Information to hand is that Paul has passed away after a battle with cancer.
It appears that Paul, after leaving NSWPF, started a business of Hampton Investigations from Putney, NSW.
We send out condolences to the family and friends of Paul and hope that he is now Resting In Peace.
Further information will be updated on this memorial page as it becomes known.
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Pilot killed fighting bushfire
By David Braithwaite February 17, 2006 – 3:08PM Page 1 of 2
A 32-year-old water-bombing pilot and father of two has crashed and died while fighting a bushfire in southern NSW.
Brad Pead, a 32-year-old father of two, died when his plane ploughed into a hill near Mount Ulandra, south of Cootamundra, about 7pm (AEDT) last night.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg said today the tragic accident marred a clean track record.
“We have had a perfect aviation record up until now in fire fighting … indeed it is the first time in Australian history,” Mr Koperberg said.
“It is obviously a great tragedy – a young man, young family – but what he was doing is very, very dangerous.”
Aerial Agricultural Association chief executive officer, Phil Hurst, told smh.com.au: “It’s a very small community – about 300 agricultural pilots, everyone knows everyone, so everybody will be feeling this loss this morning.”
He said it was a high-risk job done by top pilots, he said.
“Due to the frequency they fly, it would be nothing for a fire-bombing pilot to have 15-16,000 hours experience, more than more airline or military pilots.”
Police said a lightning strike was believed to have sparked a fire on properties at Brawlin, near Cootamundra, about 5pm (AEDT) yesterday.
Three Rural Fire Service planes and one helicopter dumped water on the flames from the air in an attempt to control the blaze, but one of the planes hit a hillside at about 7pm.
The pilot, a father of two from Port Macquarie, worked for a Cowra aerial service contractor, Fred Fahey Aerial Services.
Mr Fahey described the dead pilot as a “good bloke” and a highly experienced flyer who had taken part in plenty of water-bombing operations.
“He got his pilot’s licence practically before he got his car licence – he had probably been flying 15 or 16 years,” he said.
Cootamundra police crime manager Detective Inspector Paul Hampton said witnesses did not believe the plane was flying through smoke when it crashed.
The plane was spraying fire retardant when it crashed into a hillside in farmland, Inspector Hampton said.
“He does not appear to have hit power lines or trees, but that will be further investigated by forensic police and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority today,” he said.
Inspector Hampton said three witnesses, including other pilots, would be interviewed today as investigations continued into the crash.
The firefighting tragedy comes three years after a water-bombing helicopter crashed into a dam during the ACT bushfires, and nine years after a water-bomber plane clipped a house in Perth. Both the pilots survived.
Paul passed away peacefully on 23rd August 2016 aged 51.
A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held in the Palm Chapel of the Macquarie Park Crematorium, Plassey Road, North Ryde on TUESDAY (30th August 2016) commencing at 1:15 pm.
In lieu of floral tributes, please consider a donation to the Pallative Care
Unit, Greenwich Hospital. Envelopes will be available on the day.
Published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Aug. 26, 2016
Paul
Thanks for all the laughs we have shared, so blessed to have had you as my friend for so many years xx
~
Amber Gidney,
Cowra, New South Wales
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
God Bless Paul, memories of “Anchor” at school xx
~
Katrina Walsh,
Lake Conjola, New South Wales
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Paul, you were a beautiful soul! I will always cherish the memories. Rest in peace my dear friend xx
~
Jacqui Poehlsen,
Sydney, New South Wales
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
So saddened to hear of your passing. Whilst a long time ago you bought loads of laughs to our lives that stays with us forever. With much love to you family and friends
~
Cathie Moran,
Sydney, New South Wales
Monday, 29 August 2016
Paul, you certainly lived life to the full, you left us way to soon and will very much be missed by all of us. Rest easy Hampo and God Bless
Leanne Oates Sydney NSW
Saturday, 27 August 2016
My beautiful Pauly,
Thankyou for the years of fun, laughter and crazy times together.
I will never forget the love and concern you showed for me in the last weeks of your life.
Always my protector and biggest believer, right until the end.
Big, big love to you baby xoxoxo me
~
Natalie Curtis,
Sydney, New South Wales
Friday, 26 August 2016
Paul. I am deeply saddened by your passing but so honoured to have known you. Mate you were never short of a practical joke and the laughter and memories will be with me forever. Rest in peace, knowing you are no longer suffering. God bless you.
