Hundreds of people have packed St Paul’s Anglican Church in Tamworth, in north-west New South Wales, for the funeral today of long serving Kootingal policeman Steve Pepperell.
The crowd at this morning’s service was told of a family man who faced tragedy in his life, but who also made an enormous contribution to the police service since his induction in the early 1970s.
Senior Constable Pepperell was killed in a motorbike accident last week, sending shockwaves through the community he had served for many years.
The overflowing crowd watched the service on big screen TVs that had been placed outside the church.
The head of the Tamworth-based Oxley local area command, Tony Jefferson, says he remembers an officer who trained many young officers, who in turn have made a large contribution to the police service.
“He’d walk in here when he’d report to Tamworth with this devilish smirk on his face, and you’d never know what he’d been up to,” he said.
He says he will miss Senior Constable Pepperell’s roguish sense of humour.
Kootingal police officer honoured on memorial plaque
Breanna Chillingworth
A FORMER Kootingal police officer who died in an accident almost eight years ago has been honoured at an official memorial in Sydney.
Senior Constable Stephen David Pepperell was a familiar face after serving for more than two decades in the Kootingal and Tamworth areas as a police officer, right up until his tragic death in a motorbike accident in southern NSW in 2007.
Yesterday, Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione unveiled a commemorative memorial plaque at the Sydney Police Centre in Surrey Hills, featuring the names of several sworn and unsworn officers including Senior Constable Pepperell who have died while serving in the NSW Police Force.
Several of Senior Constable’s Pepperell’s family including his parents travelled to Sydney for yesterday’s service. They said they were touched by the commemoration of their father, son and grandfather.
“We are honoured that Dad, even after his passing, will be recognised for his service and lifelong commitment to the police force,” daughter Natalie Pepperell told The Leader.
“Dad was one of the longest-serving police officers in one station and he was quite proud of that; he was so well-known in the community.”
Senior Constable Pepperell joined the force in Sydney in 1971 and never looked back.
After a city stint, he moved to Tamworth in 1980 and served for two years before transferring to Kootingal, where he was stationed until his tragic death.
“It was very touching because we grew up in the police station, in the police residence for all those years and the police force was a big part of our lives,” Ms Pepperell said.
FAMILY TIES: Anthony, Sienna, Ebony, Jenna, Natalie, Daphne and Edward Pepperell.
“So we have a lot of respect and gratitude towards the police, and appreciation that after seven years they continue to remember Dad. It is a really nice tribute.”
It was also his work outside the force made him a familiar face around Kootingal.
Senior Constable Pepperell was member and president of the Kootingal Lions Club, president of Kootingal Bowling Club, a Group 4 referee and also an avid Harley-Davidson rider.
He continues to be honoured with the Steve Pepperell Memorial Shield football match, which is played annually in Kootingal and raises funds for the Cancer Council – a cause close to his heart after he suffered Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The Kootingal-Moonbi rugby league club is calling on teams competing in Group 4 to pledge their support behind the, 2018 Steve Pepperell Shield Memorial Day.
The day honours Steve Pepperell’s tireless dedication to the community of Kootingal, with all proceeds from the day going to the New South Wales Cancer Council.
Prize money is up for grabs for the winner and runners-up. The fundraiser will be held on March 10.
Pepperell Shield biggest yet as second division gets into gear
GROUP 4 Second Division clubs have been converging on Kootingal for the past five years to play a bit of footy before the start of the season and raise some money for the Cancer Council.
The sixth Steve Pepperell Memorial Shield tomorrow will be one of the biggest yet with eight teams entered.
Even re-formed clubs Walcha and Boggabri have joined their new second division opponents is supporting the event, played in honour of the late Steve Pepperell.
Walcha and Boggabri meet in their first game of the day in an all-Kangaroo derby, before Walcha tackles Quirindi and Boggy faces Manilla.
All teams will play two games each and the winner will be the team with the best record for the day.
Werris Creek is the defending champion having won every trophy available to a second division club last season. With so many teams entered the day is a long one.
The first game is at 9am when Manilla tackles Bendemeer, with the last game to finish about 5.30pm before the presentation of the shield.
There will also be some exhibition league tag games between Dungowan, Kootingal, Quirindi and Walcha – the first league tag games to be played under the Group 4 banner.
Stations: spent most of his Service with the Fingerprint Unit, O.I.C. Doncaster, Kew, Prahran, Supt: Essendon, Acting Chief Superintendent for District of Ivanhoe
Service: From 5 August 1948to 26 May 1987 =40years Service
Served in Cyprus from May 1969 – May 1970
Awards: National Medal – granted 10 September 1986
Police Overseas Service Medal – Clasp CYPRUS – granted 8 July 1992
Born: 25 May 1927 in U.K., Brackley, Northants
Missing: Since Wednesday 6 June 2007 ( Anniversary of Pat meeting his wife – Sally )
Body located: 3 March 2010 – High St, Lower Templestowe, Victoria
Died on: it is assumed that Pat may have died on Wednesday 6 June 2007
Age: 80
Cause: Suicide – most probably medication overdose
Memorial ceremony : 25 May 2008
Funeral date: 16 March 2010
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial at: Pat’s Ashes were sprinkled in the surf at Separation Creek where he regularly body surfed on the 6 June 2010 – being the Anniversary of his disappearance
[alert_yellow]PATRICK is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Closure for family – Doncaster man Patrick Hearn’s remains found
Missing Doncaster resident Patrick Hearn has been identified as the man whose remains were found behind bushes next to High St in Lower Templestowe.
Mr Hearn, a former Doncaster police superintendent and United Nations peace-keeper, went missing after leaving his Doncaster home on Wednesday, June 6, 2007, leaving his family baffled.
The skeletal remains of Patrick Hearn, 80, a 40 year veteran of Victoria Police, was discovered this month under shrubs next to busy Hight St.
Family claim Patrick Hearn left home to die because euthanasia is illegal.
A FORMER police superintendent missing for almost three years wandered off from his family and lay under a bush in suburban Melbourne to die because euthanasia is illegal, his family claims.
The skeletal remains of Patrick Hearn, 80, a 40-year veteran of Victoria Police, was discovered this month under shrubs next to busy High St in Lower Templestowe.
The discovery shocked residents and officials in the heavily populated area.
Mr Hearn, who suffered depression and had told his family he didn’t want to burden them or end up in a retirement home, disappeared on June 6, 2007, the 38th anniversary of the day he met his wife Sally.
Mr Hearn left his home in the early hours of the morning with some medication and never returned.
Sally Hearn said Patrick died a cold and lonely death because of the illness he suffered and his decision not to break the law.
“We all say if voluntary euthanasia had been legal we could have all been with him and he could have gone peacefully, not exhausted, lonely, cold and wet on that awful night of rain and frost,” Mrs Hearn told the Manningham Leader last week.
Son Royden Hearn said his father was an “old school” man who chose not to tell his family or say a final goodbye because he would have been prevented from leaving.
“He decided to write his own chapter and he did … if euthanasia wasn’t such a huge crime he probably would have been able to sit in his favourite armchair and say goodbye,” he said.
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Brett Andrew IRWIN
| 05/04/2018
Brett Andrew IRWIN
Queensland Police Force
Qld Police Academy Class Group 317
Regd. # 20316
Rank: Constable
Stations: Ferny Grove Police Station and Fortitude Valley Police Station
Service: From? December 2005to 18 July 2007= 1 years Service
Awards: ? Not known on It’s An Honour
Born: 30 January 1974
Died on: 18 July 2007
Cause: Murdered – shot with a Luger 9mm pistol at 10.47pm
Event location: 6 Regan St, Keperra, Qld
Age: 33
Funeral date: 26 July 2007
Funeral location: St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane
Whilst executing an arrest warrant on a male person @ 11pm, who had just robbed a hotel. Brett was shot once in the back whilst running down the stairs. The bullet went through his heart, but he still managed to get on the radio and warn his partner, who was at the front of the house, that there was a man with a gun inside, and that he was shot, before passing.
He served at Ferny Grove Police Station and Fortitude Valley Police Station.
His funeral was on of the biggest in QPS history, which shows what an impact he made in just over a year of operational Policing.
