December 2001 Volume 82 Number 12 "serving the protectors"

Burns march

Dear Sir

Every year towards the end of January a procession is held in Adelaide as a few hundred people – some dressed in kilts – march to the skirl of pipes from Torrens Parade Ground along King William Street to a statue in front of the State Library on North Terrace. This procession has a police escort, among which some know what it’s all about but, from casual conversation, we understand that some don’t.

The statue is that of Robert Burns, regarded as the national poet of Scotland. The parade is held on the Sunday closest to January 25, which is the anniversary of his birthday in 1759. While Scots throughout the world honour him on this and many other occasions, the entire English-speaking world, wittingly or unwittingly, remember him on December 31 each year as they welcome in the New Year with Auld Lang Syne. This is his best known poem.

Burns was born into poverty and died in poverty at the age of 36, but he had an inborn lyrical genius, which transcended the hard circumstances of his life. His poems have been translated into just about every European tongue, and even into Mandarin Chinese.

One does not have to be a Scot to be interested in Burns, but there is no doubt that he forms a major part of the proud Scottish cultural tradition. He showed that, with roots firmly bound in a strictly local culture, it is still possible to transcend narrow parochialism.

It is said that, in English-speaking countries, there are more statues to Burns than anyone else. Ours was contributed to the Adelaide community by the Caledonian Society of South Australia in 1894. It has survived a few transfers of position since then but, hopefully, has found a permanent home now.

On Sunday January 27, 2002, there will be another Burns March. All police – not only those on official duty – are invited to attend.
Michael Sorokin
President
Robert Burns Society of South Australia

Good result through PASA

Dear Andy

On behalf of the Band of the South Australia Police, I thank yourself, Mark Carroll, conference delegates and the staff at the Police Association for the tireless efforts that were given to secure the band’s improved wages and conditions in the latest EB. After being in the outer for the last 30-odd years, it is a great feeling to be back in the ballpark. It has been a morale boost for us as well as restoring faith that if you stick together and work with PASA, a good result can be achieved.

Thanks should also be given to Chief Superintendent John Dicker for his involvement and manner in which he dealt with the problems that occurred along the way.
Yours sincerely
Neil Conaughty
(band delegate)

Excellent work

Dear Andy

Once again, another very successful Police Association delegates’ conference has been and gone. I express my thanks to those people who have made this possible.

I cannot speak highly enough of the assistance given to me through the year by the staff of the association. The staff is always friendly and helpful.

The organization of a conference of this type requires a lot of work and effort. Much of that work and effort appears to go unnoticed. Without people working in the background, the conference would not have happened. To those people who have provided assistance on behalf of my partner and myself, I would like to say thank you.

Apart from myself, my partner also enjoys the annual delegates’ conference as it is her opportunity to renew acquaintances with friends that she has met in the past years and to strike up new associations with partners of other delegates.

Once again, congratulations and carry on the excellent work. Please pass on my personal thanks to all those involved.
Trevor Milne
Riverland Conference Delegate

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