Spencer Henry WALKLATE

aka Spence

Late of Bondi Junction

New South Wales Police Force

Regd. # ????

Rank: Constable

Stations: Regent St – # 2 Division,

Service: From 3 July 1940 to 16 December 1943 ( Resigned to join Army in WWII ) = 3+ years Service

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World War II

Australian Imperial Force ‘Z’ Special Unit from 4 August 1944 Group ‘C’. Involved in Operation Copper.

Regiment: 33rd Militia Battalion

Enlisted: at Gunnedah

Service # NX202843

Rank: Lance Corporal

Embarkation: 21 February 1945 for Papua & New Guinea

Next of kin: Linda Maude O’Keefe – wife

Religion: Methodist

Single / Married: Married

Returned to Australia: No. K.I.A.

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Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Born: 11 January 1918 at Brushgrove, Clarence River, near Maclean, NSW

Died on: Between April – June 1945

Age: 27

Cause: Executed ( beheaded ) by OAWAGA Waichi – Japanese Petty Officer

Event location: ?

Event date: ? Between April – June 1945 ( WWII )

Funeral date: ? ? ?

Funeral location: ?

Buried at: Muschu Island, Papua & New Guinea

Memorial located at: St George Police Station has a conference room named the ‘ Spencer Henry Walklate ‘ room, named in honour and memory of the man.

A plaque and story is on display at the Police Station, 13 Montgomery St, Kogarah.

The room was named by the, then Commander, Peter J O’Brien, APM.

There is a plaque at Refuge Bay on the Hawkesbury River where they trained before going to Singapore.

[alert_yellow]SPENCER is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO

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

Spencer Henry Walklate conference room

Operation Copper

Concerning the murder of NSW Police Constable Spencer Henry Walklate and others – Muschu Island in the Japanese occupied Territory of Papua & New Guinea – April 1945.
by Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Nowlan

On the 150th anniversary of the NSW Police Force many former and retired Police Officers who have contributed so richly to our history have been remembered. However, we rarely mention the achievements of Police Officers in times of war. Many NSW Police Officers have served during many wars, deployments and peacekeeping operations over many years and some have paid the supreme sacrifice.

This is the story of one of them.

Spencer Henry Walklate was born at Brushgrove on the Clarence River near Maclean in northern NSW on the 11th January 1918. He was enrolled and educated at the nearby Wardell Public School in 1923. Spencer attended Church, Methodist Sunday School and was a fit and healthy country kid who excelled at sport. After leaving school he became a grocery salesman and purveyor of small- goods. He later met a Grenfell girl named Linda Maude O’Keefe who was to become the love of his life. They married at Gunnedah on the 31 January 1938 and settled down to start a family.

But, these were uncertain times and war clouds gathered over Europe. A fragile peace had existed with Germany since the end of WW1 but that was shattered when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. When Britain declared war on Germany and her allies Australia and all the other Commonwealth Nations also went to war. Many young Australian men went off to fight in Europe the Middle East and North Africa.

Life was good in quiet country NSW for a young man with a new wife and a bright future. However, due to events abroad, Spencer became unsettled and through a strong sense of duty to country, joined the 33rd Militia Battalion at Gunnedah, where he underwent basic military training.

Meanwhile, Japan watched events in Europe unfold with interest. Japan had until the 19th century been a very
isolationist society with little contact from the outside world.
Then, in 1860 Japan formed an unlikely but long standing cultural and intellectual association with Germany. But, due to conflicting political aspirations over China, Japan declared war on Germany and fought on the British side during WW1. An uneasy peace existed for the next decade or so but in 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria and fought a long and bloody war against China, committing many atrocities.

The conflict expanded Japanese military power in the region and it’s troops soon became battle hardened, experienced combat veterans. By the mid 1930’s a rising Japan had formed a strong military alliance with an increasingly aggressive Germany and became part of the Axis Alliance along with Mussolini’s Fascist Italy. The ultimate aim of this pact was world domination.

On observing Hitler’s early successes in Europe, Japan a small country with limited resources, cast it’s eyes south.
To the rich resources of land, agriculture, oil, rubber, iron ore and coal. And their aspirations turned to South East Asia, and beyond. The U.S. had remained neutral for the first 2 years of WW2 but they had a powerful naval presence in the pacific based at Pearl Harbour, which threatened Japanese ambitions. So, on 7 December 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Simultaneously and through a series of coordinated, vicious attacks Japan invaded the Philippines, and moved quickly south through Indo-China taking Burma,
Thailand, Vietnam and Malaya. Fortress Singapore fell on 15 February 1942 after one week of bitter fighting and 130,000 Commonwealth troops
entered the hell of Japanese captivity.
This included over 22,000 Australian troops mainly from the 8th Division.

Just 4 days later on 19 February 1942 Darwin was bombed by a massive Japanese force destroying much of the town and many Allied ships in Darwin Harbour. The attack was carried out by the same bomber group which attacked Pearl Harbour, however more bombs were dropped on Darwin than at Pearl Harbour. Australia would be attacked and bombed by the Japanese on 63 occasions. This was followed up with the raid in Sydney harbour on 31 May 1942 by 3 midget Japanese submarines. Sydney and Newcastle were shelled by Japanese submarines and Allied shipping was sunk off the eastern coast of Australia.
The Japanese invaded Rabaul massacring 130 Australian POW’s at Tol Plantation and began building an airfield on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands to provide a base from which to further isolate and attack Australia. By July 1942 the Japanese occupied the Mandated Territory of Papua & New Guinea, Timor, Nauru, and the Solomon Islands and also held many other islands just to our north.
These were the darkest days for Australia and the Japanese advance south seemed unstoppable. Due to the imminent threat to Australia, Prime Minister Curtin defied Winston Churchill and brought Australian troops home from the Middle East and North Africa to defend Australia. The battle on the Kokoda Track was still raging, when in September 1942 Japanese land forces were for the first time stopped and defeated by Australian troops at the battle of Milne Bay. The tide had turned. Then the slow and painful slog through mud, swamp and jungle began, to push the Japanese back. To borrow the words of Winston Churchill, “This was not the end. It was not even the beginning of the end. But it was the end of the beginning.” It looked for the first time like the Battle for Australia could be won.
Meanwhile, Spencer Walklate observed events from afar. He had decided to move closer to the action and he and Linda left the bush and moved to Sydney taking up residence at Bondi Junction. Again through a sense of duty he decided to join the NSW Police Force at the age of 22 years so he could do his bit to defend the homeland. He joined the NSW Police Force on 3rd July 1940 and after initial training at the Burke Street Police Academy Redfern, was posted as a Probationary Constable to No 2 Division Regent Street. He performed wartime General Duties and was no doubt disturbed by world events, particularly the Darwin air raids and Japanese Submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour.

Spencer had developed into a fine, solidly built, very large and physically fit young man.

In addition to his demanding role as Constable of Police pounding the beat around Central Railway Station, Broadway and Paddy’s Market, he had developed into a first class footballer. He joined St. George Football Club and in 1943 played 15 first grade games as a forward scoring 2 tries and 3 goals. He was also a strong swimmer and in his spare time was a Bondi Surf Life Saver. Spencer Walklate was a big man of many talents. Just the kind of man you might need when your country was fighting for it’s very existence In June 1942 the Australian Military formed a Special Forces unit for clandestine commando operations behind enemy lines. Their main role was reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, sabotage and supporting resistance efforts in occupied territories. It was a secret force named
simply ‘Z’ Special Unit. The unit was administered through Special Operations Executive (SOE) Australia and was made up entirely of volunteers. It’s recruits came from various army and naval units who volunteered for ‘Special’ service in extremely high risk and dangerous operation’s.
They trained in a variety of secret training camps including Camp Z in Broken Bay, Z Experimental Station in Cairns and there was a commando school on Fraser Island. In June 1943 a ‘Z’ Special Unit commando team based on Magnetic Island staged a mock raid in Townsville Harbour by placing dummy limpet mines on allied shipping. When the mines were discovered it caused a furore as the navy thought the mines were real. The commander of the unit was arrested and subject to disciplinary action. But, the lessons learned here were later used in the highly successful Operation Jaywick raid by ‘Z’ Special Unit in Singapore Harbour, where 39,000 tons of enemy shipping was destroyed by limpet mines.
By late 1943 Constable Walklate was in a state of personal crisis. He did not want to leave his young wife or his job, but could find no other option.
His country was at war and he had army training. He knew men who were going off to fight. Not to go was unthinkable.
At the time the Police Force was designated a reserved occupation. Police were not permitted to join the military forces as it was deemed just as important for them to remain at home to keep the peace, defend the homeland and protect critical infrastructure. But, as so many Police were resigning to enlist, the rule was later relaxed and Police were allowed to enlist and return to the Force at the end of their military deployment.