The funeral of Ferny Grove Police Constable Brett Andrew Irwin at the St Stephens Cathedral in Brisbane. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Ferny Grove Police station officers who worked with Constable Brett Andrew Irwin during the officer’s funeral at the St Stephens Cathedral. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
An emotional Ferny Grove Police station officer at the funeral of her collegue Constable Brett Andrew Irwin. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Ferny Grove Police station officer in charge Andy Graham (left) with Constable Brett Andrew Irwin’s mother Chris Irwin (centre), brother Mick Irwin and family during the officer’s funeral at the St Stephens Cathedral. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Sister of Constable Brett Andrew Irwin reads a eulogy for her brother while her Husband Ben provides support. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Constable Brett Andrew Irwin’s mother Chris Irwin places a bible on her son’s casket during the officer’s funeral at the St Stephens Cathedral. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson recites the Valedictory at the funeral of Constable Brett Andrew Irwin at the St Stephens Cathedral. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Collegues of Constable Brett Andrew Irwin carry his casket from the St Stephens Cathedral. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
Queensland Police line the streets in a guard of honor for Constable Brett Andrew Irwin while his casket is escorted from the St Stephens Cathedral in Brisbane. Picture: AAP/Tony Phillips
CONSTABLE Brett Irwin, shot dead as he attempted to execute a warrant on a man for breaching bail conditions, had only been a policeman for a year but yesterday his colleagues said he was a fearless and courageous officer.
Tributes poured in for Constable Irwin, 33, who left the army to join the force, only to die on what should have been a routine police matter.
Constable Irwin and another young male officer went to a home in Regan Street, Keperra, in Brisbane’s north at 10.50pm on Wednesday to speak to the 29-year-old occupant about breaching his bail conditions.
Constable Irwin approached an entrance of the house while his partner remained outside.
Shortly afterwards, Constable Irwin was shot in the chest, then shouted a warning to his partner, “He’s got a gun, I’m hit” – a move Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said had saved his partner’s life.
Last night the gunman, Craig Semirara, died in hospital from head wounds after turning the gun on himself following a standoff with police that lasted several hours.
Constable Irwin lay on the front lawn of the house the whole time, his anxious colleagues unaware if he was dead or alive.
According to a neighbour, several shots were heard and when the police tactical response team eventually stormed the home they found the injured man and retrieved the body of their colleague. During the siege, two women and two children were able to escape the house.
Colleagues said Constable Irwin’s actions were typical of the bravery he had shown during his short police career.
Constable Irwin was attached to the nearby Ferny Grove police station, where the flag was yesterday flying at half mast and a wreath of flowers had been been placed at its base.
On a police website set up to receive tributes yesterday, a fellow officer wrote about his friend’s courage.
“(Police officer) Linda Reeves says that he saved her life at the incident at the Bowls Club at Newstead,” he wrote.
“Brett was fearless. He would go into harm’s way to help his team members and members of the public needing assistance.
“Brett proved his courage and tenacity several times during his short career. Examples of this were when he subdued an offender who became violent in the courtroom whilst Brett was doing his rotation in the Brisbane watchhouse.
“This incident resulted in a phone call from the commissioner who acknowledged the good work Brett did that day.
“Another incident was recently during a break and enter at the Newstead Bowls club. On this occasion Brett and Linda Reeves were confronted by a violent male who threatened them with a star picket. Brett displayed outstanding courage and after almost having to discharge his firearm, was able to chase and capture the offender.”
Assistant Commissioner Peter Barron said Constable Irwin “was serving his community and he paid the ultimate price”.
Family and friends were comforting Constable Irwin’s devastated girlfriend of 13 years.
Friends and family of slain Brisbane police officer Brett Irwin have paid tribute to him at a moving funeral service in Brisbane.
Constable Irwin was killed last week while on duty.
He was shot in the chest after going to the Keperra home of 29-year-old Craig Anthony Semyraha.
He had enough time to shout a warning to his partner before he died.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson told the congregation at Brisbane’s St Stephen’s Cathedral it was the sort of selflessness Constable Irwin had become known for.
“Motivated, professional, courteous, inspirational, loved and courageous, Constable Brett Irwin was many things to many people,” he said.
More than 3,000 police, including officers from interstate and New Zealand, joined Constable Irwin’s family for the service.
Constable Irwin’s sister Mary Toohey also told those attending the funeral of her brother’s courage.
She told the congregation her brother was a man who was always there for his colleagues and mates.
“In one incident I remember you broke several of your ribs,” she said.
“The very next week the team was short of players so you got the strapper to tape a big piece of foam to the side of your chest and you went straight back out there to help your team.”
A ceremony was also held at the Hemmant crematorium where Constable Irwin’s former Army colleagues paid tribute to him.
Premier Peter Beattie says today’s funeral for Constable Irwin is a sad day for Queensland.
Mr Beattie says he is sure all Queenslanders sympathise with his family.
“The whole thing was such a shocking waste of life,” he said.
“It’s going to be a very traumatic day for the family and I do want to pass on the condolences of all Queenslanders.”
ABOUT 3000 police officers today gathered at a Brisbane church to farewell fallen comrade Brett Andrew Irwin.
Constable Irwin, 33, was shot dead last Wednesday night as he served a warrant to Craig Anthony Semyraha, 29, at a home in Keperra, in Brisbane’s north-west.
St Stephen’s Cathedral was standing room only as an enormous crowd farewelled the popular officer.
As well as police and family and friends, a defence contingent was present. Some mourners had returned from overseas for the funeral.
Const Irwin’s sister Mary Toohey delivered a eulogy in which she described her brother as “the youngest of six but the loudest”.
She said his nickname growing up was Esme Watson (from television’s A Country Practice) because he was always up to so much mischief.
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Const Irwin’s uncle, Tony Irwin, told mourners said the family would always be proud of their hero Brett.
“He was a person who talked the talk and walked the walk,” he said
“He was always so energetic. I could get tired (just) thinking about what he was talking about doing.”
He said Const Irwin had a passion for police work. “He absolutely loved the fact he could help people.”.
Mr Irwin said Const Irwin was fearless and always helped his mates. “That was Brett all over”, he said.
The funeral, with full police honours, began at 11am and included a guard of honour.
It was to be followed by a ceremony at the Hemmant Cemetery and a private wake.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Jack Dempsey
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
New police vessel honours slain officer
Families enjoying the summer weather on the waterways and coast of Townsville will be safer following the commissioning of a new police vessel.
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the new craft was being named in the memory of fallen Brisbane officer Brett Irwin.
“The Queensland Government has a strong plan to keep communities safe along our coast and we are proud to be delivering the second of three new police vessels,” Mr Dempsey said.
“The Brett Irwin will initially operate in Brisbane during the G20 as a command post and then be deployed to full-time operations in Townsville.
“The vessel is named after Constable Brett Andrew Irwin, who served with the QPS from December 2005 until his tragic death in the line of duty on July 18, 2007.
“Prior to joining the police, Brett had proudly served for eight years with the ADF.
“His memory within the Queensland Police Service family will never be forgotten and this lasting tribute will support his fellow officers well into the future.”
Member for Townsville John Hathaway said the Brett Irwin would support the dedicated work of the officers in Townsville.
“The Brett Irwin will serve our diverse coastal community as they enjoy days on the water in Cleveland Bay and out to Magnetic Island,” Mr Hathaway said.
“The LNP Government is continuing to achieve better outcomes and frontline services in Townsville and the addition of a new police vessel will build on that.
“Brett Irwin served his nation as part of the Australian Army and his state as a police officer, now a lasting tribute to his memory will serve the proud garrison city of Townsville.”
Commissioner Ian Stewart said the first of the three new vessels was already in service in Cairns and the third craft would be commissioned and sent to the Whitsundays by the end of the year.
“In times of disasters or major events these can be deployed as mobile command posts and as floating police stations,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“These vessels are enhanced by modern electronics and significantly increase the capabilities of the Water Police.”
The vessels are approximately 24 metres in length, their service speed is 20 knots and they have provision to launch a six metre rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from aft of the vessel.
“Our police officers will be able to stay at sea over extended periods for patrol and other duties due to the design and layout of these vessels,” said Commissioner Stewart.
Townsville to crew new $4M ‘floating police station’
RACHEL AFFLICK, Townsville Bulletin
Queensland Police Acting Commissioner Paul Taylor and MP Sam Cox on the new Townsville Water police 4 million dollar boat the “Brett Irwin” which enters the fleet from today. Picture: Wesley Monts
A $4 million police boat is set to revolutionise police operations on Townsville waterways.
