News
| AN IDEA FROM DAVE SWILKS | Posted: Tuesday, November 13, 2012 |
WALK FOR OUR MATES, OUR FAMILIES
About 8am on Friday 2 March 2012, one day after the 'Sea of Blue'
march in Sydney, where we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the formation of
the NSW Police Force, Senior Constable David Rixon was gunned down during a traffic
stop in Tamworth.
David left behind his immediate family, his wife and six children,
as well as his larger family of over 16,000 Police.
David's tragic death stunned the Police and Tamworth community,
particularly those officers stationed at Tamworth who worked with David.
As is the way of NSW Police, support was offered from across the State to rally
behind not only David's grieving immediate family, but also his colleagues at
Tamworth who were shocked by the circumstances of his tragic death.
In order to support our Police shocked and grieving family at
Tamworth, Police from a number of Local
Area Commands across the State, offered their services to travel to Tamworth
and work in that Command.
Tuggerah Lakes Command was one of these Commands who sought to support
our colleagues at Tamworth, and at the behest of Superintendent Clint Pheeney,
we sent one Duty Officer, Chief Inspector Tim Winmill, to Tamworth support and relieve
their Duty Officers.
The significance of this selfless act by these officers
accentuates the overall commitment of the broader Police family. Those volunteers who went to Tamworth, also
had their own families who unflinchingly supported their partner's (and parent)
in their cause to support their colleagues.
In the case of Chief Inspector Tim Winmill, it was most
appropriate that he was the first asked, and the first to immediately
volunteer, to travel to Tamworth.
Two of Tamworth’s Duty Officers were promoted to Inspector from
Tuggerah Lakes Command. Tim also knew
several other officers in the Command and he was also a country boy, his family
resident in Inverell.
As an example of the level of compassion among our own in this
organisation, I rang Tim on the morning of Sunday, 4 March, 2012, and he
commenced duty at Tamworth on Monday 5 March, 2012.
Despite his own family concerns, with his wife working and their
two girls, 5 and 9, Tim’s wife unreservedly supported his need to help their
larger family, and go to Tamworth to help out for a week.
I believe this is a pure example of the emotional bond that exists
between Police and their families; to the broader Police family. When times are tough, we join together and
support each other.
I attended the funeral service for David on Thursday 8 March 2012,
and later the wake. The example of
support for our colleague was overwhelming and I had the fortune of meeting
with serving Police from the Far South Coast and Far West, as well as retired
members.
It was with great pride that I spoke with several officers who
made a point of speaking with me and thanking the support they gained from
Tim’s presence. One particular comment, encapsulated the spirit of policing,
“Our job is hard and we may be quick to criticise it, but its moments like this
that makes you realise you’re not alone…..we’re all in it together.”
It is as a result of this experience and the comments of our colleague, that I
feel it is appropriate we do something special…….to ensure:
1. The sacrifice of Senior Constable Dave Rixon
does not fade into a dim, public memory
2. That we continue to support
Dave's family and our colleagues at Tamworth.
3. That we
acknowledge and celebrate the selfless commitment of the broader Police
family
As an inspiration for this proposal, I refer to the ‘Cooee March’
during the early days of WWI in 1915.
This was an outstanding example of the community joining together (to
enlist in the armed forces) to help others suffering overseas).
This march galvanised the community and is still remembered today for
this effect.
Tuggerah Lakes Command has enlisted volunteers who are determined to
walk from Wyong to Tamworth in late February 2013.
We intend to coincide our
arrival at Tamworth with the anniversary of Dave's passing.
We intend to use this
event to raise donations to support the Rixon family and NSW Police
Legacy.
This event will broadcast to the community, and reinforce in our
colleagues, the unique bond and spirit that exists in this honourable
profession.
PROPOSAL
Proposed walk to from Wyong Police Station (Tuggerah Lakes LAC) to
arrive at Tamwoth Police Station at 8 am on 2nd March 2013.
Whilst walking to Tamworth, participants will be travelling
through six Local Area Commands of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens,
Central Hunter, Hunter Valley and finally, Tamworth.
It is my proposal that as we cross the boundary of each Command,
representatives from that Command join with us on this walk as a representation
of our support for our mates, on the walk, and our mates’ families, at home,
supporting their partner’s cause, as well as the greater family of the NSW
Police Force.
PLAN
Six officers from Tuggerah Lakes will leave Wyong on 25 February
2013. Tuggerah Lakes has been selected
as the start point for this walk, as it was from this Command that this
Region’s physical support emanated.
It would be appropriate for a number of officers from Brisbane
Water to join with us, as a representation of the Central Coast support.
The walk will be conducted in relays of one officer representing
each Command walking for one hour. It is
anticipated that each officer will walk approximately 12 kilometres per day.
A Saint John’s trained 1st Aid Officer and Ambulance
will be accompanying the participants on this walk.
1. Monday 25 February 2013 – Wyong to Newcastle
Wyong (via Pacific Highway) to Newcastle = 73 Kms
2. Tuesday
26 February 2013 – Newcastle to Singleton
= 79kms
3. Wednesday
27 February 2013 – Singleton to Scone
= 73kms
4. Thursday 28 February 2013 – Scone
to Quirindi
= 75
kms
5. Friday 1 March 2013 – Quirindi to
outskirts of Tamworth
Quirindi to Tamworth = 70 Kms.
TOTAL 370 Kms
6. Saturday
2 March 2013 - 8 a.m. Anniversary of passing of Senior Constable David Rixon
Dave
Swilks APM,VA
Local
Area Commander
Tuggerah
Lakes
Mob. 0408115998
Email:
swil1dav@police.nsw.gov.au
POLICE
CREDIT UNION ACCOUNT:
OUR MATES OUR FAMILIES
BSB: 815.000 Account No. 272676S1
