ISSN: 2203-8507
August 2020
Edition 38
True Blue
Magazine
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UNITED NATIONS & OVERSEAS POLICING ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
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True Blue
Magazine
The United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia, (UNOPAA) is an Australian incorporated, non profit organisation whose members are both serving or retired Police Officers from Police Forces throughout Australia who have served or are serving with United Nations or AFP International Deployment Group (IDG) Peacekeeping Forces throughout the world! TRUE BLUE is posted to its members throughout Australia and worldwide to where AFP IDG are serving. Our magazine contains welfare, legislative and social information relevant to the well being and camaraderie of UNOPAA members who have, or are serving in Australia’s National Interest. Aims of the UNOPAA: 1. To maintain and foster the memory of UNOPAA members killed whilst serving with United Nations Forces or IDG. 2. To provide welfare, legal and financial support where and when appropriate to members. 3. To promote social occasions such as Reunions, etc., including United Nations and Anzac Day Marches. 4. To pursue and lobby industrial, legal and political avenues, when necessary in order to improve the welfare and industrial benefits to our members. We acknowledge the assistance of Countrywide Austral Pty Ltd, who, in conjunction with the UNOPAA, have made the publication and distribution of ‘TRUE BLUE’ magazine possible! Your financial contribution to the publication of our magazine is greatly appreciated.
Views and opinions expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of Australia, the editor, the publisher or printer. “True Blue” is published by Countrywide Austral Pty Ltd, Melbourne from funds supplied by advertisers in this magazine. Please support our advertisers and their products.
Rod Walker True Blue Editor Email: enidandrod@tpg.com.au Mobile: 0411 953 966
UNOPAA Contacts National President Mr Mick Travers APM Mobile: 0418 297 086 Email: Michael.Travers@afp.gov.au National Vice President Mr Rod Walker Tel: 0411953966 Email: enidandrod@tpg.com.au National Vice President Mr Dale Cooper RFD PO Box 7099 Karabar NSW 2620 Mobile: 0418 266 033 Email: UNOPAA@gmail.com National Secretary/Treasurer Mr Peter McDonald APM PO Box 253 Keilor East Vic 3033 Mobile: 0418 131 352 Email: vp14970@gmail.com Australian Capital Territory State President: Dale Cooper RFD PO Box 7099 Karabar NSW 2620 Mobile: 0418 266 033 Email: heldale.cooper@bigpond.com New South Wales State President: Mark Elm Email: markrobinelm1969@icloud.com
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True Blue August 2020
Contents 4 From the Editor’s desk 5 UNFICYP’s police component begins bicycle patrols in the Buffer Zone 6 A magic carpet ride to serve as a Peacekeeper 8 Anzac Day 2020 12 Lamb of God 20 Cyprus revisited 45 years on 25 COVID-19: A ‘new and deadly threat’ for civilians caught up in violence
26 Australian doctors aim to stop COVID-19 from ‘tearing through’ Timor-Leste 28 Letter to Her Excellency Ms Ines Maria de Almeida 30 UNOPAA 2021 20th National Conference Norfolk Island 34 Robert (Doc) Gillespie 35 Geoffrey William Parker 36 Dudley John Lidster Orchard 38 Vale 39 Membership Renewal or Application 40 Merchandise
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Do we have your Email Address? UNOPAA maintains a membership database and communicates with its members from time to time by email. If you haven’t been receiving these communications, it may be that we don’t have your email address, or it is out of date. If uncertain, or it appears we don’t have it, please send your email address to the Secretary, Peter McDonald, at vp14970@gmail.com
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From the Editor’s desk Well there we have it, we thought we had beaten the COVID-19 virus in Australia and now the second wave has hit with a vengeance. Borders are, once again, closing. Masks (in Victoria) are mandatory, whole cities are in lockdown, curfews are in place and conspiracy theorists are rampant. What next? Luckily, here in Canberra (and surrounds) we are reasonably unscathed with just the odd positive test, but we can’t be complacent. It only takes one person to say “I’m alright – I don’t have any symptoms, I don’t feel sick – just a little off colour” to infect a whole range of people with whom they have come in contact with. We continue to see the passing of our members – all of whom are our friends, confidants and mentors. We don’t need (or want) to see an increase of our ranks passing away because of this horrid virus. So – please stay safe. Practice safe distancing, hand washing/sanitising and get tested if you feel “off colour”. This issue of True Blue will, once again, come to you electronically due to COVIS-19 restrictions. Yes – our publisher is Melbourne based and our Production Manager (the person who compiles all the articles I supply into a readable format) is working from home to get this issue out. Many thanks to Jason Jeffery from Countrywide Austral for his hard work in these trying times. Three weeks ago, I was scratching my head wondering “How am I going to get together sufficient content for the next issue of True Blue?” I think I had four articles in total. Then (and thanks to our
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members who have donated their stories) the articles started to pour in. This issue is definitely the largest (in content) since my time as editor. Many thanks to those who contributed. Alan Hart and Barb Jehu have provided a fascinating article about their return trip to Cyprus to have a more in depth look at how things had changed since he served there in 1974/75. Not only did they appear to have a fabulous trip, but they managed to return to Australia just before our borders closed. Marzio Da Re has written an extremely interesting article on the Japanese terrorist Sarin Attacks of 1995 and the connection with Western Australia. There’s also an update on next year’s reunion on Norfolk Island. Many of you would remember receiving an email (in late April) from our Secretary, Peter McDonald, asking you to send in details of how you commemorated ANZAC Day. Yes – all the responses came to me and I have put together a compilation of photographs etc of these ‘special’ commemorations. Unfortunately, some much loved and revered UNOPAA members have passed away since our last issue of True Blue. In this issue, a number of the families of those who have “passed on” have provided overviews of the lives of their loved one. I am deeply honoured to have known them all. Until next issue – Stay Safe
Rod Walker Editor True Blue
True Blue August 2020
UNFICYP’s police component begins bicycle patrols in the Buffer Zone Who’d have thought! In April 2019, UNPOL officers deployed to UNFICYP organised its first bicycle patrol in the UNadministered Buffer Zone. The four-cyclist patrol, which included Dongxu Su, Acting Senior Police Adviser, started from Ledra Palace Hotel in the Mission’s Sector 2 and ended at the Ledra Street crossing point. These patrols are intended to boost the capacity of UNPOL in making its regular rounds within the city of Nicosia with its narrow streets and old buildings. On account of the dense vegetation and narrow tracks, UNPOL was monitoring these areas through foot patrols so far.
The objective is to ensure greater flexibility for UNPOL officers and enable them to have greater access to the Buffer Zone and patrol larger expanses. “This is an essential operational requirement,” said Mr. Dongxu, Acting Senior Adviser. “Additionally, it is hoped that bicycle patrols will enable community members on both sides to have greater interaction with UNPOL officers as required. This is part of an approach that relies on community-oriented policing practices,” he stated. The launch of bicycle patrols marks a significant expansion of an already busy station in the Mission’s Sector 2 with UNPOL officers providing support to air, vehicle and foot patrols across the Buffer Zone.
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In the VC-10 flying from Sydney to Hong Kong on June 27, 1970. From front, left to right: Ross Lang, Bob Coad, John Murray, Maurie Joseph, Cedric Savage, Trevor Schmidt and Doug Snodgrass.
A magic carpet ride to serve as a Peacekeeper John Murray provides us with an overview of his deployment travels to Cyprus in 1970. The B Team of the 7th Australian Cyprus Contingent who travelled over in June 1970 had more of a magic carpet ride than some of their counterparts of other groups. The 11 members began Sydney boarding of the plush (by standards of the time) first class cabin of a BOAC (predecessor of BA) rear-engined VC-10, the last of the British made inter-continental jets, for a non-stop flight to Hong Kong, landing along the narrow strip between tenement buildings and the harbour that was Kai Tak Airport.
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Instead of a brief pause before the next leg with an overnight flight, a “technical problem” obliged us to be off-loaded and taken at airline expense to stay at a five star hotel while continuing flights were arranged for the following day. This allowed us the unexpected opportunity for duty-free shopping and sampling the night life of this then Crown Colony, with a good night’s sleep in comfortable beds rather than sitting up in aircraft seats well before the layback variety were designed. A daytime flight the next day had us flying in sunshine with a bird’s eye view over Asian and Middle Eastern
True Blue August 2020
Taken at RAAF Fairbairn, ACT, at the completion of our short pre-embarkation course. Front Row: Bill Castensen, John Murray, Compol Commissioner Jack Davis, Cedric Savage, Doug Snodgrass and Dave Bell. Rear Row: Terry O’Brien, Pat McMahon, Ross Lang, Bob Coad, Trevor Schmidt and Maurie Joseph.
jewelry vendors, fashionable clothing outlets, exotic restaurants and a friendly population where the black-haired and predominantly moustachioed men seemed intent on resembling the then Shah with beautifully attired doe-eyed women being an attractive complement.
Swearing in at RAAF Fairbairn as Commonwealth Police members. Front: Cedric Savage. First Row: Terry O’Brien, Dave Bell, Bill Castensen, Maurie Joseph and Pat McMahon. Second Row: John Murray, Doug Snodgrass, Ross Lang and Trevor Schmidt. Absent: Bob Coad
countries, some, like Afghanistan, seemingly so barren and mountainous that caused wonderment as to why on earth anyone would want to rule, let alone fight, over them. Continuation of first-class service satisfied our appetites and, in the afternoon, we landed in pre-Iran Persia at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport from where we were again transported to a top-class hotel for yet another night of comparative luxury. The timing once more permitted a stroll through the vibrant city centre with its myriad of gold
Transported at dawn to the airport, it was then our turn to experience Lufthansa service at “the pointy end” of a Boeing 707 where the hostess determined that the seedy expression on some faces required a Teutonic appetiser mix of champagne and orange juice with thin slices of German black bread and a thin spread of wurst. This did indeed stimulate the feeding glands for a substantial in-flight breakfast, a meal we left too early to enjoy prior to quitting the hotel. By lunch time we were approaching Beirut where we had yet another change of airline, completing our aerial odyssey in a Middle East Airlines Comet on the short leg to Aphrodite’s Isle where, arriving anything but jet-lagged, we were to pass the time in peace keeping as distinct from law enforcement until the arrival of the next contingent or, like myself, gladly extending until November 1971 to take account of the newly introduced overlap periods.
