Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours) - Queensland Police Union

QRPA
QRPA NEWS – AUGUST 2012
State Secretary: Jillian Steinkamp
steinkamp.jillian@gmail.com
0411 401 596
QRPA website: www.qrpa.asn.au
Email: queenslandretiredpolice@gmail.com
MESSAGE FROM MICK O’BRIEN, STATE PRESIDENT,
QRPA INC
completed in quick succession, which is not always a feature of
some luncheons! President John Meskell gave what appears to
be his Annual Report during which he informed the gathering
that he would not be seeking re-election at the forthcoming
AGM. While this was a surprise to the visitors, his branch
members were aware of his decision, as John’s wife has not
been in good health. We wish life member John and his wife
well, and acknowledge his long and successful leadership of
the Gold Coast branch.
The Legacy widows, led by recently re-elected President
Shirley, were there in force. The large attendance by these
widows, as well as local police widows, was helped by the
generosity of the branch; the branch invites the widows, and
covers the cost of their meals.
Secretary Treasurer of the Darling Downs branch, Roger
Deshon, reports that the executive members of that branch
were all re-elected unopposed to carry on for another
twelve months. The branch is based in the beautiful city of
Toowoomba and will be looking for another large attendance
at their annual luncheon later in the year. Mal Nichols, the
founding President of the Gladstone branch, has also retired
from the position because Mal and wife Joanne are looking
to relocate to Brisbane.
Above is a photograph of the Townsville branch retiring
President and life member, Brian Bensley, and his wife Carol,
accepting a token of appreciation from the State Management
Committee for their dedicated service to the Association over
the past 16 years. Brian spent ten years as President and six
as Secretary/Treasurer. He will now take some time out while
Trevor Errington takes over as President. We congratulate
Trevor.
I had the opportunity to attend the Gold Coast annual luncheon
at Twin Towns in July with State Vice President and life member
Greg Early and wife Ruby. At our table were life members past
State Secretary John Cummins (who also spent many years
as Secretary/Manager of the Police Legacy Scheme), and wife
Maureen. Maureen worked at Police Legacy as well, looking
after the busy office. Both John and Maureen are looking well
and are enjoying their well-earned retirement. John is also a
past Chairman and long-serving member on the QPCU Board.
Also representing QPCU at the function was member John
Just and wife Denise, as well as Stuart Brown.
The well-attended function was organised and run by the
busy Treasurer Neil Raward, who kept the agenda rolling. The
whole show was over just five minutes past the two hours he
had programmed. The draws for the Police Legacy raffle were
The QRPA Annual Police Legacy Bowls day was another
outstanding success. The well-planned and conducted function
at the Wavell Heights Bowls Club attracted twenty-five teams
from as far away as Bundaberg. V/Ps Greg Early, Myles Burns,
and Bob Pease from the State Management Committee (SMC)
and members Laurie Taylor and Ray Hodges were the main
organisers, while State Secretary Jill and I assisted on the day.
Legacy Board member Mavis Scott was also a willing hand,
and as usual, it was her lucky day: she won many prizes in
the hourly raffle draws. Greg did his usual outstanding job
gathering sponsorships. The day raised $6060.46 for the
Scheme, including the annual $500 donated by QRPA. I was
happy to present the cheque to Legacy President and Chairman
of the Legacy Board, Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Gough.
CEO of the Queensland Police Credit Union, Grant Devine,
presented the annual $10,000 QPCU donation to the Scheme,
and added (to everyone’s surprise) that QPCU would increase
their annual donation to $15,000. The support from the players
and the Club ladies who prepared the fine meal was excellent.
The players were most interested to hear from A/Snr Sgt
Gough, who spent some time outlining the financial needs of
the 72 children now being educated by the Scheme.
The SMC is working with President Ray Stubbins and the Far
North Queensland branch to encourage more eligible former
police officers in that large catchment to join the fellowship
72 Queensland Police Union Journal August 2012