I can find no trace of this man via Trove or Google searches with this spelling.
Photo(s)
May you forever Rest In Peace.
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Memorial – Richmond RSL. Location: panel 4, row 4 column 1
Memorial – Richmond RSL
ii. KEES (CORNELIS) VERHAGEN
Inspector Verhagen was attached to the Radio Communications Branch. He had amongst other duties been involved in technical issues related to specifications and tendering for changes to the police radio system. The contract for this tender was awarded to Motorola.
The circumstances of the tender process became the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation and later a Police Integrity Commission hearing, no action was taken against him.
Verhagen became ill and was diagnosed and discharged from the NSW Police with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder and Metastic Prostate Cancer. He died in February 2004.
http://unionsafe.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/NileInquirySubmission.doc
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[alert_blue]Kees is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue]
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By Kim Newman-Fitt: He was in charge of NSW communications and a long time ago was a senior constable at Penrith, repairing radios etc. After that he was promoted (directly, because of his special electronic skills) to Inspector to run a division in Waterloo. Inspector Verhagen was also a brilliant artist and sold many of his paintings around the world mostly to other Police (Possibly had a gallery in the Blue Mountains).
Family and friends can view the original post and condolences via: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=559976544040269&set=a.496969483674309.74757109.167692389935355&type=3&theater
AKA ?
Late of Toongabbie, NSW
“possible” relation in ‘the job’: ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 159
New South Wales Police Force
ProCst # 92220
Regd. # 18092
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 17 April 1978 ( aged 19 years, 2 months, 10 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed Monday 26 June 1978 ( aged 19 years, 4 months, 19 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed 26 June 1983
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 26 June 1987
Final Rank: = Senior Constable
Stations: ?, PCYC, ?, M.O. Unit – Discharged Medically Unfit
Service: From 17 April 1978 to ? ? ? ( Medically Unfit ) = ? years Service
Retirement / Leaving age: = ?
Time in Retirement from Police: ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 7 May 1994 ( SenCon )
Born: Saturday 7 February 1959
Died on: Friday 14 October 2005
Age: 46 years, 8 months, 7 days
Organ Donor: Y / N / ?
Cause: Depression – Suicide – Method?
Event location: Home
Event date: Friday 14 October 2005
Funeral date: 24 October 2005
Funeral location: ? TBA
Grave Location: GL62 – General Lawn 62, Grave 0007
any Future Wake location: ???
any Future Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Botany Cemetery, Military Rd, Matraville, NSW
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( November 2022 )
JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, NSW *NEED MORE INFO
JAMES is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance, Canberra ( checked – Nov. 2022 )
JAMES IS NOT mentioned on the Sydney Police Centre Memorial Wall, Surry Hills ( checked – Nov. 2022 )
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWFallenPolice/
Australian Police YouTube Channel
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
8 November 2022
[alert_red]Steve is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]
[alert_red]Russell is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_red]
Info from Charlie Dag. on 24 November 2014
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class # 227
ProCst # 98375
Regd. # 23964
Rank: Commenced Training at Goulburn Academy on 1 April 1987 ( aged 30 years, 4 months, 8 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1987 ( aged 30 years, 7 months, 17 days )
Constable – appointed 26 June 1988
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank: Senior Constable
Stations: Bathurst, Redfern, Walgett, Lightning Ridge –
Service: From 1 April 1987 to 3 August 2004 = 17 years, 4 months & 2 days Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours
Born: Friday 9 November 1956
Died: Tuesday 3 August 2004
Cause: Illness – possibly cancer???
Age: 47 years, 8 months, 25 days
Funeral date: ?
Buried at: Walgett in the R.C. section of Walgett Cemetery. plot 117K
Memorial: Annual ‘E A’ Dennis Memorial cricket match
………Another police officer also was mourned today – Senior Constable Ian Ross Dennis, based in Walgett, north-west NSW, who died in hospital after a short battle with an illness, aged 47.
Mr Moroney paid tribute to both officers, saying they had been outstanding servants of the police force.
“It’s important on these occasions that we honour and acknowledge that service and that commitment,” he said.
“It’s a very sad day for the organisation to lose officers of this calibre who have selflessly served the people of this state to the very best of their skill and ability.