John Murray, APM
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Anzac Day 2020 A Different way to Commemorate this Important Day Due to the COVID 19 lockdown commemorating ANZAC Day 2020 required us to ‘think outside the square’ to enable us to pay homage on this important day. No Dawn Services or Marches, no catching up with our mates or families, no ‘two up’ games, no pubs or clubs to gather in.
CYPRUS Col Speedie Yanathes beach, Oroklini (Cyprus) where I had my own small Dawn Service
The call to stand in one’s driveway at 6.00am and observe one minute’s silence definitely caught many people’s imaginations and it was a concept that was widely grasped. Enid and I stood in our driveway with candles, I looked down the hill of our long street and I could see candles flickering all along it, I could see human outlines in the glow of the candles. It was a very still morning, still dark and a bit chilly. At 6.00am, somewhere in the distance, a bugle played the Last Post and Reveille. The stillness of the air carried the sound which enabled us to hear it. It was eerie, haunting, and moving. It was a special time. As a result of our experience, I requested members to send in photos and comments on how they commemorated ANZAC Day 2020. The following pages are a compilation of the responses received.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY Tim Pitman and Murray Duffus Overlooking the Tuggeranong Valley (McQuiod Hill), ANZAC Day (dawn) 2020.
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VICTORIA Ken Hamilton
Hewan O’Neill
Pt Lonsdale.
4th Cyprus Contingent.
True Blue August 2020
NEW SOUTH WALES Daniel Edwards
Graeme Sindel
This is a photo of my son and I. We are both with the NSW SES. We had a gathering in the street - social distancing while doing so. A very warm and enjoyable experience. A little different to Cyprus where it was a bit colder but nevertheless an enjoyable experience also.
Graeme resides at Tuross Head, NSW and each year attends and lays a wreath for UNCIVPOL at the Dawn Anzac Day Service hosted by the local Memorial Gardens Committee at 6am at the Memorial Site overlooking the ocean. In past years, the service attracts a gathering of between 1500 and 2000 locals and visitors. The local Light Horse volunteers attend on horseback, it is truly a moving service. This year has been different. With respect to health regulations the service was not publicised. About 30 attended abiding with personal distancing regulations and very conscious of potential health issues. The local Light Horse Cadets staged a spontaneous ceremony. Graeme arrived very early and laid a wreath. The attachment to the wreath laid by Graeme recognises “Our Anzac Heroes, UNCIVPOL Killed on Duty and the Four Victorian Police Officers Tragically Killed.”
Ray Strong Goulburn - 1st Cyprus Contingent - My wife and I paid our respects at 6am on Anzac Day. We set up our CD player and played The Last Post, followed by one-minute silence, The Rouse, God Defend New Zealand, and Advance Australia Fair. Members of our immediate community who were present expressed their appreciation.
The wreath that was laid.
The Light Horse Cadets at the Tuross Head Memorial site.
The Memorial site.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA Peter and Liz Marshman As you know, Liz and I have been permanently ‘on the road’ in our caravan now for the past eight years. We came back to Adelaide in late February for a quick round of our medical specialists and a catch up with relatives and friends etc. before heading north up the Stuart Highway in April and back into Western Australia, where we envisaged spending the remainder of 2020. That, of course, was Plan ‘A’. Covid-19 changed all that, as it has everyone’s lives. Fortunately, we had made it back into South Australia before the border was closed and compulsory selfisolation was imposed for any who arrived later. But with the vast majority of caravan parks closing, and even intra-State non-essential travel banned, our immediate future looked a tad uncertain to say the least.
The Park Manager’s mobile home was the setting.
Some parks remained open to house those classified as ‘essential travellers’. To our relief, given our nomadic lifestyle, we fell neatly into that category, as a result of which we were able to remain at the Adelaide Caravan park we normally use for as long as the restrictions remained in place. And that is where we celebrated our Anzac Day 2020. The very pro-active park managers parked their own mobile home on a group of empty sites, set up an outdoors TV table and invited a selected group of those in residence to gather on the lawn and participate in the dawn service. As the only ‘returned person’ of any kind in the park, I was asked to ‘frock up’ for the occasion. The morning of the 25 April 2020 dawned very chilly in Adelaide … I was more than happy to be wearing a heavy sports coat, but the tie which would have normally graced my collar was quickly replaced by a scarf!
A select group of park residents were in attendance for the service.
At the end of the service, and with the sun beginning to lighten the eastern sky over the row of huge gums which line the park boundary, the urn came to the boil and I then had the pleasure of introducing the gathered group to the warming benefits of a ‘gun fire breakfast’ coffee whilst we all maintained appropriate social distancing of course! Judging by the reactions of several, I suspect a tot of rum may become an addition to their morning heart-starters from now on! Oddly, for us, we did not bring our camera to the occasion, but one of the park managers did take a few shots on her phone. I’ve included the three which have a bearing on the yarn.
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The ‘gunfire breakfast’ naturally included coffee and rum.
John Crowley’s Grandsons, Jack (wearing miniatures) and Billy, admiring Poppa’s medals.
True Blue August 2020
QUEENSLAND The most comprehensive selection of photos received was from Ben McDevitt. The cover photo of this issue of True Blue is one that Ben provided. Ben’s neighbours certainly grasped to opportunity to come together as a community to commemorate the day.
Social distancing was observed for the service.
Ben and Jim Wellings and the focal table.
Ben McDevitt Lucky for Bluetooth and mini speakers we had the AWM service live. After the service we had a carefully planned gunfire breakfast with bacon and egg rolls. It was a really special service and one of my most memorable Anzac Days ever. The old guy with me in a couple of the photos is a Pom Jim Wellings whose father was an original Rat of Tobruk and whose photo we attached to the front of our focal table.
AND FINALLY –
A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM JOYCE BUCHANAN Thank you for continuing to send me editions of True Blue throughout the years. My years in Cyprus with John (and our young son who attended kindergarten in Nicosia) bring fond memories and my son and his family paid homage on ANZAC day at 6pm this year on our footpaths – I wore John’s UN cap. It would seem that it is time for me to give up receiving the magazine now (old age and infirmity and the Cyprus years ended) and I thank you again for your kindness to me. The work goes on, but how differently. Yours sincerely, Muriel (Joyce) Buchanan John Buchanan was a COMPOL member of the 7th Cyprus Contingent
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Lamb of God Marzio Da Re provides an overview of the Australian connection to the deadly subway ‘sarin’ attacks in Tokyo 1995.
Banjawarn Station.
Planning for Japanese Terrorist Attacks Undertaken in Outback Western Australia 20 March 1995 – Morning Peak Hour – All Hell Breaks Loose on Tokyo Subway Transit
Springtime in Japan, picture cherry blossoms and millions of morning commuters stepping out into a bright spring morning and onto one of the world’s busiest underground systems. Today however on board the trains are five members of a doomsday cult each carrying packages filled with liquid nerve agent. Coordinated attacks take place at strategic locations across the network, clearly orchestrated to inflict mass casualties. The packages were designed to leak after cult members spiked them with sharpened umbrella points and left the subway undetected. Passengers felt stinging fumes hitting their eyes. The toxin struck victims down in a matter of seconds, leaving them choking and vomiting, some blinded and paralysed. Twelve people died and at least 5,800 were injured and sought hospital treatment. The cause was Sarin, a nerve agent first developed as a pesticide in 1938. It was the worst domestic terror attack ever carried out on Japanese soil. The culprits were members of Aum Shinrikyo, a religious group who believed the end of the world was coming.
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This article takes a fresh look at how a Japanese doomsday cult evolved to become the Japans most-deadly terrorist organisation and the pivotal role their activities and experiments on a remote sheep station in Western Australia played in this 1995 Tokyo mass murder. The terrorists were members of an organisation known as Aum Shinrikyo, or Supreme Truth, whose founder was Chizuo Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara. AUM SHINRIKYO (AUM) ORIGINS In 1986, Shoko Asahara walked out of the holy Himalayas a self-proclaimed prophet and created the world’s first scientific death cult. Aum’s eclectic blend of Eastern religion and supernatural powers attracted thousands of devotees in Japan, many of them brilliant but alienated young scientists, systematically recruited from top universities. It was in the mist-shrouded foothills of Japan’s Mount Fuji that Aum’s guru Shoko Asahara began his descent into madness. It was there that Asahara predicted the apocalypse – a final battle that would destroy civilization and usher in a new Kingdom of Aum. Cult laboratories experimented with laser and particle beam weapons and stockpiled some of the deadliest biological and chemical weapons on Earth including Nazi nerve gases, cyanide, anthrax and botulism. To acquire weapons of mass destruction – including a nuclear bomb – Aum’s tentacles spread around the globe, from Moscow and Manhattan, to Silicon Valley and the Australian outback. The cult recruited Japanese gangsters and KGB veterans, and used kidnapping and murder to launch its historic mission, the destruction of Japanese society, followed by world domination. Within a few years, Aum had become one of the world’s richest, most sophisticated and murderous sects. Asahara outlined a doomsday prophecy, which included a third world war instigated by the United States. Asahara described a final conflict culminating in a nuclear Armageddon borrowing the term from the Book of Revelation (16:16). In 1992, Shoko Asahara published a foundational book, declaring himself to be Christ, Japan’s only fully enlightened Master, as well as identifying himself as the ‘Lamb of God’. It is somewhat ironic therefore that the following year, 1993, the sect established a laboratory and experimented with chemical precursors for the production of Sarin Gas on the lambs and sheep on Western Australia’s Banjawarn Station. in March 1995, believing itself under siege, the cult burst onto the world scene with a coldblooded nerve gas attack in the subways of rush-hour Tokyo.
THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION – BANJAWARN STATION In early 1993, two years prior to the March 1995 subway attack, two senior sect members, a so called Construction Minister and an Intelligence Minister arrived in Perth and through a local Real Estate Agent of Japanese origin set out to inspect a number of remote properties for the purposes of conducting experiments to ‘benefit mankind’. The sect was structured similarly to aspects of the Japanese government, which the sect was planning to replace when it instigated the governments downfall. After viewing several properties, they decided to settle on Banjawarn Station, a remote pastoral lease some 800kms north-east of Perth on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. They paid AUD540,000 for the lease of Banjawarn Station which had been established as a pastoral lease in 1903 and comprised 999,986 hectares (10,000 square kilometres – an area larger than the island of Cyprus), some 800kms north-east of Perth. The sect also set up several Australian Companies with one of the directors being Sect Leader Asahara. They also engaged a mining consultant and purchased mining exploration licenses for Banjawarn Station for AUD150,000. It is almost certain that the sect had devised a ‘mining screen’ as a cover for their clandestine activities which then denied prospectors access to the land. Arguably this socalled mining screen also complemented the sects stated considerations to obtain uranium to ultimately pursue a nuclear option. On 9 September 1993, Sect Leader Asahara and twenty-four (24) of his followers arrived in Perth from Tokyo. They had paid AUD30,000 for excess baggage including masks, respirators, diggers, protective equipment, tools and what ostensibly passed for technical equipment for mining purposes. Customs baggage inspection located an array of chemicals including hydrochloric and perchloric acids in glass bottles marked as hand soap. Two crates of chemicals and laboratory equipment were confiscated. As a result, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged two members, a biochemist and a doctor with Carrying Dangerous Goods on Aircraft and were each fined AUD2,400 in a Perth Magistrates Court. Money seemed of little object as they had chartered three aircraft to convey the group to Banjawarn station. A new batch of chemicals were sourced with one member travelling to Melbourne to purchase two 25-gram bottles of the chemical Thioacetamide valued at AUD190. Simple mathematics would
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suggest several million dollars would have been expended by the cult to set up and support the Banjawarn experiments. Aum Shinriyko and most of the group, including Asahara departed Australia and following their return to Japan Asahara and twelve (12) sect members made further application to enter Australia. Their applications were declined on the basis of their earlier detected breaches at Perth Airport and the overall level of suspicions attached to their previous travel. Asahara appealed the decision, which failed however two sect members were granted visas by making application at the Australian Consulate in Osaka. They subsequently travelled to Australia, seemingly undetected, to become caretakers of Banjawarn station. Whilst a dedicated Terrorism Financing or Money Laundering investigation wasn’t carried out in Australia at this time there was the possibility that Proceeds of Crime investigation (enacted 1988) could
have been warranted, the difficulty however being that to gain a conviction the authorities would have had to have evidence of the group having committed a foreign indictable offence, something they were well short of without comprehensive release of intelligence holdings by the Japanese Authorities. Recent commentary has noted that with the introduction of a raft of Counter-Terrorism legislation the sect could have been investigated under counter terrorism laws, again this would have required significant releases by the Japanese Authorities. One piece of legislation that appeared to have not been considered, certainly at a National level, was the Foreign Incursions Recruitment Act (since repealed) an act which made for offences in furtherance of the overthrow of a legitimate foreign government, however the same difficulties of release Japanese Authorities would have applied. The AFP and ASIO did provide Japanese authorities
SUMMARY OF CONFIRMED CHEMICAL ATTACKS BY AUM SHINRIKYO (1993-1995) Date
Agent
Location
Comments
Late 1993-early 1994
Sarin
Tokyo
Two failed attempts to assassinate Daisaku Ikeda, leader of Soka Gakkai.
9 May 1994
Sarin
Tokyo
Attempted assassination of Taro Takimoto: Attorney working on behalf of victims of the group – Takimoto was hospitalised but made a full recovery.
27 June 1994
Sarin
Matsumoto
Matsumoto Sarin Attack: Eight people were killed and over 500 were harmed by sarin aerosol that was released from a converted refrigeration truck in the Kaichi Heights area.
20 September 1994
Phosgene
Yokohama
Attempted assassination of Shoko Egawa: Journalist who had covered the 1989 disappearance of Tsutsumi Sakamoto.
Autumn 1994
VX
Various
VX was used to assassinate up to 20 dissident Aum members.
12 December 1994
VX
Osaka
Posing as joggers, Aum members sprayed Tadahito Hamaguchi, a man who the cult believed was spying on them, with VX from a syringe. He was pronounced dead four days later.
4 Jan 1995
VX
Tokyo
Attempted assassination of Hiroyuki Nagaoka: Head of the ‘Aum Shinrikyo Victim’s Group’ – Nagaoka was hospitalised for several weeks.
Feb 1995
VX
Tokyo
Attempted assassination of Ryuho Okawa: Leader of the Institute for research into Human Happiness, who had criticised the group – Okawa suffered no ill effects.
20 March 1995
Sarin
Tokyo
Tokyo subway sarin attack, 12 Killed and 6,000 injured
Note: VX is an extremely toxic synthetic chemical compound, In the class of nerve agents, it was developed for military use in chemical warfare. VX is the most potent of all nerve agents. Compared with sarin, VX is considered to be much more toxic by entry through the skin and somewhat more toxic by inhalation. Note: Phosgene: The chemical was first used at Ypres in WW1 as chlorine gas, or phosgene. It was the brainchild of Fritz Haber, a German Jewish chemist who would become known as the “father of chemical warfare.” When liquid phosgene is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. Phosgene gas may appear colourless or as a white to pale yellow cloud. At low concentrations, it has a pleasant odour of newly mown hay or green corn. Phosgene was used extensively during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent and was responsible for the large majority of deaths. Phosgene is not found naturally in the environment.
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with advice on the arrival of the group in Australia and their somewhat unusual activities. The advice from the Japanese was that the sect was being investigated for kidnapping sect members however no mention of the more serious suspected anti-state leanings was made. One would have ordinarily anticipated that the Japanese would have been more aware of the criminal organisation and, in the spirit and protocols of International Police and Intelligence liaison would have been more forthcoming as to their suspected activities. It is reasoned that they played down their activities for reasons of being embarrassed that their nationals could be undertaking illegal activity in a foreign country.
CONFIRMED USE OF CHEMICAL/NERVE AGENTS BETWEEN THE BANJAWARN STATION AND THE TOKYO SUBWAY ATTACKS After the Australian experiments at Banjawarn Station (1993) and before the Tokyo Subway attack (March 1995) the sect significantly upscaled their planned chemical and nerve agent attacks in Japan. During this period Japanese Agencies were aware that this group were capable, but not it seems highly efficient in the use of nerve agents/chemical agents. The group was thought responsible for having developed and used nerve and chemical agents in Japan no less than eight (8) times between late 1993 and the March 1995. It seems that a tip off of an imminent raid by Japanese Authorities to the Aum Shinriyko precipitated the hastily arranged attacks on the subway and on 20 March 1995, five (5) members of the Japanese doomsday cult/terrorist group, released the deadly Sarin Gas into the Tokyo subway system attracting world headlines. How this doomsday cult developed into a terrorist organisation and managed to organise and undertake a wide range of chemical attacks against individuals, dissidents, judges and innocent travellers can only be viewed as a significant intelligence failure on the part of the Japanese authorities.
WHEELS UP – THE AFP RESPONSE On 24 March 1995, four days after the Tokyo subway attack and following a fresh tip-off from the owners of Banjawarn Station, AFP Operation Sea King, swung into action. Led by then Detective Sergeant Barry Turner, AFP Forensic Team Leader Keith Taylor, Investigator Peter Wilkinson, Commonwealth Chemist Colin Campbell and WA Police Pilot Ruebin Ziegler lifted off from Jandakot Airport in Perth for Banjawarn Station.
At that time, it was relatively common for AFP investigators to be allocated time-sensitive and unusual investigative challenges, often at short notice and often following intelligence of suspected drug activity by small craft on the remote West Coast. This investigation however was to become one of Barry’s most interesting in a long and distinguished career. At the time Barry was investigating a complex multi-milliondollar taxation evasion, a long and painstaking process following the money trail. Barry welcomed the opportunity for some respite of a ‘country trip’ with a difference. I contacted Barry, now a retired Police Commander and he has provided his recollections of the investigation undertaken at Banjawarn Station.
BARRY’S RECOLLECTIONS We received a call from the lessee’s of Banjawarn Station, via their Lawyers, advising that members of the Sect had occupied the property prior to them taking over the lease. They reported that there were a number of bottles of liquids and chemicals that had been left there. On arrival at Banjawarn we met the lessee Rosie Day, her adult daughter Sharon White and Sharon’s two children, Neil (9) and Ryan (2-3). Rosie’s husband hates sheep and was then managing a cattle property to the north. Sharon is a qualified Wool Classer and effectively ran the property whilst Rosie tended the home and kids. They were salt of the earth good country folk. On arrival we found the bottles of chemicals which were handed over to our forensics and Colin Campbell for later testing. We also found a number of assay bags filled with dirt. We also noticed a room in the old deserted homestead with the door marked ‘Laboratory’ in Japanese and English. I then had a conversation with Sharon with a view to perhaps identifying anything out of the ordinary. I shall always recall this conversation as country folk are generally people of few words and not being a country boy myself, my need to understand what was being said required extrapolation. In essence we were keen to ascertain if the Sect had firstly, developed the Sarin there, and secondly, had perhaps used it. Given it is a sheep station numbers of dead sheep were of interest. After dealing with the things described as normal, i.e. Lots of dead sheep around the shearing sheds which had been put down due to age, sickness etc, the following exchange took place with Sharon focused on “anything unusual” around the property.
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“OK, apart from the shearing sheds have you ever seen anywhere else on the property where there are lots of dead sheep”? “Well, there are dead sheep everywhere, it’s a big property”. “Any that you might consider unusual”? “Well there were some dead sheep up on a hill I saw when out on the trailbike”. “And this was unusual”? “Yes, because they were on top of the hill” “Why is that unusual”? “Because sheep always go to lowlands looking for water when they are nearing death”. “So how many dead sheep are we talking about?”. “Probably 20 or more which is also strange that they are all together”. “Can you remember where this spot was?” “Yes, we could probably find it. It’s about 15-20Kms from the house”. So, off we go by vehicle and after a few wrong turns in the bush we find the spot. Yep, lots of sheep carcasses all in one area. Cordon off and hand over to Forensics with the end result (as we all now know) that they had been killed with Sarin. This was a major turning point and confirmation of what had been occurring on the property. Our further inquiries ascertained that they had travelled to Perth and Melbourne to source the various base chemicals that were required to produce the Sarin. We also located a woman living in Perth who had been a low-level member of the Sect in Japan and was a Perth resident. She was a naïve stooge that the Cult used being as Australian citizen, to list her name as the actual Lessee. Also, during our investigations, we found evidence of exploration around the property, apparently for Uranium sources. As such that was what the assay bags were for and it appeared, they had sent some back to Japan for analysis. We found that they had rented a large excavator from Kalgoorlie and had been digging in numerous spots around the property. We found these thanks to WAPOL who had permitted us one of the aircraft from the Police Air Wing and we did grid searches over the expanse of the property. There is uranium on the property, not at commercial levels, but I guess enough to suit their intended purpose to eventually acquire nuclear weaponry.