Named Brett Irwin, in honour of Constable Brett Andrew Irwin who was fatally shot at Keperra in 2007, the new vessel will give Townsville Water Police access to one of the best-equipped police boats in the country.
After being trialled during the G20 in Brisbane last month, the boat arrived in Townsville a fortnight ago and is ready for action.
Northern Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor said at 24m long, the Brett Irwin would allow Townsville police to travel faster, further and in more severe weather conditions.
“It really meets a whole range of activities, such as search and rescue, policing major events where there’s water involved,” he said.
“If this vessel needs to go to sea and stay at sea there’s substantial ability to live with a degree of comfort.”
Capable of travelling at speeds of more than 30 knots, the boat will function as a floating police station from the Whitsundays to the Hinchinbrook.
It will also be used as mobile command post in disasters and major events and as a search and rescue platform.
Mr Taylor said there would be opportunities to collaborate with other organisations, such as Fisheries, Customs and Marine Safety.
It will be the third vessel of its type in the region.
“The vessel has a proven operational capacity,” Mr Taylor said.
“It was funded through the police budget.’’
The Brett Irwin boasts sleeping accommodation for 10 people, a commercial-style galley and holds enough diesel fuel to travel to 700 nautical miles at cruising speed – the distance from Townsville to Brisbane.
Townsville’s former police boat, the 16-year-old Len Hooper, has been decommissioned and will be sold.
If pelicans could cry – the passing of the pelican man
By Justine Frazier and Jonathan Atkins
Sixty year old Lance Ferris died on Sunday the 14th of October, 2007 at Lismore base Hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday.
Lance Ferris from Australian Seabird Rescue collects dead birds from the beach areas of Evans Head. It is thought the birds died from botulism after eating dead fish.
The man many of us fondly knew as the “Pelican Man” has passed away leaving a massive whole in the community. Sixty year old Lance Ferris died on Sunday the 14th of October, 2007 at Lismore base Hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday.
Lance dedicated his life to the rescue, rehabilitation and preservation of seabirds, turtles, and in particular the magnificent pelican and it was through his many years as a dedicated volunteer, using his own money and whatever donations he could find that Australian Seabird Rescue (ASR) came into existence in Ballina, New South Wales in 1992.
Close friend Marny Bonner said, “We’re receiving emails and phone calls from all over Australia from people who are so deeply saddened and shocked.”
Marny Bonner says, “Lance has always had huge compassion for Australia wildlife, his entire life has been rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. It wasn’t until he noticed not one but two pelicans with hooks in their legs, on the same day, that he realised that there was a problem out there. So he borrowed a boat and had a look around the Richmond River and found that 37 out of 100 pelicans were injured.”
After surveying other estuaries, Lance Ferris realised that what was needed was a huge education program campaign and the passion began.
“We got good support from the North Coast community and some important sponsorship. Over the last 15 years we’ve managed to reach 20,000 children, so there will be a lot of children upset about losing the Pelican man.”
Since that time, ASR volunteers have been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of seabirds and shorebirds, marine turtles and to date, have rescued over 1000 Australian Pelicans.
Lance Ferris never lost his passion the rescuing injured seabirds.
Marny Bonner believes, “Ultimately that’s what claimed him, his passion for wildlife led to him not looking after himself as well as he might have. It led to many, many hours in loss of sleep trying to save those little lives.”
“I would like to absolutely commend the staff at Lismore base Hospital who worked so hard with Lance. It was a very upsetting time for everybody because everybody knew who he was and knew how hard he’d worked to save so many lives and yet there was nothing we could do to save this most important life,” says Marney Bonner.
In 2004 as president of Australian Seabird Rescue, Lance led the volunteer organisation to win the inaugural National Coastcare Community award.
In an earlier life Lance worked a police officer based in Casino and was a member of APEX. He also worked as a teachers aid for children with disabilities, was a well respected musician and a member of the Sonset Orchestra and could be found at any given weekend at the Lismore Car Boot Markets. Ballina Mayor, Phillip Silver says the death of Lance Ferris is a huge loss for the community.
“I guess in many ways he was ahead of his time in terms of the recognition of that vulnerability of the environment and the water animals. Because he was doing it 20 years ago when it was certainly happening but people weren’t thinking about it,” said mayor Silver.
ASR is always looking for more volunteers and as Marny Booner says “the pelicans have lost their best friend, if pelicans could cry, there would be a wailing around the nation that could not be ignored. It will take an army of volunteers to replace Lance Ferris”.
Jason Ferris believes his Dad would never really let on if he was feeling unwell.
Jason recalls, “At 3am on Saturday morning he sent out a bunch of emails with instructions regarding seabird rescue, so we suspect over the last week or so, he was aware something was going on.”
“My Dad’s always run pretty close to the edge. Dad lived and breathed seabird rescue 24/7. I would often find him sleeping in all sorts of places in the back cars, on seats… his focus was never on his own health, more on the animals in care,” said Jason.
A passion that Jason and Lance shared was music.
“I developed an interest in music as a result of Dad. Dad was really an amazing musician and beautiful singer. In my 20’s he and I started playing music together around the North Coast. Definitely some of my most treasured memories of Dad,” said Jason.
As much as it can be…it will be business as usual for Australian Seabird Rescue.
According to Jason, “Dad’s put 13 or 14 years into this organisation, you can’t just pull the plug. He would be most unhappy with me if that happened.”
In 2003, ABC TV’s Australian Story took a look at a Ballina based former police officer called Lance Ferris, who’s dedicated his life to fixing the plight of the pelicans… read more
ABC North Coast reported when Lance Ferris and his team of seabird rescuers headed to Victoria for a series of training sessions with wildlife carers… read more
A public memorial service will be held for Lance Ferris.
“Thank you to the ABC crew for your lovely, sincere tribute to Lance, and thanks to all who phoned to share the ways in which Lance touched their lives. Lance’s life and work will be commemorated at the WildlifeLink Sanctuary in Ballina this Friday 19/10 at 11am. All are welcome to join us. The centre will be open from 10am. It is located at the end of North Creek Rd, which runs off the Pacific H’way as it heads out of Ballina towards Bangalow. On behalf of Jason’s family and Australian Seabird Rescue volunteers, thank you for your condolences and support… Marny.”
LANCE FERRIS WHARF: Ballina’s mayor, Cr Phillip Silver, (right) with acting general manager of Australian Seabird Rescue, Keith Williams, announcing the naming of the wharf at Fawcett Park as the Lance Ferris Wharf.
IT’S official.
The wharf at Fawcett Park is now the Lance Ferris Wharf, named after the late Lance Ferris – the Pelican Man – who founded Ballina-based organisation Australian Seabird Rescue.
And work is currently being undertaken on the design for a statue of a bronze pelican to be perched on the jetty in Ballina’s CBD.
Ballina’s mayor, Cr Phillip Silver, was due to make the official announcement on the naming of the wharf at the inaugural Lance Ferris Memorial Dinner scheduled for December 12.
But with last week’s decision by Australian Seabird Rescue to postpone the dinner, the announcement was made early.
He said council wanted to recognise the work of Mr Ferris, who died in October 2007, aged 60.
After Mr Ferris’ death, council resolved to rename Fawcett Park as Lance Ferris Park. But that move was knocked back by the NSW Geographical Names Board following objections.
There won’t be any problem with the naming of the wharf, Cr Silver said, as it is a piece of council-owned infrastructure.
Keith Williams, acting general manager of ASR and partner of Mr Ferris’ daughter, Rochelle Ferris, welcomed the decision to name the wharf after Lance.
He said the move not only acknowledged the work of Mr Ferris but also the Richmond River which Mr Ferris was so passionate about.
“This is a fantastic,” he said on behalf of the family and the broader family of ASR volunteers.
He is the father of Finn, Lance’s grandson, who was born just over a month ago.
Mr Williams said he enjoys taking Finn to the wharf.
“This (naming the wharf) is to say ‘your granddad was someone really special’. And much of the respect (for Lance) comes from the community – you can’t manufacture that,” he said.
A local artist has been commissioned to create the life-size bronze statue of a pelican which will be installed on the wharf early next year.
Cr Silver said the council had budgeted $10,000 for the statue, which had come from the staff operational budget.
He said he hoped the pelican would become an icon for Ballina now that nothing stood in the way of the demolition of the Big Prawn at the southern entrance to the town.
