Legacy Social Events - Camps
A Thailand Adventure for Police Legatees
One of the services that NSW Police Legacy offers to Legatee children aged 14-16 years of age is a 4-6 week Hiking Tour to many different parts of the world. In an effort to support self development and awareness, Legacy selects 6 children a year to embark on the trip of a lifetime. Each year a county is selected based on activities that are challenging and push the boundaries of their everyday life.
On the 5th January 2007, six Legatees set off on an amazing adventure, hiking and exploring the wonders of Thailand. Blake Mathew, Cameron Bosworth Davis, Michael George, Luke Arthur, Dominique Erichsen & Eliza Collett met at the airport with plenty of excitement, and probably a little apprehension, to jump on the flight that would take them on what would be for some, their first overseas experience. To follow is Blake’s response to some of the questions Police Legacy had to ask……….
How long have you been a Legatee for?
‘I have been a Legatee since I was 1, but I went on my first camp when I was 7 years old.’
What prompted you to apply for the Overseas Hiking Tour?
‘To see how a different nationality lived in their country and within their own homes. Also my brothers have participated in previous Legacy Overseas Hikes and encouraged me to apply.’
How much preparation was involved before leaving?
‘There wasn’t too much preparation in relation to fitness as I was pretty fit already.’
How did you feel when you arrived in Bangkok?
‘I wanted to get out of the city and experience the villages. I also wanted to see the jungle and go hiking.’
How did you find the Thai people and their culture?
‘Their culture was very different from ours. The thing that stood out the most was the impact of their religion on society. It is very strict in comparison to Australia.’
Did the trip live up to your expectations?
‘Yes it did.’
What was the highlight, both personally and as a group?
‘As a group the highlight would have to be finishing the Hike. After 5 days without a shower and limited clothing etc we felt that we had really achieved something. Personally the highlight would have been snorkelling around Phi Phi and travelling on the long tail boats between the islands.’
Did you find the Hiking very physically challenging?
‘It was pretty moderate and suitable for most levels of fitness.’
Did the Overseas Hiking Tour change your outlook or opinion?
‘It required me to be more independent and rely on myself a lot more instead of someone else organising everything for me. It encouraged me to do more travel in the future, especially more travel in Asian countries.’
Kokoda Expedition
A life Changing Adventure….Kokoda 2007
By Kristi Bailey
On 16th April this year I was boarding a plane to Port Moresby but there was no way of telling just how much the following ten days would change my life.
I was joined by five other legatees; Glenn Addison, Tara Lambert, Shaun Leydon, Katherine Thompson, Geoff Thompson as well as thirty serving police officers. All together, we were about to embark on a journey across the Owen Stanley Range from Kokoda to Owers Corner.
Our guide, Aidan, gave a comprehensive understanding about the importance of the overall campaign, to help us appreciate what we were about to endure. We were also joined by a group of locals, referred to as our "legends". These men were the sons and grandsons of the true "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" who helped so many injured diggers through the jungle track over sixty years ago. They would prove to be just as supportive as their ancestors, as they reached out with a helping hand whenever someone slipped or needed help during tough times over the coming days.
It didn’t take long before we got into the rhythm of “normal” life on the track. Getting up at 5am, putting on clothes still wet from the previous day and walking at least five hours a day, on a diet of rice, instant meals and vita wheat’s. We’d conquered a few tough climbs and the backpacks we were all carrying had moulded to our backs pretty well. We were used to slipping and sliding our way through mud, and in these conditions it didn’t take long to learn, that downhill is often worse and harder than steep uphill climbs.
By mid afternoon on April 18th, we walked into Isurava, one of the most significant battlefields of the campaign. As soon as we arrived the clouds began to settle low in mountains behind, creating an eerie misty outlook upon the memorial and its sentinel stones: "Courage, Mateship, Endurance, Sacrifice". These words would mean more each day thereafter as these traits of ANZAC spirit were reflected within our own group. For anyone who was doing it tough, there was no shortage of willing volunteers to help them through in any way possible.
We held our own dawn service in front of the sentinel stones the following morning; the police officers were called to attention and saluted, as the six legatees shared the honour of raising the Australian and PNG national flags. There was barely a dry eye, as the group explored the site and tried to comprehend the events that took place here.