“And that’s all I could ever ask them to do.”
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/03/1091476465269.html?from=storylhs
NSW Fallen Police FaceBook GROUP: 25 November 2014
Ian Borland Ian started out as a probationary constable at Bathurst where he worked for several years before he transferred. Prior to entering the Police he worked for the now defunct Evans Shire Council as s Grader driver. He was brought to Bathurst from Walgett to play rugby league for Bathurst St Patrick’s Club.
He was also an accomplished boxer. He fought for the Australian attire at Exhibition Hall, Brisbane where he was beaten on points and collapsed after the bout.
It was discovered he had glandular fever and blood poisoning yet he fought the full twelve rounds. After the bout he was not offered a rematch.
He and his wife Anne were tireless workers within the aboriginal community here in Bathurst.
Kevin Banister DENNIS Ian (Spook)
Death notice
03AUG2004
Death 47
late of Walgett, formerly of Bathurst
Western Advocate (Bathurst)
07AUG2004.
Born 09/11/1956.
Buried at Walgett in R.C. section.
Ian is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Ian is NOT mentioned on the Retired Police Association Vale list
Grave location:
Castlereagh’s Cricketing Comrades celebrate ten years of restoring community spirit
– ‘EA’ Dennis Memorial Shield –
Castlereagh LAC Police and the Walgett Community took to the field on 26 October 2014 to commemorate the 10th Annual ‘E A’ Dennis Memorial cricket match.
“I can’t believe it is ten (10) years since Ian had died. Ian had overcome many obstacles and challenging adversity to fulfil his dream of becoming a Police Officer with the NSW Police Force. This cricket match provides the only opportunity in our community for Aboriginal people to engage in a different more positive way with local police officers,” said Ann Dennis.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Castlereagh LAC for their continued support. It is through the hard work, persistence and dedication of the Police ACLO Graham Ruttley, that this is an overwhelming success.
Castlereagh LAC Superintendent James Stewart believes that Ian’s legacy recognises the importance of Police being seen as part of their community. “Ian is often remembered by townspeople and police as being community minded, dedicated to his family and a good Police Officer. The EA Dennis Memorial Shield is a fitting way to recognise his contribution to the community of Walgett, and for Police to be seen as part of the community.”
The event is integral to improving communication and understanding between Castlereagh LAC police and the Walgett Aboriginal Community. It aligns with the Aboriginal Strategic Direction (ASD) 2012-2017, through the promotion of Aboriginal community ownership and involvement. It addresses all four of the priority areas as outlined in the ASD 2012-2017 document; particularly Priority 2 (Improve Communication and Understanding between police and Aboriginal People), by fostering the belief that police are an essential part of the community, and offering positive role models and connections for troubled youth and families.
The match is supported by an ASD Crime Prevention Grant as a key initiative to address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.
The match is strongly tied to Goals 16 and 17 of the NSW 2021 (State Plan), through its focus on preventing and reducing crime, and decreasing juvenile and adult re-offending. “Sport is an essential part of our community. Through sport we can cross cultural and societal gaps, and encourage participation and integration. Events like the ‘EA’ Dennis cricket match can lead to better understanding, cooperation and partnerships within our local community,” said Castlereagh LAC Crime Coordinator, Sergeant Lisa Jones.
A respected and admired policeman described as “a role model for the Aboriginal community” has died in hospital.
Senior Constable Ian Ross Dennis was admitted to Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday but died from a viral infection yesterday morning .
The 47-year-old father of three was born and raised in Walgett, and after joining the force he served in country communities including Dubbo and Lightning Ridge.
Mr Dennis started off his career as a panel beater in Walgett before he went to work in Bathurst as a plant operator for Evans Shire Council.
He stayed there for 13 years, until at the age of 30 he decided to become a police officer.
Mr Dennis proudly graduated from the NSW Police College in Goulburn in 1987.
“To lose an officer not only of Senior Constable Dennis’ calibre, but a man of his integrity, is a terrible loss,” NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney said.
Castlereagh Local Area Commander Superintendent Stan Single also paid tribute to a colleague and good mate.
“He was a wonderful character and was always happy, always there with a joke,” Superintendent Single said.
“Senior Constable Dennis was an excellent role model for the Aboriginal community.