So, Spencer made the only decision he could. In order to enlist he resigned from the NSW Police Force on 16th December 1943 and joined the AIF at Paddington on 31 December. On 5 January 1944 Spencer Henry Walklate Serial No NX202843 marched into 3rd Australian Army Recruit Training Battalion. He was 25 years of age.
Private Walklate‘s Police Training and leadership abilities held him in good stead and 3 months later he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 16 April. On 16 July 1944 Lance Corporal Walklate attended and successfully completed the jungle warfare course at the Australian Jungle Warfare Training Centre, Canungra. But, as in peacetime Spencer Walklate excelled and wanted to be among the best. So, on 4 August he volunteered for, and was accepted into ‘Z’ Special Unit. As this was a highly specialised unit he had to accept reduction to the rank of Private. But, after gaining all his skills and proficiency levels on 29 October 1944 his rank was reinstated to Lance Corporal.
Due to the level of secrecy involved, not much is known of his service over the next four months however it is highly likely he attended one or more of the ‘Z’ Special Unit training camps for specialised training in espionage and battle survival techniques. He departed Australia in secrecy for war service in the occupied Territory of Papua & New Guinea on 21 February 1945. He did not know he would never see Australia or his beloved wife Linda again.
Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate was posted to Group ‘C’ – ‘Z’ Special Unit in Lae where he trained in secret with other members of the group. It is not known what Spencer Walklate did or where he went for the next several weeks.
But, what is known is that he was about to enter the history books as taking part in one of the boldest, most heroic and tragic commando raids behind enemy lines in the South West Pacific theatre of war. Operation Copper.
Of course the name is a mere co-incidence, but the irony is not lost on the astute reader.
By April 1945 the allies were well and truly winning the war. In Europe the Russians were advancing on Berlin and Hitler would commit suicide within weeks. The Japanese had lost the war but were in denial and were being pushed back to Japan or decimated island by island. General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Allied Commander in the South West Pacific, was island hopping eager to complete his self fulfilling prophesy of, “I shall return” to the Philippines. And he did not care how many Australians had to die in order for him to fulfil it. As the Japanese had already proved they would rather die than surrender, the Americans were by-passing Japanese held islands in their rush north. MacArthur, determined to have all the glory for America had relegated the Australian troops, who were
the first to ever stop the Japanese and who had done the lion’s share of the fighting in New Guinea, to clearing up the stranded Japanese remnants. But, this was no easy task as the Japanese had been on some of these islands for years. They had established strong defences and built food gardens to enable them to survive and were willing to fight to the death to hold their ground.
And so it was that plans were made for an Australian invasion of Wewak on the north coast of New Guinea where the Japanese were stranded in strength, with nowhere else to go. Many diggers after the war would say that many a good man was lost and most of these operations were unnecessary as the Japanese could have just been left to starve and ‘wither on the vine’.
Intelligence reports indicated that there were two big 140mm naval guns situated on Muschu Island which commanded the coastline where the invasion was to take place and could wreak havoc on Australian invasion troops and shipping. Muschu was a small nondescript tropical island, like thousands of other small tropical islands, situated just 4kms off the coast near Wewak. Surrounded by coral reefs it was flat around the fringes, with scattered rocky coves, spectacular lagoons and beaches. It was hilly in the middle with a couple of isolated native villages and covered in dense tropical jungle. It was also the home for 700 very hostile Japanese soldiers. ‘Z’ Special Unit and Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate, were given the task of locating and disabling the guns on Muschu Island.
The following members of the Group ‘C’ – ‘Z’ Special Unit raiding party were assembled and briefed at Aitape on 8 April 1945:

Lt. Thomas Barnes, Lt. Alan Gubbay, Sergeant Max Weber, Signalman Michael Hagger, Private John Chandler, Private Ron Eagleton, Sapper Edward ‘Mick’ Dennis and Lance Corporal Spencer Henry Walklate.
‘Mick’ Dennis and ‘Spence’ Walklate had already become best mates and both had close familial connections with the NSW Police Force. ‘Mick‘ had been an unarmed combat instructor with the NSW Police Force before the war. His sister, Clare Dennis, was a 1932 Olympic 200 metre breaststroke swimming Gold Medallist, who was married to George Golding, a NSW Police Detective and 1930 Empire Games track and field Bronze Medallist. His father Alexander Dennis was a Police Prosecutor in the NSW Police Force at Burwood.
During the Aitape briefing the team was provided with maps, prismatic compasses, aerial photographs, secret wireless codes and intelligence reports on their area of operations. They would be inserted into the area by Naval Patrol Boat and would then paddle to the island by folding canvas kyak-like boats called ‘folboats’. Each man carried a 9mm automatic Sten SMG backed up by a .38 calibre Smith and Wesson Model 10 revolver. The raiding party was also issued with three 9mm ‘Welrods’ which were a silenced bolt action repeating pistol also known as ‘The Assassins Gun’. Other equipment included the Fairbairn Sykes commando fighting knife, two radio transmitters, walkie talkies, Very lights (flares), signal mirrors and rations for 24 hours. The mission was simple. Get in, capture a
Japanese prisoner for interrogation, find the guns, disable them if possible, contact the naval patrol boat by wireless and get out.
The night of 11 April 1945 was selected as it was a dark, moonless night with favourable tides. That afternoon the raiding party boarded Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) 1231 at Aitape and was conveyed under cover of darkness on the 8 hour, 150 kms journey to within 5 kms of Muschu Island. At 2130 hrs they disembarked the patrol boat in four folboats, two men paddling in each and set off into enemy held territory. And into the lion’s den.
As the men’s night vision kicked in all eyes strained on the dark brooding mass ahead. The only sight that pierced the darkness was the luminous trail left in the rippling wake of the boats as they carved their way through the calm tropical waters. The only sound that broke the silence was the dip of paddles as they sliced the still black water, the slap of the waves against the flimsy canvas hulls of the tiny boats, and the faintly suppressed groans of straining men as they pulled the fragile craft closer. The eerie blackness was occasionally violated by the phosphorescent flash made by some unseen creature lurking in the murky depths below
the sweating, determined men. On they went through the still, balmy, tropical night towards the dark foreboding shadow of the unseen enemy’s lair.
Then disaster struck. At 2230 hrs the folboats hit an uncharted reef and capsized. The party managed to recover the boats but much of the party’s weapons and
equipment was saturated or lost in the black churning water. Two hours later 8 tired, wet and bedraggled men dragged themselves to shore where the party slept fitfully 15 metres inland.
At 0500 hrs on 12 April they stood to. Weapons at the ready clutched in tense, sweating hands, eyes straining through the thick jungle foliage and ears fine-tuned to pick up the slightest hostile sound. When no enemy activity was detected they concealed the boats 50 metres inland in dense undergrowth and set up a base camp some 100 metres further inland where the wireless transmitter and equipment was concealed.
The team then moved east for 30 minutes where they located two well oiled Juki machine guns in firing positions covering the beach. They dismantled the guns and threw them into the sea. The party continued across the island and found strong enemy posts every 50 metres along the coast with a network of trenches and connecting tracks behind. A further four machine guns were located and dismantled. A food garden and some enemy occupied huts were located. There were some bomb craters in this area and here they obtained fresh rain water for the first time.
That afternoon they captured a Japanese soldier who was bound and gagged.

They then tried to find their way back to their base camp but got lost. Taking the wrong track they came upon a Japanese camp. They diverted around the camp and on some cliffs found several gun positions.
They made contact with two Japanese near some huts and both were shot dead with the silenced ‘Welrods’.
They then moved back east and finally found the naval gun positions they were looking for. Grid references were taken so the guns could be destroyed by allied aircraft and with the mission nearly accomplished they began to make their way back to base camp.
But, again disaster struck. As they passed near a Japanese patrol the prisoner slipped his gag and called out alerting the enemy. The prisoner was immediately shot and the party went to ground. There was a strong Japanese presence on the island and by now they were alerted to the presence of the raiders and several hundred Japanese were out in force searching for the Australians. That evening they moved back to the folboats but found they had been discovered by the Japanese and an ambush had been set nearby with a machine gun covering the boats. The party then withdrew, made a fresh base camp and now with no wireless transmitters had to plan their getaway.
They decided to try for the mainland so constructed a raft from logs and at 2000 hrs put to sea but the raft smashed to pieces on a coral reef. This time they lost the remainder of their weapons and equipment and the only man to retain his weapon and pack was Sapper Dennis. It would save his life and enable him to live to tell the story of what happened next.
They returned to the island and after much debate decided by democratic vote to break up into two groups. One group of four men being Sergeant Weber, Private Chandler, Signalman Hagger and Sapper Dennis, favoured remaining on the island and would try to recover a wireless transmitter to contact the rescue boat. The other group comprising Lt Barnes, Lt Gubbay, Private Eagleton and Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate, favoured putting to sea on separate logs to try to make it to nearby Kairiru Island and signal patrolling allied reconnaissance aircraft with mirrors. The men said their goodbyes, shook hands and wished each other luck.
Spencer Walklate and his party then set to sea and the last time he or his mates were seen alive by friendly eyes was as they paddled quietly off into the darkness. Four tiny, bedraggled figures bobbing along on coconut logs carried on the unpredictable currents of the Solomon Sea. Into the vast, enemy held, shark infested unknown.
The story of what happened to Spencer Walklate and his mates cannot be told without reference to the extraordinary tale of survival by Sapper Dennis. The Dennis party moved inland and rested. They spent the 13/14 April observing the movements of the Japanese and watching for signals.
At 0600 hrs on 15 April they moved back to their original base and recovered one of the wireless transmitters. While moving back to a safe position to set up the radio they were ambushed by a Japanese patrol. Sapper Dennis shot two Japanese with his sten gun and the party split up discarding the wireless set in the scrub. Dennis was unable to locate the rest of the party throughout the day. He returned to the bomb crater to get fresh water but found it sour and bitter to the taste. The Japanese were poisoning the water holes to deny the intruders water. Dennis then moved west and in an encounter near a hut shot one Japanese. He then surprised a Japanese Patrol of four and shot one wounding several others. He hid for the night in the scrub and heard Japanese patrols moving around and heard shots near the beach.

