Updated August 2 2023 – 1:34pm, first published 1:30pm
Former long-standing Hunter Labor MP and state government minister Richard Face has died, aged 80.
Mr Face, whose full name was Jack Richard Face, died on Tuesday night after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The former police officer held the seat of Charlestown for 30 years, a period that is believed to be a record for any state or federal MP in the region.
He held the Gaming and Racing Portfolio in the Carr government between 1995 and his retirement in 2003.
Mr Face was also appointed to the role of Minister Assisting the Premier on Hunter Development, a portfolio that was later renamed Minister for the Hunter.
He was instrumental in the Hunter’s transformation over three decades.
This included the establishment of Glenrock State Recreational Reserve, playing a key role in the management of the Newcastle’s transition away from steel making and the establishment of the Hunter Beyond 2000 Committees.
He was also a vocal advocate for the construction of the West Charlestown bypass, the redevelopment of McDonald Jones Stadium and the establishment of the Windale Police Citizens Youth Club.
He was affectionately known as the ‘the father of the NSW Parliament’ when he retired in 2003.
“I have been given the honour to represent the people of Charlestown for 30 years tomorrow, having first been elected on the 18th November 1972,” Mr Face, who had four children and eight grandchildren, said on the eve of his retirement.
“During this time I have faced 10 elections and each time have been returned as the State Member for Charlestown and it has been a privilege to help and assist the citizens of this electorate.
“As for my record of achievement in my electorate it’s for others and history to say whether it has been one of success or not. However, of the things I have done or achieved in the electorate in the 30 years, it is declaration of the Glenrock State Recreation Area which has brought me the most satisfaction.”
Mr Face’s son Warwick said his father’s career was one of many highs and acknowledged challenges. This included being found guilty of misleading a preliminary hearing of ICAC in 2003.
“Our family is steadfastly proud that the ledger is very much in favour of the people of the great state of NSW, particularly the Hunter Region, and the electorate of Charlestown,” he said.
“Thank you Richard, Dad, Poppy, we all love you, time to Rest In Peace.”
Details of Mr Face’s funeral will be published in coming days.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Event location: Durham Green Nursing Home, Menangle, NSW
Event date: Diagnosed around 3 – 4 years ago but, unfortunately in January 2021 he was having falls – which led to his admission to the Nursing Home and was basically bed ridden since March.
Funeral date: Friday 12 November 2021 @ 2.30pm
Funeral location: South Chapel, Leppington Lawn Cemetery, Camden Valley Way, Leppington, NSW
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?
Buried at: Leppington Lawn Cemetery, Camden Valley Way, Leppington, NSW
Grave location: ?
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( November 2021 )
SINKERS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Upon application to join the NSWPF, Wayne was described as:
175.5cm tall, 81 kg, with hazel eyes, brown hair, medium complexion.
He was employed as an Apprentice Electrical fitter mechanic for 4 years and an Electrical fitter mechanic for 3 years.
He was married on 13 December 1969 but Divorced on 12 August 1979.
Once employed by NSWPF, Wayne passed his GDs sedan, Utes and Light Truck course on 5 September 1975.
He passed his qualification test for Constable 1st Class on 30 August 1977.
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
5 November 2021
Robert Charles MORAN
| 06/08/2023
Robert Charles MORAN
AKA Bob MORAN, Bugsy MORAN
Late of Werrington Downs, NSW ( Formerly of St Georges Hall, NSW )
Uncle to Inspector Matthew HINTON, NSWPF # 39823
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 156
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 17689
Service: From 4 July 1977 to27 November 2008 = 31 years, 4 months, 23 days Service
Rank: Prior to joined the ranks of NSWPF – Bugsy was a Member NSW Railway Police before they came under the control of NSWPF
Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 July 1977 ( aged 25 years, 4 months, 8 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 12 September 1977 ( aged 25 years, 6 months, 17 days )
Constable – appointed 12 September 1978
Constable 1st Class – appointed 12 September 1982
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )
Senior Constable – appointed 12 September 1986
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Final Rank = Senior Constable – Retired
Stations: Darlinghurst ( ProCst )( 3 Division )( 1977 – 1978 ), Kings Cross, Metropolitan Traffic Branch – Bass Hill HWP ( 28 Oct. 1979 – 1987 ), Bowral HWP ( 16 Dec 1987 – 1992 ), Bowral HWP – Solo cyclist ( 1988 ), Bankstown GDs – then Exhibits Officer for Bankstown & Bass Hill Police Stns ( 16 Aug. 1992 – Retirement )
Retirement / Leaving age: = 56 years, 9 months, 1 day
Time in Retirement from Police: 12 years, 10 months, 8 days
Awards: NSW Police Medal – with 3rd Clasp – Awarded
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.
