October 1998 Volume 79 Number 10 "serving the protectors"
Chaplaincy
By David Marr

The Birth of The Century From last month.

It was payday in Bethlehem and Decurion Gallio was a happy man. The new wage increment had come through. He had drawn his pay from The Credit Union and was dining at the Club before night shift. The Senior Centurion, the O/C Bethlehem Barracks had knocked off for the day and joined Gallio at his table offering sound financial advice. “Pays to keep a little aside fer yesself just to keep yer out a trubble. Never let anyone know about yer uniform ’lowance or yer new increment. What they don’t know won’t ’urt em. That’s what I say.”

When Gallio arrived at work, he was advised to prepare for a busy shift. All available accommodation had been filled by visitors arriving for the census and more travellers were arriving every hour. The afternoon shift had their hands full with trouble at local bars, dice games, barbeques and noisy parties. Since then reports of property damage, theft, graffiti vandalism and vehicle damage were needing follow up. Senior Centurion Ponderlong told them they would be earning their increment this shift. Never before had he experienced such trouble between tourists and local residents. Seems most of the trouble stemmed from the local yokels.

Decurion Gallio addressed his team. “You’ve been here long enough to realise the major source of trouble is always shepherds. They are an unruly, dishonest and scruffy lot that are forever up to something. I want everyone with helmets and the new long handled batons and prodding sticks. At the risk of a discrimination complaint I want all shepherds put in the cage chariot.. We’ll run them outside the city wall and dump them on the hills where most of them have sheep squats. They can squabble among themselves without upsetting the rest of the neighbourhood. Now go to it. Watch your backs and give each other plenty of support. I’ll be out and about and have a fire bucket with hot tar and a medical kit. Watch out while handling the shepherds too, some of them are coming up with some rather exotic diseases these days.”

On becoming mobile, the taskings came quickly. In two hours the shepherds were under control and most were sitting about their fires in the open fields. There was plenty of hooting and jeering each time the cage delivered another load. A few missiles were thrown but generally the mob settled and groups began to yarn and there was plenty of singing and cheering. Several times a patrol chariot was called to intervene where a dispute turned into a fight but no arrests were made.

Decurion Gallio’s chariot was entering the city gates when the whole sky suddenly illuminated. “The darnedest thing,” thought Gallio checking the hour glass numerals on his chariot dash, “Morning is hours away. What’s going on?” Suddenly he clearly heard the unmistakable sound of harmonious voices singing “Glory to God in the Highest. Peace on earth to all good men.”

With his chariot lights ineffective in the brightness, he wheeled his horses about and sped toward the shepherd’s camp only to find them all gathered into one large body and heading quickly but quietly toward the city gate. Stopping them was impossible. He must gather his team, call for reinforcements and attempt regaining control. He suspected them to be heading for the Bethlehem Central Arms and presumed a riot would occur when they arrived.

To be continued.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr
	Senior Police Chaplain.
	Tel: 8364 3567
Academy 8	Mark Thomas. Tel: 8296 9616
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay. Tel: 8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens.
	Tel: 8398 2510 Office: 8398 2517
Berri 212	Vacant
Ceduna 214	Bob Borgas. Tel: 086 253 503
Christies Beach 20	Vacant
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke. Tel: 088 423 681
Communications 172	Mark Cooper. Tel: 8379 3764
Elizabeth 52	Stephen Brooks. Tel: 041 884 0739
Far North 210	Tony Redden. Tel: 08 8672 5011
Focus 21	Richard Lawton. Tel: 08 8363 2536
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke. Tel: 085 222 288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas. Tel: 8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Brenton Daulby. Tel: 8443 8286
Holden Hill 44	Tony Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
	Rod Dyson. Tel: 8365 1170
Kadina 71	Mark Dickens. Tel: 8823 2513
Kingston 208	Richard Dutton. Tel: 08 8767 2590
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth.
	Tel: 087 231 353 (W)
	Tel: 087 252 537 (H)
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill. Tel: 085 325 536
Naracoorte 208	Keith Brice. Tel: 087 622 303
Norwood 60	Bob George. Tel: 8362 2227
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald. Tel: 085 621 011
Para Hills 46	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Plympton 14	Ian Dempsey. Tel: 8210 8108
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake. Tel: 8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Vacant
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Shirley James. Tel: 0886 410 146
Salisbury 53	Stephanie Swansson. Tel: 8258 8951
Sturt 12	Brenton Williamson. Tel: 8270 4316
Tea Tree Gully 48	Paul Hammat. Tel: 8396 4141
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy. Tel: 8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd. Tel: 8443 4895
Unley 28	Max Bowers. Tel: 8272 8324
Whyalla 218	Vacant