Having given up hope of finding the rest of the party he continued west and found a Japanese machine gun in position but unattended so he toppled it over a cliff. He slept in a sago forest and could hear and see the Japanese searching for him. As per mission objectives he continued to record the details and grid references of all Japanese positions, strengths and infrastructure in his note book.
On 16 April he reached the west coast of the island near Muschu Bay and decided to try for the mainland. He found a suitable plank on a wrecked Japanese barge and hid it.
He remained in the area until night and returning to the plank found it had been removed back to the barge. He retrieved the plank and then paddled for 10 hours through shark infested waters and battled strong ocean currents until making the mainland two hours before dawn. He rested, then on 17 April set off north west towards what he hoped were the Australian lines. He evaded Japanese patrols but was observed by two Japanese and shot one.
He later encountered another four man Japanese patrol and shot two. He then surprised two Japanese but his SMG misfired.

The Japanese were so frightened one lost his rifle and they both ran away.
He continued west for 20 kms through enemy territory until 1400 hrs on 20 April when he contacted a patrol of the 2/7th Australian Commando Company. His ordeal was over and the details of his intelligence debrief conducted at Aitape on 21 April 1945 form the basis for this narrative.

Sapper ‘Mick’ Dennis, former NSW Police unarmed combat instructor, was awarded the Military Medal for this extraordinary feat of courage and endurance.
But what of the other 7 men of Operation Copper?
The war ended just 4 months later with the dropping of the atomic bombs ‘Little Boy’ and ‘Fat Man’ at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August 1945 respectively. After cessation of hostilities the Australian military commenced it’s War Crimes investigations and trials into Japanese atrocities. Muschu Island was converted to an internment camp for Japanese POW’s and Japanese officers and soldiers were interviewed to establish what happened to missing allied servicemen and women. But, the Japanese were often untruthful, uncooperative and sought to cover up the truth for fear of being tried and executed as war criminals. It had been a long and bloody war and most Allied Governments just wanted to forget about it. The Americans were even less enthusiastic to pursue high level war criminals as General MacArthur was given the task to re build post-war Japan and he used high ranking Japanese officers and officials, many of whom were war criminals, in the process. So, many war criminals escaped justice, as was to be the case for the missing men of Operation Copper.
In 1945/46 war crimes investigators interviewed senior Japanese officers on Muschu Island re the fate of the Operation Copper men. They were told that the three men from the Dennis party were ambushed and killed while trying to operate a radio set. However, natives had reported seeing the mutilated bodies of these men on Muschu in April 1945. While the Japanese claimed the bodies had been damaged by artillery shells, Sapper Dennis has always disagreed with this. He believes his three mates were captured, tortured and murdered by the Japanese.
The mutilated bodies could indicate they were cannibalised which was a common practice by the Japanese in New Guinea during WW2. After the war the remains of the bodies of Sergeant Weber, Private Chandler and Signalman Hagger were recovered from a shallow grave and re-buried at Wewak. They were later exhumed and moved to Lae war cemetery. At least one body appeared to have been decapitated and another was shot through the head.
But what of Spencer Walklate and his 3 mates, who set off into the unknown so long ago on coconut logs?
The Australian Army concluded in 1946 the party was drowned at sea or taken by sharks. But, many years after the war, with the declassification of military documents, new information became available and has shed fresh light on what happened.
It is now known that natives on nearby Kairiru Island told military investigators that up to three Australian’s came ashore on Kairiru in April 1945 and were executed by the Japanese. The Japanese denied this claim stating that two airmen did come ashore but they died of sickness and disease two days later. The native claims were ignored and never followed up at the time.
But, recently Australian Army documents have surfaced containing eye witness accounts of the murder of two Australian soldiers on Kairiru Island, including an account by the Japanese officer who carried out the executions.
According to these primary source documents between April-June (sic) 1945 a very large Australian ‘airman’, perfectly fitting the description of Spencer Walklate, was captured on Kairiru. ‘Z’ Special Unit operatives would have used a cover story if captured as espionage was punishable by summary execution, while ordinary servicemen were entitled to protection under the Japanese Code of Military Law. (Japan was not a signatory to the Geneva Convention). So, claiming to be an airman shot down or crash landing in the vicinity made perfect sense.
It is also known that checks of military war dairies indicate that no Australian airmen were lost in that location at that time. The Australian POW referred to in this document is almost certainly Spencer Henry Walklate.
Following is the disturbing firsthand account of his beheading murder, sourced from official Australian Department of Army War Crimes Archives and extracts taken from an interview with Ensign OAWAGA Waichi of the Japanese Imperial Navy, who was stationed on Muschu Island in 1945.

OAWAGA Waichi (states): During the first part of June 1945, an Australian airman was brought to headquarters from the north coast. At about 1300 Medical Officer MARUYAMA came to the sick bay and I received the order:
“Petty Officer OAGAWA, execute him.”
Thereupon I went to the scene of the action. At a spot about 100 yards away in the direction of headquarters a large Australian airman, blindfolded and wearing Japanese summer clothing, was being held with his arms behind his back by a guard detail of the sixth squad. He was kneeling on both knees in front of a hole in the ground. I approached Ensign FUMIYA, the chief of the guards, and reported:
“I have come upon orders from the medical officer.”
“Hurry and execute him.” (HYAKU Kire) I was ordered, so I borrowed the sword from the NCO who had come for liaison purposes and decapitated (the prisoner). With only a single stroke of the sword, he fell forward and died.
At this time there were present from headquarters the Staff Engineer Officer, Secretary KAWADA, Medical Ensign OMOTEZAKA, Supervisor Petty Officer (medical) SUZUKI and Leading Seaman MACHI.
Besides these there were fifteen to twenty officers and guards.
The corpse was buried on the spot under the direction of Ensign FUMIY A.
The same grim, barbaric ritual was repeated 10 days later with the capture and murder of a second member of the Operation Copper party. However, the precise identity of this soldier is not known and he was heavily drugged with Narcopon (Opium) prior to execution.
OAWAGA Waichi (states): “ About ten days had passed since the first incident when again an Australian airman was brought to headquarters from the north coast. At about 1500 I received the order from the medical officer:
‘Execute him with an injection of one CC of Narcopon.’

Thereupon I took one CC hypodermic needle and one CC of narcopon from the dispensary and went to the scene of the action. Lt (s.g) AMENOMORI and Secretary KAWADA were investigating in the finance room.

A fatigue detail was digging a hole. In about two hours the investigation was finished and an Australian of average stature, blindfolded and wearing Japanese summer clothes, was lead out by the guards. His hands were held behind his back and he was made to kneel in front of the hole.

The medical officer ordered me:
‘Give him the injection’ (CHUSHA SHIRO), so I injected one CC of Narcopon into the lower part of the left shoulder blade. Then I borrowed a sword from Superior Petty Officer KAWANO. About fifteen to twenty minutes after the injection the order:
‘Execute him’ (KIRE) was given, so I raised the sword over my head and brought it down, decapitating (the prisoner).
The Australian fell forward and died. Under the direction of Ensign FUMIYA, the corpse was buried on the spot.”
It appears that possibly one other member of the Walklate party met a similar fate with the fourth probably lost at sea.
Surprisingly, no Japanese solder was ever charged with war crimes regarding the murders of the Operation Copper men, in spite of this compelling evidence. The information provided by Sapper Dennis, the sole survivor of the Operation Copper raid, was used in the planning for the successful invasion of Wewak and the subsequent defeat of the Japanese which ended the Japanese occupation in New Guinea.
And so ends the heroic but tragic story of the men of Operation Copper and of the murder of Spencer Henry Walklate. Athlete, elite sportsman, football star, surf life saver, soldier, commando, POW, war hero, loving husband and NSW Constable of Police. Executed without trial by war criminals, he lies in an unmarked grave, in a lonely foreign place, on a tiny god forsaken island no one has ever heard of.
Postscript:
Each ANZAC Day, Edward Thomas ‘Mick’ Dennis MM, rises early.
He polishes his shoes, dresses in his best suit and carefully pins the shining row of bronze and silver medals with their brightly coloured ribands on the left breast of his jacket just above the pocket. The RSL badge and Returned From Active Service badge complete the ritual. Then, arming himself with his walking cane, he shuffles off to the dawn service. Rain, hail or shine, he has done it dutifully for 69 years. At 96 it is getting harder, but he knows he has to go. As he stands for The Last Post, on weakened, shaky legs, he remembers. He remembers the happy, smiling, youthful faces of his mates. He remembers them just the way they were, then. As if frozen still in time. Their bodies not wasted by age or sickness or despair. They have become ageless. He remembers Muschu Island, his mate ‘Spence’ Walklate and what they did there so long ago. And for a brief moment he stiffens and somehow grows taller. A tear comes to his eye. He wipes it with his handkerchief and with head bowed, shuffles slowly off home.