“Whether it (the pelican statute) evolves to be an icon of the town is a function of the community,” he said.
Cr Silver has already suggested Ballina could rebrand itself, replacing the seahorse, so the shire can be Ballina bypass-ready. Work on the new highway route is expected to be finished by 2012.
He said a rebranding of the shire wouldn’t be expensive, as things like stationery stocks would be used up in time.
Meanwhile, the Lance Ferris Memorial Dinner will be held on June 5 next year, World Environment Day.
Mr Williams said anybody who had purchased a ticket would receive a full refund.
This Friday, 24 September, 2010, Mayor Phillip Silver will unveil a sculpture at Fawcett Park, Ballina, to commemorate and acknowledge the work of the late Lance Ferris.
The sculpture is dedicated to the coastal conservation work carried out by Mr Ferris, affectionately known as ‘the Pelican Man’.
“In fostering and supporting local art, council commissioned a local artist to create a unique bronze sculpture that is befitting of the animal conservation work carried out by Lance. The artist behind the sculpture is Wollongbar-based sculptor Frank Miles,” Cr Silver said.
As part of the commemoration Cr Silver will also be officially name the wharf in Fawcett Park ‘Lance Ferris Wharf’.
“It is an appropriate place to acknowledge Lance’s work which started in earnest in 1992 on the sand spit opposite the Fawcett Park wharf after he noticed pelicans were injured by fishing line and hooks,” Cr Silver said.
“The pelicans were rescued, rehabilitated and released. The work soon extended from pelicans to other coastal birds as well as marine turtles.
“Lance was passionate about educating the community in preserving and protecting the coastal environment and all marine wildlife, and it’s fitting that we not only acknowledge his work but also raise awareness for the continued operation of the organisation he founded, the Australian Seabird Rescue.
“Based in Ballina, the volunteer organisation continues to operate around Australia to protect and rescue seabirds and shorebirds.
“This is also largely due to the continued dedication of the Ferris family and the support they receive from volunteers and the community in enduring Lance’s legacy.”
Lance Ferris family members representing the Australian Seabird Rescue service will be present at the unveiling ceremony which will take place at 11am at the wharf in Fawcett Park.
A recent unveiling on 24th September of Frank Miles life-size bronze pelican “Steptoe”, (pictured left) commissioned by the Ballina Shire Council, at the Fawcett Park Wharf. This wharf was renamed on the day to the “Lance Ferris Wharf” in honour of the late Lance Ferris the towns’ famed ‘Pelican Man’. This was a very exciting moment for Frank as well the Australian Seabird Rescue Service and Lance’s family members.
If there’s one Australian bird that we’ve all watched with awe it’s the pelican.
But as we’ve admired this bird we are mostly oblivious to the tragedy that the nation’s most popular hobby, fishing, is visiting upon our feathered friends.
Accidental hooking by recreational fishing, discarded hooks and fishing line have become the birds’ most lethal enemy. Bills, legs and wings are being hooked or entangled. The result, all too often, is a painful death.
Tonight’s Australian Story is about one man, a Ballina based former police officer called Lance Ferris, who’s dedicated his life to fixing the plight of the pelicans.
With spectacular physical agility, he “bribes” the pelicans with fish and then dives to catch injured animals so they can be treated and saved.
Over the past 12 years, often living well below the poverty line, he has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds of birds and conducted educational workshops in schools and fishing clubs up and down Australia’s east coast.
Featuring stunning wildlife images, Australian Story retraces the rough, tough and exciting life of Lance Ferris.
We see first hand his unconventional but effective pelican catching methods and the extent of this problem along with the solutions he has employed.
REX HUNT: Hello. I’m Rex Hunt. Tonight’s Australian Story is about a man who has dedicated his life to solving the problems sometimes unwittingly created by us anglers. He is Lance Ferris – known as ‘The Pelican Man’ for his incredible work in saving these magnificent birds from terrible injuries. And his efforts are changing attitudes on the water. This is Lance’s story.
EVAN KOSACK – VET:Lance and the fishermen in the area started out being at loggerheads a little bit.
LANCE FERRIS: I don’t think they believed that the problem was as bad as it was. Pelicans torn to pieces, basically, by fishing tackle.
EVAN KOSACK – VET: Lance was telling people, basically, that their beloved hobby was causing a lot of damage and that they were acting irresponsibly. Lance is not the norm.
ANTHONY MUYT: He’s very independent, he’s very focused, he thinks outside of the square. He’s a bit of a mad scientist. He was just some joker who rolled up and was jumping off boats into pelicans. They thought he was nuts at first – thought he was a madman. He is extremely professional. He likes perfection. He’ll work at something until he has it.
DEBBI DEVINE – SAM’S MUM :I look at him sometimes and I think, “Wow. This grown man – the way he is with these animals.” It’s amazing. It’s like they’re his children.
LANCE FERRIS: We were on an excursion with the children from the special school. I noticed a pelican in a park that had a hook buried in its leg. So, I grabbed some fish from a bait shop and the bird came up to me and I grabbed it, held it and looked down at it, and I thought, “The hook’s in the left leg. “I’m sure the bird that I saw “before I got the bait had a hook in the right leg.” I was absolutely positive of it. I made up some posters to hang in shop windows – “Wanted, a pelican with a hook in its leg.” I thought, “There’s another bird out there. I know there’s another one.”
MARNY BONNER: There are many, many people that would go, “Oh, gee. “Gee, fancy seeing two pelicans in one day, you know, “both with hook injuries,” and continue about their business. But the interesting thing is that it engaged Lance’s curiosity such that he went out and searched to see if there was an even bigger problem.
LANCE FERRIS: That led us into going out on the island to see if there were other pelicans out there. 108 birds on the island, there were, with 37 tangled up in fishing line on our first visit.
MARNY BONNER: For Lance, standing there with binoculars in hand observing bird after bird after bird coming into his vision with crippling, cruel injuries would be very overwhelming.
LANCE FERRIS: I was in shock and horror. I couldn’t believe how bad the situation was. I went back to the boat and cried for half an hour. I just couldn’t believe… I’m no bronze Anzac hero. I might have been in the police force, but that doesn’t mean to say you don’t get cut up when you see so much damage. There were some with amputated wings and gangrene in their legs. It was a horrible thing. Being a wildlife carer for some years, at that stage, I was just amazed that I wasn’t aware of it and nor had it been brought to our attention by any member of the public or any other wildlife people.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He was so devastated by that, but he was also looking at the bigger picture, and he sat back and thought, “You know, how many estuaries are there in Australia “that are so populated by humans? “And I’m only looking at this one.” And the problem just blew out in his head.
LANCE FERRIS: I knew we had a major problem on our hands. I had caught a couple and I’d caught them, I suppose, relatively easily, but when I saw so many I just got back to the boat and thought, “How do I cope with so many injured? “How can I catch that many? “They’re everywhere.”
MARNY BONNER: Lance fell asleep that night surrounded by crippled and injured birds and woke up and he was still surrounded by crippled and injured birds, and was compelled to do something – to start action right there and then.
LANCE FERRIS: It was three months and I had that 37, but as I was getting that 37, more became entangled as I went.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: The focus on getting out there and attending to all these sick pelicans really did take over his life.
MARNY BONNER: That was the dawning of the obsession and the birth of Australian Seabird Rescue.
LANCE FERRIS: I didn’t really think about it changing my life at that time.
MARNY: In the early days, some of these injuries were quite old. They had had longstanding chronic injuries and they did require a lot of treatment. And to his amazement, the local vets were extremely interested and extremely supportive.
LANCE FERRIS: I had to look closely at the pelicans to see a line trailing under a wing, or a hook somewhere.
MARNY BONNER: Because it’s difficult to see injuries on pelicans, people don’t notice. I believe pelicans don’t look sick when they are injured. Pelicans can’t cry.
LANCE FERRIS: Everybody believed that the hook would rust away in two or three days. We’ve done some tests on all different sorts of hooks and it’s at least six months before the hooks rusted away. So there were lots of things that make people not sort of bother.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He was so concerned and frustrated by the lack of interest from the community that these birds were just all being tangled and no-one seemed to care.
LANCE FERRIS: But it’s not all bad out there. There are some people who really have the right concept. If the bird’s quiet and fairly well under control, we give everyone that opportunity to, say, pat a pelican or to have a close contact with it.
