Port Macquarie keeps in step - NSW Police Force

PORT MACQUARIE
KEEPS IN STEP
WITH OUR 150TH YEAR
Supt Paul Fehon, Commander, Manning Great Lakes
Images by Anne Johnston
In recognition of the 150th Anniversary of Policing in NSW, the residents of Port Macquarie
recently turned out to witness a marching parade of over 160 serving and retired police
officers from Mid North Coast and Manning Great Lakes LACs, joined by the Mounted Unit,
Police Band and Highway Patrol.
In late 2011 the commands of
Mid North Coast and
Manning/Great Lakes LACs had a
bold idea about how to celebrate
the imminent 150th Anniversary of
Policing. They decided to join forces
for a combined anniversary event
that represented the greater mid
north coast.
Manning/Great Lakes Commander,
Supt Paul Fehon said it made sense
for both commands to mark the
occasion together.
“We started planning it last
November because we saw it as a
good opportunity for both areas
to celebrate the greater mid north
coast district,” Supt Fehon said,
adding that the resulting 17 May
event had proven extremely popular.
“We had more police volunteering
to be part of the march than we
were able to include. So many
people wanted to be a part of the
150th, so that they, and their
families, would have the photos and
the memories to look back on over
the years – to know they had been a
part of policing history.”
The marching group consisted of
70 officers from both the commands
and included 30 members of the
NSW Police Force Band and 30
retired officers. The retired
contingent was led by 96-year-old
Ret Ch Supt Greg Brown and
included Ret A/Commissioner
Neil Taylor and Ret Snr Assistant
Commissioner Peter Walsh.
At the conclusion of the
celebrations a flypast by Polair 4 and
the arrival of Police Launch Fearless
demonstrated the modern resources
of the current NSWPF.
26 PoliceMonthly JUNE 2012

“The strong contingent of retired police that were at the march allowed us to
reflect on the progression that has occurred, and the platform that they have
created for us which we are now operating from. They are people who have done
it relatively tough without the resources we have now – and it was plain to see the
pride that they still have in the police force.”
Supt Paul Fehon, Commander, Manning/Great Lakes
The Eyewatch Project Team also
demonstrated the social networks
and other technologies used by the
NSWPF in 2012.
At the conclusion a civic reception
was held at the Glasshouse where a
number of static displays, including
the uniform of retired Commissioner
John Avery AO APM, a former lockup
keeper at Port Macquarie, formed
part of a four day promotion and
celebration.
Mid North Coast Commander Supt
Peter Thurtell said he felt privileged
to be a part of policing history.
“For me personally it is
coincidental that a major anniversary
has occurred while I am a serving
officer. A lot of police who are just
starting out in The Force today won’t
have that opportunity,”
Supt Thurtell said.
“The mid-north coast has been
a big part of policing in NSW over
the past 150 years and it continues
to be.”
Both Supt Thurtell and Supt Fehon
said they were impressed by the
response of the community, and of
the pride shown by their officers –
particularly during the march.
“There was a good crowd and
lots of positive comments about
how impressive the police looked
and how impressive the march was,”
Supt Thurtell said.
“Police officers wear their uniform
with pride but it’s not very often that
members of the public get to
experience the pride that police
have in their uniform and their
profession. This event as a good way
of showcasing the pride we have in
our own organisation.”
TOP An impressive contingent turned
out to celebrate 150 years of policing
across the greater mid north coast
ABOVE LEFT From left are Insp
Christine George; Supt Paul Fehon,
Commander Manning Great Lakes;
Police Chaplain Fr Paul Gooley; Deputy
Commissioner Nick Kaldas; Police
Chaplain Rev Roger Foletta; Member for
Port Macquarie Leslie Williams; Port
Macquarie Hastings Administrator Neil
Porter; Assistant Commissioner Carlene
York, Commander Northern Region; Supt
Peter Thurtell; Sgt Paul Dilley,
Protocol Officer
ABOVE RIGHT Local residents lined
the streets during the parade
JUNE 2012 PoliceMonthly 27