Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours) - Queensland Police Union

North Coast Region Roundup
DES HANSSON
Well, the end is near. There’s one more Executive meeting, and then my resignation takes effect at the end of
August. By the time this article hits the stands, a replacement should have been found from within our Region.
At this stage, I’m aware of only one
nomination: Grant Wilcox. Grant is
currently the President of Sunshine
Coast branch, and I heartily endorse
his nomination.
He has extensive knowledge of the
law and has a good grounding in
Union-related matters from his time
as President.
officials of note. Some are still branch
officials, some are still in the job and
have gone on to other areas, and
some have resigned or retired.
I will not mention the plentiful
reasons I have to remember them,
because this article would go on for
more pages than I am allowed to
write.
colleague again, then we won again,
and he was eventually reinstated.
This is just one more example of the
hypocrisy and bastardry that we have
to contend with from our fearless
leaders, and one more reason why
you should all support your branch
officials by getting to every meeting
you can.
More importantly, he has the welfare
of members at heart, and has the
time and energy to devote to all in the
North Coast Region.
Here goes: Des Mahoney from
Maroochydore, Marcel Van Grinsven
from Deception Bay, Barry Horne
from Redcliffe, Andrew Bailey
“We’ve got another round of EB negotiations
coming up, and numbers at branch meetings are
essential when dealing with government.”
If a ballot is called, please make the
effort to vote!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time as
NCR Rep, but openly and honestly
admit that without the help of branch
officials, there is no way that I (or
any of our fulltime officials from the
Union office) could have hoped to
contend with the myriad of issues
that are raised.
There have also been numerous
times when we, as Union officials,
have had to deal with matters
not strictly Union-related, but
nevertheless we have still tried to
help those members involved, and
sometimes with positive results.
from Gympie, Rob Anderson
from Maryborough, John Sajko
from Bundy, Paul Jackson from
Maroochydore, and Darrin Taylor
from Caboolture/Maroochydore.
Of course I’ve missed a few. I’ll
put that down to an aging memory
caused by Union celebrations
following victories in relation to
member’s rights.
One recent victory involved a
member who was unjustly sacked
for a drink driving offence. He was
sacked despite the penalty being
outside the QPS guidelines which
were put in place only a few months
prior to his dismissal.
We’ve got another round of EB
negotiations coming up, and
numbers at branch meetings
are essential when dealing with
government, particularly after the
previous government left the state
in the worst financial mess it’s ever
been in.
Before I sign off for the last time,
I’d like to mention a few of the
early fulltime officials who were
instrumental in me taking part in
Union activities.
Merv Bainbridge immediately comes
to mind: RIP mate, your good sense
of humour will never be forgotten.
“Keep up the good
fight, and don’t
hesitate to pull up
any of the bosses if
need be.”
Merv Melling also comes to mind, for
inspiring me to take on the CJC when
all seemed lost.
I could not write this last article
without mentioning some branch
We appealed and won, then the
QPS appealed and stood down our
And last but not least, Gary
Wilkinson. Gary left the Union in a
Queensland Police Union Journal August 2012 19