2007 Blue Ribbon Dinner

The highly anticipated 7 th Annual Blue Ribbon Dinner was held on Friday 21 st September Acer Arena, Olympic Park and was a roaring success for NSW Police Legacy. A total of 335 guests attended the black tie evening to assist in raising funds for NSW Police Legacy Education Grants and Tertiary Scholarships.

The audience was addressed by the NSW Premier, Morris Iemma MP, Minister for Police, Mr David Campbell MP and the NSW Police Commissioner, Mr Andrew Scipione APM.  Our Master of Ceremonies for the evening was NSW Police Constable  Wes Bas who managed to keep the large crowd entertained and under control.

A special guest appearance was made by singer-songwriter and multi Country Music Award winner, Melinda Schneider, who played the song “Sgt Bean” from her album Family Tree, a song she wrote for her deceased Police Officer father.  The NSW Police Band entertained the crowd with current hit songs and hits from the past and had people up dancing until the very last song.

 A number of items were auctioned on the night including a beautifully framed NSW Police Force Shirt complete with Rank Insignia, Name Plate and Ribbon Bands and a genuine NSW Police Commissioner’s Cap, worn by Commissioner Ken Moroney AO APM (retired). The Cap was superbly showcased in a timber presentation box. Additionally, the Badges of Commissioned Officer’s 1862-1936 was kindly donated by Ozbadge Inc from Michigan, USA. There was also a travel prize to Vietnam including return flights and business class tickets to New Zealand flying Emirates. Two tickets to Elton John’s Rocket Man tour were also auctioned on the night as well as several other silent auction items. Raffle tickets also proved popular on the night with the launch of the NSW Police Legacy Annual Blue Ribbon Raffle. First prize for the raffle is a Mediterranean cruise for two people including return economy flights to Venice and a seven night cruise including Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus, Corfu and Dubrovnik. Tickets will be available through your Local Area Command or by contacting the Legacy Office on 9212 7611.

NSW Police Legacy was proud to have two of their Legatees, Amy and Erin Whittaker-Holt speaks on the night about their relationship with NSW Police Legacy. Amy and Erin’s father, the late Detective Sergeant Richard Whittaker was attached to the Gosford Drug Squad when he tragically passed away on the 28 th September 1991 from a Cerebral Haemorrhage. Sergeant Whittaker served the NSW Police Force for 15 years. He left behind his wife Tracey and 2 & 1/2 year old twins Amy and Erin who at this young age became Police Legacy Legatees. The crowd sat in silence as Amy and Erin recounted their times at Police Legacy functions, school holiday camps and Christmas Parties. At such a tender age of 18, Amy and Erin who are about to complete their High School Certificate, delivered their speech with exceptional maturity.

NSW Police Legacy would like to thank all those members who attended and would like to thank all the major sponsors of the Blue Ribbon Dinner 2007.