Until next year.
In a final irony, the naval guns at Muschu Island were never fired in anger and remained silent during the campaign.
The Japanese commander was afraid if they were used the Allies would be alerted to their position and they would be destroyed by superior allied air power. They are still there today. Lest We Forget.

Reference List:
Dennis D.
(2006)

‘The Guns of Muschu’,

Allen & Unwin,
Sydney,
Australia.
www.gunsofmuschu.com
Australian National Archives.
Australian War Memorial Archives.
http://www.peacekeepers.asn.au/mag/2014winter/PKWinter14.pdf

Police Dog WACO

21/07/2017

Police Dog WACO

” The first working animal recognised as passing On Duty since the establishment of the QPS Animal Memorial in December 2014 “

Late of ?

Queensland Police Force

Regd. # PD 280

Rank: Police Dog

Stations: Moreton District

Service: From ? ? 2010 to ? February 2017 = 7 years Service

Awards: ?

Born: ? ? ?

Died on: 3 February 2017

Age: ?

Cause: Heat Stroke

Event location: Deception Bay, Qld

Event date: 3 February 2017

Funeral date: ? ? ?

Funeral location: ?

Buried at: ?

Memorial date: Wednesday 24 May 2017

Memorial located at: QPS Animal memorial, Oxley, Qld

[alert_green]WACO is mentioned on the QPS Animal Memorial Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

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

Memorial held today for beloved Police Dog Waco

May 24, 2017 2:19 pm/in National /by Shanee Dobeson

A memorial for police dog Waco, who died after suffering heat exhaustion while trying to track down offenders in Deception Bay in February, has been held today.

Commissioner Ian Stewart joined Dog Squad officers at the QPS Animal Memorial in Oxley to honour and pay tribute to the beloved pup.

During the memorial, PD Waco’s handler ( Senior Constable Stephenson ) spoke fondly of his partner saying Waco was dearly missed by him and his family.

“Waco was my first police dog and we worked together as a team for seven years,” Waco’s handler said.

“He never hesitated to protect me and for that I will be forever grateful.”

During his time, PD Waco was responsible for locating missing people and hundreds of offenders for numerous offences ranging from armed robberies and unlawful woundings to break and enters.

Commissioner Stewart said “We remember PD Waco today with fondness and gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice he gave in serving the Queensland community.”

Waco is the first working animal recognised as passing on duty since the establishment of the QPS Animal Memorial in December 2014.

http://www.mygc.com.au/memorial-held-today-beloved-police-dog-waco/

Ann Jane BRIMBLECOMBE

21/07/2017

Ann Jane BRIMBLECOMBE

Victorian Police Force

aka Senior Ann

Regd. # 21795

Rank: Senior Constable – appointed in ? ? 1985

Stations: Force Reserve – Russell Street, Kew,

Russell St police women’s Division ( 1981 ), Community Police Squad ( Melbournes’ East ),

Force Reserve – Russell St ( 1993 ), Wangaratta ( 1995 – 16 August 2006 ) – Death

Service: From ? ? 1979 to 16 August 2006 = 27 years Service

Awards: National Medal – granted 26 March 1998

April 2006 – received a Community Service award from Wangaratta Council

Born: 8 December 1957

Died on: Wednesday 16/08/2006

Age: 49

Cause: Single Motor Vehicle Collision -v- tree – Driver – Non Urgent Duty in fog

Event location: Omeo Hwy ( Larsens Cutting ) about 2.5 kms south of Eskdale

Funeral date: 21 August 2006

Funeral location: Holy Trinity Cathedral, Wangaratta

Buried at: Eldorado Cemetery, Eldorado, Victoria

Memorial: 1/ Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award – School Road Safety

2/ Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms at Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit

Memorial at: Wangaratta Police station, 21 Handley St – Commemorative plaque

[alert_green]ANN IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

Grave Location:

[codepeople-post-map]

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

Ann Brimblecombe’s life was one well spent with almost 1000 mourners turning out to Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Cathedral yesterday to bid the Victorian policewoman farewell.
Killed in a car accident at Larsens Cutting near Eskdale, last Wednesday, Sen-Constable Brimblecombe was known about the North East for her work in schools as a bicycle education officer.
The service, conducted with full police honours, reflected her jovial nature, her sense of community and voluntaryism and most of all, her strong relationship with the region’s children.
Her older brother, Peter Brimblecombe spoke of her love for sport, the Geelong Football Club, her idol Gary Ablett and of the North East as her “spiritual home”.
“After graduating from Chadstone College, she attended teachers’ college at Bendigo and after getting her degree there were no primary teaching jobs available,” he said.
“It was then she made the decision to join the Victoria Police.”
Mr Brimblecombe said his sister had eight nephews and nieces and remembered all their birthdays, was highly active in the Wangaratta bowls club, and taught adult literacy.
“Her other great loves were dogs and chocolate,” he said.
“She was old fashioned, quirky, bright and bubbly, she had a daggy sense of humour.
“Ann was a one and only.”
The service was attended by Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Christine Nixon and Victorian Police Minister Tim Holding.
Most knew her as Senior Ann, and pupils of Wangaratta West, Chisholm St Primary, Wangaratta Primary, Cathedral College, St Monica’s Primary in Wodonga, St Patrick’s at Wangaratta, Moyhu Primary, Everton Primary, Wangaratta West, Yarrunga, Appin Park Primary and Bright P-12 College formed a guard of honour.
Wangaratta Primary teacher David Capper paid tribute.
“She had a terrific sense of humour, she used to make the kids do her Prince Philip walk and make them say ‘just like Senior Ann’ whenever she taught them anything,” he said.
Beth Hutchinson, of Beechworth, said her daughter India-Rose, 11, taught by Senior Ann, had asked to attend the service.
“She really got through to the kids, we were ever so grateful — she’s such a loss to the community,” Ms Hutchinson said.

– By Riccarda Burley, August 22, 2006

Police form honor guard at Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe's funeral. — Police form honor guard at Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe’s funeral.

In memory of our friend and colleague Ann Brimblecombe Senior Constable 21795<br /> `Senior Ann`<br /> Tragically killed performing road safety in active duty<br /> August 16, 2006<br /> Member of the Wangaratta Police complex<br /> -------<br /> Commemorates Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe placed in the Wangaratta Paediatric Unit. The memorial plaque was officially dedicated at Batchelor's Green on the 10th May 2012.<br /> Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a Wangaratta Highway Patrol member who was killed in a car crash in August 2006 while travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta to give a bicycle safety lecture. She was affectionately known as "Senior Ann" by children as she ran bicycle education programs throughout the North East.<br /> Address of plaque:<br /> 21 Handley Street, Wangaratta Police Complex, Wangaratta, 3677, Victoria, Australia — In memory of our friend and colleague Ann Brimblecombe Senior Constable 21795
`Senior Ann`
Tragically killed performing road safety in active duty
August 16, 2006
Member of the Wangaratta Police complex
——-
Commemorates Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe placed in the Wangaratta Paediatric Unit. The memorial plaque was officially dedicated at Batchelor’s Green on the 10th May 2012.
Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a Wangaratta Highway Patrol member who was killed in a car crash in August 2006 while travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta to give a bicycle safety lecture. She was affectionately known as “Senior Ann” by children as she ran bicycle education programs throughout the North East.
Address of plaque:
21 Handley Street, Wangaratta Police Complex, Wangaratta, 3677, Victoria, Australia

BRIMBLECOMBE<br /> SEN.CON. ANN JANE<br /> "SENIOR ANN"<br /> 8.12.1957 - 16.8.2006<br /> Loved daughter of Alex and Jennifer. Sister to Peter, Claire, Ian & Ross<br /> Treasured Memories — BRIMBLECOMBE
SEN.CON. ANN JANE
“SENIOR ANN”
8.12.1957 – 16.8.2006
Loved daughter of Alex and Jennifer. Sister to Peter, Claire, Ian & Ross
Treasured Memories

‘Safety – Think It .. Do It’ to win $2,000 for your school

A message about safety at your school or in the community could win your school $2,000 and also have them receive the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award. The ‘Caring About Regional Safety’ (CARS) program, which is now in its eighth year, is a primary school based competition that gets kids thinking about safety.

CARS began as a way to both commemorate the valuable work that Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe did with primary school children and also help ensure her messages about safety are ongoing. Tragically ‘Senior Ann’ as she was affectionately known by hundreds of school children, died as the result of a motor vehicle accident in August 2006.

Get Your Class Involved

The competition is open to all local primary schools in NE Victoria and Southern New South Wales and asks children to actively think about safety and create a promotional poster. It could be safety at home, in the school yard or even when they are travelling.
Teachers may like to encourage students to think about a safety message that they are individually interested in or have the class decide on a safety theme that everyone can concentrate on.
Teachers should collate all their students’ posters (ensuring that each students name, class and school are written on the back) and send to the CARS Action Team before the competition closes each year.

