Dalby Burnett Patrol Inspector Michael Bianchi with Irma Close, widow of former Sgt Frank Close
Frank Close … the former Proston police officer pictured at his farewell from Murgon in 2013

September 30, 2015

The life of former Proston police officer Sgt Frank Close, who died aged 82 earlier this year, was a focus at this year’s National Police Remembrance Day commemoration held in Kingaroy.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Uniting Church, brought together serving and retired police officers and members of the public to remember the sacrifice of the 140 Queensland police officers who have died while on active duty since 1861.

The service also honoured police who have died from non-work related causes over the past 12 months as well as support staff and retired officers.

Retired Sergeant 2nd Class Frank Close died on March 16.

Officer-in-Charge of Murgon Police, Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge, read out Frank’s service record before Dalby Burnett Patrol Inspector Michael Bianchi presented his widow Irma with a framed Certificate of Service.

After Frank’s stint as Officer-in-Charge at Proston police station, Frank and Irma moved away from the South Burnett but returned after he retired.

They owned the Broadway Hotel in Kingaroy for many years before shifting to Murgon in 1990 where they became much-loved members of the local community and tireless fundraisers for charity.

The service also marked the centenary of the deaths of eight Queensland police officers who died while on active service during World War I:

  • Constable Patrick Moynihan
  • Constable David Bourke
  • Constable William Hughes
  • Constable John Johnston
  • Constable Robert Ritchie
  • Constable Phillip Vowles
  • Constable Eugene Nugent and
  • Constable John Christiansen

Related article: Obituary: Frank Close

Officer-in-Charge of Kingaroy Police Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, recently appointed Police Chaplain Rev Dr David Ferguson, Inspector Michael Bianchi, Police Chaplain Rev John Selwood, and Officer-in-Charge of Murgon Police, Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge
Police Chaplains Rev John Selwood and Rev Dr David Ferguson after the service
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and Kingaroy Police Community Consultative Committee chairman Morris Winter
Uniting Church parishioners Gwyneth Nugent and Marjorie McKewen were kept busy serving tea
after the service
Volunteer-in-Policing Peter Verbakel, Sergeant Brad Johannesen (Kingaroy Station), Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and Lis Buzzo (Kingaroy Station)
Retired Victoria Police officer Senior Constable Steve Clampit APM, now a Kingaroy resident, with Cr Damien Tessmann and Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell
Cr Ros Heit, left, and Cr Kathy Duff, right, with QFES Chaplain Neville Radecker

 

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