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The reason the Cult eventually left the lease was because they did not understand that as opposed to freehold ownership, they had significant responsibilities dictated by Primary Industries as to the management of the property. It simply became all too hard and complex for them and once they had achieved production and testing of the Sarin, it was easier to go back to Japan. We commenced exchanging information with the Japanese Authorities and the investigation was upgraded to a National Investigation and later revisited by a joint AFP/WAPOL Major Investigation Team however no additional exhibits were located. (Ed note: In policing, in those days when a senior officer took over an investigation they were called ‘brief thief’s’, ostensibly because there was the prospect of an International trip) Peter and I spent quite a bit of time on the property and Rosie and Sharon almost adopted us. We stayed in the house and ate together and wherever I went during the day I had young Neil beside me. It was fun. Down the track I had Rosie and Neil come stay with Fay and I in Perth and Neil got to see the ocean for the first time. Couple of other interesting insights. Firstly, the media interest, local, national and international was overwhelming. Such that in anticipation of them flooding Banjawarn which I had by now declared a crime scene, I parked a truck in the middle of the property’s airstrip to repel unexpected visitors. I also had the concurrence of Rosie and Sharon that any visitors by road would be turned around and not allowed to enter. Interesting times. Other observations were that the gullible sect members who were there would have daily drip-fed injections of saline solutions to apparently cleanse and purify their bodies. Also, their food was basic and sterile. Not so Shoko Asahara and his high-level henchmen. Their diet was steak and seafood sourced from Kalgoorlie. We actually found hundreds of these saline solutions packs (used and unused) which had been thrown down an old mineshaft on the northern edge of the property. A fond memory of our time at Banjawarn Station came about because I had mentioned to Rosie that a BBQ would be great for their home, but she said they didn’t have the money and/or time to buy/build one. Peter and I decided to come to the rescue. I have some building experience and with Peter as my apprentice we found heaps of old used bricks on the Station’s rubbish tip, mined sand from a creek bed, found cement in the shed and some steel plate laying around. And so, we built a brick BBQ complete with chimney. And we had a
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Laboratory Door Banjawarn Station
lovely family BBQ. One thing about a sheep property is that there was no shortage of lamb on the hotplate. Our way of saying thank you for looking after us and fun way to spend a rest day. So, after the investigation was declared a National Operation, Canberra based members took the lead and I returned to my taxation investigation. Commander Jeff Penrose and team travelled to Japan to report on what had transpired in WA, but the Japanese National Police’s embarrassment that Japanese citizens had done this in another country lead to their strong desire to sweep Banjawarn under the carpet.
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT CHEMIST COLIN CAMPBELL (RETIRED) Colin was contacted recently to offer his recollections to this unusual investigation and his account is detailed below: As a forensic chemist at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) I had worked closely with the AFP for some years. My main role was in the
identification and analysis of illicit drugs seized by the AFP and Customs. I was also required to provide advice in this area and present evidence in court. In March 1995 I received the request from AFP to attend at Banjawarn Station with 24 hours’ notice. At that time (and to this day) my main hobby and interest was prospecting for gold (metal detecting). A big part of that was driving to and exploring some remote areas of the goldfields. So, the opportunity for a paid trip to a remote station in gold country was very appealing. Banjawarn was typical of most outback stations. The owners were very hospitable and there was always plenty to eat. Being a sheep station, there was always plenty of lamb on the menu. One of the outhouse buildings was what appeared to be the ‘station hands’ kitchen’, however Japanese writing on the door later identified it as being a laboratory. I seem to recall that there was an absence of lab glassware, reagents or personal protective equipment or other bits and pieces lying about that I would have expected to see. Given that
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Sarin, a deadly, volatile nerve gas was suspected of being produced, or for any other experimentation, I would also have expected to see some sort of fume extraction equipment. I was sceptical that much (if any) chemical experimentation had occurred there. Perhaps a day after our arrival, a cache of chemicals and solutions was uncovered in one of the dongas. That discovery shifted the investigation up a notch and suggested that perhaps more clandestine operations had being undertaken on the property. The following morning, the AFP scientific officer (Keith Taylor) and I were asked to act as observers (spotters) on a flyover of the station. We were there to pick up any unusual ground activity. After a healthy breakfast of lamb chops and eggs the flyover involved quite a bit of tight circling and banking. To add to the discomfort on a full stomach, a storm in the area contributed to a fair amount of turbulence as well. Some-time into the flight, Keith asked our pilot if there was any chance of a landing soon because he was very close to being sick, I don’t think that I ever admitted it, but I was feeling pretty much the same and Keith’s request was music to my ears! At the conclusion of the AFP investigation, the chemicals and I were passengers on a long road trip back to Perth as it was deemed that the cache of chemicals was not permitted on the plane. As relaxed as the time at Banjawarn had been, it was less so back at the laboratory. It became clear that the activities of the Japanese group on the station had come under the interest of International authorities and the chemical analysis of all samples was of considerable interest. That meant that our laboratory needed to come up to speed with the chemistry of sarin fairly quickly. Fortunately, our experienced team was able to achieve that and completed a timely analysis of the chemicals found on Banjawarn.
BANJAWARN CHEMICAL/FORENSIC ANALYSES The exhibits and evidence from the sect’s activities at Banjawarn Station was duly examined and subjected to investigative, forensic and scientific chemical analysis. In summary it was established as follows: • A Laboratory was set up in a kitchen of an abandoned house at Banjawarn Station. The door was marked in Japanese handwriting as ‘Toyoda Laboratory’. This is clearly a reference to senior sect member Toru Toyoda, a physics graduate at Tokyo University who held a master’s degree and became a senior part of Aum Shinrikyo’s Ministry of Science
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and Technology. He had travelled to Australia and later allegedly admitted to producing Sarin for the Sect’s gas attacks. • In 1995 Toru Toyoda was one of the five (5) members who placed Sarin on the Tokyo subway attack. He was subsequently convicted and following the exhausting of appeals was executed by hanging in July 2018. • Soil samples taken from a drain at the laboratory identified the presence of methyl phosphonic acid (MPA), a residue of the nerve agent Sarin. MPA does not occur naturally. • Documents left at the station were translated, one of which had notations for classifying sheep as dead or injured. 29 sheep carcasses were located, the sheep were gathered in a small area and had died or were killed in unusual circumstances. • Chemicals such as hydrochloric, perchloric and nitric acid could be used to make simple nerve agents such as Phosgene. (note the use of Phosgene in the attack at Yokohama dated 20 September 1994).
THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE TURN SLOWLY Two days after the Tokyo subway attack, more than 1,000 Japanese police stormed the Aum headquarters. Here they discovered a huge stockpile of deadly chemical and biological warfare agents, including enough Sarin ingredients to kill four million people. Asahara, who had gone into hiding, was arrested on 16 May 1995. Following the trial, the longest in Japanese criminal history, 12 of Asahara’s leading accomplices were sentenced to death. A lengthy appeals process was finally exhausted and Asahara with five accomplices were finally executed by hanging on 6 July 2018 with a further six accomplices executed on 26 July 2018.
CONCLUSION From an objective viewpoint and with the benefit of considerable hindsight it is pleasing to conclude that the actions, investigations and professionalism of the investigative teams in Australia was undertaken at short notice and without the full understanding of the intelligence holdings of the Japanese Authorities. Through the process of investigation and analyses, the strategy of denying further access to Australia resulted in their activities in this country being curtailed. For reasons outlined in this article it is sadly and tragically concluded that the sect was able to advance their collective expertise through their activities on Banjawarn Station and used this expertise with deadly intent across a number of terrorist incidents in Japan.
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of Senior AFP Liaison Officer. Following Washington Barry transferred to Brisbane as Director Operations and then Acting Office Manager Northern Command, Brisbane. Barry was then posted to Commander of the Enhanced Cooperation Program in Papua New Guinea and later back to Brisbane as Northern Command Manager.
Investigation team with the Banjawarn Station owners.
Barry retired from the AFP in 2008 and between 2010-2014 was the Executive Advisor Micronesia in the AFP led Police Development Programme and finally, from 2014-2017 was a LEA Consultant for Pario Solutions Group (PNG Police and Corrections Review). Now in full time retirement Barry loves to travel with his wife Anne, having clocked up visits to 55 countries. He has four children and 10 grandchildren and occasionally paddles his kayak with the former Queensland Police Service Commissioner Ian Stewart. Keith Taylor: Keith joined the AFP in April 1988 and as a sworn police member commenced his service in Melbourne along with current AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw. Ultimately both Reece and Keith transferred back to their native WA where Keith entered the Forensic discipline and Reece, well the rest is history. To date Keith has served as a Team Leader or Coordinator in the Perth Office providing close level forensic support for all the major investigations over a thirty year time span. Whilst he rates the Banjawarn case as definitely one of his most interesting, he marvels at the development of the forensic disciplines noting the somewhat rudimentary protective clothing that both he and Colin Campbell had in 1995. Keith has coordinated forensic responses across the AFP for WA, NT and SA including literally hundreds of narcotic investigations, responses to the Christmas Island boat tragedy, the downing of MH17 and the mystery of MH370. In his younger days Keith was an avid cricketer and a more than handy swing bowler and had the good fortune to visit the Caribbean at AFP expense for the 2007 World Cup. Keith also served in East Timor and remains to this day Coordinator Forensic Services in Perth.
Now retired, Barry Turner with wife Anne and 5 of their grandchildren.
THE INVESTIGATION TEAM – WHERE ARE THEY NOW Barry Turner: From Detective Sergeant in Perth Operations, Barry was promoted to Director Operations Perth Office then to Sydney as Coordinator Crime Operations. He was then transferred to Washington for three years in the role
Colin Campbell: Colin is now retired and spends his time fishing in the north of WA, prospecting in the Goldfields, and playing golf, he also has his own man cave, making for a somewhat idyllic retirement. The AFP sincerely thanks Colin for the professionalism and good humour he has added to Commonwealth prosecutions over an extended period.
