Ida Courtney LUKE
Ida Courtney LUKE APM
AKA Ida LUKE
* Nickname: ?
Late of Chatswood, NSW
Relations in ‘the job’ ?
“possible” relation in ‘the job‘: ?
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 087A
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # P/W 0049
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 29 May 1961 ( aged 28 years, 6 months, 14 days )
Probationary Constable – appointed Monday 3 July 1961 ( aged 28 years, 7 months, 18 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? 1973 ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
1st mentioned in the 1977 ‘Stud Book’ as women were not considered, at the time, to be included in the male ‘Stud Book’. They allegedly had their own ‘Seniority list’.
If placed in the male ‘Stud Book’, Ida would have fallen between Registered #s 10033 ( Trevor NEILL ) & 10034 ( R. JEWELL ).
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 June 1976 – Seniority date = 30 October 1977
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 31 July 1984 – Seniority date = 6 July 1984
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Chief Inspector – appointed 27 August 1986 ( went from Sgt 2/c – C/Insp in 2 years )
Final Rank: = Chief Inspector
Stations: ?, Women Police Office, Detectives Training Course ( 1973 ( passed with Distinction ), Central Police Station ( 1 Division )( Detectives )( 1974 – 1981 ), Waverley ( 10 Division ), Kogarah ( 12 Division ), Rockdale ( 12 Division )( Det Sgt In Charge ), State Intelligence – Telephone Intercept Branch ( 1988 – 1992 )( Commander ), Retirement
Service ( From Training Date ) period: From 29 May 1 961 to 10 July 1 992 = 31 years, 1 months, 11 days Service
Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From 29 May 961 to 10 July 1992 = 31 years, 1 months, 11 days Service
Time in Retirement from Police: 33 years, 0 months, 20 days
Age at Retirement / Leaving: = 59 years, 7 months, 25 days
Awards: National Medal – granted 11 December 1980 ( Det Sgt )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( Det C/Insp )
Australian Police Medal – granted 26 January 1989 ( C/Insp )

Born: Tuesday 15 November 1932
Died on: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Age: 92 years, 8 months, 15 days
Organ Donor: No – Age restrictive
Cause: Age
Event location: ?
Event / Diagnosis date: ?
Funeral date: Wednesday 13th August, 2025 @ 10.15AM
Funeral location: Rose Chapel at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium, cnr Delhi and Plassey Rds, North Ryde, NSW
LIVE STREAM ? TBA
Wake location: ?
Wake date: ???
Funeral Parlour: White Lady Funerals, 962 Pacific Hwy, Roseville, NSW
Buried at: ?
Grave Location: Section: Row: ? Plot: ?
Grave GPS: ?, ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( August 2025 )
IDA is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal
May they forever Rest In Peace
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSWFallenPolice/
Australian Police YouTube Channel

Visual Storyteller · March 31, 2019
Posting two group photos taken 40 years apart of the same members. My Class 87A from 29 May, 1961 and our 1st reunion 40 years later 2001 at the Swansea RSL Club Lake Macquarie.
Our class was the first to pass the 9999 registered Nos into the 10,000s.

In 1978 Ida was awarded the W.D. & H.O. Wills Trophy for the most outstanding female police officer.
Ida’s background as an accountant served her well, as her later interest and roles involved working on the development of systems, including the Crime Information and Intelligence System and Licensing System. These skills fitted perfectly with Ida’s final role as Commander, Telephone Intercept Branch ( 1988 – 1992 ). Ida retired from the NSWP in 1992 at the rank of Chief Inspector after 31 years service.
Ida was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 1989.

The reunion photo identified as follows ( 2001 ):
Left to right – back row
Mike Stephens, Rod Fulham, Paul McGowan, John Imeson, Merv Braithwaite, Kevin Mongton, Barry Luckie, Brian Rowley, John Baker, Brian Borthwick, Barry Cooper, John Hayes, Tony Madigan, Bruce Spencer, Barry Lawson, Bernie Lee, Roy Fry (partly obscured by Ian Robb standing at end of middle row), Roy Leadbeater (Instructor).
Middle row –
Ross Goodwin, Brian McIlvenna, Leo Gately, Gordon Doyle, Harvey Juergens, Wally Lark, Helen Clark ( later Magnus ), Ida Luke, Fred Sewell, Ron Blake, Terry Lester, Tom Powick, Ian Robb (standing).
Front row –
Trevor Neill, Les Wyatt, Bob Drooger, Warren Taylor, Brian Johnson, Brian Warwick, Les Miller, Bill Dent, Clem Long, Lloyd Taylor, Len DeAudney, Col Bell.
We held a 45 year reunion at the same venue 2006. If anyone interested I can post a group photo – let me know.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1501013186882198/permalink/2260065610976948/
* Story behind any Nickname:
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
**********
Cal
2 August 2025