MARNY BONNER: Lance experienced quite a lot of loneliness in his childhood. He didn’t have a lot of affection in it. He is essentially a shy person and a bit of a loner.
LANCE FERRIS: I can remember vividly as a boy, after I’d found a little frog with a broken leg, I think we taped it up with a matchstick, and for the life of me I can’t remember whether it survived or not.
MARNY BONNER: That’s what I saw in Lance when I first met him, was this uncanny ability to really spend a lot of time thinking about how he could improve life generally for a particularly severely disabled child. Lance had his fairly demanding job of teacher’s aide with disabled children. The realisation of the enormity of the problem on Pelican Island did change Lance’s life, but I don’t think he was conscious of that at that time. He was merely solving the problem on the day.
LANCE FERRIS: But then there were cutbacks with the school and then came the word that said, There’s no more work. I’m sorry, we have to put you off. There’s no more funding. We don’t have enough children. And I had to drive away from the place. And I…I won’t forget that day.
I wept all the way home. I was at a little cattle dairy, a converted place. The very next day the landlord drove down the paddock and I went up and I said, “About the rent…” He said, Oh, yeah. He said, I was gonna tell you about that. He said, I really like what you’re doing with the pelicans and things. That’s fantastic, that’s a really good thing. And he said, And you’ve rescued my cattle out of the bogs here from time to time, “and I’ve decided not to charge rent anymore. Oh. You know, sort of looking around waiting for lightning to strike and pinching myself to see if I was awake. I was just ecstatic.
MARNY BONNER: Days rolled into weeks, and weeks rolled into months, and he was spending more and more time doing everything he possibly could to catch all the birds. And so it just became increasingly consuming of his time and his resources – all his resources. So it became a situation for Lance where if there was a choice of providing food for himself or getting fish to catch an injured pelican, the fish for catching the injured pelican always came first.
LANCE FERRIS: And I thought, “Oh, no, what am I doing?” And I thought, This is absolutely crazy. No-one would ever believe this, for starters, and this is just madness. I looked at the pelicans in the cage and they were eating, you know, the best fish at 10 a box and I just thought, I don’t think I can do this anymore. But then I took my shoes off and plodded round in the grass under the tree and found a bowl of bush nuts, macadamia nuts. I pigged out till I just couldn’t eat another macadamia and I’m sitting there going, Yes. Yes, I’m right. I looked at the pelicans. It’s alright, fellas. Everything’s under control.
MARNY BONNER: When I first met Lance he was living very, very frugally. And if he was unable to pay his electricity bill or his gas bill he would simply accept that and go scrummage around the tip or something and come out with some ingenious way of getting hot water for himself. Or he would just not eat cooked food.
LANCE FERRIS: And I thought, Well, I’ve got no power. And the answering machine – it was the biggest problem, because it was the mainstay of Seabird Rescue when I wasn’t there. I had some electronic knowledge and I had a little solar panel. And I had an old battery. It worked like a dream. Nobody knew my predicament. Nobody knew how we were running the show. It still looked OK on the surface. You know, if we sort of still had some credibility – I had an answering service – Oh, well, they must be alright. You know, so it gave me a feeling of, I suppose, wellbeing.
That first one, as I held it in my arms, I was awe-struck by the majesty of it. I think the immense size of the bird, no-one would realise that a pelican is as gentle as it is.
MARNY BONNER: A beautiful, benign creature that doesn’t deserve the treatment that it gets. If pelicans could cry, there would be a wailing across the nation that could not be ignored. We could open a tackle shop on the hooks and line and sinkers and traces and lures that we have extracted from the pelicans we’ve caught to date, easily.
LANCE FERRIS: Everyone loves Percy Pelican, and they don’t want to see anything injured irrespective of what species it is.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: And pelicans were dying and, you know, no-one really counted and knew how vast the problem was. The people from one estuary don’t really communicate with the people from the next estuary what they’ve seen.
In a small percentage of cases, there are people who deliberately hook pelicans. But again, it’s never an approach of accusing or retribution – always a case of education. And for him to do something about that, he needed money to do it. You know, it’s not… He was broke as it was. So he needed to get that information out there to make them aware.
MARNY BONNER: Lance’s move from the dairy to the house on the same property was quite timely in a way because Seabird Rescue really required a bit more space to accommodate volunteers. But clearly there’s no point continuing to rescue birds if you don’t do something about the cause of it. How do you start re-educating millions of fisherfolk and hundreds and hundreds of waterside residents in such a way that they stay on your side, that they will work with you and not be offended? There is no room for blame or guilt or anything else.
LANCE FERRIS: I had to get volunteers and I had to get public support to address the whole of the coastline, and I knew that media was the way to go. So I hammered every media outlet – television, newspaper – everything that I could get my hands into. A lot of it was rejected. Then one of the local papers said, Would you like to do a column? So I got the column going and things just took off from there. Quite often we were getting phone calls from the TV stations locally, and saying, Can we do a story on this?
ROCHELLE FERRIS: After Dad’s first media exposure and the call backs he got from that, and people recognising him in the street and patting him on the back and saying, Good job, he twigged. He said, I’m onto something here, and this is going to make the difference. From that day on, every time there was a really badly injured pelican, he would be on the phone to them so quick. So this media coverage that went to all those communities was priceless in being part of the solution and making them open their eyes and, yeah, pick up their tackle.
LANCE FERRIS: I could see that educating the children was really important.
MARNY BONNER: Kids these days are growing up with the environmental message. Getting to the kids and educating the kids is one of the most important activities that we do. They’re the ones that will carry that message. On many an occasion we see them run off and tug on Dad’s shirt or Mum’s shirt and say, You mustn’t drop that, Mum. Mustn’t drop that, Dad. Have to pick this up now. And….the parents are kind of shamed into being more environmentally responsible than they might otherwise have been.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: I guess when Dad started to realise that the problem was so national, he knew he needed volunteers. He couldn’t pay them – he can’t pay himself. Once word got out, it definitely made a difference. There was some real dedicated people.
LANCE FERRIS: The volunteers come from all walks of life. They all have their own areas of expertise, if you like. We’ve got Jenny, who’s just absolutely marvellous. She’s got a lovely, lovely rapport with the birds.
MARNY BONNER: Young Sam in particular was a fairly troubled child when Lance first met him – so much so that Lance thought that he was even beyond his ability to rescue him, if you like.
SAM DEVINE: I was just playing up in class, then he just started doing talks at the school about Seabird Rescue. I could talk to him and he would help me with my work… ..when I was having trouble.
MARNY BONNER: He’s turned around from a child who did not want to cooperate or be involved in school work or achieve anything.
SAM DEVINE: If it wasn’t for Lance I probably would be in a behavioural class.
LANCE FERRIS: Anthony was a person that came up here to study science with a background of being a member of the police SWAT team.
MARNY BONNER: He was a very quick learner, but more importantly, he was most definitely an action man. He’s almost a younger, more energetic Lance, if you like.
It’s very important to have volunteers that won’t be too offended if we’re not always as socially adept as we ought to be. We both suffer from burnout, from exhaustion, and in so doing, Lance in particular might sometimes forget to pay attention to his manners or be as thoughtful of that person or as considerate of that person as he…as he might be.
He is consumed by this calling. The unfortunate consequence of that kind of dedication is that Lance can neglect important relationships in his life.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: Having Marny in Dad’s life has been his Rock of Gibraltar. And, you know, they’ve had their quarrels, and people do. If Marny wasn’t in his life – God, I would have so much on my hands.
MARNY BONNER: It’s been very difficult for everyone that’s close to Lance. Even acquaintances frequently become offended, um, by his lack of presence.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: I wanted to throw a tantrum and get so angry because he’d missed my birthday or he’d forgotten Mother’s Day or, you know, just everything else in his life seemed to fade out.
MARNY BONNER: Those of us that are close to Lance can really joke that, you know, maybe if we pierced our ears and hung a jag hook in one and a lure in the other, he might look at us intensely and say, How are you?
LANCE FERRIS: We started recording all the problems that happened to the pelicans. It was very difficult for us to convince National Parks or Fisheries or anyone in the first few years that there was a problem.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: He gathered so much information over time about pelican behaviour, but he needed that notoriety from the scientific community to understand what he was talking about and for him to be able to approach them on their terms, academically.
LANCE FERRIS: Marny’s got the letters after her name, so too has my daughter, being a marine biologist, and that was a blessing to me. I had the information. They basically put it together and shaped it.
