Victoria Police Legacy

Police Reconnection Day

admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:47:42 +0000

Police legatee children again appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with Victoria Police, the organisation that meant so much to them prior to the death of their parent.

This year they toured the new Police Museum, experienced time with police from the Special Operations Group, Force Response Unit, Traffic Management Unit and Mounted Branch.

Tour through the new Victoria Police Museum with Curator Sergeant Terry Claven

It was a day of fun for the children. Parents were thrilled with the effort made by police to help make this day so special.

We are indebted to all police who gave up their valuable time and their unit commanders who helped make this day so special.

The day included a VPC canteen lunch and a chat with Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe.

Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe with legatee children on Police Reconnection Day

Our logo

admin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:48:15 +0000

Logo imagery

The design incorporates a single symbolic person holding a flame in memory.

What does our logo symbolise?

The ‘l’ in legacy graphically represents a candle. The candle is lit in memory of our lost friends and family. It is a logo that we believe reflects our role as a caring organisation helping families of deceased police members.

Overseas adventure preparation

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:28:04 +0000

When planning an education/development/discovery tour of Vietnam that involves a day of bike riding, it is necessary to ensure that the prospective tourists have the necessary skills and fitness! So our young legatees who took up the offer to accompany the tour came together on the first weekend of the school holidays for the ‘test’.

It was raining as we met, but by the time the group had listened to the tour company expert with his ‘100 tips for novice travellers’ and lunch was out of the way, the skies had cleared and the ‘test’ began. For the next hour and a half we enjoyed a leisurely ride from the bike hire at Princes Bridge along the Yarra River to Collingwood and back. Everyone passed!

Our tour group pictured on the Yarra bank near Princes Bridge

Then onto the Glen Waverley Police Academy where the group spent the night. Dinner at a Springvale (Vietnamese) restaurant added to the adventure! The young legatees then had time for reflection in the magnificent Police Academy chapel. This was a first for some and all the more special as plaques commemorating family members were on display. The day ended renewing or forming friendships while relaxing together with police trainees.

Following a Sunday breakfast, our legatees watched a nervous group of 125 applicants being tested on their agility as part of the Victoria Police entry process.

Our brief time together before the big trip in January was now over. Thank you to our young legatees and their families for making the time to help prepare for this very special event. The experience will be all the more rewarding for the effort.

Club Med Lindeman Island holiday

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:45:08 +0000

Taking advantage of some free time in the mid-year school holidays and a Police Legacy invitation to escape Victoria’s winter weather, 33 legatee children and their parents from metropolitan and country areas flew to Queensland for a taste of summer and great hospitality at Club Med Lindeman Island.

The mother of a 13 year old smiled with satisfaction while reflecting on the contrasting behaviours of her son who was enjoying his time away, “Here he is spending quality time outdoors with other kids in a wide variety of energy sapping activities; at home, his time is spent with eyes glued to a TV or some crazy electronic game!”

Parents and children endorsed the words of one parent who asked us to “please pass on our heart-felt gratitude to all police members who are supporting Police Legacy.”

Legatee kids and parents pictured at the airport on the final day of their trip

Police Legacy Board member Peter O’Neill was asked for ideas to evaluate the level of success of the trip and quickly replied, “Just measure the length of smiles on the kids faces.”

Mildura

admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:06:38 +0000

We always look forward to catching up with our legatees in the far North West. And the loyal group of legatees always make us feel welcome. This year was special as we took advantage of the fine hospitality of the famous Grand Hotel. Having now experienced the food and service, our group opinion was unanimous, the five star reputation is deserved!

The local Divisional Commander was represented by Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Henry. He is pictured chatting with Shirley Gill. Board member Mick Downes is pictured at the far end. Mick travelled up from Melbourne to be with the Mildura group.

From left Lois Glen, Margot Farnsworth and Iris Charles enjoying the catch-up

Donations – tax deductible

admin — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:04:06 +0000

Although we have been a registered charity since inception, for many years donations to Victoria Police Legacy have not entitled donors to any tax concession. Our status has recently been reviewed by the Australian Taxation Office and we are pleased to announce donors may now claim a tax deduction for their contribution.

The Board actively pursued the review as it was keen to gain a much deserved tax break for our loyal police donors who contribute fortnightly to the Legacy cause. It is hoped that it will also encourage potential donors to make a contribution and assist us to deliver services to family members left behind and ensure they will never feel forgotten.

