Legacy Social Events 2008

January Overseas Hiking Tour, January 2008

When 6 Legatees and 2 Police Supervisors arrived in Borneo , Malaysia for the January Hiking Tour 2008, little could they imagine what the next month had in store for them! Their time away was an amazing adventure which included; hiking the challenging forests and islands of Malaysia , seeing native flora and fauna and experiencing the food and the lifestyles of traditional Malaysian culture. The Legatees spent time in Sarawak Village , where they were able to live the traditional Borneo lifestyle- including participating in frog-hunting, feasts and ceremonies. To compensate for the over 152 km of hiking that the group did while they were away, they had some time to relax by volcanic mud pools, swim in crystal clear water, and have professional massages. By the end of the OHT, the Legatees were really proud of the fact that they could now hand-wash their clothes, had survived without a television for 3 weeks and more importantly knew that they could live away from home for a whole month! Special t hanks must go to the Police Officers who supervised and thoroughly enjoyed their four weeks away with the Legatees, and to the Legatees themselves who really had the trip of a life-time.

January Hiking Camp 2008, 13-19 January 2008

In January, 13 NSW Police Legatees and 5 Supervisors put their walking shoes on and headed to the beautiful Kangaroo Valley on the South Coast for the January Camp. The keen campers were challenged with busy days- hiking at Minnie Ha Ha Falls, surviving narrow muddy tracks, mosquitoes and everyone's favourites, leeches, ‘visiting Jamberoo Action Park', a 5km hike on the ‘Western Rim Trail and a kayaking trip up river to Bendeela. After a short day of rest, sadly, camp was over and the Legatees were back home, saying their fond farewells and heading home to their eagerly awaiting families.

Special thanks to the Supervisors for donating their time and to the Legatees for their energy, enthusiasm and participation in the activities.

Kids' Easter Party, Sunday 30 March 2008

Over 100 Legatees children and their parents celebrated the Easter holiday together at the Royal Easter Show. It was lovely chance for the Legatees to share a meal and a long chat with their good friends. The weather was perfect for a day of Easter Show rides including roller-coasters, bungee sling shots and the classic dodgem cars! The day was finished off with free time to explore the rest of the Show, including Side Show Alley, the World Bazaar, the Showbag Pavilion and of course the Easter Show animals.

NSW Police and NSW Police Legacy Kokoda Trek 2008
Mud, Sweat & Beers by Mark Condon

Little did I know exactly how significant the approaching adventure was going to be when I received a phone call from the NSW Police, kindly accepting my application to take part in the annual NSW Police & Police Legacy ANZAC Kokoda expedition for 2008. Nor did I understand exactly what amount of physical pain lay ahead! I was to be joined by five other Legatees, Grace Garden, Ashleigh Greenwood-Graham, Michael Lawler, Daniel Lee and Josh Tier. The six of us were to become the best of mates across the track.

An information evening prior to departure gave us all some background into what we were embarking on. It was also the opportunity to meet and greet most of the new faces that were destined to become much closer friends over the coming months.

Our adventure began in Brisbane with an overnight stay and a fantastic meal at a local restaurant. This was a great chance for the whole group to get to know each other a little more and for the unlucky ones flying from Newcastle , to catch up after their delayed flight.

Our bright and sparky group travelled to PNG the next morning to the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby for a briefing session and our final rest before our trek the following day. By now we all had an understanding of the Kokoda story, and what had happened across ‘the bloody track'. We waited patiently for our charter flight to Kokoda where the real adventure was about to begin. I remember looking out across the Owen Stanley Ranges as we flew above and thinking “no turning back now!”

Sure enough, Kokoda was hot, humid and wet. Our guide, Aidan, was passionate in his description of exactly what had happened to those poor, unprepared Diggers who struggled across the very ridge we stood on now. It was their tenacity, and their values of Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice that became very real for all of us and helped to keep us going over the entire track.

