The 2024 National Remembrance Day service was well attended. Photo: Murrumbidgee Police District.
Griffith residents are encouraged to attend a National Police Remembrance service at 11 am on Monday 29 September at the Cathedral of St Alban the Martyr.
“Each year, 29 September holds a special significance for police throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands,” Murrumbidgee Police District Inspector Glenn Smith said.
“It is a day for police to pause to honour officers whose lives have been cut short while performing their duty as a police officer. This important day is also a time to remember police officers who have lost their lives through illness or other circumstances.”
Fittingly, the multi-denomination service will be officiated by Bishop Donald Kirk, who previously served as a police chaplain for 13 years in various locations.
“Often, the only contact police have with the public is when somebody does the wrong thing,” Bishop Kirk told Region.
“Yet the police are all about trying to make the community a safe, happy and peaceful place.
“It’s important to recognise that they place themselves at considerable risk at times in trying to provide safety to the wider community.
“The classic example of that is the recent shooting of two police officers in Victoria whose names will be remembered on Monday on National Remembrance Day.”
Bishop Kirk (right) and Bishop Rickson at a service in Griffith. Photo: St Alban’s Cathedral Griffith.
Services across the country will have a particular significance this year just weeks after the nation was rocked by the deaths of Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart, who were killed in the line of duty in Porepunkah.
“What we do each year on this day is remember those police officers who have died, in some cases tragically as in Victoria, though in other cases those who have died of natural causes across Australasia,” Bishop Kirk said.
“They put a lot of effort in for the good of people that is not seen by the general public and it is important to recognise it.”
The Bishop stressed that this was a service for all faiths and all were welcome.
A special guest on Monday will be Bishop Rickson Maomaoru, who is visiting Griffith from the Southern Malaita Sikaiana Diocese in the Solomon Islands.
“We are developing an annual relationship between our diocese and theirs because of the number of seasonal workers from the Solomons that are here. It supports them while they are here and lets them know they have a spiritual connection with the Anglican Diocese in the Riverina,” Bishop Kirk said.
The Griffith National Remembrance Day Service will take place at the Cathedral of St Alban the Martyr at 107 Binya Street from 11 am on Monday 29 September.