Moonee Ponds lunch – tragedy remembered

admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:25:17 +0000

The lunch for legatees at Moonee Ponds provided a rare opportunity for board member Commander Ashley Dickinson to meet up with fellow survivor of a fatal coach crash in Egypt in 2002. In January of that year, Ashley was touring Egypt with a large group including Lynne Panayiotis and her husband George together with other police, friends and relatives of police when the coach in which they were travelling crashed into a sand bank on the side of the road killing George and 5 others. Ashley and Lynne were injured in the crash.

Lynne and Ashley pictured at the Moonee Ponds lunch for legatees

Legatees at the lunch enjoyed the opportunity to speak with serving officers about Victoria Police as it was and as it is.

Fine dining and fellowship at Moonee Ponds lunch

Ballarat

admin — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:47:09 +0000

Ballarat Lodge was the venue for locals to enjoy the warmth of large wood fires, the cheery company of fellow legatees and an overall fine dining experience. They were joined by local divisional commander, Superintendent Andrew Allen and a long time supporter of Police Legacy and genuine friend to local legatees, Senior Constable John Maloney. Andrew brought us up to date with the good work of the Purana Tast Force while John stimulated dreams and envious sentiment from the travellers and adventurers amoungst us with tales of his recent trip to Daly Waters in the Northern Territory.

Always on the alert to sing the praises of Police Legacy, Heather Annand recounted a recent conversation with two young constables she ran into at the football at Telstra Dome. Heather, “Do you contribute to Police Legacy?” One constable looked nervously at the other and answered, “I do” while the other less confidently replied, “I think so”. Heather responded, “Well I just wanted to let you know, I am a police widow and on behalf of everyone who benefits from the good work of Police Legacy, I want to thank you for what is provided for legatees. Heather then let them go on their way after they promised to barrack very hard for her Blue Boys!

Heather says she will continue praising police and the good work they do through Police Legacy. She regularly visits Telstra Dome so if you are there in uniform and have a friendly but not-so-little, not-so-old lady approach, be ready!

Superintendent Andrew Allen with Heather (on his left) and other legatees

Senior Constable John Maloney and legatees

A letter from Verna

We were fortunate to share a very ‘newsy’ letter from Verna Shackell, police legatee and great friend to many of those present. Verna is teaching on a remote cattle station in the Northern Territory and her vivid portrayal of the unique lifestyle of the communities she lives and works in was very enlightening. Keep up the good work Verna!

‘Beach House’ bay views

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:23:50 +0000

Victoria Police Legacy lunches continued today with a gathering at Eastern Beach, Geelong. Twenty five legatees came together with our staff (Laurie, Barbara and Kate) at the popular Beach House Restaurant overlooking a wind-swept and choppy Corio Bay. Geelong legatees and those from the region as far afield as Anglesea, Clifton Springs and Lara were joined by others who travelled from Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne to enjoy the day.

Constable Susie Francis, Geelong with local legatees at the Geelong lunch

Our legatees and special guests were welcomed by the Chief Commissioner’s representitive on the Police Legacy Board, Commander Ashley Dickinson. Inspector Bill Mathers, Geelong, represented the local Assistant Commissioner Sandra Nicholson with backup from Constable Susie Francis from Geelong. Bill endorsed Ashley’s words and added a special welcome to those who had travelled long distances to get to the lunch. He suggested that Geelong had turned on the wild weather to impress visitors to a very ‘lively’ Corio Bay. Susie thoroughly enjoyed her time with legatees and gave Police Legacy a ringing endorsement for what was being done for legatees young and old.

Pictured from left – Cmdr. Ashley Dickinson, Insp. Bill Mathers and Police Legacy Field Officer Barbara Brand

Warrnambool dinner

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:48:09 +0000

To end their 2008 tour to Adelaide in style, legatees from Melbourne and other parts of the state, joined with local legatees and police representatives for a great meal and fellowship at a Warrnambool restaurant. Our president Roger Schranz travelled down to join the largest group of legatees to ever meet in Warrnambool. Local police representatives included Superintendent Shane Cole who spoke of the commitment police had to look after those left after their partners had died and thanked the Board and staff present for the work they do for ‘the wider police family’.

Local legatees Pam Wade and Diana Peyton enjoying the night with the tour group