To help stimulate the students, a representative of the police force will be available to visit every school to talk to students about safety. If your school would like to organise a visit or if you would like to find out more about CARS contact:

CARS Action Team – Senior Sergeant Michael Connors
Wangaratta Police Station
1 Handley Street, Wangaratta VIC 3677
Phone: 0357 230 830

Safety Sam – Think It .. Do It

‘Safety Sam’ is our mascot to help promote the ‘Safety- Think It .. Do It’ message. If the winning poster has the image of Safety Sam included in it, the students who created it will (pending parental approval) win a ride in a police car as well as a ride in a police boat. Download an image of Safety Sam here.

https://www.wawcu.com.au/IN-THE-COMMUNITY/Events-Promotions/CARS-School-Safety-Initiative.aspx

Canberra United Twitter Account

10 December 2016

Canberra United?Verified account @CanberraUnited 10 Dec 2016<br /> Congratulations @ashsykes91, winner of the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Medal for Player of the Match! — Canberra United?Verified account @CanberraUnited 10 Dec 2016
Congratulations @ashsykes91, winner of the **Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Medal** for Player of the Match! #BlueRibbonCup #MCYvCBR pic.twitter.com/HZjAC0OM5c

The Blue Ribbon Cup – Melbourne City v Canberra United

Friday, 9 December 2016 –

Canberra United

Melbourne City & Canberra United will play for the Blue Ribbon Cup on Saturday in their second meeting of the 2016/17 Westfield W-League season.

The Blue Ribbon Cup is held in partnership with the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, which perpetuates the memory of members of the Victorian Police Force killed in the line of duty, by supporting worthwhile community projects within the State.

This will be the first edition of the W-League Blue Ribbon Cup, with the player of the match to be awarded the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Medal.

Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe passed away on duty in 2006 when her vehicle ran off the road while travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta.

Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a serving member of the Victorian Police Force for over 26 years, and was promoted to Senior Constable in 1985 after six years in the force.

Canberra United Head Coach Rae Dower, a former member of the Queensland Police Force for over 20 years, said that the occasion adds something of a personal feel to the matchday.

“It’s a lovely initiative from Melbourne City, the Blue Ribbon Cup, played for between the two teams,” she said.

“And with nearly 21 years in the Police service I’ve lost a lot of friends on the job, unfortunately, but also with some illnesses; a lot of emergency services personnel commit suicide after they retire, or whilst they’re still on the job.”

“So it certainly will be a more personal touch, and probably gives us a little more incentive to go on and win that as well.”

More information on the Blue Ribbon Foundation can be found at http://www.remember.org.au/, including information on the projects managed by the organisation, and an honour roll of those who have served.

– See more at: http://www.canberraunited.com.au/article/the-blue-ribbon-cup—melbourne-city-v-canberra-united/camla3n5avhj1y2g4ax87nq9a#sthash.9P5iK5hl.dpuf

2016

Brimblecombe, Senior Constable Ann Jane

08/12/57 – 16/08/06

To those involved in keeping ‘Senior Ann’s’ work and memory alive for ten years. Thank you with pride and gratitude from her family.

Published in The Border Mail o – See more at: http://tributes.bordermail.com.au/obituaries/bordermail-au/obituary.aspx?pid=181073547#sthash.1Mi0dvMF.dpuf

Tribute for a special sister

Rosemary bushes for Ann Brimblecombe

Leah Tindill

ltindill@nemedia.com.au

Monday, August 15, 2016

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Claire Lewis with the pink rosemary to be planted in memory of her sister, policewoman Ann Brimblecombe who died 10 years ago. PHOTO: Wendy Stephens

TWO rosemary bushes will be planted next to an existing commemorative plaque for Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe.

The plants will be installed at Wangaratta Police station by Ann’s sister, Claire Lewis, on Tuesday on the 10th anniversary of Ann’s death.

The former Wangaratta police officer, affectionately known as ‘Senior Ann’, was tragically killed in a car accident at age 49 in 2006, on her way from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta to present a bike safety session.

Victoria Police Facebook page

Rod Johns I attended and took charge at this collision a very sad day and one I reflect on often, a lovely lady who put so much energy into the children at the schools she attended. A great community loss and to her family.

Like · Reply · 30 · August 1, 2014 at 5:23pm

Bev Nolen We also knew Ann, she was a beautiful person, sadly missed

Like · Reply · 5 · August 1, 2014 at 6:52pm

Werner Mehl Keep re-inforcing/re-informing about awareness of road safety

Like · Reply · 7 · August 1, 2014 at 4:51pm

Nicole Shortis I was a member at the Wangaratta bowls club with Anne and her family when this tragedy happened. It was nice to see her face come up on Facebook. Great to see such a good project come from a sad tragedy.

Like · Reply · 3 · August 1, 2014 at 9:39pm

Tahn Lawler I remember Senior Ann being at my school in Chiltern. The Prince Phillip Walk definitely confirms it.

Like · Reply · 3 · August 1, 2014 at 5:22pm · Edited

Greg Doherty Anne was always on the look out for teaching aids I managed to get hold of the bicycle helmet that my sons mate was wearing when he was hit by a car the inner helmet was shattered saving the boys life it made a great teaching aid for her . Anne was always pleasant to talk to despite her illness she just kept on going. She was a very dedicated person and her sudden demise came as one hell of a shock to the T.M.U office at wangaratta. Vale Annie Brimblecombe.,

Like · Reply · 1 · August 1, 2014 at 9:57pm · Edited

Tara Emily Prince Philip walk!

Like · Reply · 1 · August 1, 2014 at 4:39pm

Gillian O’Hara R.I.P. Sorry to hear this news.

Like · Reply · 1 · August 1, 2014 at 10:38pm

Pam O’Sullivan RIP Ann. I hope those school kids get the message you were on your way to deliver. You’ve shown by example how quickly and without warning death can take the life of a road user. My condolences to your family and colleagues..

Like · Reply · August 3, 2014 at 10:39am

Courtney Morgan Meg Rickard

Like · Reply · August 2, 2014 at 7:44am

Christine Thomas

🙁

Like · Reply · August 1, 2014 at 8:04pm

Amanda Champion Emily Roberts

Like · Reply · August 1, 2014 at 4:37pm

Address: 21 Handley Street, Wangaratta Police Complex, Wangaratta, 3677 — Address: Wangaratta Police Complex. 21 Handley Street, Wangaratta Police Complex, Wangaratta, Victoria.

Ann Brimblecombe’s students teach police a thing or too

NATALIE KOTSIOS
17 Jul 2013

Winners are grinners: Sgt Michael Connors and WAW Credit Unions Peter Challis gave Wooragee pupils their prize yesterday. Picture: MATTHEW SMITHWICK

A COMPETITION designed to give children safety awareness is teaching Victoria Police a thing or two, too.

This year’s Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award was launched yesterday at Wooragee Primary School, the winner of last year’s safety awareness competition.

The award, in its 7th year, commemorates Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe, the North East’s road safety in schools officer, killed in a car accident in 2006.

She was the state’s only such officer and there hasn’t been another in the North East since.

Her memory lives on through this competition, which involves North East and Albury pupils creating posters with safety messages.

Sgt Michael Connors, of Wangaratta highway patrol, encouraged children to talk about all aspects of safety.

He said their observations gave police greater insights and were often “completely different to what the police are thinking”.

“I can’t stress enough how important that is. You couldn’t gauge how many kids have been saved by Ann Brimblecombe’s message,” he said.

Wooragee’s winning entry focused on stranger danger. Other themes were cyber-bullying, kitchen safety and phoning while driving.

The winning school receives $2000 from WAW Credit Union.

Wooragee Primary School principal Christine Varker said the children were already brain-storming ideas.

She said the competition had changed how pupils thought about safety and they “now talk about much broader issues than just road safety.”

The school will spend its prize money on building a chicken coop.

“They’ve even considered the safety of the chickens,” Ms Varker said.

“They’ve ensured it will be fox and wedge-tail eagle-proof.”

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1643056/ann-brimblecombes-students-teach-police-a-thing-or-too/

Ann’s presence still being felt

ASHLEY ARGOON
11 May 2012

North East Health chief Margaret Bennett, Ann Brimblecombes parents Alex and Jennifer Brimblecombe, and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe at the presentation. Picture: KYLIE ESLER

THERE couldn’t be a more appropriate way of paying tribute to Sen-Constable Ann Brimblecombe than what was unveiled yesterday.

The Wangaratta police officer died in 2006 while on duty after her car veered off the road when travelling to Mitta to give school children a bicycle safety lecture.

Children’s safety was close to her heart and it’s because of her that the Wangaratta Hospital’s paediatric unit has now become a safer place.

In tribute to Sen-Constable Brimblecombe, the unit received a $30,000 donation from the police Blue Ribbon Foundation for security doors and a refurbishment to their baby room.

Jennifer Brimblecombe said her daughter didn’t like a fuss being made over her.

“She’d be thrilled to bits for the honour but she was just very happy doing her work, hoping it would stick with all the children as they grew up,” she said.

“You can’t get around the fact she’s not here but at least her work is being carried on.”