When he first joined the force Mr Dennis was a general duties officer at Bathurst until December 1992.
In July 1997 Mr Dennis moved to Dubbo and was among our local ranks for three years until early 2000.
He then moved to Lightning Ridge for two years and eventually returned to Walgett police station, where he was serving until his death.
Mr Dennis is survived by his wife Anne, their sons Damian and Timothy, a daughter Geraldine and two grandchildren.
‘Admired’ cop dies in hospital | Daily Liberal | Dubbo, NSW
Tributes are being paid to a Walgett-based policeman who died in hospital in Sydney yesterday after a viral infection.
Senior Constable Ian Ross Dennis, 47, had been admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in July.
Senior Constable Dennis worked as a panel beater and plant operator in Bathurst before joining the police force where he served in Tamworth, Lightning Ridge, Dubbo and Walgett.
Castlereagh local area commander Superintendent Stan Single says Senior Constable Dennis was an excellent role model for the Aboriginal community.
He participated in the Walgett community, spending a lot of time with the town’s young people.
Senior Constable Dennis was married with three children.
AKA ?
Late of Coffs Harbour, NSW
NSW Goulburn Police Academy Class # 259
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 29664
Rank: Commenced at Goulburn Police Academy on Monday 22 August 1994
Probationary Constable – Friday 17 February 1995
?
Final Rank: ?
Stations: Ermington, Granville until 1999 then transferred to Coffs Harbour – GDs & OSG
Service: From 22 August 1994 to 17 January 2000 = 5+ years Service
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours
Born: Wednesday 24 April 1974
Died Monday 17 January 2000
Age: 25 yrs 8 mths
Cause: Illness – Suicide – Hanging
Event location: Home
Event date: Monday 17 January 2000
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Wake location: ?
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Dawson River Cemetery, ( off Lansdowne Rd Taree ), Cundletown, NSW
Grave location: Portion: Flower Garden, Row 1, In the flower garden in the roundabout at the end of the road in (Dawson River Cemetery Road)
Ryan is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Ryan was due to commence day shift at Coffs Harbour Police Station on the 17 January 2000 but was late for his shift.
His house mate, another Policeman, was at Coffs Harbour waiting for Ryan to relieve him from his night shift. His mate phoned Ryan to ask why he was late and Ryan told him that he was leaving now and would be at the station shortly.
When Ryan failed to turn up half hour after the conversation, his house mate went home to ascertain what the problem was, only to find Ryan had hung himself in the garage.
Ryan was 25 years of age.
May he forever Rest In Peace.
Member of Police Academy Class 227
Regd. # 23807
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 26 June 1987
Constable – appointed 26 June 1988
Detective Senior Constable – Death
Stations: Petersham ( 1987 ) – 11 Division, Annandale Police Station
Service: From Pre June 1987 to 15 June 1995 = 8+ years Service
Awards: ? Nil
Born: 11 April 1963
Died on: 15 June 1995
Cause: Suicide – jumped from 7th floor
Event location: Camperdown, NSW
Age: 32
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location:
Buried at: Cremated at Rookwood
At 4.15pm on 15 June, 1995 the senior constable fell to his death from a building in Glebe. He was off duty and on sick leave at the time. It was later determined that he was suffering from work related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety as a result of his policing experiences.
The senior constable was born in 1963 and joined the New South Wales Police Force on 26 June, 1987.
This member IS mentioned on the National Police Memorial Wall.
| About this Item | |
| Speakers | Gallacher The Hon Michael |
| Business | Adjournment, Condolence |
DEATH OF DETECTIVE CONSTABLE PETER McGRATH
The Hon. M. J. GALLACHER [4.49]: I bring to the attention of all honourable members yet another example of bureaucracy gone wrong. On 17 August 1992 Detective Constable Peter McGrath attended the scene of an armed robbery in progress at the Associazione Polysportiva Italo-Australiana club, the APIA club. Offenders were present and were armed. They had taken eight hostages and were in the process of collecting $60,000 from the armed robbery when the police arrived. It was a classic stand-off situation, with the offenders and police pointing loaded firearms at each other. The cool head of this officer and his partner resulted in both offenders eventually giving up. On 26 November 1992 Detective McGrath together with another officer whilst off duty were viciously attacked by approximately 12 males, resulting in serious injury to Detective McGrath’s companion and grave psychological illness to himself.