ROCHELLE FERRIS: It was really good for our relationship, writing that paper together, to get a bit of recognition from him from what I’d studied and learnt. And I wasn’t this little girl anymore who was wide-eyed and looking at everything he did, and I…I had something to give him.
LANCE FERRIS: When the report on the impact of fishing was accepted, or when they called for more copies at NSW Fisheries, I was just overjoyed. I thought, Finally! We’re gonna have to start working fairly quickly. As fast as we catch ’em, they’re getting entangled now. RecFish Australia included some of our concepts in their code of conduct for fishermen, and NSW Fisheries handed us one of their ex-service boats. Petrol companies offered fuel for the vehicle. A telephone company offered us a mobile phone. The council offered us free ferry journey. And the Coastcare, under the Natural Heritage Trust, gave us two grants so far of 26,000, which has enabled me to get to the schools and teach the children. I look back at the road we’ve travelled and people are taking more care. Well, I mean, some fishermen who used to say, Shoot the bastards… ..come up to me in the pub and say, You owe me a beer, mate. I caught one of your bloody pelicans. And don’t tell anybody about it either. I gave him a fish too after I took the hook out.
MARNY BONNER: People began to call us when they noticed other things on the beach. Well done. And so the turtles were added to the repertoire of pelicans, seabirds.
LANCE FERRIS: To see trained personnel at strategic locations all around the coast of Australia – that would be the ultimate goal. In July we have to vacate the premises we’re in at the moment. We were in big trouble. It was very, very heart-warming to realise the strength of the support we got from the council. The council has offered us some land for free and also a second-hand house. It’s been a fairly hard road. I guess Marny and I will have to start really getting on really, really well together, and not fighting on occasions.
MARNY BONNER: I do have grave concerns about his emotional and physical health because there is so little balance in his life. He does not take the time to rescue himself, I suppose. But I can’t live that life for him. The best thing that I can do is be his best friend.
LANCE FERRIS: I couldn’t have done this without her – there’s no doubt about that – irrespective of the rocky road that we’ve been along.
MARNY BONNER: He’s extremely important to me. He sets a fine example constantly of what can be achieved with patience, sheer determination, a great deal of tolerance and, above all, extraordinary compassion for creatures that can do nothing to alleviate their own suffering.
CAPTION: Lance and SeaBird Rescue are currently homeless while they wait for clearance of the council owned land and rebuilding. The latest injured pelican tally is 595.
[alert_blue]BILL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] * NOT JOB RELATED
[divider_dotted]
Bill did NOT have a Police funeral.
15 September 2015:
John Elfes: I did Bills eulogy, he did not have a Police funeral, Denise did not want any one in authority at the funeral due to the way he was treated at Armidaleby the boss there. The only officers that attended were old workmates, I know who they are. He was cremated and his ashes are sprinkled on the graves of his daughter and son at Botany Cemetery.
Mitch ClarkeI always think of Mick, as we often go through Adelong
August 1, 2014 at 10:50am · Like · 1
Joy BrownLovely man remembered with fondness. RIP Mick
August 1, 2014 at 11:07am · Like
Jeffrey Littlehard exterior – soft underbelly
August 1, 2014 at 11:56am · Like · 4
Linda PillLove that rascal!
August 1, 2014 at 12:07pm · Like · 1
Stephen BaumannGave a great clip across the ears to I know. Rip.
August 1, 2014 at 12:07pm · Like · 1
Andrew Royds RoyanYes indeed. And a quality kick up the arse for good measure! Sadly missed. Thanks for posting cal
August 1, 2014 at 12:17pm · Unlike · 5
Lee WigginsRIP Mick.
August 1, 2014 at 1:11pm · Like · 1
Chris HinesWas a great bloke and great Sgt, firm but fair, can remember vividly him picking up a charge book and slapping probationary constables with it who had inadvertently written with the wrong coloured ink. RIP
August 1, 2014 at 1:51pm · Like · 3
Gary ThompsonI remember our Wollongong cricket trips to Belconnen, Canberra with fond memories. RIP Curly and Frank.
August 1, 2014 at 2:10pm · Like · 3
Steve HodderTwo tough characters there, highly respected. RIP Curly and Frank.
August 1, 2014 at 3:01pm · Like · 5
Nigel StrettonDitto Jeff Little and Shags
August 1, 2014 at 5:39pm · Edited · Like · 2
Mick-Chelle PearceLike Nigel ( Junior) stated, good men RIP Curly and Frank ……
Steven DaviesCal I remember Sgt Royan (couldn’t bring myself to call him Curly) tearing me a new one about an exhibit and saying he was going to “spiflicate” me. Had to look it up and never heard it used by anybody else. Where on earth did he find those words ….RIP.
August 2, 2014 at 12:19pm · Unlike · 4
Andrew Royds RoyanHaving been on the end of many a “spifflication” I can tell you it’s not pretty!
August 2, 2014 at 12:44pm · Like · 3
Lance MiltonTwo great men in this photo Mick and Frank may they both RIP.
August 3, 2014 at 3:45pm · Like
Tony ChaplinWorked the Berkeley weekend car many times with Curly- John Dryburgh and Bob Payton ( R I P ) early 80′ s. Curly got PCA one night, charged him, Curl said he was Inpixicated with Toss Curls version of intoxicated w piss ???
August 3, 2014 at 6:13pm · Like · 3
Greg CallanderRemembered for yesterday, back in 2007.
Retired Senior Sergeant Mick ‘Curly’ Royan who served at Pt Kembla and Warilla, who died in Wollongong Hospital of Cancer, aged 65. Curly joined the NSW Police on 26 January 1962 and Retired on 5 January 1997.
May you forever be Resting In Peace mate.
Frank WeirRIP Curly…Great old school Sgt.
23 hrs · Like · 1
Mark MurphyRIP.
23 hrs · Like · 1
Paul GlockRIP.
22 hrs · Like · 1
Peter GouldRIP
22 hrs · Like · 1
Dave CarrollRIP Mick Champion of a man..
22 hrs · Like · 1
Mark KitchenerRIP
22 hrs · Like · 1
Ian BorlandMike was lock up keeper at Adelong and Noel Coggan was the Sergeant when I was at Talbingo from 1976 to 1979. He was a great bloke and a very funny man. RIP Brother.
21 hrs · Like · 2
Kris DundeeRIP friend.
21 hrs · Like · 1
Bunny WarrenRIP.
19 hrs · Like
John CrowleyOnly man who, whilst playing his beloved squeeze box and singing, could get off a bus, unzip his fly, do his business, do up and return to bus without missing a note. Say hello to your good mate from Adelong and my mate from Cyprus and Moruya, Noel Cogan. Crowls
16 hrs · Like · 3
David KingTop bloke Mick. Sat in as me during a record of interview while Noel Coggan and I attended to other matters at Adelong. Low and behold many years later we end up at Warilla together. Still don’t know how we didn’t cross paths Ian Ian Borland when you were at Talbingo. RIP dear friend.
10 hrs · Like · 1
David KingEven bloody old Crowls, John Crowley is on fb. G’day you old bugger.
10 hrs · Like
Linda PillI have some very fond memories of that old scallywag, Mick Royan! RIP Sarge
8 hrs · Like
Evan Barry HEINJUS
| 05/04/2018
Evan Barry HEINJUS
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 25954
Academy Class 237? or 238 ?
Senior Constable
Stations: Wagga Wagga G.D’s & HWP in 1995, Tarcutta HWP ( paper transfer only ),
Batemans Bay HWP, Bodalla LUK & Jugiong LUK & HWP
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system
Service: From ? – To 4 March 2007
Born: 1968
Illness: viral Myocarditis, this illness led to major organ failure.
Hospitalised ( St Vincent’s ) 11 September 2006
Heart bypass: 3 March 2007
Died: Sunday 4 March 2007 @ 6.15am
39 old
Funeral: 9 March 2007 at
Wagga Wagga St Johns Anglican Church ( Full Police Funeral )
Evan was Cremated and remains with the family
Memorial: NSW Police force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, F31 ( left wall )
Evan contracted an illness – viral myocarditis, this illness led to major organ failure. Evan was airlifted to to Sydney St Vincent’s hospital on 11/9/2006, and was placed in a coma for several weeks until a special total heart bypass machine was bought from England.
This Machine kept Evan alive and awake until a donor heart became available.