Sen-Constable Brimblecombe’s passion for educating stemmed from her original ambition to become a schoolteacher.

“She actually couldn’t get a job when she finished a teaching course. She tried very hard for a while then the next thing we knew she applied for the police force,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.

Soon after she was offered a position to teach, but instead chose the police force.

“She was a very dedicated girl. When she decided she wanted to do something that was her focus completely,” Mrs Brimblecombe said.

Unveiling the plaques to commemorate the memorial was one of the last tasks for deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe, who will retire after 44 years of service on July 1.

He said the Victorian police force was often described as having “a ringside seat at the greatest show on earth” but it still had its lows.

“When you are in a position of authority and leadership and you hear of these things, like what happened to Ann Brimblecombe and others, they’re lowlights in the organisation,” he said.

“But when you think of the Ann Brimblecombe paediatric rooms, it just really epitomises what Ann was about.”

Funding for the urgent care unit at Benalla Hospital was also revealed in memory of Sen-Constable Simon De Winne, who died in 1998 after colliding with a tree while trying to pull a car over for a traffic offence.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/6387/anns-presence-still-being-felt/

Police Life December 2010<br /> — Police Life **December 2010**

Traffic award honours memory of local officer

Release date: Tue 17 July 2007

Last updated: Tue 17 July 2007

The Wangaratta community joined forces to honour one of their most beloved police officers and continue her dedication to road safety with the launch of the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award today at Yarrunga Primary School.

Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe was Victoria’s only dedicated Road Safety in Schools officer, making her “truly one of a kind” according to her colleagues.

Tragically, S/C Brimblecombe was killed in a vehicle collision in August 2006 on her way to Mitta Mitta Primary School.

Assistant Commissioner (Region 4) Bob Hastings said the award was a fitting tribute to S/C Brimblecombe.

“One of Ann’s strengths was her commitment to road safety and the impact she had on hundreds of young lives in the area,” A/C Hastings said.

“I’m very proud to launch the Ann Brimblecombe Memorial Award and I strongly believe it will continue her work in road safety.

“Victoria Police is grateful for the support of WAW Credit Union and local schools in this initiative, which allows the community to be actively involved in promoting and developing the road safety message.”

The award was the idea of a number of Wangaratta police members after Region 4 Division 5 Superintendent Jock Menzel suggested they look at a way of honouring S/C Brimblecombe’s memory.

It invites schools to ‘Care About Road Safety’ (CARS) by identifying a road safety issue and developing an action plan to combat it.

The school that submits the entry judged to deliver the most benefit to their school community will also receive $2000 from WAW Credit Union.

A/C Hastings spoke at today’s launch about the impact S/C Brimblecombe had on the community.

“Ann had her own way of passing on the road safety message, trying to make it as fun as possible and as a result her messages would be remembered,” A/C Hastings said.

“There would be many occasions where Ann would purchase small toys or action figures on her own initiative, in an effort to show kids a message she was trying to get across, such as toy rollerblades and the correct way to lace them up.

“If you went to her class, you would probably remember the big board game of safety she invented so children could remember the rules of road safety. The message at number 100 was ‘You made it to school safely – well done!’.”

A/C Hastings also reflected on S/C Brimblecombe’s generous nature and her ability to make everyone feel special.

“Ann was awarded prize money at one point by the Wangaratta Council Youth Representatives and approached Senior Sergeant Bill Gore to check she was allowed to keep it, then spent it on prizes for the kids at schools,” he said.

“She had a way of making sure nobody missed out and when there were kids who maybe needed a helmet for riding their bike to school but perhaps couldn’t afford it, Ann always made sure they had the right equipment.

“She also received money from the North East Community Road Safety Council each year to communicate the road safety message through schools and Ann always spent this money on equipment to ensure ‘her’ kids were on safe bikes.”

In an effort to promote road safety, WAW Credit Union has also lent their support to the award.

“As part of our Community Support policy, WAW Credit Union actively looks for ways to support worthwhile projects in the areas our service centres operate,” said WAW spokesperson Linda Butler.

“The work S/C Ann Brimblecombe did within our region’s schools was invaluable and so we were very excited to be asked to be part of the Caring About Road Safety initiative.

“WAW knows that these sort of activities are certain to keep the memory of Ann and the work she did ongoing for many years to come and we applaud Victoria Police and the Blue Ribbon Foundation for their work in this area.”

A/C Hastings urged all students to think about how they could best make a positive impact on their school.

“This competition is about the school community so think about the ways you can improve road safety around it,” he said.

“A safer bus shelter, a fence around your school crossing to ensure children don’t spill out on to the roadway, road signs, anything else that you can think of that will make your school safer – put it together in a submission and send it in.

“We’ll never know how many young people are alive today because of Ann’s work over the years and Victoria Police and its partners in this competition hope to see this work continue.”

Natalie Webster
Media Office

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=11671

Dedicated policewoman killed in crash

Andrea Petrie
August 17, 2006

THICK fog is believed to have caused a single-vehicle crash that killed a country policewoman dedicated to teaching children about road safety.

Senior Constable Ann Brimblecombe, 49, was on duty and travelling from Wangaratta to Mitta Mitta yesterday when her vehicle ran off the Omeo Highway about 2½ kilometres south of Eskdale and struck a tree.

Senior Constable Brimblecombe, a bicycle education officer, was on her way to give a lecture at the time.

Police believe she left Wangaratta at 7.30am and at some stage her car left the road in foggy conditions. It was discovered by a farmer about 11am.

She had been a police officer for 27 years and had worked at force reserve in Russell Street before being stationed at Kew.

In 1981 she was stationed at the Russell Street policewomen’s division and also served in the community police squad in Melbourne’s east. She was promoted to senior constable in 1985 and while she returned to force reserve in 1993, she transferred to Wangaratta in 1995 where she had worked ever since.

Yackandandah Primary School, where Senior Constable Brimblecombe had spent the two days before her death teaching road safety, was in shock after learning of the tragedy.

Principal Kathy Petzke said the pupils looked forward to Senior Constable Brimblecombe’s annual visit.

“It was quite an interactive program she provided with a lot of home-made props … We’re all very shocked about what has happened yet grateful for the important role she played.”

Wangaratta police acting Inspector David Ryan said her death was a great loss not only to Victoria Police, but also to the general school community.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hastings said Senior Constable Brimblecombe regularly travelled long distances as part of her job. “She was always a very cautious and safe driver … she was well prepared and knew the country and the terrain,” he said.

“I went to visit Ann’s parents and spoke with her mum and dad and brother and sister there and they are handling it as well as can be expected.”

Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said Senior Constable Brimblecombe was a well-respected member who would be sadly missed.

Police Minister Tim Holding yesterday expressed sympathy to Senior Constable Brimblecombe’s family. “Our thoughts also go out to her friends and fellow officers,” he said. “We honour her service and are greatly saddened by the tragic circumstances of her passing.”

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/dedicated-policewoman-killed-in-crash/2006/08/16/1155407884303.html

Mark Anthony BATEMAN

21/07/2017

Mark Anthony BATEMAN

Victoria Police Force

Regd. # 30810

Rank: Senior Constable

Stations: ?, Northcote – death

Service: From ? ? ? to 20 May 2000 = ? years Service

Awards: No find on It’s An Honour

Born: ? ? 1970

Died on: Saturday 20 May 2000 @ 2.20am

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – killed instantly

Age: 30

Funeral date: ? ? ?

Funeral location: ?

Buried at: ?

Memorial at: Blue Ribbon Foundation Portland District Health Emergency Helipad

Mark Bateman with his children, Jack and Daisy. Source: News Limited

Jack Bateman and his grandfather, Phil Bateman, place flowers at the memorial service

Daisy Bateman (front, second from left), Jack Bateman, Tina Robinson and daughters.

James St, Northcote - Northcote Police Stn. Front Inscription Donated by the Northcote R.S.L. in memory of Senior Constable Mark Anthony Bateman 30810 and Senior Constable Fiona Frances Robinson 30507 tragically killed in the line of duty 20 May, 2000 Lest We Forget — James St, Northcote – Northcote Police Stn.
Front Inscription
Donated by the Northcote R.S.L. in memory of Senior Constable Mark Anthony Bateman 30810 and Senior Constable Fiona Frances Robinson 30507 tragically killed in the line of duty 20 May, 2000
Lest We Forget

[alert_green]MARK IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

Funeral location: ?

FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

At approximately 2.20am on Saturday 20th May, 2000 Senior Constable Fiona Robinson and Senior Constable Mark Bateman were travelling along High Street, Northcote with emergency lights activated in response to an emergency call. At the intersection of Dennis & High Streets the divisional van they were driving collided with another vehicle before coming to rest against a traffic control signal and electricity pole. Both members were killed instantly. Fiona was 30 years of age.

ELEVEN years ago, Debra Bateman’s police officer husband was killed on duty. She chose to be strong.

Debra Bateman is the face of Blue Ribbon Day … a wonderful choice, as I will explain, and a job well done by the organisers.

I say job, because Debra, sorry Dr Bateman, is not the sort of person who has ever sought the spotlight so I’m guessing they had to work hard to convince her.