Cal
14 October 2021
John Kevin BOURKE
| 06/08/2023
John Kevin BOURKE APM
AKA ?
Late of Crescent Head, NSW & Cedar Place Aged Care, Kempsey, NSW
NSW Police Training College – Penrith Class # 039
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 6837
Service: From 4 September 1950 to18 February 1989 = 38 years, 5 months, 14 days Service
Rank: Commenced Training as Trainee at Redfern Police Academy on Monday 4 September 1950
Probationary Constable- appointed 23 October 1950 ( aged 21 years, 8 months, 3 days )
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( YES )
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 1 July 1967
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 1 May 1974
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 1 December 1977
Inspector – appointed 6 November 1982
Chief Inspector – appointed ? ? ?
Final Rank = Inspector
Competed in the Commonwealth Games – Wrestling, Diving 10mtr Platform ( 1950 )( 5th position ), Water Polo – Mens – ( 1950 )( Gold )
Stations: ?, Traffic Branch – Redfern, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, Katoomba, CIB – North Sydney, Penrith Training College, Redfern Police Academy – Training Detectives & Cadets, Internal Affairs ( Secondment ), Senior NCO – Taree, Police Academy – Goulburn – Retirement
Retirement / Leaving age: = 59 years, 11 months, 29 days
Time in Retirement from Police: 31 years, 11 months, 29 days
Awards: Police Service & Good Conduct Medal – granted 7 November 1974
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( February 2021 )
JOHN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Passed away 16th February 2021
Aged 91 years
Late of Crescent Head.
Beloved husband of Lorna.
Loving father and father in law of Robert and Lee, Glenn, Michael (deceased).
Adored Pop of Daniel, Kate, Scott, Hannah, Misheal and to his
great grandchildren Nate and Isobelle.
Relatives and friends of John are invited to his funeral service at the chapel of Walkers Crematorium & Memorial Gardens Frederickton on Monday 22nd February 2021 commencing at 10.00am, then for cremation.
ROBERT B WALKER FUNERALS Kempsey,
South West Rocks & Districts
Ph 6562 4329
This was published 7 years ago
Bent police officer’s pre-emptive strike
The NSW Ombudsman’s investigation into the likely illegal bugging of more than 100 police officers faces one very substantial challenge.
It was called Operation Mascot and it started in January 1999. The ”white knights” of the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA), along with the NSW Crime Commission, were chasing corrupt NSW police officers.
The ace up their sleeve was a corrupt detective, code named M5.
Worried about being confronted with his own corruption, M5 had made a pre-emptive strike. He voluntarily went to the crime commission in December 1998 and confessed his misdeeds. Early the next year, with SCIA and the commission working hand in glove, he was sent ”under cover” to covertly record his workmates, some of whom were close friends.
Judging by documents obtained by Fairfax Media, Mascot – which ran for more than two years – was not an investigation that built slowly.
Within a few weeks of M5 going to work, Justice Graham Barr of the NSW Supreme Court had approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 119 people, almost all of them serving and former police.
An affidavit was presented to Justice Barr giving the reasons the 119 deserved to have their private conversations covertly recorded.
That affidavit has never been made public so what the judge was told is not known.
But one Operation Mascot affidavit has surfaced. It was granted on September 14, 2000, the day before the start of the Sydney Olympics. Justice Virginia Bell of the NSW Supreme Court – who is now a High Court judge – approved a listening device warrant that allowed M5 to bug 114 people. She approved the use of seven listening devices, some to be worn by M5, others to be placed in his house, car and briefcase.