This machine bought many months of family time that the family will be forever grateful for.
The transplant surgery was a success on the 3/3/2007 but the effects of the prolonged use of blood thinners was unable to be reversed and Evan passed away 6.15am on 4/3/2007.
Evan is survived by his wife Helen, children Hannah, Olivia and Theo Heinjus.
Evan was a much adored country cop, he always said his mouth was his best weapon and he could talk people around with his manner. Evan loved his work as a NSW Police Officer and received many Superintendent and Commissioners commendation’s and awards.
May you forever Rest In Peace Evan.
The Commissioner’s Police Remembrance Day Scholarship
On the 29th day of each September, police officers, fellow officers, wives, husbands, parents, partners, and children gather at sites across the state to remember those police officers who have lost their lives in the course of serving their community.
A commemoration is held at the NSW Police Force Wall of Remembrance in the Domain, Sydney which includes a service and prayers for those fallen officers.
As the dignitaries laid wreaths they were accompanied by some of our young Legatees. We’d like to thank Theo, Olivia and Hannah Heinjus and Brendon Speechley who laid wreaths in honour of their lost parents and all fallen officers.
Each year at the Remembrance Day Ceremony, the Commissioner’s Scholarship is presented to a young Legatee to assist with furthering their education. Congratulations to Theo Heinjus, 11, who was the 2011 recipient of this $5,000 scholarship.
Theo was only six years old when his father, Senior Constable Evan Heinjus, died from complications after a heart transplant, aged 38.
Theo received the award from NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione. “Theo is a popular and enthusiastic boy, who has exhibited a great deal of courage in dealing with the grief of his father’s death,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“He has enormous potential to reach his dreams and I hope this scholarship will assist him to reach his potential.”
The $5000 scholarship will be put into a trust fund for Theo and will be managed by NSW Police Legacy.
“I am immensely proud that he has been able to achieve this award, it will certainly make a difference to his schooling in the upcoming years,” Theo’s mother Helen Foley said.
Legatee, Olivia Heinjus aged 12 records her experience of the 2011 October Camp
below.
This year we went to the Gold Coast, staying for the week at the Christian Youth Camp (CYC). I was in a room with Maddie, Jasmine, Margaret, Eleano and the new girls, Catlin & Katie.
On the first day we went to Dreamworld and I’m sure everyone loved it. I personally had a thrilling time because I went on the CLAW. Lara and Amy dragged me on to it!
On Monday we did stand up paddle boarding and surfing. The weather wasn’t great and some of us were being blown away by the wind but standing up paddle boarding was so much fun!
On Tuesday we did canoeing and tubing and it was great. While we were tubing Iveta and James did a switch and swapped sides and Callum and Mitch tried to flip it.
On Wednesday we went to Wet ‘n Wild and had lots of fun on all the rides. On Thursday we went to the movies at this giant shopping centre and after our movie we went shopping.
Friday was goodbye. When we landed Theo and I were back in our mothers arms. We had a great time and can’t wait to go on our next camp.
Evan is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance
Evan is NOT mentioned on the Retired Police Association Vale list
Evan IS mentioned on the NSW Police Memorial Wall , Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, F31 ( left wall )
Location of Church Service
Audrey FAGAN
| 05/04/2018
Audrey FAGAN
Australian Capital Territory Police
Regd. # ?
Police Chief ?
Stations: ?
Awards: ?
Died: ? April 2007
Suicide – by ?
Age: 44
Event date:
Event location: Hayman Island, Qld
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Grave location: ?
[alert_red]Audrey is NOT mentioned on the National Wall of Police Remembrance[/alert_red]
TO BE COMPLETED.
Nathan James HEARPS
| 05/04/2018
Nathan James HEARPS
New South Wales Police Force
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 37167[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Constable
Stations: Quakers Hill
Service: From ? ? ? to 6 May 2007 = ? years of Service
Awards: ? Nil
Born: 30 August 1978
Died on: 6 May 2007
Cause: Suicide – jumped from building
Age: 29
Funeral: 14 May 2007
Funeral location: Castlebrook Crematorium
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial: NSW Police force Service Memorial Wall, Sydney Police Centre, Surry Hills, C30 ( left wall )
Problems in the force … Constable Nathan Hearps fell to his death on Sunday
[alert_yellow]Nathan is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow]
Constable found dead
By Gemma Jones
The Daily Telegraph
May 07, 200712:00AM
AN off-duty police officer was found dead outside a Surry Hills apartment block yesterday after threatening suicide with a knife.
The constable, aged 27, had served three years with the police force.
Police were called to a unit in South Dowling St after reports of a domestic dispute involving a man threatening to commit suicide with a knife.
A Surry Hills police spokesman said when officers arrived at the scene they found the constable dead and it appeared he had fallen from a third storey window.
He confirmed there was one witness to the man’s death, believed to be his partner.
The constable from the Quakers Hill command is the 15th police officerorformer officer to die unnaturally in seven years.
Last week Police Commissioner Ken Moroney openly talked about the daily stresses and trauma of police work after an officer attempted suicide.
Last Monday, a 39-year-old senior constable barricaded himself inside Earlwood police station with his own service gun and threatened to take his life.
Police negotiators managed to talk the officer, who was having marriage problems, around and the siege ended peacefully.
Mr Moroney last night extended condolences to the Quaker’s Hill officer’s family, friends and colleagues.
The NSW Police Force is working with the Black Dog Institute on a new program to help police recognise mental health issues.
At least 200 police are off work on stress leave.
The death of the officer yesterday was the first of a serving officer since Greg Norman Lundberg died in Menai police station on January 7.
Last week the commissioner said his police were not made of concrete and that police faced a daily barrage of trauma, including child sexual abuse, murder and road carnage.
“As much as you try and shut it out, it must ultimately have an impact,” Mr Moroney said.
“I keep saying to my officers it is OK to cry in a stressful situation or at the funeral of a colleague. Don’t bottle it up.
“If you are showing signs and symptoms of stress there are internal mechanisms, we can deal with that, if you had a broken leg or a cold you wouldn’t be ashamed.”
A spokesman said the constable’s death was not being treated as suspicious.
An off-duty NSW policeman has died in a fall from a unit block after earlier threatening to kill himself, just days after the state’s police force moved to introduce new mental health safeguards for officers.NSW Police Force Commissioner Ken Moroney extended his condolences to the 27-year-old officer’s family, friends and colleagues yesterday.The officer died after falling from a third storey window in a block of units in Sydney at about 2.45am (AEST) yesterday. Police said there were reports of a domestic dispute inside the unit. The man’s partner has been interviewed by police, who say the death is not being treated as suspicious. Police found the officer’s body after being called to the unit block in inner-city Surry Hills after the incident.The off-duty policeman was threatening to commit suicide with a knife before the fall, reports suggest.A suicidal NSW highway patrol officer was prevented from taking his life at a Sydney police station last week. The 39-year-old married man was experiencing family problems.
That incident came just ten days after the suspected suicide of ACT police chief Audrey Fagan.
Experts say relationship breakdown is a major factor for police, with many officers tending to haveunstablepersonal relationships.
The weekend’s events have again thrown the spotlight on the mental health of police officers and the high rate of suicide within their ranks.
Before yesterday’s incident, 14 serving and former NSW officers had taken their own lives in the past seven years, the most recent being 29-year-old constable Greg Norman Lundberg on January 7.
About 200 NSW officers are currently on stress leave.
Mr Moroney last week announced that a program by the Black Dog Institute, an organisation set up to deal with depression, was launched in March to teach senior police officers how to spot stress and depression in their staff.
All officers above the rank of superintendent will have completed the one-day course by the end of the year, and inspectors and sergeants will follow next year.
Other support programs, including peer support officers, are available to all officers.
Mr Moroney said the Wellcheck program, which is aimed at police in high-risk specialist areas such as child abuse and accident investigation, will also be extended to general duties officers.
FOR five years Constable Nathan Hearps dedicated his career to protecting the residents of Quakers Hill.
Now his death in a fall from an apartment block after he threatened suicide with a knife has shocked a police force scrambling to deal with rising mental health issues.
Constable Hearps, 29, took up his post at Quakers Hill with seven other new officers after graduating in a class of 640 from the police college in September 2002.
At the time he and his fellow recruits were praised by local MP John Aquilina for their commitment to protecting local residents.