Hampo, you were the best mate a bloke could have….You lived life to the fullest and made the lives of those you knew that much richer…. Your courageous battle is done…rest now in peace my friend
~
Rob Shankelton,
Sydney, New South Wales
Friday, 26 August 2016
Paul, you will be remembered as a great bloke who loved a laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest. I recall your utmost devotion to your daughter Maddie, who you spoke of nearly every day. Rest in peace mate.
Leigh, prior to joining NSW Police, worked at Appin Mine and later became a Senior Constable at Lake Illawarra ( Oak Flats ) Police Station for many years.
On the morning of Thursday 18 August 2016, he was found deceased at his property at Boro near Braidwood, NSW, resulting from an overdose.
Leigh had recently ‘sold up’ in the Illawarra and moved to his property to make a fresh start in life – but, sadly, the demons continued to follow him after a previous suicide attempt some years earlier.
May you forever Rest In Peace mate. You were a good bloke.
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McQUADE Leighton John (Leigh)
Passed away on 18th August, 2016.
Late of Boro formerly of Blackbutt.
Dearly beloved Dad of Taylah and Maddison.
Loving and thoughtful Son of Tom & Lyn.
Much loved Brother of Shane and Dan.
Loved Grandson of Jack & Ellie (both dec) and Arthur & Sarah (both dec).
Will be sadly missed by his many Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.
Aged 43 Years
Your Memory Is Our Greatest Treasure
To Have And To Hold In Our Hearts Forever
The relatives and friends of Leigh are invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held at the Northcliffe Chapel of Hansen & Cole, 634 Northcliffe Drive, Kembla Grange on Monday 29th August, 2016 commencing at 10am. At the conclusion of the Chapel Service the funeral will proceed to Lakeside Cemetery for burial.
In lieu of flowers donations are invited to Beyond Blue. A bowl will be provided at the Chapel door.
Illawarra sisters speak out after cop dad’s suicide
Cydonee Mardon
Sisters Maddison and Taylah McQuade with a picture of their father Leigh McQuade who recently committed suicide. Picture: Georgia Matts
Leigh McQuade had no trouble staring down the hardest of criminals and never thought twice about throwing himself in the line of fire.
His police academy training supplied him with the tools necessary to bring down the toughest of crooks and soothe the hearts of the most broken victims.
But no one taught Senior Constable McQuade how to tackle the black dog that terrorised him. The wild beast that has brought down far too many NSW cops, got him too.
Maddison and Taylah McQuade are now left wondering why no one could help their dad – the brave Illawarra cop who took his own life, aged 43.
‘’When dad began to get sick, I was quite young so I wasn’t entirely aware of what was going on but as I grew up I learnt what the basics were … his anxiety affected the daily things that he used to be able to do so carefreely,’’ Maddison said.
‘’It wasn’t until after his death that I actually researched what PTSD actually entails, and it just blew me away to believe how an individual can suffer so much.’’
Maddison said police officers entering the force should be better supported for the mental struggles they could face.
‘’They should sit them down and say ‘hey you might have to learn to fire this gun but you also need to learn how to mentally deal with seeing deceased bodies, by being able to save people and all the horrific things that are on the cards’.
‘’It’s pretty evident that there’s not much of that.’’
The McQuade girls are angry their family was ‘’kept in the dark’’ with no support or education on how to help their dad during his six year-struggle before he was medically retired in 2013.
Taylah and Maddison don’t want their dad Leigh McQuade’s death to be in vain. Picture: Georgia Matts
‘’Everyone puts so much crap on cops … but they put up with some inhumane sights, they are suffering,’’ Maddison said.
‘’There is minimal awareness, support and education about PTSD and these types of diseases.
’’If any good can come of Dad’s death it would have to be to try and help those suffering before it’s too late because I could never wish this pain on anyone.
‘’It’s too horrific to lose someone you love to a disease that they didn’t deserve. There could be so much more support.’’
As the McQuade family struggles to move on without Leigh, they still feel the support is lacklustre.
‘’Even now we haven’t been provided much help, we were assisted with NSW Police Association counselling with only three appointments and as I’ve been going through my HSC they ‘couldn’t’ help me with paperwork to explain why I need privileges,’’ Maddison said.