Among those who were to be recorded were some who were corrupt. But dozens of others who M5 was legally allowed to record were honest police such as then Superintendent Nick Kaldas and Superintendent Bob Inkster. Kaldas is now a NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner. Inkster is now, somewhat ironically, a senior member of the NSW Crime Commission which was a key player in trying to bug him more than a decade ago.
According to the warrant approved by Justice Bell, Kaldas and Inkster and the other 112 were suspected of a range of offences – money laundering, conspiracy, tampering with evidence.
Essentially, the accusation was that they were corrupt. The Herald makes no suggestion that either man was, or is, corrupt.
Justice Bell approved the bugging on the basis of a 57-page affidavit from the crime commission.
The Herald has seen a copy of the affidavit. It contains allegations of corruption against many police and is, in parts, quite detailed.
Justice Bell, who had been counsel assisting at the Wood royal commission into the NSW Police five years earlier, was told the affidavit was truthful and accurate.
But an investigation by the Herald has uncovered evidence that parts of the affidavit were either fabricated or wrong.
The documents and the evidence gathered by the Herald suggest that from 1997 to 2001 more than 20 NSW Supreme Court judges were lied to or seriously misled by some officers working within SCIA, which was set up in the 1990s by then commissioner Peter Ryan.
Which brings us to the affidavit of September 14, 2000, specifically paragraph 5.33, which comprises only 13 lines.
Much of the affidavit is taken up with details of conversations between M5 and some corrupt colleagues secretly recorded in police stations such as Manly and at pubs, clubs and farewell functions – often while M5 and his mates were engaged in marathon drinking sessions.
The paragraph reads: “On 10 December, 1999, [M5] unexpectedly met with former NSW Police inspector John Kevin Bourke in The Corso, at Manly. Bourke engaged [M5] in conversation regarding assistant commissioner Clive Small. Bourke used words to the effect, ‘I have the best brief on him’.”
The affidavit says Bourke went on to describe Small’s involvement in the corrupt “release of information” to another police officer which resulted in a drug trafficker escaping conviction.
The affidavit continues: “I suspect Bourke has information or evidence which he believes incriminates assistant commissioner Small.
”I suspect Bourke meant to indicate that he would use that information or evidence to protect himself, if necessary, from investigation or prosecution, or both.”
The Herald has tracked down and spoken with Bourke, who was for many years involved in detective training. He retired in 1989. After being read the allegation about his ”meeting” with the detective known as M5 on The Corso, as detailed in the sworn affidavit, Bourke said: “It is very simple for me to answer, that is all nonsense, poppycock, because it never ever occurred.”
In a subsequent email, Bourke said: “The name [M5] is not significant to me. I can confirm with absolute confidence I have never met any such named person on the Manly Corso at any time in my lifetime.”
He added: “I didn’t like Clive’s haircut and I thought he was a bit self-important. But I admired Clive Small for many reasons. I always found Clive a very trustworthy person in my dealings with him.”
He said the claim in the affidavit that he had the conversation was ”based on a fabrication”.
He said he was prepared to give evidence on oath that this was the case.
Bourke said he had no idea how his name could have been put in an affidavit or on a listening device warrant. He had never been contacted by anyone about the alleged meeting on The Corso or the ”allegations” against Small.
Small had a distinguished career in law enforcement. In the late 1970s, he worked on the Woodward royal commission into drug trafficking and then on a long inquiry into the collapse of the Nugan Hand Bank.
As an inspector, and despite considerable pressure from his superiors, he cleared former NSW Police superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been wrongfully charged with multiple rapes in an inept investigation by NSW Police. A subsequent royal commission into the Blackburn case proved him correct.
In the 1990s he was the commander of the taskforce that led to the conviction of backpacker murderer Ivan Milat. After the Wood royal commission into police corruption in the mid-1990s, he was appointed the head of crime agencies and, as such, was the boss of the major squads such as homicide. He was later chief investigator for the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
When the Herald first showed the affidavit to Small he said there was “something clearly wrong” with the document.
