4 COLLIE RIVER VALLEY BULLETIN, FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Becz Nails
MEDAL CEREMONY: Ted McCormick received duplicates of his and his father’s war medals at a ceremony at the Collie-Cardiff RSL Club on Friday. The original medals were stolen from his home in October.
Ted’s war medals replaced
"O taste and see that the Lord is good..." Psa 34:8
COALFIELDS BAPTIST
CHURCH
invites you to our monthly "taste and see" free Lunch
4th Sunday of every month (next event 26th Feb) 43 Venn St Collie
10am morning service followed by early lunch All ages welcome
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WORLD War II veteran Ted McCormick was presented with replacement war medals on Friday, after the originals were stolen from his home in October. Mr McCormick, who is 94 years old, was given the medals at a ceremony at the Collie-Cardiff RSL sub branch in Lefroy Street, in front of his family and fellow veterans. Defence industry and veterans issues minister Paul Papalia and member for Collie-Preston Jodie Hanns presented the medals. Mrs Hanns said she was honoured to be involved in the presentation. “I am so pleased Mr Papalia was able to attend this special function to formally present Ted with both his and his late father’s medals,” she said. “Sincere thanks to Gary Benton and Grahame Old who worked so hard to organise the replacement medals and to the Collie-Cardiff RSL members for their attendance.”
Mr McCormick is believed to be the only surviving WWII member of the Collie-Cardiff RSL sub branch. He enlisted for service in WWII in 1944, one month after his 18th birthday, eager to follow in his father’s footsteps. He served with 25 squadron RAAF base Pearce, until he was discharged in 1946. Mr McCormick was awarded three medals during his service - a 1939-45 war medal, a 1939-45 Australian Service Medal and a general service badge. Mr McCormick’s father, Edward John McCormick, served in WWII as a staff sergeant with the fifth Garrison battalion in WA. Prior to this, he served in WWI on the Western Front from 1915 to 1919. He was awarded five medals across the two wars - a 1914-15 Star, a 191420 British War Medal, a Victory Medal, a 1939-45 War Medal and a 1939-45 Australian Service Medal.
A LARGE amount of cash was stolen during a break in at the Victoria Hotel in Throssell Street on Monday morning. Publican Tracey Denholm said it is believed two unknown intruders smashed their way in through the beer garden’s glass sliding door at 3.28am. Mrs Denholm said she thought the intruders used a hammer or mallet to get in, and then smashed the thick, wooden office door to access a safe. The intruders also attempted to disable the hotel’s security cameras, however one camera at the back door was left operational. Glass and wood splinters were strewn across the pub floor, and discovered by the cleaner who arrived at 5.30am. Mrs Denholm and her husband Troy received the news from the cleaner, before the police were contacted. The thieves stole the weekend’s takings, TAB cash and change. Mrs Denholm said it took the offenders “minutes” to find what they were looking for, as the only operational security camera filmed them leaving through the back door.
“There was no hesitation, they knew how to get out,” Mrs Denholm said. Mr and Mrs Denholm said it led them to believe the theft was carried out by someone who knew the inner workings of the pub. “General public wouldn’t know what’s in there, but they knew where it was and what they were taking,” Mr Denholm said. The couple said they were devastated, as the break-in happened one day before their first anniversary in business. “You work so hard just for this to happen, it’s heartbreaking,” Mrs Denholm said. On Monday afternoon, the couple was waiting for the police forensic team to examine the scene. “I just want to get in and clean it - I want to cry every time I look at it,” Mrs Denholm said of the debris on the floor. “We couldn’t open today - it’s a loss of wages and a loss of earnings.” Mrs Denholm estimated that closing on Monday caused the business to lose an extra $2500 in earnings, on top of what was stolen.
Vic hotel break-in
