Sonia Joy McKELL
Sonia Joy BISCOE nee McKELL
New South Wales Police Force
* First female Parade Sergeant
Relations In ‘The Job‘: Vicki McKELL, NSWPF # 26863
“Possible” Relations in ‘The Job‘: Wade McKELL, NSWPF # 45943
Redfern Police Academy Class 154
Regd. # 17523
Rank: Commenced training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 24 January 1977 ( aged 20 years, 6 months, 12 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed 4 April 1977 ( aged 20 years, 8 months, 23 days )
Constable – appointed 4 April 1978
Senior Constable – appointed 4 April 1986
Sergeant – death
Stations: ?, School Lecturing ( based at Granville Police Stn ), Redfern Police Academy – chief Instructional staff, Liverpool, Police Academy – Goulburn – ( Parade Sergeant ), Canterbury, Marrickville
Service: From 24 January 1977 to 18 March 2004 = 27 years, 1 month, 23 days Service
Age at Leaving Service: 47 years, 8 months, 6 days
Time in Retirement: 0
Awards: National Medal – granted 28 April 1993 ( SenCon )
Born: Thursday 12 July 1956
Died on: Thursday 18 March 2004
Age: 47 years, 8 months, 6 days
Cause: Brain aneurysm
Funeral date: Wednesday 24 March 2004
Funeral location: Christ the King Catholic Church, Bass Hill
Buried at: Bulli Cemetery, Carrington St, Bulli, NSW
SGn Row C
Memorial at: A trophy, for Baton Twirling, has been dedicated in her name.
SONIA is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
SONIA IS mentioned on the NSW Remembrance Wall, Sydney Police Centre – Right Wall – Plaque A27
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
Class 154 – NSW Police Academy – Redfern
Back Row: ( L – R )
Bill VANDENBERG # 17486, Ian TURNER # 17507, Garry STILLAWAY # 17547, Terry STANYER # 17515, Mark RIDLEY # 17472, Bruce THOMAS # 17506, Dave TURNER # 17482, Scott BLONDELL # 17496, Richard WATSON # 17554, Peter WORTHINGTON # 17498
Middle Row:
Arthur SNOOK # 17505, Paul TUXFORD # 17541, Phil RUSSELL # 17545, Alan WADE # 17474, Noel WALTERS # 17531, Richard SHEEHAN # 17465, R.G. SMITH # 17493, Alan WILTON # 17518, Dave WATSON # 17494, Dave ZIMMER # 17485
Front Row:
Paul McNAMARA # 17469, Chris WELFARE # 17528, Gary THOMPSON # 17510, Ken WIGGINS # 17537, Garry THORNTON # 17524, Dave ROUTLEDGE # 17477, Julie ROBERTS # 17495, Sonia McKELL # 17523, Damien WILLIAMS # 17525, Greg REID # 17548
http://tributes.dailytelegraph.com.au/notice/30112073/view
Sonia Joy McKell married in October 1980 and changed her surname, departmentally, to BISCOE.
She served at the School Lecturing Section based at Granville Police Station; then to the Redfern Police Academy – chief Instructional staff – as she was a champion ‘ Marching Girl ‘ before joining the job.; a period at Liverpool Police Station; back to the Police Academy – as the Parade Sergeant. Here she was the first female parade sergeant when her sister (Vicki)( NSWPF # 26863 ) was sworn in as a member of the NSW Police Force. ; also served a short period at Canterbury; and the only other location known is Marrickville Police Station.
Joe Ees
Officers honour fallen police
Posted
Hundreds of police officers and their families will today gather at the Domain in Sydney for National Police Remembrance Day, to pay tribute to colleagues who have died in duty.
While officers across the country will remember those who have gone before them, Sydney police are heading to the Wall of Remembrance at the Domain for a wreath-laying ceremony.
Since 1803, 249 officers have been killed in the line of duty throughout New South Wales by stabbings, shootings or accidents while conducting vehicle checks.
Officers will also honour police whose careers have been cut short by illness.
One of those is Sergeant Sonia McKell, who died of a brain aneurism in 2004, leaving behind a three-year-old son Jarrod.