Late last week he told the Herald that to the best of his knowledge he had not seen Bourke since the early 1970s. He said he had never been interviewed or spoken to by anyone about the ”allegation” in the affidavit and had no idea which drug case was being referred to.
He said given Bourke’s categorical denial of the affidavit, “it would appear to me a criminal offence has been committed by one of more people or at a minimum, a serious misconduct”.
He said the allegations about misconduct within SCIA had ”been known to both the government and the opposition for about 10 years”.
“I would seek for the matter to be fully investigated immediately. I don’t want this buried for another two years while the ombudsman investigates.”
The Herald has also obtained NSW Police documents which cast doubt on another claim in the same affidavit presented to Justice Bell: that M5 and other officers ”verballed” or made up admissions by a career criminal, Craig Cant, one of three men charged in 1994 with a violent attempted armed robbery.
On page 7 of the affidavit, it says M5 and another police officer “fabricated an unsigned record of interview with Cant”.
The Herald has obtained a copy of M5’s own record of interview with Cant and the brief of evidence in the case. Cant makes no admission to the crime and, in fact, repeatedly denies knowing anything about it.
When M5 puts a number of allegations to Cant and asks if he has anything to say, Cant repeatedly answers “nothing”.
Asked what he wants to say about phone records which showed a call from a co-offender at 4am at the time and date of the offence, Cant replies: “Nothing. Look I don’t want to be rude but how much longer is this going to take?”
In a second interview, he repeatedly answers “no comment”.
The Herald showed a number of the documents to Small. He said it appeared the police, including M5, had evidence against Cant based on phone and motel records, his credit card and driver’s licence which were all admissible in court.
“In the interviews, Cant’s answers are neutral or denials. I don’t see what the ‘verbal’ could be.”
Charges against all three men eventually fell through because of the alleged police fabrications. One of Cant’s co-accused later went to work for SCIA. He told officers within the unit he and Cant and the other man had indeed committed the crime, which involved breaking into a home at 4am and putting pistols to the heads of a young couple.
How it unfolded
On December 16, 1998, an experienced but troubled NSW detective walked into the offices of the NSW Crime Commission in Kent Street and voluntarily admitted to numerous acts of corruption.
According to documents leaked to Fairfax Media, he was under intense pressure. Some colleagues had come under suspicion and the detective, who became known as M5, feared he was in the firing line.
Drinking heavily, “depressed and anxious”, the documents reveal he said he wanted to “unload”. He admitted to corruption going back to the late 1980s and named other serving and former detectives as bent.
But the confession didn’t have the cathartic effect M5 might have hoped for. In fact it made things worse.
M5’s psychiatrist, Michael Diamond, would later write: “It placed extra pressure on him because he had to keep ‘disappearing’ (from his normal police duties) in order to attend these interviews … he felt suicidal”.
According to Mr Diamond, M5 was in intense distress. A concerned relative had him admitted to a psychiatric unit at Manly, where he stayed for 10 days.
What happened next is remarkable. He was sent to work under cover by the ”white knights” in the NSW Police special crime and internal affairs unit (SCIA). They wanted scalps and M5 was ideally placed to produce them.
The documents reveal M5 was debriefed by SCIA in January 1999 – within days of leaving the psychiatric ward – and transferred to Manly detectives. An SCIA officer, Cath Burn, now a deputy commissioner, said M5 “volunteered” to go under cover and record his fellow detectives, some of whom were undoubtedly involved in corruption and later jailed.
But in advice to the human resources branch on September 16, 2003, a solicitor from the NSW Police legal services branch, Alan Bloomfield, recommended M5 be granted a ”hurt on duty” pension because he had been “forced” to co-operate.
Mr Bloomfield said: ”A memo from Supt [Cath] Burn states that he ‘voluntarily’ offered to assist, but in a practical sense, he did not have much choice.”
M5 kept working as a detective from early 1999 until mid-2001. He was also covertly recording his workmates.
The documents reveal that SCIA bugged M5’s house, car and briefcase, and had listening devices on M5.
Much of the recording was done in pubs, clubs and at functions – and during marathon drinking sessions.
