Saturday, 12 September 2020
ACT Regional Morning Service
The morning ACT and Regional memorial service will be held at National Police Memorial, Kings Park, Parkes commencing at 9:00am (0900h).
VIPs invited to attend include Mr Mick Gentleman MLA , ACT Minister for Police and Emergency Services, ACT Chief Police Officer Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan APM and Inspector Sandy Green in lieu of Supt Paul Condon – Monaro Police District Commander, other Senior AFP Executives and Chaplain Gayl MILLS.
At 9:30am the ACT / NSW Regional Wall to Wall Satellite Ride led by VIPs departs NPM for Goulburn . The return trip is via Gunning to National Police Memorial – ETA 1300hrs (The END). Refer to state updates (ACT) for full details
NATIONAL WALL TO WALL RIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE
We ask that riders do not attend the afternoon National Memorial Service.
Service commencing at 4:00pm is being held for limited invited guests only at the National Police Memorial
Watch via live stream on Wall to Wall Ride Facebook.
Click here to view the Order of Service.
The following is the speech by John Laird Chairman of the National Wall to Wall Ride Organising Committee.
Can I firstly thank everyone for participating in what is the most unique Wall to Wall Ride its 11 year history.
Whilst we could only have a small gathering at the National Police Memorial this afternoon, the change in the format of this years’ event has meant that many of you have been afforded an opportunity to tailor your own rides, in remembrance for your fallen colleagues. So, while we are not all at the National Police Memorial together in person, we are all there in spirit.
If there is any consolation about the changed ride format brought about by COVID 19, it is that I am aware that many of you have been given the opportunity to visit some of those special sites in our own jurisdictions, that you might not always get the opportunity to visit and remember your colleagues who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Whilst the service at the National Police Memorial after the Ride has always been a solemn event, it has also always been a great day to catch up with friends and former colleagues and importantly keep check on one another, a welfare check, just to make sure everyone is doing ok and to again, offer that hand of mateship. So while today, you might not see those same friends and former colleagues, and might not get to see many of them until next years’ ride, I encourage you to reach out to them, just to keep in touch and to ensure that everyone knows that they are not alone.
For my Victorian colleagues, and I know our friends from police forces not only across Australia, but internationally, this years’ ride had additional meaning. On National Police Remembrance Day, we will add four new names to the National Police Memorial, those of our four Victorian sister and brothers tragically killed during a traffic stop on Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway on 22 April this year. It should be noted that this is only the third time since the first officer was killed on duty in 1803, 217 years ago, that four officers have been killed in the same incident. In just over a fortnight’s time –
- Leading Senior Constable Lynette Rosemary Taylor;
- Senior Constable Kevin Neil King;
- Constable Glen Andrew Humphris; and
- Constable Joshua Andrew Prestney
of Victoria Police will join the other 794 names on the Wall.
But as I’ve just mentioned, included in those 794 names are –
- Constable Gavin Capes;
- Senior Constable Donald Everett;
- Senior Constable Philip Ruland; and
- 1st Class Constable David Dewar
from Western Australia Police, who were killed in a Police Air Support plane crash near Newman on Australia Day 2001 while returning from a police operation near the Northern Territory border.
And Special Constables –
- John Carroll;
- Patrick Kennagh;
- Eneas McDonnell; and
- John Phegan
who were all murdered by the Clarke Gang of bushrangers in the Braidwood area on the night of the 8/9 January 1867. The Clarke Gang having been described as the most violent and bloodthirsty gang of bushrangers in Australian history.
That’s the reason we are here today and that’s the reason why over 20 years ago the Police Federation of Australia began campaigning to have a National Police Memorial built in Canberra. The fact that today, we are remembering the names of the four Victorian members who were killed just under six months ago in Melbourne, we are also remembering the names of our four colleagues from Western Australia killed 19 years ago and at the same time remembering the names of four other officers killed 153 years ago. This Memorial, this Ride and National Police Remembrance Day have always been about ensuring that none of the other 786 officers on the Wall, will ever be forgotten.
I take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their continued support of this great event. In particular, this year, when we were wondering how the ride might be able to proceed, all of our sponsors were unwavering in their support and we thank them and encourage all of you to do likewise. I also thank the ride’s organising committee for their support throughout the year, particularly as we had to make some of the harder decisions about this year’s event.
In closing, in support of our other motive for the Ride, I encourage you to enjoy your day and to ride safely and I look forward to seeing you all back in Canberra on the 18th of September 2021, for the 12th Annual Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance.
John Laird
Chair
Wall to Wall Organising Committee