Jarrod, now six, will receive a $5,000 scholarship from the Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione as part of the commemorations.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-09-28/officers-honour-fallen-police/683274
Sonia Joy McKell | World Baton Twirling Federation
first time Australia competed at the 1987 World Baton Twirling Championships. She was a member of that team and always said that competing on the world stage was a highlight of her twirling career. From that year onwards Sonia involved herself in encouraging Australian athletes to compete at the world level knowing that by doing this we, as a country, could only improve our skills by utilising the experience and knowledge our athletes brought back. Throughout her twirling career Sonia took on the responsibilities of State President, State Head Judge, National Head Judge, Technical Advisor and between the years 1993 – 1998 and 1999 – 2004 the job of President of the Australian Baton Twirling Association. She was responsible for contracting coaches from USA, Japan, Italy and France. This was an ongoing commitment to expose the members to as much diverse twirling knowledge as possible. Sonia was the coach of the Australian team who represented Australia in Holland 2000, France 2001 and this year 2004. Her athletes miss her terribly but know that she will be watching them in Osaka Japan. Sonia was a sergeant in the New South Wales police force and spent her working days at Marrickville Police Station.
At her funeral the Police Commissioner of New South Wales described Sonia as a caring compassionate colleague whose ethics and morals were above reproach. This was Sonia. Her partner John and beautiful son Jarrad survive Sonia. The birth of Jarrad in 2001 seemed to complete Sonia’s life, the joy and happiness he brought both her and John seemed to make the last 2 years all the more special. The suddenness of Sonia’s passing was a shock to all who knew and loved her. But her kindness, compassion, knowledge and skills she has left with us will ensure she will always be a part of the Australian Baton Twirling Association. Sonia will remain in our hearts forever.
Original URL path: http://www.wbtf.org/content/sonia-joy-mckell (2013-04-30)
Sonia Joy McKell
Australia12th July 1956 to 18th March 2004
Sonia was an integral part of the sport of baton twirling. She involved herself at the local club level, working up through to state, national and eventually the international level. She had a huge influence on the Australian Baton Twirling Association.
Sonia started her twirling career as most of us around her age did as a Drum Majorette, evolving through the years along with the sport into a baton twirler. Her club, Illawarra, (a suburb of Sydney) were the team representatives the first time Australia competed at the 1987 World Baton Twirling Championships. She was a member of that team and always said that competing on the world stage was a highlight of her twirling career.
From that year onwards, Sonia involved herself in encouraging Australian athletes to compete at the world level, knowing that by doing this, we as a country, could only improve our skills by utilising the experience and knowledge our athletes brought back.
Throughout her twirling career Sonia took on the responsibilities of State President, State Head Judge, National Head Judge, Technical Advisor and between the years 1993-1998 and 1999-2004 the job of President of the Australian Baton Twirling Association.
She was responsible for contracting coaches from USA, Japan, Italy and France. This was an ongoing commitment, to expose the members to as much diverse twirling knowledge as possible.
Sonia was the coach of the Australian team who represented Australia in Holland 2000, France 2001 and this year 2004. Her athletes miss her terribly but know that she will be watching them in Osaka, Japan. Sonia was a sergeant in the New South Wales police force and spent her working days at Marrickville Police Station. At her funeral, the Police Commissioner of New South Wales described Sonia as a caring, compassionate colleague whose ethics and morals were above reproach. This was Sonia.
Her partner John and beautiful son Jarrad survive Sonia. The birth of Jarrad in 2001 seemed to complete Sonia’s life, the joy and happiness he brought both her and John seemed to make the last 2 years all the more special. The suddenness of Sonia’s passing was a shock to all who knew and loved her. But her kindness, compassion, knowledge and skills she has left with us will ensure she will always be a part of the Australian Baton Twirling Association.
Sonia will remain in our hearts forever.
http://www.wbtf.org/memorial/sonia-joy-mckell
Message Rx on Thu 27 March 2025 from Jan: Email: brandy.covert@cox.net
Sonia Joy McKell was an exceptional woman, both as a police officer and as a baton twirling champion. Her dedication to her work and her passion for her hobbies made her a beloved and respected figure in her community.
Her service in the New South Wales Police Force was marked by a strong commitment to justice and a genuine care for those around her.
She broke barriers as the first female parade sergeant at the Police Academy in Goulburn, paving the way for future female officers.
Her love for baton twirling was equally inspiring. As a competitor, coach, and leader in the Australian Baton Twirling Association, she brought enthusiasm and professionalism to the sport. Her athletes remember her as a kind and knowledgeable coach who encouraged them to reach their full potential.
Sonia’s sudden passing was a shock to all who knew her.
However, her legacy continues to live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Her son, Jarrad, and her partner, John, are a testament to the love and joy she brought to those closest to her.
This comment is a small tribute to a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on her community, her sport, and her nation.
May she rest in peace.
A magnificent human being. Still brings a tear to my eye that she passed.