When M5 couldn’t take it any longer, he sued for compensation in the form of a ”hurt on duty” pension.
In 2002 Mr Diamond, advising on M5’s claim for compensation, criticised SCIA’s decision to employ him under cover just after he had left a psychiatric institution.
M5 won his claim and it is understood he was also given an ex gratia payment. His payments are believed to total hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He told Mr Diamond he had been used by someone in SCIA to “settle old scores”. One of the “old scores” appears to have been then Superintendent Nick Kaldas. M5 was sent to see him five or six times. Mr Kaldas had had a serious disagreement with a senior SCIA officer, Superintendent John Dolan. Even police within SCIA were seriously concerned at the targeting of Mr Kaldas.
“I smelt a rat,” M5 told his psychiatrist. “I’ve done stuff you wouldn’t do to your worst enemy … I’ve been used.”
Operation Mascot
1350 boxes of documents (handed over by the NSW Police/Police Integrity Commission/NSW Crime Commission)
20 NSW Supreme Court judges (involved in approving the listening device warrants)
7 investigators (working for Operation Prospect)
$3.5m (extra money given to Ombudsman for inquiry)
114 serving and former police officers and civilians named in controversial listening device warrants approved by Justice Virginia Bell
1984 applications for telephone taps by NSW Police, PIC, Crime Commission in 2011-12
(source: Commonwealth Attorney-General’s report)
NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 158C
New South Wales Police Force
ProCst # 92095
Regd. # 17936
Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Academy on 23 January 1978 ( aged 19 years, 8 months, 14 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 3 April 1978 ( aged 19 years, 9 months, 19 days )
Constable – appointed 3 April 1979
Constable 1st Class – appointed 3 April 1983
Detective – appointed 9 July 1987
Senior Constable – appointed 3 April 1987
Does NOT appear in the 1989 Stud Book
Final Rank = Senior Constable
Stations: Phillip St ( 4 Division )(ProCst )( 1978 – 1979 )( 2 yrs ), Burwood GDs ( 1980 ), Drummoyne GDs ( 1981 ), Burwood GDs ( March 1985 ), Five Dock ( 14 July 1985 ), Burwood Dets ( 9 Division )( 27 July 1987 – 25 November 1988 ) – Resignation
Service: From 23 January 1978 to 25 November 1988 = 10 years, 9 months, 2 days Service
* * *
After leaving NSWPF, moving to Sunshine Coast, Qld, Dave drove a truck until he joined the Queensland Police Force & Served until his retirement as a Senior Sergeant at Surfers Paradise, Qld.
Qld Police Academy – Class # ? ? ?
Queensland Police Force
Regd. # 11127
Rank: Commenced Training at Qld Police Academy on 6 October 1997
Probationary Constable- appointed ? ? 1998
Constable – appointed ? ? ?
Constable 1st Class – appointed ? ? ?
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Senior Constable – appointed ? ? 2001
Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed ? ? 2006
Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed ? ? ?
Sergeant 1st Class – appointed ? ? 2011
Final Rank = Senior Sergeant
Stations: 16 years at Surfers Paradise ( Team 2 ) – Retirement
Service: From 6 October 1997 to13 December 2013 = 16 years, 2 months, 7 days Service
* * *
TOTAL POLICE SERVICE = 26 years, 11 months, 9 days Service
* * *
Awards: No Find on Australian Honours system – however:
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: ?TBA
Buried at: ?TBA
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( September 2020 )
DAVE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
On Thursday 24th September we said our farewell to the love of my life, my husband David – Dave, Jocho, loving father to Lauren and Yvette, with our immediate family and friends.
Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions we could only have 50 people attend David’s service.
Our family and I would like to thank you all for the most beautiful and respectful messages we have received. We are overwhelmed by the love and support hundreds of friends and work colleagues have shown David and our family.
David had been very ill for many years. The early signs that David was unwell commenced in 2012 and in August 2015, David was diagnosed with Early Onset Frontal Temporal Dementia.
David’s health deteriorated where he was losing his motor skills, unable to see properly and kept having numerous falls.