Marzio Da Re, APM Retired AFP Superintendent (0868) July 2020
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Cyprus revisited 45 years on Alan Hart and his partner Barbara Jehu return to Cyprus and reveal the changes since Alan’s deployment in 1974 I didn’t realise the pull that Cyprus had on me after my time there in 1974/75 (Nov to Nov) as a U.N. Peacekeeper and spending 8 months at Polis. I did return for 2 weeks in May 1976 on my way back to Australia, but my next visit was in September 2008 (family life and career occupying my time). I was in for a big surprise. Where was the Cyprus I knew? Now it was freeways, large buildings, practically no shepherds, goats and sheep, no diesel Mercedes taxis and none of those wonderful 1949 Bedford buses that I had told my partner Barbara and daughter Georgie about! It was a wonderful 2-week visit playing tourist and catching up with Costas and his family (he serviced all U.N. vehicles in Limassol). We also caught up with ex Polis Postmaster Vakis in Paphos. It was great to talk to them and get the latest news and perspective from a local. Along with fellow peacekeepers Peter and Marita Lock (Victoria) and Jim and Leonie Illfield (NSW) from 1974/75 we travelled to Cyprus in June 2017 to witness the lowering of the Australian Flag in the U.N. protected area. It was a moving and sad occasion. This visit led me to travelling in the North for the first time thanks to Denis Percy’s ‘minibus’ tour. A drive past St. Hilarion, a visit to Bellapais and onto Kyrenia and lunch at the harbour with Allan Mitchell and Paula was followed the next day by travelling the panhandle to St. Andreas Monastery via Dipkarpaz and returning home via Famagusta. This fleeting visit whetted my appetite, I had to return to the North and see and try and get a better understanding of this fascinating island. Plans were afoot and Barb and I flew into Larnaca on January 26th, 2020 and travelled to Nicosia by bus. After 2 days familiarisation we pulled our suitcases down Ledra Street, through the checkpoint and were picked up Sun Car Hire. Paperwork completed we set sail North for Bellapais in our 4 door Opel sedan. We quickly settled in at the Bellapais Monastery Hotel and then headed to Bellapais village, locating the home of British writer Lawrence Durrell. Author of Biter Lemons, his impressions of Cyprus during
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Barb at Bellapais Monastery.
his residence at Bellapais from 1953-56. We dined on Gozleme for lunch looking down upon Kyrenia harbour. Next day it was a visit to St. Hilarion, Barbara driving and a climb to Prince John’s Tower, the view was worth the effort and showed how unfit I was! We then headed down to the harbour and after being accosted by a tout found ourselves enjoying a 1-hour boat trip along the coast in sunshine. A calamari lunch was next bringing back memories of our 2017 lunch with Paula and Mitch.
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were destroyed and it was not known which person was buried in which gravesite so after 1975 the Turkish Cypriots from Kofinou moved to Gecitkale (the alternative Turkish name). The wall was erected with photos and another ‘information’ board to remember those killed in the December 1967 attack by the Greek National Guard.
Barb and Alan at St Hilarion.
The following day we explored the amazing Kyrenia castle, made another visit to Bellapais, and then drove North along the coast for 20 kilometres. It was pleasing to note that driving standards had not changed – vehicles nudging forward into traffic, failure to indicate, stopping without warning and park ANYWHERE and walk away!
Whilst reading and photographing the wall a voice came from a house balcony behind us, and in perfect English asking if we would like to know the story of the wall. Within minutes we were talking to local Ahakki at the wall and then adjourned to the small village square, where over Turkish coffees and 2 1/2 hours we talked of Sampson, Grivas, Makarios, 1967 and the 1974 Greek coup, the Turkish peace intervention ( not invasion ) and today’s situation. Ahakki is a 72-year-old former policeman of 10 years, a former dog handler of 2 separate periods at the British base of Dhekelia, a 10-year career as a fireman and a former village Mukhtar. During our time together tears came to his eyes and he apologised. We said no apology is necessary. Wounds still run deep. As a ‘counterbalance’ to his thoughts, feelings and tears we received a similar reaction about 2 weeks later.
The street dogs were numerous and friendly, walking with you but Emergency vehicles with lights and sirens were ignored by drivers and given no priority! After 3 days we left Bellapais where planeloads of German and Swedish tourists in the main, were arriving weekly on packages that I believe were heavily subsidised by the Turkish Government. Flying from Europe to airports in Turkey and after sitting on the tarmac for 30 plus minutes they landed at Ercan in the North which is not recognised as an International Airport. We stayed overnight at Dipkarpaz, dining and drinking with 3 British ex pats (of 9 years and living in Kyrenia) and learnt about their lifestyle in Cyprus. The owner sat with us at breakfast as we ate his own farm yoghurt, cheese, and meats. We journeyed on to Cape Andreas and the Monastery, feeding the donkeys enroute. A walk on the sands at Turtle Beach was disappointing to say the least. The amount of plastic and rubbish was unbelievable, totally spoiling the area. We paid a visit to the totally artificial Bafta (gated monolithic resorts, casinos, pools, playgrounds etc) built for the mainly European tourists. Not for us. We spent a night at the recently renovated Exotic Hotel at Bogaz and travelled to the Iskele region and the village of Gecitkale. It was here we found a 1967 wall monument to Turkish Cypriots killed at Kofinou in the South. Apparently, the headstones of those killed and buried at Kofinou
Barb, Alan and Ahakki Sitki Turkish Cypriot Policeman, Fireman, Dog Hander at Dhekelia and Mukhtar, sharing a coffee at Gecitkale.
We visited Kofinou and when having a coffee at the roadside restaurant we got talking to the proprietor. He stated he had 2 houses at Famagusta but was forced to leave after 1974 and had not been back since. He too became emotional, so the conversation ended. We found the locked and unused Kofinou mosque with minaret but no headstones in the small adjoining yard. It was obvious we were in the old Turkish part as many houses were crumbling and buildings partially destroyed and boarded up. There was no obvious life or movement as we moved about.
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Three nights were spent at the quaint Altun Tabya hotel within the walls of Famagusta. The owner who is also a writer gave us a copy of his book explaining the many Myths and Legends of Cyprus and whilst there we read a diary account of atrocities committed against Turkish Cypriots in the North. This was our first true look at this ancient city with its many places of interest. We found it quiet and enchanting as we walked every square inch soaking up the sights and taking in the history. A number of visits were made to the famous Peket cake shop (for a decent coffee!) and a walk along the deserted Palm Beach. Nothing has changed except no Turkish soldiers were visible on this occasion. A visit to Salamis was another highlight where we spoke to a local who had just returned home after having spent 10 years in Sunshine and Broadmeadows (Victoria)! Our favourite eating place was the Fa Kebap, nothing fancy but a roaring open fire, and great food and wine at great prices. It was near our hotel within the walls at the Land Gate. We spent 2 nights in the only hotel in Guzelyurt (Morphou) and ventured to the West to Soli, Vouni Palace and Lefke. We had hoped to stay at the Lefke Gardens Hotel but found it locked as the owner had gone to Turkey for a holiday! (It was the ‘low’ season after all). An amazing sight was the flowing Morphou river, the last two winters seeing plenty of rain falling across the island. We came across many Turkish Army Camps throughout the North and it is rumoured that there are some 50,000 Turkish soldiers on the island. Firing ranges are often seen and a few times we witnessed and heard soldiers firing weapons perhaps as a reminder of their presence. Another highlight was a visit to the Blue House, home of Pablo Pavlidhes, lawyer for Makarios (and reputed gun runner and Mafia member). It being compulsory to hand over photo ID to the armed soldiers for entry, we handed our Victorian drivers’ licences in at the gatehouse (we thought it prudent not to handover our Passports)! After an hour self-tour, we received them back from the Turkish Soldiers and were relieved to say the least. We returned to Bellapais Monastery hotel for 3 days, visiting Kantara Castle on a beautiful sunny day and dined at Buffavento Castle restaurant another day for lunch. Being the low season meant few tourists and we had plenty of time to wander about at our own pace. Returning to Nicosia after 2 weeks we visited the Museum of Barbarism and returned our car having driven 1,414 kms in the North. We returned to Larnaca and began exploring again. Visits to Cape Greco, Ayia Napia (deserted),
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Buffavento Restaurant with the Five Fingers Buhuk Hahn in Turkish Nicosia – Lunch mountains behind.
Deeryneia (a car entry pint to the North) and lunch at Paralimni were made. A drive up to Stavrovouni Monastery in sunshine saw the large ‘new’ steel entrance gates locked and viewing times limited. There is now a huge quarry at the bottom of the hill, a large eyesore, spoiling the natural beauty, peace and quiet. Stones, mud, dirt, and dust cover the road as the large fully laden trucks lumber out the gate. A fish meze lunch at Zygi brought back memories of days of old, the fish just kept on coming! A Sunday lunch at the Swan Pub and Grill just outside the Akrotiri Base gates made us think we were in the U.K. for a short while, so strong and prevalent were the Pommie accents accompanied by roast pork and vegies! We also took the Smart car for a spin on the dry salt lake at Lady Mile beach watching the many kite surfers enjoying wind and waves. Later that afternoon we wandered about old Limassol town including the long deserted Great Kebir Mosque. Locked, with the minaret still standing tall for all to see and a permanent reminder of the former Turkish Cypriot occupiers. (Nearly 1,000 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated from Limassol in late August 1975). Paphos was our next temporary home and our hunt for villages evacuated in 1975 began. Kouklia, a mixed village (26 Turkish Cypriots evacuated 16/8/1975) is now a small flourishing village of modern houses occupied by Greek Cypriots. A walk in the old Turkish sector of Paphos brought a walk around the partly fenced Agia Sophia Mosque complete with minaret but many headstones had been smashed. (Paphos was evacuated in 2 stages in August 1975, over 1,000 Turkish Cypriots being moved). The following day we visited Timi, Koloni and Vavara, all small mixed villages evacuated on August 16th, 1975 ( along with Marona, Ayios Ioannis, Ayios Nikolas, Kouklia and Phinikas a total of 538 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated that day as part of the large ‘military’ style operation known as Mayflower.)
