February 2002 Volume 83 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
PASA 90-year dinner celebrates achievements, honours American sacrifice
By John Ballantyne

The Police Association of South Australia commemorated its 90-year anniversary with a stylish banquet at the Adelaide Town Hall on December 7.

But Australia’s oldest police union was not content merely to celebrate its historic achievements since its founding in 1911.

It also chose to dedicate the occasion to honour the American police officers and fire-fighters who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attack on America, and to use the dinner to raise money to aid their families.

Gathered in the lavish setting of the Adelaide Town Hall were special guest of honour, the United States Vice-Consul General, Mr Tim Phillips, as well as leaders of police associations Australia-wide; PASA members; SA leaders of the United Firefighters Union; Police Commissioner Mal Hyde; South Australian corporate and community leaders; and state politicians, including Minister for Police, Robert Brokenshire, and Opposition Leader Mike Rann.

Well-known radio identity, Tony Pilkington, was master of ceremonies for the evening.

As a stage backdrop, projected onto a huge screen, was an old 1918 black and white photograph of PASA’s executive committee of the day during a dispute with the government.

Police Federation of Australia CEO, Mark Burgess (former Police Association of NSW president), proposed the toast to the Police Association of South Australia.

PASA president, Peter Alexander, responded with some reflections on the association’s history and the important benefits it had won for its members over almost a century.

He paid particular tribute to the association’s many dedicated contributors over the years since 1911, especially past office-bearers.

He spoke, in particularly, of J.F. Naylon, a long-serving president during 1920-28 and Loftus (Bob) Fenwick, secretary for 38 years (1923-51 and 1954-63), whose vision and foresight eventually led to PASA buying its present site in Carrington Street.

Mr Alexander spoke warmly of the late Ralph Tremethick (president, 1961-62, and secretary 1964-1979), who had died only two months previously. He expressed his particular pleasure that Mr Tremethick’s widow, Hilda, was able to be present at the commemorative dinner.

He concluded by speaking of the dual purpose of the dinner – not only to commemorate PASA’s historic 90-year milestone, but to honour the victims of the September 11 attack on America.

Responding on behalf of the police officers and fire-fighters of the United States – especially those of New York City and Washington DC – was the US Vice-Consul General in Australia, Mr Tim Phillips.

Firm, eloquent and concise, and speaking without any notes, Mr Phillips spoke of the attack on America and what it meant for the world.

The victims, he said, were innocent people who represented every nationality, religion, race, creed and belief.

Mr Phillips observed that, in the days which followed, the Australian public had responded with spontaneous expressions of sympathy and support for America. As a result, he said, the US consulates and embassy in Australia had become transformed into “virtual shrines”.

Mr Phillips drew attention to the significance of the date of the PASA benefit dinner. December 7, he reminded guests, was the 60th anniversary to the day of the Japanese surprise air-strike on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor – a date which the then US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, said would “live in infamy”.

The attack on Pearl Harbor, which drew America into World War II, also drew America and Australia close together as Japan tried to block the sea-routes between the two countries.

Mr Phillips spoke of how the United States and Australia, during those dark years, had “stood shoulder to shoulder”.

Speaking of the two countries’ strategic ties through the postwar ANZUS alliance, Phillips declared that the heart of the alliance was the people themselves.

During the evening, a lottery and table raffles were held to raise money for the families of the American police officers and fire-fighters who perished in the September 11 attack. Prizes were donated by South Australian businesses.

A benefit auction was conducted jointly by Police Minister Robert Brokenshire and Opposition police spokesman, Pat Conlon, in a bipartisan spirit of bonhomie.

One major item was a set of four 17-inch allow wheels, donated by ROH Wheels Australia by Arrowcrest.

Another item was a genuine New York Fire Department helmet, made out of pressed bull-hide, which sold for $1,150.

The evening brought to mind once again the bravery of the American police and fire-fighters who died alongside the innocent civilians they tried so hard to save, and also the historic role of PASA which had defended South Australian police for almost a century.

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