Among many other symptoms, his ability to speak, eat, swallow and to walk deteriorated.
David had 167 consultations and follow up consultations over a 3 year period.
I took him to many different medical specialists and he also attended the Frontier Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney in order to properly diagnose him.
David had the most tenacious neurologist on the Gold Coast, Dr Arman Sabet who completed his studies in the U.S.
Dr Sabet kept stating David has a more specific disease because David was still very cognitive and still had an amazing long term memory which he did up until he passed. He did have difficulty with his short term memory. He knew what he wanted to say but his brain wouldn’t allow his thoughts to be transmitted through his speech.
After many tests and bloods sent overseas by Dr Sabet, David was fully diagnosed with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy which is somewhat similar to MND Motor Neuron Disease. PSP is also like a Parkinsonian disease.
David suffered a horrible and cruel 5 years and on the 17th September, David passed into God’s eternal care. No more torment. No more pain.
I know that you will all miss David as much as we miss him. We all have wonderful and funny stories to tell but that would take forever and I’m sure you will all share those stories and memories.
You all know David was a good, loyal, caring man, always had everyone’s back and you all hold him dearly to your hearts. Our lives will never be the same again.
There are too many people for our family to thank individually. We thank you all very much.
The last thing I would like to say is: If anyone becomes ill from Dementia, PSP, MND, Cancer or whatever terminal disease, please don’t be frightened to keep in contact or visit that person as that person is still the same person you all knew and loved.
That person also remembers you all and also loves you.
Keep safe and healthy our very dear friends, previous work colleagues and families.
Much love.
Helen xxoo
Norman William RUSSELL
| 06/08/2023
Norman William RUSSELL
AKA ?
Late of ?
NSW Redfern Police Academy Class # ” possibly ” 134
NSW Police Cadet # 2723
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 15786
Rank: Commenced Training as Police Cadet on 5 July 1971 ( aged 17 years, 1 month & 5 days )
Probationary Constable- appointed 6 May 1973 ( aged 19 years )
( 1981 – 1983 ) Technical Support Branch – M.O. Unit ( Method of Operation ),
( 1983 – 1985 ) Darlinghurst ( SenCon ),
( 1985 – April 1992 ) Internal Affairs.
( 1987 ) – Sat for the Sgts Exam.,
( April 1992 – 2 August 1995 ) Parramatta GDs – Sgt ( 18 Division ),
( 3 August 1995 – 1997 ) Internal Affairs – South Region ( Inspector ),
( 1997 – Retirement ) Holroyd District – Merrylands ( 26 Division ) as a Duty Officer – Retirement
Service: From5 July 1971 to8 July 2005 = 34 years & 3 days Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 8 June 1988 ( SenCon )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 17 April 1997 ( SenCon )
Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct ( Imperial ) Medal – granted 27 July 1976 ( Constable ) – Rescue from a car crash fire
Commissioners Commendation given on 17 March 1996
NSW Police Medal with 4th Clasp – granted 4 June 2003
Born: Thursday 6 May 1954
Died on: Wednesday 29 July 2020
Age: 66 years, 2 months & 23 days
Cause: Parkinsons Disease
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Friday 7 August 2020 @ 1.10pm
Funeral location: Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens North Chapel, 199 Delhi Road, North Ryde, NSW
Funeral video available upon request
( Due to current Govt. restrictions of the 4 square metre rule at a Funeral due to the Cornona19 Virus Pandemic – this will be a Private Funeral )
Future Wake location: ??? TBA
( Due to current Govt. restrictions of 50 persons only at ‘Gatherings’, there won’t be an immediate Wake )
Future Wake date: ???
( Due to current Govt. restrictions on ‘Gatherings’ due to Corona19 Virus Pandemic, some families may wish to have a Memorial Service / Wake with friends and family at a later date )
Funeral Parlour: Liberty Funerals
Buried at: Cremated
Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?
Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( August 2020 )
NORMAN is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.
