BRANCH – Manning Great Lakes.
SECRETARY – Terry Tamplin.
EMAIL – Click here to email Secretary
MEETING VENUE – Our meeting are held at club Old Bar…. 1 Belford St, Old Bar NSW 2430
MEETING DATES 3rd Tuesday in the even months i.e. February – April – June – August – October – December. Our meetings start atn 11am.
Our Branch encourages partners and friends of members to attend. Visitors most welcome.
RFPA Executive meeting at Tuncurry with local RFPA Members and Friendship Week attendees.
On Tuesday 19 March the RFPA Executive, represented by President Paul WYNNE, Senior Vice President George WEISSELL, Welfare Officer Ian MOORE and Secretary Ian LOVELL, held an informal meeting with the RFPA Members from the area at Tuncurry. The venue of the Police Friendship Week was made available by Charlie HALLORAN and his band of police and friends, and the invited guests included Life Member Peter RANKIN, MGL Chair Kevin GUILLAUMIER and Secretary Terry TAMPLIN. Apologies were received form Bert BENNETT and Wayne McCANN, both with medical appointments, and several potential
OBE recipients.
We were pleased to note the attendance of Life Member Peter RANKIN and Dawn, along with 29 further MGL Members and their partners, with a small number of Friendship Week participants also joining us. Rick BLUNT brought along his fully restored former VIP cycle, proudly showing it to some very interested former police cyclists and others who just like bikes. [We all heard Rick leaving].
Paul WYNNE addressed the gathering about updated RFPA actions and sponsorship aimed at increasing our ‘brand awareness’, announcing our 2024 membership draw prize, involvement with the Academy attestations and graduations, and our continuing efforts to make the task of volunteer office bearers in Branches far less difficult to undertake.
He also outlined the tragic events which befell Bob (and Gael) DREW some 12 month ago, and what has been done to assist them to cope with the stresses of quadriplegia now faced by them after Bob’s horse riding crash. Friday 17 May [DREW BENEFIT] was promoted, and those arranging the event at West Tamworth Leagues Club – Greig STIER, Matt LYNCH, Steve BRADSHAW, Phil O’REILLY, and main contact Wayne BIFFIN were congratulated on their efforts on Bob’s behalf. Kevin WELSH conveyed news of the efforts being made by the newly re-established Peel Branch to assist in whatever way they can to help Bob. See the RFPA website for ticketing and further detail for this worthy event. We would like to see the club full on the night.
The RFPA has stepped up and along with our major holiday sponsors, Jim THOMPSON and Joanne ROBINSON of the Reef Retreat at Palm Cove, we have provided a significant prize for the major raffle, which will be on sale through Sticky Tickets. The prize included airfares, accommodation for a week, the use of a car for the week, and tickets to major attractions for the winner and travel partner, to be used during October 2024. We note and acknowledge the work of our major RFPA sponsors Police Bank in arranging and assisting Bob and his fundraiser.
After some general discussion and enquiry, our guests of honour for the day were presented with their awards by President Paul. Plaques for ‘significant voluntary effort’ in the running of the Manning Great Lakes Branch for many years were awarded to:
Branch Chair, Kevin GUILLAUMIER
Secretary, Terry TAMPLIN
Treasurer, Bert BENNETT
Welfare Officer, Wayne McCANN
OBE Certificates awarded to:
Kevin NAYLOR
Dick SPENCER
Graham KELL
Tony STEPHENSON
Some were accepted on behalf of the awardees and will be presented at the next MGL Branch gathering at Taree on Tuesday 9 April. Thanks to Sandy BENSON for assisting with the meeting.
IHL
MEETING AT FRIENDSHIP WEEK 2024
At 11am on Tuesday 19 March Manning Great Lakes Branch Members and Associates are
invited to a special meeting to be held at the Great Lakes Caravan Park (NRMA Park at 1
Baird St TUNCURRY, entry via back gate in Point Road near the oyster processing units –
front gate area is restricted parking and restricted entry into the park for residents only)
where there will be a presentation to eight Members by the RFPA President Paul WYNNE.
Some are for lengthy voluntary service and others for OBE certificates, all well-earned.
Following the presentation there will be a meal and refreshments. We have been assisted in
preparing for this meeting by Charlie HALLORAN and his famous organisers, with
considerable goodwill from Terry GREEN at the Tuncurry Bowlo, adding to the great value of
Friendship Week.
We hope to see as many MGL Branch Members and other locals in attendance to ensure
ongoing operation of the Branch.
Ian LOVELL
Secretary RFPA