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Later that day we pulled in at Polis for 3 days. Finding the only place open, ‘Follow the Sun’ apartments was a relief. In the afternoon we visited the former un-surrendered Turkish Cypriot village of Yialia (now known as Gialia ) whose 503 occupants were evacuated on August 18, 1975. Driving up both sides of the now Greek Cypriot occupied valley village we came across the Mosque minus minaret, open and in good condition although giving the appearance of not being in use. The valley is now promoted as a nature trail and home to the elusive Mouflon. Yialia was the subject of many, many visits and I have fond memories of them particularly when in the company of N.T. policeman Denis Fields. We had always been made welcome and had many a meal with the locals.
Sunday February 23rd was a busy day as we visited the almost deserted village of Androlikhou. (248 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated 22/8/1975). Another quarry scarring the landscape and eating deep into the rocky ground sat beside the rough narrow bitumen road. Many of the houses in Androlikhou were crumbling ruins and it appeared only a few were occupied (perhaps by quarry workers?). The only sign of life we found was a very friendly dog. A visit to the cemetery was devastating as almost 90% of the Turkish headstones had been smashed, such a sad sight. The Mosque, minus minaret was still intact and seemingly not in use. We continued on to Drousha (110 evacuated on 20/8/1975) and found more new houses than old, a Forest Station but no mosque. I did not recognise the village, perhaps my memory was playing tricks. Kato and Pano Arodhes were next where a Mosque (minus minaret) was still standing and being used as a community centre. Over 300 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated in August 1975. We also spoke to 2 British ex pats who had been living there for just over 2 years and had built a house on the edge of the village. Kathikas, the beautiful little cobblestone village was our morning coffee stop.
Mosque at Pelathousa near Polis.
Pelathousa, with Mosque and minaret still standing was next to be visited. Over 400 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated in late August 1975. Today the village is partially occupied by Greek Cypriots but there are many houses in a state of disrepair and uninhabitable. The same day we visited the former mixed village of Magounda (approximately 110 were evacuated in August 1975) now consisting of a few deserted and crumbling houses. Almost 140 fled over the mountains to the North in late 1974 and early 1975 (PRIO-Cyprus-displacement report). We next headed North along the coast and on reaching Kokkina (a veritable Turkish fortress on the coast road) we headed up into the hills and back down to the coastal village of Kato Pyrgos and a border crossing for vehicles into the North. Lunch over it was back up into the hills passing the U.N. OP and Turkish and Greek Army camps enroute to Polis. We passed the ‘fenced in’ Limni Copper and Sulphur Mine office but there was no sign of the former houses of the mine managers and staff. There was no evidence of the St. George British Army Camp either (the wire fence was there on our 2008 visit).
Just after noon we came to Terra (199 evacuated in early August 1975) and found the Mosque, minus minaret in a very sad state. The sagging roof was being propped up from within. The village was occupied by Greek Cypriots. In the afternoon we journeyed uphill to Lysos (the police station in charge of Sgt John in 1975 has long gone) where Jim Illfield and I had found ourselves enjoying a charcoal BBQ lunch on more than one occasion. We navigated the very narrow village streets frustrated by a lack of signage to open hilly country where the road became a film of concrete (presumably a coating over the original dirt/gravel roads of 1974/75?). At the top of the hill we came to a stop as the concrete road disappeared to gravel, left and right with no signage. Luckily, a couple were walking their dogs and I approached on foot asking if they knew the way to Melandra. The German couple (living in Lysos with 40 Brits and 150 Greek Cypriots for over 5 years) said go to your left and you’ll find it. Back to the car and along the gravel we found ourselves in Melandra (165 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated in early September 1975). The Mosque was still standing but the minaret was lying on the ground and the village was totally ruined. This once proud village sat atop a ridge with commanding views and a permanent British Army OP. I did not recognise this village where we’d often
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The old 1949 Bedford Bus at Cape Greco. They ruled the roads in the 1970s.
met the local schoolteacher Nusret Bayram. The sole occupant today in the now destroyed village seemed to be a farmer using his tractor’s power take off shaft to drive his milking machine in a makeshift dairy! Retracing our steps through Lysos we spoke to another British ex pat walking his 3 dogs and heading to the bar for a drink and also a Greek Cypriot woman who had returned to village life from South Africa. She introduced us to the local coffee shop owner Kypros from Nicosia, his wife being a local. He ‘directed’ us to EOKA hideouts – 2 kms uphill and off we went. We found some signage in a part of the village down the track but no sign of life, everything was locked and boarded. We continued on looking for Filousa, Sarama, Istinjo and Trimithousa. The signage was conflicting to say the very least and each village was 3kms away and very black clouds were threatening. Down the 4wd gravel road we propelled our ‘4WD’ Smart car. We crossed a dirt/gravel bridge across a flowing stream heading towards Evretou and Evretou dam wall but the deteriorating road, threatening clouds and lack of locals for help saw us turn back, oh so close! The following morning in sunshine we visited Khrysokhou (251 Turkish Cypriots were evacuated on 12/8/1975) with it’s Mosque and minaret standing tall, fenced in, gate locked and obviously not in use. Driving around the village under the watchful eyes of locals it was found to be only partially occupied as many houses had fallen into ruin. We then headed South towards Paphos noting many Mosques were still standing in small villages such as Paramali, Avidhimou and Fasoula. A tour of Mandria village in bright sunshine saw many sitting outside cafes drinking coffee. The whitewashed Mosque, minus minaret with grey window and door frames hiding the regulation green paint was being used as a community centre/meeting place. Our 5-week trip ended with 3 nights in Larnaca where we visited the Hala Sultan Mosque on the edge of the salt lake and finally the Djami Kebir Mosque in
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Androlikhou Cemetery with the smashed headstones.
Larnaca beside the old Fort. We were welcomed and attended prayer with the local men. By now the reader will be questioning my apparent obsession with the Cypriot mosques. Over the years I have often wondered what became of the villages we constantly visited and got to know before their being evacuated during Operation Mayflower in those hectic days of August and September 1975. The internet has much updated information but lacks that human element. I wanted to see for myself what had become of them. They played a huge part in our lives back in 1974/75 and a part measure of the ‘success’ of UNCIVPOL’S role was to see how these evacuated villages were being respected many years on. Another question was whether respect had been shown to the homes of the former Turkish Cypriots evacuated through no fault of their own. One of my thoughts was if the village Mosques were still standing this was, in part, a sign of a respectful and understanding Greek Cypriot community. In my naivety, I think it was just politics, but this visit showed us people’s lives are still very much affected by the events of 1974/75. The Turkish (Cypriot and mainland) in the North seem to be dealing better with the forced changes than the Greek Cypriots in the South. Whatever the rights or wrongs I think that the Greek Cypriot ‘leadership’ might have brought this situation upon themselves to a great degree by involving the Greek National Guard, amongst others, the push for ENOSIS, enlisting Georgios Grivas and the many attempts on the life of Archbishop Makarios III. Whatever the case, Cyprus still has that magnetic appeal, it draws you back such is its beauty, history, charm, and friendly people. Despite the passing of time and the many changes, our 5 weeks in January and February 2020 were a fantastic time for us and Cyprus still holds a place in our hearts.
Alan Hart APM and Barbara Jehu
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COVID-19: A ‘new and deadly threat’ for civilians caught up in violence Innocent civilians trapped in violence now face “a new and deadly threat” from COVID-19, the UN chief told the Security Council on Wednesday 27th May, warning that the pandemic is “amplifying and exploiting the fragilities of our world”. Citing conflict as one of the greatest causes of that fragility, Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level videoconference on the protection of civilians in armed conflict that the coronavirus is causing “enormous human suffering” and additional stress to vulnerable health systems, economies and communities already been weakened by years of armed conflict. “COVID-19 is not only spreading sickness and death; it is pushing people into poverty and hunger,” he explained, adding that in some cases, “it is reversing decades of development progress”. Meanwhile, as access to services is curtailed and repressive measures are adopted by some nations, protecting the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict zones, has become even more difficult. Moreover, COVID-19 threatens refugees and internally displaced people crowded together in camps and communities that lack sanitation and healthcare facilities.
GLOBAL CEASEFIRE Mr. Guterres referred to his call in March for a global ceasefire to respond to the pandemic, saying that while well received, it “has not been translated into concrete action” and maintained that in some cases, the pandemic may even create incentives for warring parties to press their advantage or strike while international attention is focused elsewhere. “Both scenarios could lead to increases in violence. And civilians always pay the price,” stated the UN chief. Turning to peacekeeping, he called UN blue helmets “one of the most effective means of protecting civilians in conflict zones around the world”, noting their support to national authorities by protecting healthcare and humanitarian workers and facilitating access to aid and protection.
BLEAK PROSPECTS Against the backdrop of little progress on international law compliance; more than 20,000 civilians casualties in just ten conflicts; tens of
thousands of children recruited into hostilities last year; millions of displaced people; women and girls subjected to “appalling levels of sexual and genderbased violence”; the disproportionate impact on people with disabilities; and conflict as “the main driver of global hunger”, the Secretary-General painted a gloomy picture on the protection of civilians. “Violence against humanitarian workers and assets was widely reported”, the UN chief added. “This month’s (May) attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul, in the middle of a major global health crisis, makes it even more essential for Member States to take urgent measures to implement Security Council resolutions and protect the provision of medical care in conflict”, he underscored.
POLITICAL SOLUTIONS ARE KEY In closing, Mr. Guterres stressed the need to do more to prevent, reduce and resolve conflicts as well as ensure compliance with international law and accountability. “Sustainable political solutions remain the only way to ensure that civilians are kept safe from harm”, concluded the Secretary-General.
Source: UN Peacekeeping News
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True Blue August 2020
Australian doctors are helping Timor Leste control the spread of COVID-19. (Supplied: Menzies School of Health Research)
Australian doctors aim to stop COVID-19 from ‘tearing through’ Timor-Leste Australian doctors have joined the fight against COVID-19 in Timor-Leste in a bid to prevent devastation in one of South-East Asia’s most vulnerable countries. Staff from the Menzies School of Health Research, based in Darwin, have been working in challenging conditions to help initiate testing and treatment programs, with help from both national governments.
The infectious disease specialist is one of 30 Australian and Timorese health workers from the Menzies trying to stop coronavirus from spreading.
As the deadly disease continues to spread through nearby countries, there are growing fears the tiny nation could be overwhelmed by an outbreak.
“It is quite confronting really how little (resources) there are compared to the things we take for granted in Australia,” he told ABC Radio Sydney.
CONFRONTING REALITY The tiny nation of 1.2 million people has been in a state of emergency since March 28.