Awards to Police—Royal and Civilian
Royal and civilian awards and trophies were awarded to members of the Police Force and a member of the Police Cadet Corps as indicated hereunder—
Queen’s Gallantry Medal—
Detective Senior Constable Wilfred Tunstall;
Senior Constable John William Hayes;
Constable 1st Class Jan Krawczyk.
Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct—
Detective Sergeant 1st Class Reginald Hugh
Stevenson;
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class Ronald Charles Wilson;
Sergeant 3rd Class John Nelson Hobbs;
Detective Senior Constable Paul William McKinnon;
Detective Constable 1st Class Richard John Winston Barber;
Constable 1st Class Paul Owen Davison;
Constable Garry Brian Gilbert;
Probationary Constable Ernest Robert Gallaway;
Constable 1st Class Graham Leonard Pitt;
Sergeant 3rd Class Geoffrey Allan Kinney;
Senior Constable Neville Ronald Whalan;
Detective Senior Constable Aldo Lorenzutta;
Detective Senior Constable Geoffrey Neil McDowell; Sergeant 1st Class Richard Tinto Davidson; Constable Norman William Russell;
Constable Lindsay Reginald Basile;
Constable 1st Class Udo Starkis;
Constable Phillip Robert Baldwin;
Constable 1st Class Terrence Keith Manning;
Constable Michael William Donnelly;
Constable 1st Class Gordon Stewart Henderson;
Detective Senior Constable Michael Geoffrey Christopher Simmons;
Detective Senior Constable Graham Edward Rosetta;
Detective Sergeant 1st Class Ernest Ross Nixon;
Detective Sergeant 1st Class Ross Page Morrison;
Sergeant 3rd Class Rex Kevin Rees;
Constable 1st Class John Peter Sweeney;
Constable Raymond John Clement;
Senior Constable James Ewen Hunter Howatson;
Constable 1st Class Ian Robert Leven.
NSW Police Department – 1976 Annual Report
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW : 1901 – 2001), Friday 18 August 1995 (No.99), page 4253
NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE SERVICE
Commissioned Officer Appointments
His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the undermentioned Commissioned Officer appointments, effective from the dates indicated:
Inspector Richard Raymond BAKER, Patrol Commander, Bondi—Chief Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Inspector Phillip Robert JONES, Assistant to the Executive Staff Officer, State Command—Chief Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Inspector Geoffrey Edwards HODGSON, Commander. Internal Affairs Unit, North Region — Chief Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Senior Sergeant Kevin Clive HAYWARD, Patrol Commander, West Wyalong — Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Sergeant Peter David DAWSON, Station Controller, Coffs Harbour — Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Sergeant John Peter SWEENEY, Patrol Tactician, Kogarah —Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Senior Sergeant Timothy John TARLINTON, Station Controller, Albury—Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Sergeant Norman William RUSSELL, Chief Investigator, Regional Internal Affairs Unit, South — Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Sergeant Arthur KOPSIAS, Commander, Investigation Projects Unit, Operations Support Group — Inspector, 3rd August, 1995.
Chief Inspector Alan Douglas LEEK, Patrol Commander, Newtown — Superintendent, 10th August, 1995.
Inspector Ronald Charles SHAW, Patrol Commander, Mascot—Chief Inspector, 10th August, 1995.
Senior Sergeant Brian John GARVEY, District Staff Officer, Personnel, Orana—Inspector, 10th August, 1995.
Senior Sergeant Dennis Peter O’TOOLE, Co-ordinator, Major Crime Squad, North Region — Inspector, 10th August, 1995.
Senior Sergeant John William WHITE, Commander, Confiscation Unit, Operations Support Section, Drug Enforcement Agency, Special Agencies — Inspector, 10th August, 1995.
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 17 August 1964 ( aged 21 years, 5 months, 29 days )
Constable – appointed 17 August 1965
Senior Constable – appointed 17 August 1973
Senior Sergeant – appointed 31 December 1987
Final Rank = Senior Sergeant
Stations: ?, ‘D’ District, G.D’s all of his service in Metro & Country areas, Police Academy lecturer at the Secondary Training annexure, Elizabeth St, Redfern ( 1980’s ), Sutherland District Office, Kogarah – Retirement
Service: From? ? pre August 1964?to? ? ? = ? years Service
Awards: National Medal – granted 2 March 1981 ( Sgt 3/c )
1st Clasp to National Medal – granted 7 October 1991
2nd Clasp to National Medal – granted 10 August 2000
Born: Friday 19 February 1943
Died on: Monday 3 December 2018
Age: 75 years, 9 months, 14 days
Cause: Parkinson disease ( sufferer for 10 years ) & recently suffered progressive dementia
Event location: ?