We visited the war museum and spent the night at a local village where we were welcomed by traditional dancing and a feast, which put the ration packs we were to consume over the coming week to shame!

The following morning the going got serious, as we walked double file out of the Kokoda valley with the horizon presenting nothing but steep mountain ranges. Within half an hour our boots were wet and we were clambering single file straight up a steep muddy hill, thinking “surely the whole track can't be like this…” Sure enough, it was.

We spent the night at Isurava, high above the clouds, where we had another briefing by Aidan and an emotional service to pay our respects at the memorial there. It was a significant experience that I can never forget. I think, like the rest of the group, I spent the evening trying to understand how the Diggers had coped with the difficult terrain of the Trek – the steep climbs and slippery descents – all with heavier packs than us and of course whilst getting shot at by the enemy. Even now it is something I still can't comprehend.

5am next morning and we were awake. Dressing in our wet clothes still soaked from the previous days; mixing breakfast – our powdered milk and wheat bix with hot water; doing our best to fill water bottles and packing up for a 6am departure. It was a morning routine we were all to become accustomed to.

Pushing on through the never-ending uphills and slippery downhills meant the whole group quickly became a team and soon we had our own stories of Mateship, Courage, Sacrifice and Endurance. They became more evident as the going got tougher. Each day saw us helping out our mates and thanks to the relentless assistance of our local ‘Legends' we ensured each and every one of us made it safe and sound to camp each day. The ‘Legends' presence gave us a solid understanding of exactly how significant the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” were in the Kokoda war campaign.

‘The Bloody Track' never gave up, throwing more challenges at all of us every day, pushing us both physically and mentally to places we had never been before. But the most important thing for all of us was that just like the diggers, we never gave up either. With the encouragement and support of our new mates and the Legends, the whole group was able to conquer the Track and cross the Gates at Owers Corner a whole day earlier than planned. By now, we not only had a personal insight into what had happened across the Kokoda Track during the war, but had developed a deep respect for the men who had never set out to be heroes, but who didn't give up fighting and died for the freedom we enjoy today.

ANZAC morning provided the most memorable dawn service I have ever attended at the Bomana War Cemetery . Our group along with all the visiting dignitaries joined as one to pay our respects to the fallen Diggers who lay before us. It was an emotional ceremony and certainly a day that I will never forget.

With all formalities done, the rest of the day was left for celebrations- a gunfire breakfast at the Australian Consulate, then Two-Up and beers at the Royal Papuan Yacht Club. Heads was the flavour of the afternoon, as our very own Josh Tier proudly flashed the Kina like it was going out of fashion!

All in all, the track meant different things to all of us, but by completing it as part of the Police family I believe all of the Legatees gained a great deal of confidence and will be forever impacted by the challenges that we all overcame.

Thank you to all the Police Officers, fundraisers and coordinators of the expedition. It has certainly been the trip of a lifetime for all of the Legatees and, for me personally, a life-changing adventure!

Legatees Winter Luncheon, Sunday 28 June 2008

This year Legatees were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day for their Sydney Harbour Cruise and enjoyed a delicious lunch complimented with scenic views of the harbour on the Sydney Glass Island vessel. It was a wonderful opportunity for Legatees to socialise and many made the effort to introduce themselves to new Legatees and make them feel welcome. On board to spend some time with the Legatees were special guests, including previous Legacy camp supervisors, carers and representatives from the Police Wives Association as well as current and former Police Legacy Board members. Police Legacy would like to thank these guests for the support they show to our Legatees. Thank you to the Legatees themselves who helped to make the Cruise such a memorable day.

Blue Ribbon Dinner, Friday 19 September 2008

With over 500 guests, the 2008 Blue Ribbon Dinner was a sell-out success, raising a total of $65,000.00! A fundraiser of this size could not have come about without the generous and worthwhile support of both companies and individuals across NSW and will greatly assist in the provision of Tertiary Scholarships and Education Grants for our young Legatees in 2009. Please visit our BRD pages to find out more

View photos here.