‘’It was horrible, all the stuffing around and telling stories to people who claimed they were there to help but never did.’’
Brave cop ill-equipped to battle his demons
Lake Illawarra Senior Constable Leigh McQuade
The death of an Illawarra police officer has again highlighted the dire need for better support for emergency service workers suffering mental health issues, Greens Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said.
The MP is taking their fight to Parliament on Monday.
Lake Illawarra Senior Constable Leigh McQuade took his own life in August after years of battling debilitating symptoms of PTSD. He went from a loving, happy dad with a close-knit group of friends, to an isolated, withdrawn man who drank excessively to ‘’coat the pain’’.
His daughters Maddison and Taylah remember feeling helpless and on ‘’high alert’’ for a trigger that could end in a bad episode for their dad.
‘’I understand in the job there’s tragedies of deaths with accidents, murders, drug busts … but criminals get assistance and the opportunity to rehabilitate,’’ Maddison said.
‘’No assistance is given to these police officers that suffer PTSD and other mental illnesses and diseases. Their only escape from it is to end it, usually with suicide.’’
Mr Shoebridge said the story was all too familiar. ‘’First responders, whether police, firefighters or paramedics, see things and deal with trauma that is almost unthinkable for most of us, and it happens to them on a daily basis’’.
“For police in particular the lack of organisational support while they are in the force is then magnified by the complete absence of support once a psychologically injured officer leaves the force,’’ Mr Shoebridge said. “The fact is once an injured officer leaves it is their family, their spouse and children, who take on the burden and suffer the impacts of the injury. Theirs is an often unspoken need and it is well past time it was addressed.’’
Berrick Boland, a former police officer who runs a support page for injured police officers and the families of those who have died, says the issue of suicide is hidden from public view.’’
In NSW you are better positioned if you are a dead greyhound than an injured or deceased policeman or emergency services government employee,’’ Mr Bolland, the administrator of the Forgotten 000s Facebook page says.
A NSW Police Association spokeswoman said a new Police Legacy program was available to officers and families called BACKUP for Life. The Government has committed $500,000 annually over the next four years for the program to ‘’design, implement and manage post service support strategies for former NSW police officers and immediate families’’.
The Association runs a CARE Program and promotes Beyondblue’s ‘‘Good Practice Framework for Mental Health and Wellbeing in First Responder Organisations’’.
Illawarra cops pay tribute to struggling friend
The NSW Police Force can hold themselves responsible for Leigh’s death, an unnamed colleague said.
‘’He left there with a messed-up head and not any kind of support. He had so much anger and hurt in his heart, this wouldn’t have come as no surprise to anyone who knew him. And as a police officer he managed to have care and respect for the people he was forced to arrest.
‘’More than any police officer EVER he cared for the families and genuinely wanted to see positive change in people and always done his absolute best to give people a second chance.
‘’No police officer will ever live up to his standards. R.I.P mate save that beer for us when we see you again.’’
Another colleague said: ‘’Leigh worked in the Lake Illawarra TAG Unit, now it’s called the proactive crime unit. It was very busy, non stop.
‘’Work involved drug raids, DNA hits targeting high-risk offenders … ,’’ the officer said.
‘’He was in the face of crooks, searching people, brawls … he was a great bloke with a good heart.’’
Anyone needing support can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
Regiment: 30 Australian Infantry Trg. Bn, Bathurst
Enlisted: From 7 October 1942 – aged 18 Trooper with 2/10 Aust. Commando Squadron
Service #N441138 NX172888
Rank: Sapper / Trooper. 669 days in Aust & 420 days overseas = 1089 days in AIF
Embarkation: ?
Next of kin: David Samuel Herbert EDGERTON, Quamby via Young – Father
Religion: C of E
Single / Married: Single. Employed as Farm Hand
Returned to Australia: ?