Event date: ?
Funeral date: Monday 10 December 2018 @ noon
Funeral location: South chapel, Woronora Cemetery, Linden St, Sutherland
a Sergeants course or First Line Commanders course at Penrith Police Station around mid 1980s. Can’t remember all the names but I will give it a try. Back row: Laurie Eddy ( # 16868? ), Greg Peterson ( # 15106 ), Warren Newton ( # 14491 ), Bob Murrell ( # 15864 ), Hank Vanderwaarden ( # 15760 ), Ron Blake ( # 10029 ). Middle row: John HAMER – instructor ( # 11103 ), Ernie Jones ( # 15468 or # 14515 ) , Gary BUCKLEY ( # 16269 ), Ces Kearney ( # 16804 ), Ray Filewood ( # 15912 ), Dave Clouston ( # 16727 ), Alan Targett ( # 14196 ), Helmut Myers ( # 16359 ). Front row: Kieron Power ( # 17384 ), John Findlater ( # 13571 ), Ron McGOWAN ( # 15631 ), Gordon Middlemisss ( # 17058 ), Gary Winchester ( # 15414 ), Mal Roser ( # 16028 ).
the Metropolitan South Associates Branch of the Police Association have advised of the death of retired Senior Sergeant John Hamer, last station Kogarah.
During his service John performed general duties at country and metropolitan stations, and for a time was a lecturer at the Police Academy. He was an absolute gentleman, a very humble and respected man. For the past ten years John battled Parkinson disease and more recently suffered progressive dementia. Rest in Peace friend.
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03/12/2018 – John Robert Thomas HAMER, 75 old, Reg. No. 11103. Ret. Sen. Sgt of Monterey, Sydney NSW.
John’s funeral will be held at 12.00pm on Monday the 10th Instant at the South Chapel, Woronora Cemetery, thence a burial will be conducted within the grounds.
The family are desirous that former colleagues attending John’s funeral may wear relevant medals. If so, appropriate dress clothes would be required. The family have indicated that they would also like a Police Honour Guard to be present. Later, a wake will be held within the grounds to celebrate John’s life.
Les DalrympleSergeant Hamer was an instructor at the Academy when I did secondary training back in the very early 80s. A thorough gentleman — Vale John.
Ron AlexanderI worked with John at the secondary training annexure Elizabeth Street Redfern during the late 80’s. John was admired by all and a true friend. RIP John.
Col ColmanThank you John Hamer for your fine and dedicated Service to our Community. We also thank you for you enthusiastic approach whilst performing instructional duties at the Police Academy, and on behalf of the many hundreds of Probationary Constables you instructed in class, and launching them into a wonderful career, we say thank you, you really did make a difference. As a new Instructor at the Academy, during John’s tour, I found him most helpful and informative, during those first few months. RIP………..
Ken EmmsI was a student of John’s in the Methods of Instruction Course. A very competent teacher & all round good bloke. He will be sadly missed. Sincere sympathies to John’s family.
Glenn Stan Cam StanleyJohn was attached to Sutherland District Office when I was in SOGs and he was always a gentleman who also had a good sense of humour. Will be sadly missed RIP mate
Stewart McNeiceWorked with John at Kogarah. A real gentleman. A dam shame.
There is ‘no find’ with a search via Trove – so, at this time, little is known about Scott, his life or career.
Please check back for funeral details which will be included over the next few days when details are known.
We send our deepest sympathy to Olwyn Pratt Edmonds on the loss of her husband of 51 years ( married 10 September 1966 ) after a long battle with Parkinsons disease.
Olwyn is also the daughter of deceased member, Edwin Oliver PRATT, who died on 19 November 1948.