Constable Hearps grew up in Cattai in Sydney’s northwest.
Five years ago he was watching when his father Carl miraculously survived a 250km/h powerboat crash during a race on the Hawkesbury River.
Fellow officers said he was badly affected after seeing a woman throw herself in front of train a year ago while he was off duty.
Early on Sunday morning, fellow officers were called to an apartment block in South Dowling St, Surry Hills where two men were in a domestic argument, with one threatening suicide with a knife.
By the time officers arrived just before 3am they found Constable Hearps‘ body on the footpath below an open window.
His partner said on Sunday night: “I just wish this never happened.
Constable Hearps‘ death comes as police said they would reopen the cases of 12 officers who have committed suicide over the past seven years as the force works to find any links between the deaths and the pressure of the job.
A spokesman for the Police Medical Officer announced he would examine the officers’ medical and psychological backgrounds to see whether better support mechanisms were needed.
“That might inform us of anyone who might be at risk in the future,” police director of safety Julie Wills said.
News police would reopen the cases of previous suicides emerged as the NSW Police Association criticised the force for not conducting exit interviews of officers who choose to leave the force.
They said such interviews would help determine how officers are coping with the stresses of the job.
The union is now working on its own plan to interview officers who leave the force.
Association research director Greg Chilvers said exit interviews were a crucial guide to understanding problems in the workplace.
“It costs tens of thousands of dollars to train police to work independently in the field and they don’t even know why these people are resigning from the force,” he said.
“Wouldn’t you like to know, as an employer, if people are leaving because stress is too high or because they’re sick of the place?
“We have spoken to them for many years about doing this but it never happens.”
Fellow officers said Constable Hearps was well liked and would be missed.
The NSW Police Force has been rocked by the actions of another apparently suicidal officer.
This time a high-ranking officer is in a coma in hospital after trying to commit suicide in a hotel room, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Superintendent Paul Nolan, 54, was recently suspended from the force because he is under investigation by the Police Integrity Commission.
He was found unconscious about midnight on Tuesday.
The nature of the PIC investigation is unclear.
This latest incident comes after Commissioner Ken Moroney last week expressed concerns about mental health issues among the force, publicly telling his officers that it was “OK to cry“.
In January, 29-year-old Constable Greg Lundberg committed suicide with his pistol in Menai police station due to personal problems.
Last month a 39-year-old senior constable barricaded himself inside Earlwood police station and threatened to take his life.
Earlier this month, 27-year-old Constable Nathan Hearps from Quakers Hill plunged to his death from a Surry Hills apartment block, News Ltd reports.
Darren Budda-Deen, received his drag name ‘Doreen Manganini’ from transgender icon Simone Troy back in the late eighties, just as Darren began a part time career in Melbourne’s drag scene. “I became very well known in Melbourne over the years and in the late 90s, decided it was time to crack Sydney. I had no idea I’d be the only indigenous drag queen in this town.”
Growing up with an Aboriginal/Pakistani father gave Darren a unique edge over his small town peers. “There were a few hundred people, the town shop and me. We were raised with an incredibly rich Aboriginal community around us, I always gravitated to that part of my heritage and was proud to take that side of it into the realm of drag,” Doreen says.
A quick wit and ability to talk underwater has allowed Doreen to find the humour in delicate issues. While she has been called politically incorrect for making light of the racial stereotypes which surround indigenous people, Doreen believes laughter is the key to understanding and reconciliation.
“I will make the odd Aboriginal joke, but I am conscious in the way that I do it. I feel empowered as I come from that culture and, through humour, can turn something that may be seen negative into something positive. I’ve had the seal of approval from within my culture.”
Both Darren and Doreen have received official approval from on high within the cultural ranks. “A group of Aboriginal elders walked in and watched my show. They came up to me afterwards and thanked me for my version of our cultural representation. They knew it was in fun, but it meant a lot to me.”
Behind the make up and shoulder pads, it’s been a turbulent year for Darren, who in June last year had to deal with the passing of his partner, police constable Nathan Hearps.
“It was a crippling time for me, and one of the things which pulled me through was the support from the gay community. We’re a diverse lot, Christ knows we have our differences, but I was overwhelmed by how close knit the community can be when you really need them.”
Another community from whom Darren receives support are the men and women of Quakers Hill Police station. Constable Hearps talked incessantly about Darren’s alter ego Doreen, leaving a lasting impression at the station. “They’ve been beautiful to me. I was saluted with a police guard of honour at the funeral.”
For Darren, a time of grieving brought with it a need for reflection. Shying away from the attention surrounding Doreen, Darren turned his attention to one of his true passions, painting. “I really appreciate the quality time of I’ve been able to spend in front of the canvas, expressing my heritage in a creative way,” he says, beaming. “Entertaining means so much to me, and I can’t imagine not doing what I do.”
Considering indigenous drag queens don’t come off a production line, Sydney should have Manganini listed as a cultural treasure.
Ian was 51 years old when he died. He had been married for over 28 years and had three children, an adult son & daughter and a 14 year-old daughter. He had been a police officer his entire married life. He was a serving officer at the time of his death, but was on sick leave receiving treatment.
He was highly respected by his colleagues for his intelligence, dedication and ability. He had matriculated in the top five per cent of the State and had undertaken a degree in Behavioural Science ( Hons ) at the University of NSW, majoring in Psychology and Biology.
As a young man he was a keen sportsman. Later he took up renovating houses as a hobby and outlet.
During his career, he had received Commissioner’s commendations three times and had, from time to time, acted as a Duty Officer with acting rank of Inspector.
It seems that he had a particular gift for leadership of younger police officers. Not only was he good at building teams and maintaining morale but his gift for empathising with other police officers was recognised in his appointment as a Peer Support Officer.
A the time of his death Sgt Muir was stationed at Toronto Police Station in Lake Macquarie LAC.
He spent most of his service in the Lower Hunter LAC including being the officer in charge of Paterson Police Station which was a one man station.
He had been in ” the job ” for over 25 years.
We wish Ian can forever Rest In Peace.
IAN WILLIAM MUIR Aged 51 Years
Of Ashtonfield
Much loved husband of LISA, loving father of LACHLAN, AMY and HANNAH, brother of GRAHAM, KERRY, GREG, KIM, ROBYNE and NARELLE.
Family and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the Service in Celebration of IAN`s Life to be held at St. Joseph`s Catholic Church, King Street East Maitland on TUESDAY 3rd July 2007 at 11am. A Private Cremation will follow.
9 years ago today a great mentor to me succumbed to the traumas inflicted on him by being a member of the NSW Police force.
He had been struggling for some time, I guess in reality everyone in that line of work did everyday. I know I did – you never knew what was about to happen.
Ian was a very wise man & always looked out for his troops. Never afraid to jump in & get his hands dirty.
He was not one for upper management bullshit & I gave him shit all the time when he was doing acting duty officer. He was happy in his Sgt’s spot.
His demons haunting him, he opted for some time off; not being well. However in true caring management style of the Injury Management Team the pressure started.
At the time Ian was spending his days off ( like I was ) prior to going off work building a new house. This was his relaxing time, his solace, a place to create without the pressures of “the job” that is law enforcement.
In the years prior, he had also been renovating other properties it’s what he enjoyed doing, some hard physical work. I get it, it helps with the stress of the job.
So management decide that basically he was only having time off to build a house. Assuming that a man of his years in the job had no other reason to have time off.
He got visited at home by the boss as the story goes. This happens under the guise of a welfare check. It’s rarely this, regardless after one if these visits & being pressured to get back to work the ultimate decision was made.
His demons got him & the darkness descended upon him. He ‘suicided’ by hanging.
The unbearable pain and the inability to think clearly is so so familiar to me. The lack of help & support from an organisation that one loved so much is soul destroying.
Ian loved being a police officer & he loved the work & his troops. I can’t speak for his state of mind in his final moments but I know how I was when I made the decision to save myself & give up what I loved doing.
Wish I had got up more to share a beer when you had your time off. So sad that you was left to end things the way you did. I will never forgive the organisation that we both loved for the indignant way you & others got treated. 9 years on & it’s still happening they have not learnt a thing.
Thank you for your time, your sincerity, your straight up approach & looking out for me.
Never forgotten
RIP
Be having a schooner this afternoon for you, if we can get one of these Outback Qld Pubs with one, it may have to be a pot so hope you don’t mind. Very grateful to have known you.