It’s perhaps why she never aimed for the stars as a child. Dr Bateman says she begrudgingly finished high school before qualifying as a hairdresser.

Yet, she is now a senior lecturer in higher education research at Deakin University and recently has been honoured with two national teaching awards for excellence, the Pearson ATEA Australia Teacher Educator of the Year and the Australian Learning and Teaching Council award.

She has also been cited for her outstanding contribution to student learning.

“Who’d have thought!” Dr Bateman, 43, says with a laugh.

And, yet, just a little more 10 years ago, things were so different, so despairing.

At 32, Dr Bateman became a widow, but don’t call her that, especially if it makes you feel sorry for her or you are tempted to plant a consoling kiss on her cheek. Because people, Dr Bateman says, do that when you are a widow. You can see the pity work across their faces, she says. The assumptions registered.

Perhaps she is more conscious of the emotional baggage the name carries because of the sudden and shocking way Dr Bateman became a widow on a Saturday night in May 2000.

Her husband, Sen-Constable Mark Bateman, was on night patrol with newly married Sen-Constable Fiona Robinson.

They were answering a call to attend a reported holdup at a bakery in Northcote, when their van was clipped by another vehicle, became airborne and crashed into a power pole.

Both officers were killed.

Dr Bateman was at home with children, Jack, 17 months, and Daisy, who was nine weeks old.

She has never spoken publicly about her 29-year-old husband’s death until now and only because she is the face of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Day. So why now?

“I feel it is appropriate for me to step up,” she told me.

“I have a few runs on the board, successes in my life.”

She also spoke to children Daisy, now 11, and Jack, who is 12, about going public and said the family agreed it was a privilege to do it and a positive thing to do and they all wanted to give something back.

Dr Bateman will feature in an advertising campaign promoting the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Day on September 29. It is a day when Victorians wear blue and white ribbons as a mark of respect for the sacrifice and memory of 157 police men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty in Victoria.

Money raised – $5.5 million to date – goes to pay for new lifesaving equipment in Victoria’s public hospitals.

Mark Bateman was, his wife says, a very proud policeman who also loved his football club. He wasn’t a complicated bloke. They met when he was 16, she was 18, and they married eight years later, when Dr Bateman had completed a teaching diploma.

There were a few hurdles along the way. A kilometre from the site of the accident that would claim Mark’s life, the couple had a horrific car accident. Mark, then 19, suffered broken ribs, but Dr Bateman, 21, suffered a brain injury that would keep her in hospital and rehabilitation for a year.

She said the accident was a major transition for both of them.

Mark would emerge an incredibly committed person, Dr Bateman a young woman heading in a new direction.

She was a qualified hairdresser, but a vocational therapist told her she could not do that any more, because she wouldn’t be able to stand on her feet all day.

Dr Bateman was told she would make a great teacher. The therapist was spot on. She was a born teacher.

When Mark died, Dr Bateman became a single mother and was forced to think about what she wanted to do, “because I really had grown up”.

Juggling children, she completed a doctorate and now works in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof Jane Den Hollander. Previously, she worked in the School of Education.

Prof Den Hollander said Dr Bateman was a shining example of what could be achieved through dogged determination, perseverance and a love of lifelong learning. She doesn’t tell anyone she is a police widow, because Dr Bateman does not want to be defined by it and she wants her children to know they are special, but not because their father died.

It was also important to her to maintain her integrity and independence.

“I’m a very self-contained unit, that’s how I describe myself,” Dr Bateman said.

A good teacher is also a good learner. Four weeks after Mark’s death, Dr Bateman was invited to a lunch attended by several police widows. She said: “I was still very raw. (But) I could see women around the tables who had made choices. Some stuck with the very moment of losing their partners. Others were amazing women who were resilient and robust. They had incredible integrity and pride in who they were.”

Dr Bateman said her parents, Alan and Joy, had taught her to never give up and she had two babies who required her to make some serious choices.

“I chose to be strident and strong,” she said.

“I’ve proven that widows can do anything they want to do and I have proven to myself that stuff I never dared dream was possible.”

Like I said, she is a wonderful role model for us all, not just widows, and her story is a lesson in how to not be burdened by a catastrophic tragedy, but rather be inspired by it. It’s a story of a woman who stayed strong and a family which helped each other through the sadness and despair.

And for those who believe that Mark Bateman is looking down on them, well, he’d be looking down with pride.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/standing-up-for-widows/story-fn6bn88w-1226123536654

12-11-2001
Vic: Police car type did not contribute to officers’ deaths

A coroner has found the deaths of two policemen in a car accident in Melbourne were not influenced by the van in which they were travelling.

Senior Constable MARK BATEMAN, aged 30, and 31-year-old Senior Constable FIONA ROBINSON died from multiple injuries after their divisional van rolled when it side-swiped another car in suburban Northcote on May 20 last year.

Coroner PHILLIP GOLDBERG said the two police officers were en route to a burglary in progress and were trying to overtake the slower moving car.

He said a subsequent police investigation revealed that the Holden Commodore in which they were travelling had a higher potential to roll over than the previous model Ford.

The Commodore divisional vans are no longer used by police.

But Mr GOLDBERG says the Commodore’s greater risk of rolling did not aggravate the circumstances of the two police officers deaths.

http://gmac-financce.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/vic-police-car-type-did-not-contribute.html

Gone but not forgotten

Trevor Robinson stood before about 150 people and declared that for the rest of his life he would love the wife he lost in tragic circumstances 10 years earlier.

At the same time, he told of his love for Tina Robinson, whom he has since married, and the two daughters they have together.

The words were spoken at a memorial service where it was said that not only are Senior Constable Fiona Robinson, and the colleague who died with her, Senior

Constable Mark Bateman, loved and not forgotten, but also that life has moved on

in some positive ways.

The service was held 10 years to the day since the two Northcote police officers

were killed in a divisional van accident as they were heading to a reported holdup.

After being hit by another vehicle, the van partially overturned and crashed into an

electricity pole.

The deaths sparked a review of police van safety and led to the introduction of the

Crewman vehicle, which was designed to reduce the risk of rolling over. In September last year, the government announced that new vans, each featuring six airbags and an Electronic Stability Program, are being introduced in a phased rollout that will replace the Crewman vehicles.

Family, friends and representatives of the Victoria Police Force and The Police

Association attended the memorial, where Mark Bateman’s widow, Deb Bateman,

recalled the night she had “a visit from the police that a police family truly dreads”.

She had a two-year old son, Jack, and a baby daughter, Daisy. Trevor and Fiona Robinson had been married only three months.

Deb told how in 10 years, Jack has enjoyed school success, Daisy shines in basketball and she herself has completed a PhD. Life has gone on, she said, even as they continue to miss Mark.

An approach from Northcote Police, suggesting a commemoration of the 10th

anniversary of the tragedy, is an example of Deb’s assertion that the police community has never deserted her and her family.

Police Legacy organised a Perth holiday for the children last year. They have flown in a police helicopter with the Chief Commissioner thanks to the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

“Today is a very special day in the coming together of all those really important

police organisations that keep us connected,” said Deb.

“My children have a very strong sense that they belong somewhere within the police

community.”

https://tpav.org.au/_documents/Journals/2010/f0d5b0af-1455-4de1-98ca-46245a9ea86d/tpav_july_2010.pdf

By DEBBIE CUTHBERTSON

Officers at the tightly knit Northcote police station in Melbourne’s inner north are today mourning the deaths of two of their colleagues in a road accident early yesterday. Senior Constable Mark Bateman, 30, and his 31-year-old friend and colleague Senior Constable Fiona Robinson who was married just 11 weeks ago were killed when their divisional van hit a pole after colliding with a car in High Street, Northcote, about 2.20am.

One of the- two officers was believed to have swapped a shift with a colleague and was not originally rostered to work on Friday night.

Acting Chief Commissioner Neil O’Loughlin said he was deeply saddened by the accident, which highlighted the dangers police faced. “It’s tragic that these members died whilst serving the community,” he said.

The officers were described by the officer-in-charge at Northcote, Senior Sergeant Rick McIntosh, as “happy-go-lucky characters”. “Fiona would always have a smile on her face, even when she was working under pressure,” he said. “She had only recently been married.”

Senior Constable Bateman was also married, with a two-year-old son, Jack, and a daughter, Daisy, three months. “Mark loved work and was dedicated to his family,” Senior Sergeant McIntosh said.

Police spokesman Kevin Loomes said the 40 officers stationed at Northcote were receiving counselling. He said some of them had arrived at work yesterday unaware their friends had been killed.

The assistant secretary of the Police Association, Senior Sergeant Paul Mullett, said the deaths of the two officers would be deeply felt among their colleagues and in the community. “

They certainly enjoyed a good reputation, a very good reputation,” he said. “They’re both renowned for their dedication . . . They are two respected members within their own workplace, and they had a reputation of respect among their local community.”

Yesterday, Northcote residents and police paid their respects by dropping flowers off at the police station. Bunches of flowers were also taped to a pole at the accident scene. Mr Loomes said the accident occurred while the two officers were driving north along High St.

