South Burnett CTC staff members ham it up with Blazer The BearKingaroy Police Community Consultative Committee chairman Morris Winter is presented with a certificate to mark the anniversary by Dalby Burnett Patrol Inspector Michael Bianchi
September 18, 2015
Twenty-five years ago a public meeting was held at the Kingaroy Town Hall Reception Room to discuss how local police and the community could improve their channels of communication.
Sixty-one people were at that meeting, and they voted to establish a Community Police Liaison Committee.
That committee, now known as the Kingaroy Police Community Consultative Committee, is possibly the longest-serving police liaison committee in Queensland.
A special emergency services display was set up in the Kingaroy Town Hall Forecourt and in the Town Hall car park on Thursday to mark the 25th anniversary.
The inaugural meeting of the committee was held in the Kingaroy Shire Chambers on June 26, 1990.
That meeting was chaired by then-Kingaroy Shire Chairman – now Deputy Prime Minister – Warren Truss.
The current chairman of the committee, Morris Winter, has been serving in this role for about eight years.
The group meets quarterly – or more often, if needed – and consists of representatives from the local QAS, Police, QFES, SES, Rural Fire Brigades, Kumbia Neighbourhood Watch, South Burnett Regional Council, Education Queensland and South Burnett CTC.
Dalby Burnett Patrol Inspector Michael Bianchi said the committee was “critical” to the work of the police.
“We can’t do our job without the support of the community,” he said.
Insp Bianchi presented Mr Winter with a Certificate of Appreciation to mark the anniversary.
While children from Taabinga State school and members of the public explored the displays, CTC Youth and Community Services manager Kirsten Firman took the opportunity to explain to the emergency services workers two new programs that CTC is running, “Family and Child Connect” and “Intensive Family Support”, which are designed to help families in the community who are under pressure.
Fire fighters David Duff and Phil Temperton, Lieutenant Michael Armstrong and Inspector Mark Long demonstrate some of the rescue equipment used in car crashesSenior Constable Jade Miller shows Taabinga State School prep students Clayton Hill and Blake Gauld how the lights and sirens work on a police car
Retired officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police John Bastable with retired Assistant Commissioner Greg Early; John was OIC and Greg was Regional Superintendent when the committee was established
Taabinga State School prep students Zachary Reardon, Kade Farrell and Taine Smith learned about using safety gear – including helmets, vests and earmuffs – from Kingaroy and Nanango SES volunteers
Kingaroy Group SES members Julie Farrell, Group leader Peter Verbakel, Des Lowe and Jonathon FarrellRural firefighters Michelle Hansen (Malar Booie), Robyn Bliss (Maidenwell) and Jesse Barnes (Taromeo)
Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police Duane Frank with Inspector Michael Bianchi
Andrew Saal (Child Safety) with Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell
Former Kingaroy Shire Chairman / Mayor Roger Nunn and Town Clerk / CEO Ron Knopke with current South Burnett Regional Council CEO Gary Wall, centre (Council staff were wearing pink safety shirts in support of Relay For Life)Senior Constable Jade Miller and Senior Constable Brendan SeymourOfficer-in-charge of Kumbia Police Adam Entwistle with Kingaroy Ambulance officer-in-charge Adam FloryNanango SES group leader Robyn Baker with South Burnett Southern SES Local Controller Arthur DawsonKingaroy Rotary members served up a sausage sizzle … from left, Neil Black, Ron Roberts, Vince Evans and Geoff Hosking
