Tasmania Branch
International Police Association

Hi all,

Well, what a fantastic weekend.  Well done Mick, Andy, Ray, Dave and members of ACT Region.  Everything was so well planned and executed perfectly.  If there was anything that didn’t go exactly to plan, if most definitely wasn’t noticeable.

From all reports, the Serving Police Officer Day was very well received and the members from almost every State and Territory enjoyed the hospitality and sharing of information from the AFP.

Great to see our New Zealand colleagues represented and, for the first time, a member from the Northern Territory Police.  CHOGM prevented any member from WA attending so the WA Region assisted in sending a NT member along by paying the airfares. (Qantas unfortunately).  Hope you managed to thumb a lift home Meagan.

Our NEB meeting went very well, as did the AGM on the Friday night.  The Triennial Election of National office bearers was held this year and the positions of President, Vice President and Assistant Secretary General were uncontested and the previous incumbents regained their positions. The position of Secretary General was contested and resulted in an election with two nominees – Val Doherty (WA Region) and Tareq (Rick) Faizy (NSW Region).  The result of the election was in favour of Rick Faizy, congratulations Rick.

This unfortunately meant that Val Doherty has ended a long and dedicated term of office to the Australian Section National Executive.  Val served as the National President from 1981 to 1987, Immediate Past President from 1987 to 1990 and as the Secretary General from 1999 to 2011.  But don’t think that Val was holidaying between 1990 and1999…. Val was the inaugural Secretary of the WA Region when it commenced in 1969 and WA has only ever had one Secretary, yes, 42 years as the Region Secretary.  Do not fear, Val will still be around and I am sure she will look forward to being able to enjoy the social activities arranged for future National AGM Weekends.  From us all Val, THANK YOU.

Great supper  after the AGM on Friday night……….

The NEC Meeting held on Saturday went along smoothly and your Region Chairs will no doubt send out a group email to you all advising of several issues raised and dealt with during the day. I was pleasantly surprised (seems a bit strange to say) when I was asked to remove myself from the meeting and upon returning was informed that I had been nominated by the Western Australia Region for Honorary Life Membership of the Australian Section and that is had been passed unanimously….  Thank you, it is a wonderful and very much appreciated honour to join the list of members previously awarded this award. Time to relax after the meeting NO, NOT ON YOUR LIFE……… Breaking News….. all Qantas flights cancelled and planes grounded…… There were phone calls going in all directions…. lap tops dragged out whilst everybody scrambled to try and find out what was happening………. We all know the story so we won’t go there….. At the time of my putting this onto the Website, we are all home or on the way home….. Thank you Virgin……

Other appointments for the next twelve months were for our National Editor Ray Newman (great job on the magazine Ray); National Travel Coordinator Jason Brewer (thanks for all the work Jason); and the Hobbies Bureau Secretary Mark Kibbler.  Mark has been working hard on the Hobbies area and is finding it a little frustrating that our members are holding back with their registering of hobbies interests.  It doesn’t matter what your interest is, comics, cycling, police memorabilia collecting, old books etc…. there are sure to be other members out there who are interested in what you do…..  easy to contact Mark… click on his email on either the National Officers page or the WA Region page and send him an email. Welcome to the two new Associate Secretaries – Dave Wells (Qld Region) now responsible for Hong Kong and Macau and, Brian Hansen (Qld Region) responsible for the Scandinavian and a couple of neighbouring countries (see list in PDU next month or on the Website).  Welcome Dave and Brian….. hope you enjoy the experience.

The Conference dinner at the Brassey was absolutely fantastic. Well presented – many members sent their appreciation messages to the chef.  The music provided was very apt for all age groups and we were also treated to a few songs from the very talented Ann Newman (Ray’s – National Editor – better half). It was beautiful Ann.  What an emcee our Mick Richardson makes, great job Mick, do you hire yourself out for weddings?

Sunday morning and off we went to the National Police Memorial for a service. Very personal and sole touching.  Doesn’t matter how many times you go there, it means a little more each time. The recruits reading out the names of departed colleagues was very touching.  Following the service, the Police Volunteers put on a brilliant breakfast for us and the display of Police vehicles went over very well.  Much appreciated and thank you to all who provided their time.

What more can I say….. amazing weekend…. hard to top…….  So, for our next National AGM Weekend, Queensland have taken up the offer to host 2012, South Australia in 2013, NSW in 2014 and, we are hoping to welcome Tasmania back into the rotation for 2015.  Our midyear NEB meeting in April next year will be held on Tasmania to give Fiona support in trying to rebuild the Tasmania Branch and bring it back to its previous Region status.  More details later.

Make sure you have a look at the booking area for the two IPA houses we now enjoy….  Melbourne and Miami on the Gold Coast.  The information and booking forms can be found at the top right of the website page under the link for Houses.  The other area you should be visiting regularly and providing input is the Forum – link same place at the top or the website.

Finally, thank you to all of the Region, Sub-Region and Branch executive members, Associate Secretaries and other members who have assisted along the way…. we couldn’t do it without the input each have made along the way…..

In friendship

Ross Pengilly
Assistant Secretary General

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