During the course of Detective McGrath’s duty he attended a domestic situation in which a mother and her de facto partner had placed a baby into a bath of boiling water before picking the skin off the baby and putting it to bed. The baby died a few months afterwards. Detective McGrath had to attend the post mortem. At the time of the trial of the offenders the detective’s wife had given birth to a son. In May 1993, as a result of the assault in November 1992, Detective McGrath began to show signs of depression, which were accepted by the Police Service as illness related to the course of his duty. His doctor supplied information to the Police Service regarding his illness and it was accepted that he had been hurt on duty.
By June 1995 Detective McGrath’s psychological condition had deteriorated. He believed that he was being followed by personnel from the Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Service. He believed that he was going to be set up by police in relation to a crime. On 15 June 1995 he went to work at Annandale with the purpose of resigning. Detective McGrath’s supervisor realised that he was suffering from depression, talked him out of handing in his resignation and sent him home on annual leave. Later that afternoon Detective McGrath told his wife that he was going to resign. He left his home but instead of attending the police station he went to a high-rise block of flats in Camperdown and jumped to his death.
Contrary to rumours, Detective McGrath was not the subject of any royal commission inquiry, and I am in possession of correspondence to that effect from Mr Michael Finnane, QC, who represents the Police Service at the royal commission. Detective McGrath’s integrity is not in question. The Police Service and the people of New South Wales can ill afford to lose police of the calibre of Detective McGrath. I resigned from the Police Service and within three weeks received my superannuation payment. Detective McGrath died on 15 June 1995 but his wife did not receive his superannuation payment until August 1996 – 14 months after his death. On 26 June 1996 she received a letter from the Police Service telling her that his death was not as a result of his police work.
Detective McGrath has left a wife and two children, Kata aged four and David who is now two. His wife must go it alone without any support from the Police Service. I have written to the Commissioner of Police in regard to the appalling treatment that this woman has received and I look forward to hearing from him that the decision made earlier this year will be reversed. On 19 September 1996 Mrs McGrath personally filed an application for determination with the Compensation Court of New South Wales to challenge the decision of the Police Service so that she might be entitled to a pension. She has to pay for those proceedings herself. The money that Mrs McGrath is using is money from the family, money that would be better used for the children.
I do not believe that this case has been accorded the credit to which it is certainly entitled. The Commissioner of Police must immediately reinvestigate this matter to ensure that Mrs McGrath is treated justly. It is important that all wives and husbands and all children whose fathers and mothers work for the Police Service know that if they are unfortunate enough to lose their loved ones they will be protected. Psychological illness does not disbar an officer from consideration for compensation from the Police Service. I firmly believe that this matter is one that deserves just consideration and I hope that the Commissioner of Police accords it such consideration expeditiously.
Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at 4.53 p.m. until Tuesday, 29 October 1996, at 2.30 p.m.
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC19961024053
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/holding-judgement/2007/06/08/1181089328815.html?page=fullpage
It took up 451 hearing days, heard from 902 public witnesses and cost an estimated $64 million. Malcolm Brown reports on the Wood royal commission, 10 years on.
It began on June 15, 1995, when an unnamed Annandale detective jumped to his death from the seventh floor of a building, apparently through fear of the Wood royal commission. The detective’s suicide was followed by those of Ray Jenkins, a dog trainer (July 10), and Inspector Robert Tait, the acting patrol commander at Narrabri ( March 29, 1996 ). Nineteen days later a former Wollongong alderman, Brian Tobin, gassed himself.
On May 8 the same year, Peter Foretic gassed himself the day after giving evidence about pedophilia. On September 23, Detective Senior Constable Wayne Johnson shot himself and his estranged wife after being adversely named in the royal commission. On November 4, David Yeldham, a retired judge about to face the royal commission on questions of sexual impropriety, killed himself. A month later Danny Caines, a plumber and police confidant, committed suicide at Forster, on the North Coast.
