Ph 3259 1900 (24 hours) - Queensland Police Union

QRPA
given the all clear from his medical people, Merv Prove is
out of hospital after a stroke; he will undergo rehab before
going home, Clarrie Kelly was airlifted to hospital for a leg
amputation, Beryl Materna spent several days in the Mater
Hospital in Bundaberg after an operation, Ken Strohfeldt
continues to have health problems and has more Brisbane
trips ahead for treatment, John Milner underwent surgery at
the Brisbane RBH for bowel cancer, Doug Hoare had medical
tests after a mishap at home but he is going okay at present,
and Bob Hayes does not have to see his medical man for
twelve months: good news!
DARLING DOWNS
Members met at their usual venue on Thursday 14 June.
It was noted Mick Donnelly, who was receiving radium
treatments, plans to return to Goulburn to live. Bob Gray is
generally well and would appreciate visitors. John Keightley
is still recovering from serious operations.
Planning for the Memorial Wall ceremony is underway for
2012 with possible dates being discussed. Invitations are to
be extended to Assistant Commissioner Wilson and local
politicians.
President Kev Weise advised the meeting that he attended a
commemorative day for former Cadets that was held at the
Police Academy at Oxley. It was a very successful day with
a large number of people attending. Kev believed he would
have been the senior man there, listed from March 1945.
GLADSTONE
Gladstone branch held their Wednesday 4 July meeting
at the Gladstone Golf Club. Eighteen members attended,
with 16 apologies received. The main topic of discussion
was our recent Mystery Bus Tour on Saturday 23 June.
Leaving Yaralla Sports Club at 9am and travelling ‘blind’,
twenty-one members and partners headed north, stopping
at Rockhampton’s Curtis Park for a short break and to collect
member Ross Vidler. Ross’s Mum, Ann, was on board and
was very happy to see him. The mystery continued as
we travelled eastward toward the coast finally stopping
outside the Yeppoon Water Police office at Rosslyn Bay
Boat Harbour. We were met by Senior Constable Grant
Kerlin who gave members a comprehensive overview of
the capabilities of their vessel ‘Lyle M Hoey IV’ named in
honour of Senior Constable Lyle Hoey. Lyle was deliberately
run down and murdered while manning a road block near
Mount Molloy on 2 November 1975. The vessel is a 22m
aluminium catamaran built in Tasmania that patrols the
waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef and Pacific Ocean
from her base at Rosslyn Bay.
After an on-board morning tea, Senior Constable Troy Welsh
gave us a guided tour of the bridge and both officers fielded
numerous questions. Member Peter Fitzel asked whether it
was too late for him to rejoin as he has the ‘tickets’. President
Mike thanked both Grant and Troy for their informative tour
and asked that our appreciation be passed on to OIC Shaun
Halson. The group then stopped for a delightful buffet lunch
at the Sailing Club before returning to Gladstone. Thanks
again to member Kevin and wife and driver Pat for the
donation of their time and large and very comfortable bus.
(Our thoughts are also with Pat after news of a recent fall.)
Branch members decided they would take the Curtis Island
Ferry for a tour of the facilities being constructed in and
around Gladstone Harbour on Wednesday 5 September.
Morning tea is provided and the coffee cruise takes around
2 hours. The branch moved to subsidise costs. The Harbour
Cruise will take the place of the September Spinnaker Park
monthly meeting.
GOLD COAST
The branch held their Annual Luncheon in July and their
next monthly meeting is on the first Tuesday in August.
GYMPIE
The branch will meet on the first Wednesday of October at
the Victory Hotel, Gympie.
HERVEY BAY
The branch held their Annual Luncheon in June (see photos
above) with their next monthly meeting at 11am on Tuesday
17 July.
IPSWICH
Members of Ipswich branch met at Brothers Leagues Club,
Raceview, on 13 June. Inspector Mark Clark who is presently
on pre-retirement leave was a guest at the meeting.
Member activity: Russell and Noelene Ladlay have been
cruising around the Australian coastline. Ken Martin
attended an Army Tattoo at Avalon Beach in Sydney, where
the National Service Pipes and Drums performed. Lyle
Firman has been fishing in the north.
Members were reminded of the celebration of 85 years
of service to the community by past and present Ipswich
detectives and support staff to be held in August. Guest
speakers include retired AC Terry McMahon QPM, Southern
Region AC Paul Wilson, Mayor of Ipswich Paul Pissale, and
Commissioner Bob Atkinson APM.
A sympathy card was sent to Harry Holzheimer on the recent
death of his wife. A floral tribute was forwarded on the death
of Ted Roberts’s wife. It was noted that John and Joy Raatz
are still not in their house following the floods.
Mr Peter Calcott, Regional Manager of National Senior
Australia, provided an interesting talk on the seniors’
movement.
LOGAN/BEENLEIGH
There were plenty of members attending the June meeting
which meant that guest speaker Philip McCracken had a
large audience. Phil spoke about the trials and tribulations
of restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang, which was extremely
interesting. It is thought interest levels were so high because
Queensland Police Union Journal August 2012
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