a member of the Cowra Police Force.
Among the guests at the wedding of Miss Alma Burnett and Mr. Oscar Paff were Mr. and Mrs. Hoodless, of Ginjelli; Mr. and Mrs. Con’n. of Hill End; Mrs. Paff and Miss Coral Paff, of Taree; Mrs. Kimm, of Hill End; and Mr. Kevin Rodwell, of Parkes. — ‘Cowra Guardian.’
SYDNEY, Thursday: An Orange District Court jury tonight awarded a man £200 damages against a Spring Hill police constable, Oscar Manning Paff, for assault.
The man, Brian Vincent Melville, 34, of Orange, sued Paff for damages, alleging that Paff had punched and kicked him on February 6.
He said he spent five days in hospital and five weeks at home recovering from his injuries.
Paff told the Court that Melville was drunk, and injured himself when he fell on the road after throwing a punch.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001),
Friday 30 September 1966 (No.105), page 4083
IN the Supreme Court of New South Wales.—Probate Jurisdiction. —Re will of CHARLES PAFF, late of Taree, in the State of New South Wales, retired farmer, deceased. — Probate granted by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 26th August, 1966.—Pursuant to the Wills, Probate and Administration Act, 1898-1954, Testator’s Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act, 1916-1954, and Trustee Act, 1925-1942, Oscar Manning Paff and Charles Neville Paff, the executors of the will of the said Charles Paff, who died on 28th March, 1966, hereby give notice that creditors and others having any claim against or to the estate of the said deceased, are required to send particulars of their claims to the said executors in care of the undersigned at their office hereunder mentioned on or before the 7th December, 1966, at the expiration of which time the said executors will distribute the assets of the said deceased to the persons entitled, having regard only to the claims of which they then have notice.— Dated the 27th day of September, 1966 BUTTERWORTH, COWAN, DOUGLASS & CARNEY, Proctors for the Executors, Temple Chambers, Victoria Street, Taree. By their Agents: T. G. D. Marshall, Landers & Co., Solicitors, 251-253 George Street, Sydney. 8696—$3.25
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( August 2020 )
LANCELOT is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
David was a wonderful neighbour and friend. I remember chuckling the day I collected his mail for him, and realised his name was Lancelot. Rest in peace.
The most gentle godly man I have had the privilege to know. He was always so willing to share his faith and how he became a man who followed God. Praying for peace, comfort and strength from our Heavenly Father for Sue and family.
SYDNEY: Three charges of assaulting policemen against former advertising executive and television personality Mr John Singleton, were dismissed in the Central Court yesterday.
Mr Brown, SM, found that insufficient evidence was offered by police to establish a case.
Mr Singleton, 38, of Darling Point, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Constable Bryan Holborow, of the licensed dealers squad, assaulting him in the execution of his duty, and assaulting Constable Lancelot David Hines, of the licensed dealers squad, in the execution of his duty.
The charges arose from an incident at Kings Cross on March 1.
SYDNEY, Wednesday. — A man charged with illegally possessing a car was charged also with offering a bribe to a detective, Blacktown Court was told today.
Before the court was Mr Albert Jeffrey Woods, 23, of Doonside. He is charged with the bribe offence and illegally possessing a GTR Holden Torana.
Also before the court was Mr Woods’ brother, James, 24, of the same address, who was charged with illegally possessing car grills. Both men are labourers.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Kingsley Weller told the court that “far more serious charges” would be made against the brothers.
The alleged offences took place at Doonside yesterday, Sergeant Weller told Mr A. J. McKeowen, SM.
The alleged bribe had been made to Detective L. D. Hines of Blacktown Police.
Pleas were not taken.
Sergeant Weller said additional investigations were being carried out “in relation to several car matters”.
Both were allowed $300 bail and were remanded to appear at the same court on September 6.
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