Altogether, 12 people enmeshed in the Wood royal commission took their own lives. Scores of others were so profoundly affected by proceedings that their supporters and families believe it shortened their lives. A former detective, Greg Jensen, suffered a recurrence of the stomach cancer that ultimately ended his life, while another former detective, Ray McDougall, who faced the threat that commission investigators might expose his extramarital affair if he did not co-operate, succumbed to motor neurone disease.
There is no doubt that the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service, headed by the Supreme Court judge James Wood, purged the force of a rollcall of rotters. A total of 284 police officers were adversely named, 46 briefs of evidence were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and by 2001 nine officers had pleaded guilty to corruption offences and three not guilty. Seven police officers received jail sentences, including the former Gosford drug squad chief Wayne Eade and a former chief of detectives, Graham “Chook” Fowler.
Several high-profile police ended their careers in disgrace, including Ray Donaldson, an assistant commissioner, whose contract was not renewed, and Bob Lysaught, the commissioner’s chief of staff, whose contract was torn up. Charges against 14 officers were dismissed because of irregularities in search warrants and their execution.
That left the question of what to do with police who were on the nose but who could not be brought to account by normal means. The solution was the creation of section 181B of the Police Service Act, under which the police commissioner could dismiss an officer on the basis of what had come out of the royal commission. Section 181D allowed the police commissioner to serve an officer with a notice indicating that he “does not have confidence in the police officer’s suitability to continue as a police officer”. The officer could show cause as to why he should be retained, and if dismissed could appeal to the Industrial Relations Tribunal.
Another former policeman, Dr Michael Kennedy, says the commission was a political response to the police commissioner, Tony Lauer, bringing about the downfall of the then police minister, Ted Pickering.
The attorney-general, ministry and judiciary took little responsibility for the state of the force, Kennedy says, while the responsibility of the police rank-and-file grew to “the size of a Pacific driftnet”. “I don’t think the royal commission contributed anything to the reform process except to provide a template for double standards,” he says.
JOHN HATTON well remembers the audience on May 11, 1994, when he made his speech calling for a royal commission into the NSW Police Service. MPs were listening, of course, but it was a gallery above him, packed with the “top brass of the police force – the commissioner himself, the deputy commissioner, superintendents – they were an intimidating force on the Parliament”.
“They thought they could stare down the Labor Party support for my motion,” Hatton, now retired, says. “It was probably the best indicator of the way in which the police force thought they could control the agenda.”
Hatton won the day, putting paid to a claim by then police commissioner, Tony Lauer, that “systemic corruption” was “a figment of the political imagination”. Hearings started on November 24, 1994, and Justice James Wood delivered his final report on August 26, 1997.
Ten years later, Hatton believes he was vindicated. He says Wood was “the right man” to head the commission and the recruitment of interstate police was crucial, along with the decision to use phone taps and surveillance.
The 11 volumes of material Hatton gave the royal commission had been accumulated over 14 years, he says, from the time he had first spoken up. He had received information on illegal gambling, drug trafficking and police involvement with the mafia.
There had been earlier moves to address police corruption, including inquiries by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, but these had only scratched the surface. “I can remember on one occasion I reported a death threat which had to do with the McKay murder in Griffith and 48 hours later the bloke who had given the information was threatened by a shotgun at his door in Queensland,” Hatton says.
The royal commission came into being because Hatton and other independent MPs held the balance of power in Parliament. The Labor Party may have had high public motives, but also saw a chance to attack the Fahey government. Labor stipulated that an inquiry into police protection of pedophiles, previously in the hands of the ICAC, become part of the royal commission.
The process of gathering information was helped greatly by Trevor Haken, a detective who became an informer and covert investigator as part of a deal to avoid being prosecuted himself.
Hatton says Haken‘s entry was “out of the blue”. Though useful, in the long term it had had a detrimental effect on the fight against corruption. Living in fear and watching his back, Haken had provided “the greatest disincentive for someone coming forward to finger corruption in the system”.
Malcolm Brown
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FUNERAL NOTICE
GERITS, Johannes A.P.M.
Better known as John
Late of Forster
Passed away at home comforted by his loving family on the 13th November 2014.
Aged 66 years.
Much Loved husband of Carmel.
Loving father and father in-law of Michael & Kate, Cindy (dec), Fiona & Terry.
Proud and adoring POP to Molly, Lloyd, Jessie and Jack.