He said there are grave concerns about the damage the virus could do to a population where four out of 10 people live in poverty.
So far, six cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, but that number is expected to rise with around 178 people showing symptoms.
“The fear of COVID-19 tearing through the community and wreaking havoc is very real, but the government has responded proactively,” he said.
Inside the country’s national hospital in Dili, Australia’s Dr Joshua Francis has been helping to establish testing procedures.
Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Australia, Inês Maria de Almeida, said her country was taking decisive action but is preparing for the worst.
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“It speaks to the critical role hospitals and research institutions can play in our partnership with near neighbours like Timor-Leste,” he said. “One month ago, there wasn’t an ability to test for COVID-19 in Timor-Leste, and our team was able to work with local hospital staff to begin testing.” Staff can now perform up to 50 tests a day. This capacity building has been praised by Ambassador Almeida.
Dr Joshua Francis has been helping local health workers learn how to treat COVID-19. (Supplied: Menzies School of Health Research)
“It makes a tremendous difference given we can now do the testing locally — that is something we greatly appreciate,” she said. “(This partnership) strengthens our ability to look after ourselves.”
CHALLENGES AHEAD While the work has been promising, Dr Francis said there are “confronting realities” about the availability of essential medical supplies, such as ventilators. “We don’t have the capacity to ventilate hundreds of people, so it makes the other measures of prevention and early detection so crucially important,” he said. Staff levels have also taken a hit in recent weeks, according to Professor Cass, with about 10 Australian staff returning home on advice from the government. The young country struggles with diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and dengue .(ABC News: Phil Hemingway)
“We have a very weak health system … to hear the stories and pleas (of people back home) is really sad, but we will do our best,” she said. “We are counting on the support of the Australian people who have helped us through difficult times. Sadly, we have to knock on their doors again to say Timor-Leste is desperate.” Sourcing medical equipment is the government’s priority but with large nations struggling to purchase medical supplies, Ambassador Almeida said TimorLeste will find it hard.
NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS For several years, the Menzies School of Health Research has partnered with local clinicians to strengthen Timor-Leste’s ability to combat infectious diseases. In recent months, staff who normally treat tuberculosis and rheumatic heart disease have shifted their focus to the new enemy. Director Professor Alan Cass said it had been an opportunity to strengthen ties with Australia’s small neighbour.
“There still remains strong engagement everyday with the team still in Timor-Leste; our primary approach has been to ensure the safety of those staff,” he said. Ambassador Almeida said her government could request further assistance from the Australian Defence Force to deliver medical supplies. In addition to $100.7 million in promised aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has commenced a series of efforts to support the country. Seasonal Timorese workers in Australia have had their visas extended to lessen the burden on their country’s health system. DFAT has repatriated nine Timorese doctors from Fiji to bolster local health services and an additional $10 million in aid has been earmarked for the country to address the emerging impacts of COVID-19. The Australian Federal Police have also helped establish temporary police stations at quarantine facilities.
Source: ABC Radio Sydney 16 April 2020
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UNOPAA 2021 20th National Conference Norfolk Island
Next year the 20th UNOPAA Conference will be held on beautiful Norfolk Island from 18-26 October 2021. Norfolk Island is located just 2hrs flying time from Brisbane or Sydney, making it easily accessible and a wonderful location for the 20th National Conference - and an exciting week for all UNOPAA members and partners, with a variety of activities and tours on offer.
From the first European contact in 1788, through its use as a penal settlement in the mid-1800s and into the current day, policing has continued to play an important role the island. Today, the Norfolk Island Police Force is responsible for making Norfolk Island a safe and peaceful place to work, live and visit. Cars are rarely locked, homes never. This enables neighbours to drop off fresh produce, fish and other goods to each other – it is nothing to find freshly filleted kingfish in your fridge upon returning home! The streets are safe to walk at any time of the day or night, and daily patrols of the island encompass breathtaking scenery and the occasional recalcitrant bovine (cattle roam freely and have right of way on the roads). In a post-COVID world, Norfolk Island offers a peaceful, safe and unspoiled destination for conference delegates to enjoy. Far from traffic and crowds, you’ll find fresh seasonal meals at the cafes
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True Blue August 2020
Fish Fry Dinner (image courtesy of Pinetrees Tours).
Norfolk Island Cenotaph (image courtesy of Norfok Island Living Library).
Anson Bay.
and restaurants; snorkelling is as easy as walking in off the beach and of course, there is the World Heritage listed convict site at Kingston, which is a must-see destination during your stay. One of the key events of the conference will be the celebration of United Nations Day on Sunday 24 October 2021, which will include a parade from Kingston to the WWI cenotaph, a church service at the historic All Saints Church, and finishing with a sausage sizzle overlooking the Kingston and Arthurs Vale Historic Area (KAVHA) and stunning Slaughter Bay.
Fishing adventures.
to find out why the locals call it ‘catching’ instead of ‘fishing, or enjoying a round of golf on the stunning course that sits alongside the ocean. For nature lovers, there are numerous bushwalking trails where you can wander amongst the majestic Norfolk pines and (if you’re lucky) make friends with the endemic birdlife that calls Norfolk home. Photographers – make sure you don’t forget your cameras!
Other events planned for the week include a function at Government House and a formal black-tie dinner.
Norfolk has an astounding history, intriguing local culture and unique environment. From learning the local Norf’k language and craft of weaving, visiting Museums, joining a bird or kayak tour, learning about convict life or playing bowls with the locals – there’s something for everyone on surprising Norfolk Island.
Outside of conference activities already planned, you will have plenty of time to not only relax at the beach, but also take advantage of a diverse range of activities on offer such as joining a fishing charter
For those that haven’t done so already, please send your interest in attending to Dale Cooper by sending an email with Names, Address, Contingent details and mobile Numbers to unopaa@gmail.com
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FREE CALL : 1800 1400 66 (AUS) 0800 0088 10 (NZ)
18 - 26 Oc t 202 1
norf olk island
U NOPA A C O N F E R E NC E DEPART from
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BRISBA
2 0 7 9 pp – twin s
7 nights
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2 0 9 9 pp
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Holiday Package Price includes: ✓ Return Air New Zealand ‘seat + bag’ economy airfare to Norfolk Island. Incl. airline taxes ✓ Meet&Greet at Norfolk Airport ✓ Return airport transfers ✓ 7 nights twin share accommodation ✓ 7 days car hire ✓ Half Day Island Tour ✓ Daily cooked breakfast ✓ Welcome Fish Fry at Orn Da Cliff ✓ AGM at Paradise Hotel
(for those attending. Tea and coffee incl.)
✓ RSL Night Buffet Dinner/Entertainment (transfers incl.)
✓ Formal Black Tie Dinner at Paradise (transfers incl.)
✓ UN Day at Norfolk Island Cenotaph (transfers incl.)
✓ Reception at Government House by the Administrator of Norfolk Island (self drive) TBC
✓ Complimentary ‘Mini Golf’ & ‘A Walk in the Wild’ & free bonus gift redeemable at The Bounty Centre ★ Discount Norfolk Island shopping card
United Nations & Overseas Policing Association of AU Conference In 2021 the UNOPAA Conference is set to be held on beautiful Norfolk Island, located a short 2 hr flight from Brisbane and 2 and half hrs from Sydney. On Norfolk you’ll find the perfect destination to enjoy conference activities, as well as a great holiday with fellow UNOPAA members. The conference program allows time to discover the Island on numerous guided tours or by ‘easy to get around’ self-exploring.
Conditions apply - Prices are indicative only, subject to availability & change without notice - Travel insurance strongly recommended
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Your Norfolk Island Conference A number of meals & activities are included in your Holiday Package: Half day Island Tour: Visit Historic Kingston, Cascade, Longridge & much more. See and hear about the famous convict buildings, beautiful beaches & golf course, the renowned Melanesian Chapel and enjoy views from scenic spots on this full commentary conducted tour. Morning tea included. Welcome Fish Fry Dinner at Orn Da Cliff: Enjoy a feast of Island dishes, salads, homemade bread and fresh fried fish, followed by Island desserts and tea or coffee. Take in the sublime cliff-top coastline and enjoy local singing and dancing entertainment. Transfers included. R.S.L. Night: Norfolk Island R.S.L Sub-Branch or Club Executives look forward to welcoming you for a relaxing and delicious 2 course meal with entertainment. Transfers included. Formal Black Tie Dinner: Tonight’s black tie dinner will deliver a feast of fabulous food, speakers and local singers to get you up and dancing. Wine, beer and port toast included as well as transfers. UN Day: This morning you’ll be transported down to World Heritage Listed Kingston for a UN Day Church Service in historic All Saints Church and wreath laying at the Cenotaph. Afterwards wander to the foreshore to enjoy a Lions Club BBQ (Own expense).
Exploring Norfolk Island A number of optional extra tours and activities are available for UNOPAA delegates and family to enjoy while on Norfolk Island. Full details of tours are available in the Norfolk Island Travel Centre Information Pack. Our little island is packed full of things to see and do. World Heritage listed Kingston will take you into the history of turbulent convict years and today’s vibrant Norf’k culture (born out of the infamous mutiny on the Bounty) all of which can be explored via tours, displays and even a chat with a friendly local. Encounter our pristine environment via swimming, reef snorkeling and rainforest walks. Our cafes and restaurants offer delicious, fresh, organic meals and local art, crafts, toys, shoes and taxfree items are also amongst shopping highlights.
True Blue August 2020
Robert (Doc) Gillespie The passing of a leader, confidant, an ambassador, mate and a ‘treasure’ On the 23rd of June 2020, Mr Robert Henry (Doc) Gillespie OAM QPM, AFP badge number 25 passed away, aged 87 years. Bob ‘Doc’ Gillespie was born on the 26th March 1933. ‘Doc’ led a distinguished career in both the Queensland Police Force and then the Commonwealth/Australian Federal Police. He was sworn in as a Queensland Police Officer in 1952. He was stationed at Richmond and Oxley in uniform after which he was transferred to the Brisbane Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) and then to Toowoomba CIB as a Detective First Constable. In May 1964 he was selected to be part of the 1st UNFICYP Contingent to Cyprus for a year. On his return, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant and selected to form the first Traffic Investigation Squad. In 1973 he resigned from the Queensland Police Force and was appointed a Detective Chief Inspector with the Commonwealth Police Force and became a member of the Australian Federal Police on Foundation Day in 1979. During his AFP career, ‘Doc’ worked in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. He retired from the Australian Federal Police in December 1989 as the Commander (Chief Superintendent) of Northern Region (the state of Queensland). For his service Mr Gillespie (Doc) was awarded: • The Order of Australia Medal (OAM) • The Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (QPM) • The Police Overseas Service Medal • The National Police Service Medal • The National Medal • The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal • Queen’s Commendation for Service • Three Queensland Police Commissioner’s Commendations • Two Prime Minister’s Commendations for Efficiency • The Australian Federal Police Service Medal On the 1st of June 2020 ‘Doc’ was admitted to hospital and was operated on for a tumor on the brain however, he remained in a coma until he passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with ‘Doc’s’ wife, Doreen, Grail and family.
