July 2001 Volume 82 Number 7 "serving the protectors"
By Peter Manson Secretary/Treasurer, Depandants' Fund

Fortnightly subscriptions to the South Australian Police Department Dependants’ Fund will remain unchanged at $1.65 (including 15c GST) for the 2001/2002 financial year, but grants to dependants will increase to $8,000.

This announcement was made after a meeting on June 5 of the Dependants’ Fund board of management - Trevor Haskell (chairman), Peter Mason (secretary), Brian Smith and Mick standing.

The fund - formerly the Widows and Orphans Fund - has been in existence since 1988. Since the 1982 rules change, the grant has been increased from a mere $300 to $8,000.

The fund’s present assets are in the region of $345,000, and it is acknowledged than an appropriate amount must be retained in reserve in the event of a major tragedy involving the death of a large number of members.

During the financial year 2000/2001, a total of $154,000 was paid to dependants, which represents 22 members who have died during the period. The $7,000 grant was well received and serves to remove the burden of immediate payments that may be required following the tragedy. The last grant was paid to the relatives of a member who retired in 1944.

In 1991 the rules were amended to cater for the member retiring on a lump sum. The fund’s management board has been pleased to note that a total of 255 (out of 271) have decided to remain in the fund and pay their subscriptions annually.

The board, however, is disappointed that some of these members change address without notifying the secretary and therefore are removed from the register. If readers are aware of any members who have retired on a lump sum and have changed address without notification - but who wish to remain in the fund - they are requested please to contact the secretary.

The Dependants’ Fund is unique in the police service and it is hoped that it will continue to prosper and provide that very welcome payment to relatives.

PASAweb   Index & Search   Top of Page   Comments   Email to Editor

The Police Journal Online is an official publication of the Police Association of South Australia and is published monthly. Editors of kindred publications can seek permission from the Editor to re-publish any Police Journal Online article. Copyright 2001  The Police Association of South Australia sustance