I am pleased to report we had the biggest attendance ever at our 23rd Blue Ribbon Ball at Darling Harbour on 29 March 2025. Carnival was the theme, with a magician, laughing clowns, the NSW Police Big Band, the photo booth and some great dancing. Legatee Warren Proops gave a very moving speech about the loss of his dad. You would have all been very proud of him and the whole Proops family, who represented with great courage the best of all things NSW Police Legacy. Our hallmark fundraising event was a complete success, and the guests were extremely generous in helping us raise funds for all police legatee families.
Another fantastic event was the 5th Sydney Metro 1000 at Picton GoKarts on 7 March. Liverpool Police Area Command Champion Sergeant Damian Leemon and his loyal team ran another action-filled event with just under twenty teams of three racing for hours to take the chequered flag and win the highly prized Kellie Foster Cup. Damian and his team have raised over $100,000 over the last 5 years. I was so impressed with the camaraderie and the number of families there to support their Jack Brabhams!
In early April I travelled to South Australia to attend the memorial for Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig who was tragically shot and killed on duty at a rural property at Senior in that state in 2023. The memorial unveiled a metal silhouette based on a photo taken of Jason standing next to his police car. It stands proudly in the centre of town where Jason worked. The South Australian Police and local community did a great job paying tribute and celebrating Jason’s life and career.
We held the Inaugural NSW Police Legacy Parents’ Network NSW Police Band Concert at Balmain Town Hall on 7 April 2025. The Police Band were exceptional. Belinda’s voice and each instrument played straight into the hearts of all in attendance. Their conductor John said they were musicians wearing police uniforms. From my perspective this amazing group of individuals honoured the NSW Police uniform with every note they played and every bit of comfort they gave.
I had the pleasure of attending the Australian Police Bowls Championships held on 8 April 2025 at Forster Bowling club. The green was a sea of colour, with every state represented in their favourite bowling shirt while fundraising for NSW Police Legacy. Each year they gather in a different state to play 8 days of bowling! Again, the camaraderie was first class. As was the sledging!
Next time we speak I hope to be able to tell you all about the amazing work done by NSW and the NSW Police Academy fundraising and having fun throughout May in the 6th annual “Run for Blue” month. I hope to tell you about the 10-day walk from Nelson Bay to Crescent Head honouring the 30th anniversary of the shooting of Senior Constable Robert Spears and Senior Constable Peter Addison at Crescent Head on 9 July 1995. I will also report on the results of the Vidal Challenge being held on the 5 July 2025 which is the annual fitness challenge between the Army and NSW Police Force in honour of Constable Aaron Vidal, who died tragically in 2020.
Each of these very different events truly showcases the noteworthiness of police, the police family and the tremendous support and goodwill felt towards you, our legatees. I am always awed and so inspired by the wonderful genetics at play within our police family. I hope there is some goodness left in the rest of the world because the police family have more than our fair share.
Be well.
Det Supt Donna McCarthy APM
NSW Police Legacy Chair