Cherished brother and brother in-law of Carolina & Henry, Anne & Neil, Yvonne & John (dec), Trish & Don, Barbara & Kevin, Maree & Robert.
Loving uncle to his No 1 favourite nieces and nephews.
“A Proud family man who loved his career in the police services”
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend John’s funeral service to be held at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Forster on Tuesday 18th November 2014 commencing at 11.00am, Prior to a private cremation.
“Forever in our Hearts”
ATTENTION: Funeral location has now changed to Tuncurry Catholic Church, Foster, same time.
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Sadly we have lost another colleague formerly in blue. Johannes (John) Gerits passed away this morning at home after a battle with cancer.
John worked almost all of his service in NSW country locations with his last two being Gloucester and Lord Howe Island.
He will be sadly missed. A Good man.
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By TIM BISHOP
THE local knowledge of a Port Macquarie senior constable may have been responsible for saving the British destroyer HMS Nottingham from a major catastrophe.
Senior Constable John Gerits, who heads the one-man police unit on Lord Howe Island, was the first person to come to the ailing ship’s assistance after it ran aground on Wolf Rocks, several kilometres off the East coast of the island.
After receiving the ship’s distress call at 9.50pm on Sunday night, Sen Constable Gerits immediately coordinated a rapid emergency response which may have prevented the 3500-tonne navy vessel with a crew of 250 from sinking.
“I just got on the phone and called anyone on the island who I thought would have a pump which could be used by the ship’s crew,” Sen Constable Gerits said.
“I arranged for the pumps to be delivered to the airport where the Nottingham’s chopper collected them and took them out to the ship.”
Until the four pumps arrived on the ship, crew aboard the Nottingham only had access to buckets as they desperately tried to empty several flooded compartments.
The pumps, which collectively siphoned 5000 litres an hour, managed to keep the ship afloat for more than seven hours until the Royal Australian Air Force arrived with heavy-duty pumps on Monday morning.
“When we first responded to the distress call we truly didn’t know if the ship was going to sink. It was absolutely frightening,” Sen Constable Gerits said.
“You just don’t think this sort of thing is going to happen in a quiet place like Lord Howe. I was preparing to watch the Wimbledon final when I got the call!”
Sen Constable Gerits said the department of defence had taken over rescue efforts but he and other Lord Howe residents were still helping by providing the ship’s crew with fresh water and clean laundry.
British salvage experts are currently examining the HMS Nottingham, which is anchored at Lord Howe’s Middle Beach.
Commander Richard Farrington, who was in charge of the ship at the time of the accident, said the accident occurred as the ship maneuvered to put a helicopter into its hangar.
http://www.portnews.com.au/story/989883/policeman-hslps-destroyer/
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Posted
The president of Coffs Harbour Community Transport, John Ruth, is among the people recognised in today’s Queen’s birthday honours.
Mr Ruth of Sandy Beach has been given a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the community, particularly those with disabilities.
But he says the award recognises a contribution by the community for a service that is desperately needed.
“Government services especially. People in DOCS [Department of Community Services] and other agencies who have really given enormous support to the activities of volunteers. We’re still very much in our infancy in organising services to support people with a disability,” he said.
[blockquote]The state’s most remotely located police officer has been nominated for an Australian Police Medal as part of the Queen’s honours list.
Lord Howe Island’s only policeman, Johannes Gerits, is one of eight officers who have served 25 years or more to get the nomination.
Senior Constable Gerits has been a policeman since 1971, and took up the posting at Lord Howe in 1999.
[/blockquote]
Other recipients of the Order of Australia Medal include Anne Bornstein of Harrington, who will receive her medal for her community service through the Franciscan Missionary Union.
Joyce Davey of Taree is being honoured for her cancer action group work in the Manning.
Husband and wife team Kevin and Mary Dunkley’s service to the north coast through the Trial Bay Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol is being recognised, along with William Radford from Taree for his service to veterans and their families in the Manning.
The late William Wright, of Nambucca Heads, is being recognised for a range of community deeds in the Kempsey community.
A special OAM was presented by Governor Marie Bashir to Bellingen councillor Sue Dethridge at a bedside ceremony in a Sydney hospital during the week.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-06-09/nsw-mid-north-coasters-recognised-in-honours-list/1867180
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