As we went on it was a real eye-opener seeing how the villagers were able to live so happily without the daily "necessities" we take for granted, including electricity and plumbed water. I was able to see that the only real need to be happy in life is the simplest of pleasures, the love and support of family and friends.
There were definitely some great friendships formed throughout the trip as we all worked together to get everyone through. And so, around midday on April 24th we reached the end at Owers Corner. The tears flowed freely as we realised it was over. We had all made it to the end of an unforgettable journey stretching 96 kilometres. After having time to reflect and look back through the mountain ranges one last time, we were driven to our hotel in Port Moresby for some well deserved relaxation and much needed refreshing.
After a decent wash, shave, hair brush, fresh clothes, and a manicure or two, the group was barely recognisable, by either sight or scent, as we met in the hotel foyer in the early hours of April 25th. The officers dressed in full uniform and we headed to Bomana Cemetery to represent NSW in the official party for the ANZAC Day dawn service. The service was a time to reflect on our journey so far, and to appreciate what our diggers had endured and overcome to keep Australian shores safe from invasion. During the National Anthem, those who were not choked up with emotion sang proudly about the freedom we enjoy for which those diggers are responsible. Following the service we went to the Australian High Commission for a sausage sizzle breakfast, before joining other Australians and ex-pats at the Yacht Club for traditional celebrations including a pipe band and two-up.
What an amazing journey it was. I have returned with a level of confidence and self-esteem I have never known, as well as many great new friends. I have also seen first hand the bonds and mateship formed within the Police, as every member of the group was a fine tribute to the entire NSW Police Force. They welcomed and involved us in the Police family, which our fathers were so proudly part of.
I would like to thank everyone for all their help and support, before, during and after the trip. A particular thanks goes to Inspector Mark Carrick for all his time and effort to bring this together once more. Hopefully this has become an annual event to allow many more legatees and Police the opportunity to experience this journey for themselves.
Kids Camp
Police Legatees between the ages of 7-18 years experienced a trip of a lifetime on the Kids Camp to Lorne, Victoria in the middle of October 2007. 34 Legatees attended the camp with Police Legacy supervisors. The itinerary was jammed packed full of exciting, fun and interesting attractions of Lorne and its surrounds, including day trips to Melbourne, Bell’s Beach and the Great Ocean Road. The legatees were staying at Club Lorne for the week, which provided them with the opportunity to learn to surf and enjoy sea kayaking in the spare time.
Marine Area Command Water Police Day
On Sunday the 5th November 2006, the Marine Area Command treated Legatees to a fun filled day on Rodd Island. 31 Legatees gathered at Balmain Water Police and boarded the Police Launch, whilst the kids took a ride on the tactical rhib before being transported to Rodd Island. Although the weather was far from perfect, the Water Police ensured everyone had a great day with games of volleyball, touch football, rides on the tactical rhib and a barbeque lunch. The day was topped off with a cruise under the Harbour Bridge and a group “happy snap” at the Opera House before returning to Balmain.
The Marine Area Command organise and fund this event, as well as volunteer their time and resources on the day.
January Hike
In the middle of January 2007, 22 Legatees and 6 Supervisors set off on the January Camping & Hiking Trip. Being the first get together for 2007 we were eager to start the year off on an exciting and enjoyable note.
Stepping off the bus at ‘Camp Carotel’ into the scorching summer heat of Canberra proved challenging for some, but something I am sure we all grew accustomed to by the end of the week. Tents were distributed, along with some heavy duty hammers to get through the dry, hard ground. The ground was something we all got well acquainted with later that night, with a few sore backs the next day. Never the less we were off on our first hike of the trip and then swimming in the afternoon. Tuesday had us at the Canberra Zoo & Aquarium as well as celebrating Michael Lawler’s 18th birthday in the evening. Wednesday we were on hike 2 of the trip, and then Paddle Boats and Kayaking on Lake Burley Griffin. A change of pace on Thursday when we headed to the National Police Memorial, this being the first time for most Legatees, Questacon and the Australian Institute of Sport, as well as the movies that night. Then came hike 3 on Friday followed by the long awaited horse riding on Friday afternoon.
Saturday involved packing up….cleaning…..and all that fun stuff. Macca’s on the way home broke up the trip before arriving at Central Station. Everyone headed in their different directions slightly dirtier than when they arrived but none the less all in tact. Talk of where the next January Hike will be is already well under way.
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