Need a good honest - Queensland Police Union

A Police Legacy - The Johnson Family
Lily, Renae, and James. Renae performs at Talent Night on holiday. Not to be outdone, John Toohey also performs on
Talent Night.
just a really good bond,’ Renae says.
‘As we got older, we had quite a few
reunions, and when I was in my late
teens and early 20s, we used to hang
out quite a bit.
‘Of course, we all now have careers,
and I’ve been away for eight years,
country policing. So I’ve lost touch
a bit,’ Renae says. ‘But if we got
together, we’d all be like siblings again,
and I’d probably be back on the floor in
a headlock.’
For the Johnson family, Police
Remembrance Day is a significant
annual event, and this year Lily
watched on as Renae read the Police
Ode at the candlelight vigil and the
church memorial service at the Albert
Street Uniting Church in Brisbane.
Renae was also touched at an awards
ceremony last year when Deputy
Commissioner Ross Barnett presented
her with her father’s old warrant card
in a frame, along with her 10 year
service medal. Both Lily and Renae are
ever grateful for the support from the
QPS, and from Police Legacy.
‘We still go to the Legacy Christmas
parties, and we talk to the new people
with babies,’ Renae says. ‘They’re
often concerned about having a young
baby and getting involved in a group,
so I am happy to tell them what it was
like for me as a child.
‘I met Julie Stiller at one of the
Christmas parties, and I know that
if Brodie gets the same experience I
did, then it will be wonderful for him,’
Renae continues.
‘Knowing that I’m contributing towards
Brodie having the same experience that
I had is pretty awesome.’
“On Police Legacy
holidays, I’d often find
myself in a headlock
in the water.”
‘When I say I’m a Legatee, some
officers are not really sure what I
mean,’ Renae admits. ‘There are a lot
of people I know who do contribute to
the scheme, but some aren’t exactly
sure what it entails.
‘I was speaking to my partner’s
brother-in-law last night, and he said
he’d been contributing for 35 years,’
Renae says.
‘For a lot of these people who
have always contributed, it’s quite
fascinating to hear our story, and to
understand our experience of Police
Det. Snr Const Johnson reads the Police Ode on
Remembrance Day at the Albert Street Uniting Church.
Legacy. We will always be thankful for
the support.’
If you would like to contribute to Police
Legacy, you will find an ‘Authority to
Deduct’ form following the Regional
Roundups in this Journal.
For further information, see:
http://www.policelegacyqld.org.au/
44
Queensland Police Union Journal October 2012