Police Monthly May 2013 - NSW Police Force

Vale
SNR CST
TONY TAMPLIN
Snr Cst Tony Tamplin, the man the Newcastle Herald recently described as “the jovial
face of the Police Force across the Hunter for decades”, has died at the age of 54.
STORY NORRIS SMITH
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
PHOTOS COURTESY
THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
O
n
Monday 29 April, Tony
was at work in Newcastle as
NSWPF’s media liaison officer for the
Northern Region when he suffered
a heart attack. Despite the efforts
of workmates and paramedics to
resuscitate him, Tony was later
pronounced deceased at The
Mater Hospital.
Newcastle Commander, Supt John
Gralton paid tribute to the man who
only recently celebrated 35 years as a
police officer.
“Tony Tamplin commenced general
duties in 1978 at Chatswood, but
was placed on restricted duties in
1984 following a serious motorcycle
accident,” he said.
“Tony turned the negative into
a positive and for the next three
decades was the ‘face and voice’
of policing in the Hunter area of the
Northern Region. He also worked
tirelessly with local community
groups including Variety-The
Children’s Charity and CREST.
“Snr Cst Tamplin was a ‘gentle
giant’ who had the gift of the gab.
“His outgoing personality and
approachability made Tony the
perfect contact for media in the
region, and for 29 years he kept
locals updated and informed about
policing and issues affecting the local
community.
“In mid-April, a surprise celebration
was held at work to mark Tony’s 35
years of duty. Surrounded by his wife,
parents and five of his six children, he
commented about the job, and the
wider police family: I keep getting up
every day, not thinking I have got to
go to work as a copper, but thinking
I’m going to go and see my mates.”
“Tony’s mates in the NSWPF family
and wider Hunter community – will
miss him greatly,” Supt Gralton said.
Snr Cst Tony Tamplin’s
untimely death triggered an
outpouring of messages from
the community, including
from the CEO of NBN
Television in Newcastle,
Deborah Wright who said
that her team was shocked
and deeply saddened to learn
of the sudden loss of “our
dear friend”.
“Tony’s dedication,
contribution and support over
35 years has been felt and
appreciated by so many, a
wonderful legacy that will
live on,” she said.
ABOVE Thousands of mourners packed Newcastle Town Hall on Thursday 2 May to celebrate the life of a man who had touched so many. PolAir and VIP
Motorcycles led the procession through a 150-metre long guard of honour as Snr Cst Tamplin made one final appearance in front of an adoring public
MAY 2013 PoliceMonthly 11