Description on 7 Oct. 1945: 21 yrs 2 mths old, 6′ tall, brown eyes, fair comp & hair with a mark / scar on left leg
Awards: War Badge ( Returned from Active Service Badge ) # A180104. This Badge was lost, in Young, NSW, in 1946. He was reissued Badge # 402644 on 7 July 1959
Our May 2016 meeting was in the format of a luncheon meeting, held at the “Shellharbour Club”. No formal business was conducted, with the exception of recognition of recently deceased members and Police. In attendance were Kel and Dawn Schreiber; Keith and Jenny Bennett; Mary Douglas; Sue Good; Patricia Condon; Gordon and Jan Weaver; Lindsay Gordon; Jack and Margaret Gudgeon; Bruce and Margaret Dun and John Mennie.In June, members attended a special morning tea at Blue Haven Nursing Home, Kiama to witness the presenting to our Veteran Member, Dave Edgerton, of a military medal he earned as a member of a commando unit in New Guinea during WWll. The presentation was made by Mr Garath Ward, State member for Kiama. Also in attendance were members of Dave’s family and a number of fellow members of the Blue Haven Community.
Kiama Veteran Member, Dave Edgerton receiving his long overdue WWII medal.
Kiama Veteran Member, Dave Edgerton receiving his long overdue WWII medal.
Of worthwhile mention is the fact Dave was entitled to the medal and had not received it over all these years. The error came to light when our Chairman Gordon Weaver was visiting Dave at the Nursing Home and on inspecting Dave’s war medals, saw one was missing. Gordon contacted the Department of Honours and Awards, and was informed, Dave was entitled to an additional medal honouring his war service. Gordon then made application for the medal on Dave’s behalf. As a result the award was issued. So arrangement were made for the afore mentioned ceremony. Of further note; Dave is one of only two members of his unit still alive.
Unfortunately Chairman Gordon could not be present at the ceremony as he was in Sydney attending other community business.
Kel Schreiber
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Appears in the 1979 ‘Stud Book’ as a Senior Constable but does NOT appear in the 1986 version. Others, of his Class were 1st Class Sergeants in 1977. Appears that David might not have progressed past Senior Constable – but NOT confirmed.
Ron WoodhouseI replaced Dave at Kiama in 1971 when he was transferred to Wollongong. He was a lovely bloke who lived for his days fishing out of Kiama and we remained friends. My condolences to his family and I know he will be sadly missed by his many friends and family. R.I.P Dave “Gone Fishing”
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Margaret TURNER
| 27/08/2016
Margaret TURNER –
wife of Alfred John TURNER
( Wanniassa, ACT )
New South Wales Police Force
Rank: Police Wife
Stations: ?
Service: From? ? ? to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: Friday 5 August 2016
Cause: ?
Age: ?
Funeral date: Tuesday 9 August 2016 @ noon
Funeral location: Norwood Park Crematorium, 65 Sandford Street, MITCHELL, ACT
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: ?
Funeral location:
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Our condolences to Alf and may Margaret forever Rest In Peace.
Ronald Richard FIRTH
| 27/08/2016
Ronald Richard FIRTH
aka Ron
( late of Raymond Terrance )
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 6150[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 3 August 1948
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 24 November 1974
Stations: ?
Service: From? ? ?pre August 1948 to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: No find on It’s An Honour
* National Police Medal granted and presented to his family at the Funeral on 10 August 2016
Born: 4 May 1929
Died on: Wednesday 3 August 2016
Cause: ?
Age: 87
Funeral date: Wednesday 10 August 2016 @ 10am
Funeral location: St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 65 William Street, RAYMOND TERRACE
Buried at: Burial location ?
Memorial at: The Commander is also going to create a local Good Police Officers award. It was an award on his service history which is now redundant however he thought it would be a great way to honour Rons memory which will be presented to a suitable local Police officer by the family.
[alert_yellow]RONALD is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Funeral location:
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Beloved husband of DAPHNE (dec’d). Treasured father and father in law of KATE and PAUL, DEB and JOHN, MICHELLE and TONE. Most adored pop of JOE, DAN, ELLIE, BEC and GAB. Much loved gramps of SIBYLLA, AMY and ESTELLA.
Relatives and Friends are warmly invited to attend a Celebration of RON’S Life to be held at St Brigid’s Catholic Church William St, Raymond Terrace this WEDNESDAY 10th August 2016 at 10:00 am. A private burial will follow.
Bob McCloskey’s widow Anne has informed us that Bob passed away 11pm Wednesday 3rd August 2016.
His funeral is set down for 1.30pm Thursday 11th August 2016 at the St Johns Bosco Catholic Church situated on the corner of Banksia Avenue and Waratah Road, Engadine.
Bob was natures gentlemen. He was the former Commander of Hurstville. He also worked at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics when assigned to the OSCC.