Opening of Emergency Helipad and Dedication of Mark Bateman Memorial

Late Mark Bateman's Children Jack & Daisy Bateman - Handprinting into Cement as part of Memorial at the Helipad. — Late Mark Bateman’s Children Jack & Daisy Bateman – Handprinting into Cement as part of Memorial at the Helipad.

Friday, December 11, 2015

The Portland district community celebrated the opening of the city’s new helipad on 8 December 2015.

The official opening of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Portland District Health Emergency Helipad marked the culmination of a long and dedicated campaign over the past 9 years.

PDH CEO Chris Giles said the helipad was a community facility that came about as a result of great local support. The community turned out in hundred to join in the celebrations of the opening of this potentially life-saving facility for our district.

The Chairman of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, Bill Noonan, OAM, the President of the Portland Branch, Peter Corbett and President of Portland District Health Board of Management Michelle Kearney lead the opening of the Emergency Helipad.

The ceremony also included the dedication of a permanent police memorial in memory of Senior Constable Mark Bateman who died with his partner Senior Constable Fiona Robinson on May 20, 2000 when their divisional van was involved in a crash while answering a priority one call at Northcote.

The dedication will also be a celebration of community spirit and determination as it acknowledges the many organisations, individuals, trades people, suppliers and sponsors who have donated their professional skills, materials and other resources for the building of the vital emergency facility.

We should acknowledge Neil Soullier – Victorian Blue Ribbon Foundation CEO for his great support throughout the project, Peter Corbett – President of the Portland Blue Ribbon Foundation Branch and loyal committee, Peter Carr – Volunteer Project Manager, the many PDH staff previous and present who have lived and breathed helipad over the past 9 years, Carolyn Malseed for pulling together the opening with the Blue Ribbon committee and the many businesses and organisations who volunteered time and/or donated towards the project to make this happen. There are many other people that could be thanked, this list goes on and on and we are grateful for their support and assistance.

Business Donors to Assist Construct Helipad:

G.R CARR PTY LTD

Hanson Concrete

Fulton Hogan

PFM Engineering

Bob Menzel

Parfrey Plumbing Pty Ltd

Mibus Bros

Bluescope Distribution

Lawrence and Hansen

Portland Sign works

Lions Club Portland

Keppel Prince Cranes

Mick Wilson Plumbing

Lovell’s Group

Berry & Whyte Surveyors

Exile Concrete Pumping

Stickmans Contracting

Hammonds Paint

Peter Bell

Tutt Bryant

Blackwoods

K J Vic

Brent Jennings Concrete

Michael Hunter – Icon Investments

R & C Eather

A.T.S (Graham Robertson)

Tim Black

Parchem

http://swarh.com.au/pdh/news/opening-of-emergency-helipad-and-dedication-of-mark-bateman-memorial

Blue Ribbon Day at Scotch

December 2011

WORDS: Mr Tim Shearer

National Police Remembrance Day, or Blue Ribbon Day as it is better known in Victoria, occurs every September, and this year’s Blue Ribbon Day was Thursday 29 September ( 2011 ).

This year Scotch ( Scotch College, Melbourne ) was nominated as the ambassador school for Blue Ribbon Day, and on Wednesday 14 September Mr Neil Soullier OAM, the CEO of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, attended assembly and presented a flag of remembrance to the Principal. The flag was flown at Scotch until Blue Ribbon Day, Thursday 29 September.

Principal Tom Batty, Mr Neil Soullier OAM and Jack Bateman (Year 7) with the Blue Ribbon flag of remembrance.

At the assembly, Jack Bateman (Year 7) addressed the school, speaking of his close identification with Blue Ribbon Day.‘My name is Jack Bateman. This morning I want to talk to all of you about something which is pretty close to my heart. The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a community organisation which ensures that the memories of police who have died in the line of duty live on as part of the community.

‘One of the police who have died on duty is my dad, Mark Anthony Bateman, Senior Constable, stationed at the Northcote Police Station, and this year my family have proudly agreed to represent the Blue Ribbon Foundation. The foundation was founded in 1998 and has a roll of honour which lists 157 police members who have died. My dad is part of history and the honour roll dates back to 1858.

‘The foundation is mainly run by volunteers who organise fundraising events throughout Victoria. All money goes to community projects that promote awareness, and for important projects like hospitals which are named in honour of fallen officers.

‘We can do nothing to bring them back, but as a grateful community we can take steps to honour their memory and ensure their sacrifice is acknowledged. I hope that we at Scotch College will be able to contribute to the Blue Ribbon Foundation’s mission – a good start is to wear a blue ribbon on Police Remembrance Day, 29 September.’

https://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/community/publications/great-scot/2011-december/blue-ribbon-day-at-scotch.aspx

Fiona Frances ROBINSON

21/07/2017

Fiona Frances ROBINSON – nee De LEUUW

Victoria Police Force

Regd. # 30507

Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 17 February 1995

Senior Constable – appointed August 1999

Stations: Mill Park ( 17 February 1995 ), Transit ( April 1977 ), Northcote ( March 1999 ) – death

Service: From ? ? ?pre 17 February 1995 to 20 May 2000 = 5+ years Service

Awards: posthumous Victoria Police Star – Awarded on 19 July 2005

Born: ? ? 1969

Died on: Saturday 20 May 2000 @ 2.20am

Cause: Motor Vehicle Accident – killed instantly

Age: 31

Funeral date: ? ? ?

Funeral location: ?

Buried at: ?

Memorial at: the Fiona Robinson Treatment Room, Children’s Ward, Geelong Hospital, Victoria

[alert_green]FIONA IS mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_green]

Funeral location: ?

FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

At approximately 2.20am on Saturday 20th May, 2000 Senior Constable Robinson and Senior Constable Mark Bateman were travelling along High Street, Northcote with emergency lights activated in response to an emergency call. At the intersection of Dennis & High Streets the divisional van they were driving collided with another vehicle before coming to rest against a traffic control signal and electricity pole. Both members were killed instantly.

VICTORIA POLICE MEMBER TO BE HONOURED AT GEELONG HOSPITAL CHILDREN’S WARD

Today the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation will dedicate a Police Memorial to honour Senior Constable Fiona ROBINSON at the Geelong Hospital.

The ceremony, to dedicate the Fiona Robinson Treatment Room in the Children’s Ward, is to be conducted in the presence of senior police, representatives from the hospital and the Blue Ribbon Foundation plus members of Senior Constable Robinson’s family. Many of S/C Robinson’s former colleagues, who were stationed at Northcote in May 2000, will also be attending.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation has donated $250,000 for the specialised Treatment Room at Geelong Hospital with nearly half being raised in the Geelong community.

The Fiona Robinson Treatment Room forms part of the recently redeveloped children’s area of the Geelong Hospital where more than $8 million was raised to create the Cotton On Foundation Children’s Ward.

Fiona’s Treatment Room is specially equipped to give primary care and treatment to children as well as new-born babies and their mothers.

Fiona Robinson completed her training at the Police Academy and graduated as Constable Fiona De Leuuw (30507) on 17th February, 1995. Her initial posting was at Mill Park police station before transferring to Transit in April, 1997. In March 1999 she was posted to the Uniform Division at Northcote and earned her promotion to Senior Constable in August the same year.

In early 2000 Fiona married Trevor Robinson but this happy union was cut short by tragedy, just three months later.

At approximately 2.20am on Saturday 20th May, 2000 Senior Constable Robinson and Senior Constable Mark Bateman were travelling along High Street, Northcote with emergency lights activated in response to an emergency call. At the intersection of Dennis & High Streets the divisional van they were driving collided with another vehicle before coming to rest against a traffic control signal and electricity pole. Both members were killed instantly. Fiona was 30 years of age.

Fiona DeLeeuw was an energetic, happy young girl that spent much of her childhood living around the Romsey area with mother Shirley, father Ernie and her two brothers Andrew & Matthew. Ernie was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years and became the first Sergeant to be stationed at Wallan.

Fiona was a keen horse rider and excellent goal shooter in netball. After leaving school Fiona started her working career as a teller with the Commonwealth Bank but after serving at Lancefield, Kilmore and the Melbourne branches she opted to follow in her father’s footsteps and join Victoria Police

A posthumous Victoria Police Star was awarded to Constable Robinson’s family on 19th July, 2005.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation is a community-based organisation that perpetuates the memory of fallen police officers through the support of worthwhile community projects within Victoria.

The dedication of this latest facility will bring to 29 the number of hospital units funded by the Foundation in Victoria, mostly in the areas of emergency and trauma treatment.

Blue Ribbon Foundation CEO, Neil Soullier said;

“Senior Constable Robinson died while answering an emergency call from a member of the public and she paid the ultimate price. Our view is that members who have fallen in the line of duty shall forever remain on duty and now, through this specialised Treatment Room, Senior Constable Robinson is serving the people of Geelong”.

What: Police Memorial Dedication

Fiona Robinson Treatment Room at Geelong Hospital

Where: Geelong Clinical School – Deakin University & Barwon Health

285 Ryrie Street, Geelong – enter via Kitchener House

When: Monday 20 May 2013 – 11am

https://m.facebook.com/notes/victorian-police-blue-ribbon-foundation/victoria-police-member-to-be-honoured-at-geelong-hospital-childrens-ward/652035431477717/