National Police Remembrance Day, Monday 29 September 2008

On Monday 29 September 2008, NSW Police Officers, representatives from NSW Parliament, federal and international police members, support groups and families of deceased Officers gathered at the Remembrance Wall in the Domain to honour officers who have passed away on duty. Police Legacy was grateful to the Legatees who gave their time and their memories by representing their loved ones on this emotional day. They displayed a strength and confidence that touched everyone who attended the ceremony.

October Kids Camp, 6-11 October 2008

Police Legacy Supervisors and Legatees flew to Queensland from all over NSW to attend the October camp. They stayed on North Stradbroke Island at Minjerribah Holiday Camp where they enjoyed beach activities including sand-surfing and snorkelling. Excursions to the Gold Coast theme parks, DreamWorld and Movie World proved to be very popular as was the surprise visit by members of the Queensland Police force. Thank you to everyone who helped make this camp a great trip away.

Kids' Christmas Party, Sunday 21 December 2008

The Kids' Christmas Party gave Legatee children and their immediate families the chance to get together for an action-packed day. Most attendees took the chance to arrive in style at the scenic Clifton Gardens in Mosman on board the Water Police boat. There was quite a range of activities to get involved in; swimming, cricket games, a jump on the jumping castle, a hit at the piñata, face-painting and lazing in the shade. After lunch children and parents met Santa and received an early Christmas present!

Our sincere thanks go to the officers of the Sydney division of the Water Police and Harbourside Highway Patrol, and our generous sponsors Coca Cola Amatil, the Smiths Snackfoods Company and Mars Snackfoods Australia for helping to make the day a success.

Christmas Luncheon, Thursday 3 December 2008

NSW Police Legacy, along with its Legatees and major supporters attended the annual Christmas Luncheon in the Grand Ballroom at Acer Arena, beautifully decorated in a white and gold Christmas theme. Our Vice Patron, Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM, was in attendance and spoke about the importance of Legatees continuing to belong to the police family and the joy of celebrating Christmas with old and new friends. Entertained by members of the Police Band, guests were treated to a special day out, which included Christmas gifts, surprise gift hampers and presentations to the people who had assisted Legacy throughout the year.

Network Lunches 2008

2008 saw Network Lunches in Wagga Wagga; Ballina; Port Macquarie; Tweed Heads; Forster and Coffs Harbour . Thank you to the Legatees who attended these lunches as they are a wonderful opportunity to make new friends or reconnect with old ones and get some practical support from other Legatees living nearby. It was common to find Legatees living only a few streets away from each other, who did not know that their neighbours were apart of Legacy! Please do get involved if Legacy comes to your home town as it's a great day out!

National Police Memorial

After years of preparation, the National Police Memorial was officially opened at Kings Park , Canberra on Friday 29th September 2006. Attendees included the Prime Minister, State and Territory Premiers, Commissioners and Police Representatives from all over the country. The Australian Federal Police invited the family members of police, who were killed on duty, to the memorable event. NSW Police Legacy was also invited and had over 140 Legatees attend the twilight ceremony, with representatives lighting candles during the official proceedings. Several Legatees also marched alongside approximately 700 Police from Old Parliament House to the Memorial Site which marked the beginning of the evening.

The dedication ceremony was followed by ‘Family Day' on Saturday which gave family members a chance to spend time at the site and have a closer look at the beautiful inscriptions, as well as lay flowers for their loved ones..

The National Police Memorial signifies the ultimate sacrifices of Police Officers who perform daily duties to protect and serve the community and NSW Police Legacy, with the help of the NSW community, were able to contribute in excess of $50,000 towards its construction. The Memorial, beside Lake Burley Griffin is a peaceful and moving site that is well worth a visit.

Click here to see more National Police Memorial Photos