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Robert (Doc) Gillespie during his deployment with the first Cyprus Contingent
True Blue August 2020
Geoffrey William Parker 24/09/1950 - 27/06/2020 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE FORCE 12/02/1976 - 24/09/1986 16/04/1992 - 10/12/2008
AUSTRALIAN ARMY RESERVE 07/12/1968 – 02/09/2008 Geoff joined SAPOL in 1976 after a short career as a Trainee Metallurgist and Commonwealth Public Servant. He quickly undertook Police Photography and Forensic Science courses, successfully completing them and was assigned to Region L, Technical Services in 1978 as a Crime Scene Examiner and helped to set up Crime Scene Investigation office at Burnside CIB. Geoff was very successful at this work and much liked by all the detectives and because of his skills, hard work and never give up attitude he was nicknamed “Quincy” by all. He went on to specialise in Arson, Fire Cause Investigation and Bomb Scene Examination. In 1981 Geoff undertook Bomb Scene training at Bandiana Military Camp with experts from Northern Ireland and the Australian Military, as well as several refresher courses, one of which he was going to run in Melbourne when he was recalled to attend the Bali Bombings. He left policing for a short period where he set up his own Private Investigation Business and worked as a builder, but returned to the SAPOL fold in 1992. Geoff was always thinking of the welfare of others and spent a significant period of 6 years as delegate with the Police Association of SA where he pushed for better conditions for fellow police officers. His first time overseas was to help with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) after the Bali Bombings in October 2002 where he completed 2 rotations. He met and made friends from around the world there and gave a lecture to Hertfordshire Police Force on Fire Investigation while visiting England on his honeymoon in April 2003. In November 2003/04 he was sent to East Timor on a UN Civilian Police Peacekeeping mission as a Crime Scene investigator/trainer to the local East Timorese Police based in Dili. On his return from East Timor he joined the United Nations & Overseas Police Peacekeepers Association (UNOPAA) and enjoyed the reunions of fellow peacekeepers from various missions every 2 years.
Geoff and UNOPAA colleagues at the Caloundra Reunion last year
Even attending his last reunion in Caloundra in October 2019 with great difficulty. He was, with Gary Casey, instrumental in keeping the SA Branch of UNOPAA going and served as Secretary/ Treasurer for 5 years before handing it on due to ill health. His aim was to keep members well informed via his newsletters of stories, dinners, meetings and especially the passing of any members right up to when he was in hospital himself. Outside his Police career he spent nearly 40 years in the CMF and Army Reserves as a Rifleman, Driver and Recovery Mechanic. One of his greatest attributes was his theoretical and technical knowledge with the ability to apply it to almost any situation whether it was army, policing or just life in general. Geoff had many interests including sailing, caravanning/ camping, Army Museum, family history, renovations, gardening, photography the list goes on. He had a tremendous ability to make people laugh with his stories and jokes and enjoyed mixing with people of all backgrounds. Geoff is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed. Vale Geoff Parker
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Dudley John Lidster Orchard Dudley John Lidster Orchard was born on 28th October 1939 at Miles on the Darling Downs. He was the son of a farmer with his family background dating to original settlers from Germany, Denmark and England in the 1850’s. His German ancestors were vineyard workers who became bullockies and then farmers. Dudley always felt his vineyard forbears explained why he always felt right at home visiting wineries all over Australia and New Zealand with his wife Cathy. The Orchard family had difficult times after his older sister Eunice and he was born in the late 1930’s. World War II saw tradesmen and materials directed to military needs and a flood on the Condamine River catchment swept away their farmhouse and stock. Dudley almost drowned but was saved by his dad. The Orchards were rescued by neighbours in a locally made metal sheeting row boat designed for creek crossing rather than turbulent flood waters. His mother insisted they take one baby at a time in case the boat overturned, that way she would only lose one child, so two trips to safer ground. The boat is now a monument in the Condamine riverside park. Dudley started his education by Primary Correspondence School and listening to ABC radio. Following the family move to Brisbane in the late 1940’s he attended Virginia State School then Churchie. Alas teachers of that era did not understand dyslexia and he had poor academic results. He left to become a clerk for two years which he found a bit boring so in 1958 he enlisted as a National Serviceman followed by permanent service in RAEME (Army Engineering Corps) totalling six years. During a Canberra posting he went to night school overcoming the study demands of time away on field camps and military exercises. After his father died and his Army term of service expired he returned to Brisbane in 1964. Civilian life was not for him, so he joined the Queensland Police and was appointed a Constable at Sandgate. Whilst issuing a ticket to a motorist who commented he was a recently retired senior officer he was given the career prediction of ‘going a long way in the job’. Shortly afterwards he was transferred a 1,000 klms north to the Innisfail District. Dudley served at South Johnstone, Innisfail and Babinda plus relieved as Officer in Charge at the one man stations of Cardwell and Millaa Millaa. The 1967 North Queensland floods meant that whilst at Cardwell he worked closely with an Army amphibious vehicle (LARC)
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Dudley receiving his National Police Service Medal in 2015.
crew helping with rescues. The Cardwell locals wanted to thank the Army crew with a big party but their Tully based Colonel ordered them back to barracks. Dudley came to the rescue contacting the Army Colonel in his capacity as local Police Superintendent of Traffic being an OIC of his one man station. He refused to permit the LARC vehicle which was very slow, wide and had poor lighting to be driven at night. Consequently the soldiers stayed and everybody had a huge party. Former Private Orchard was ‘amused’ he was able to legally give orders to the Regiment Colonel and all in a good cause.
True Blue August 2020
In 1968 Dudley was selected for the Australian United Nations 5th Police Contingent to Cyprus which was a fascinating chapter in his life, working with interstate and overseas Police and Irish, British, Danish and Austrian Army UN attached soldiers. There were many new friendships and amusing incidents, suffice with one example when an Austrian soldier raised a full scale Cyprus wide alert of an imminent Turkish Army invasion. At his lookout post facing the sea he misunderstood what they saw. His experience coming from a land locked country was limited to a John Wayne World War II D Day invasion movie so he thought all the white caps on rough seas were landing barges until the QLD coppers enlightened everybody. On return to Brisbane he married his first wife Anne. He resumed duty as an orderly cum police protection for the Queensland Governor, then City Station, C.I.B. Counter Section, Brisbane Mobile Patrols and Nundah Station. During this time he welcomed his first child, a daughter Jo-Anna in 1974, and three years later his son John. He joined the Freemasons as a forum for community volunteering. Notable incidents during this time included: • Disarming a mentally ill patient who had shot his doctor. This was a ‘hair raising’ experience as the offender shot the cap off his close colleague’s head; • Along with other police he entered a dwelling and disarmed an irate man for which he received a Commendation; • On another occasion Dudley was involved in arresting and charging a drug addict on multiple offences of break and enter of doctors surgeries for which he received another Commendation; • As a front seat passenger in a police car on traffic management duty an offender crashed his vehicle into the police car. Dudley died at the scene but the Ambulance officers managed to revive him after several minutes although he had major injuries. He always said he had ‘been to the other side and decided as there was nothing much to see he came back’. He often wondered if this accident triggered the later onset of his Parkinson’s disease. Later in his police service Dudley held appointments with the Brisbane City Clerk’s Office and City Heart Business Association helping set up the CBD mall police shop front. He sat on recruitment panels and delivered training to first year Constables using his own practical experiences to reinforce the training. He served several terms as a Police Union Branch Officer and helped organise police participation in ANZAC Day city marches. In 1994 his first wife Anne died after a long illness. Following her death later that year a colleague invited him to an Institute of Emergency Services talk and dinner at Perry Park Soccer Club as he felt he needed
cheering up. Here he met his future second wife Cathy, who had not long left the Navy to work in Queensland and they discovered a wealth of common interests. During this time Dudley completed a Charles Sturt University Certificate of Police Management and a TAFE Certificate in Training. Having served as a member of the Queensland Police Service from 31 March 1965 to 28 October 1999 which equates to 34 years and 6 months loyal and dedicated service to the people of Queensland he retired with the rank of Inspector at 60. Throughout his career he received 25 ‘Letters of Appreciation’ for ‘job performances’ along with the already mentioned two Commendations, and a Certificate of Special Recognition from the Business Community, ‘Good Work’ notations on file preparations and two notations from Commissioners regarding ANZAC Day police contingents. Medals awarded for police service included: • Police Overseas Service; • United Nations Cyprus; • Police Long Service; • Good Conduct; • National Police Service; • Queensland Police Service; • And two military medals courtesy of his Army service. In retirement Dudley got more involved in voluntary work with the Queensland State Emergency Service, Fire Ant Detection, teaching Justice of the Peace courses and becoming an active member of the National Servicemen’s Association, RAEME Army veterans, Queensland Retired Police Association, International Police Association and the United Nations and Overseas Policing Association of Australia. In his personal life, Dudley and Cathy decided in 1999 to buy land and build a house together at Wellington Point. In 2004 they went to the idyllic Cook Islands and got married in an old missionary church. In the following years they travelled on overseas trips to the South Pacific and Asia along with exploring every State and Territory in Australia. His daughter Jo-Anna wed Craig and his first grandson Lucian arrived in 2008. His son John and then partner Kirsty were blessed with a daughter Chloe in 2013. Also enriching his life were successive RSPCA rescue fur baby fox terriers Tessa, Alicia and Freya. Dudley always liked the wisdom of an old ‘bushie’ farmer who called into the ABC radio show ‘Macca All Over’ on a Sunday and said a man has not lived unless he has experienced the love of a good horse, good dog and a good woman. Dudley felt he had managed to achieve this and was mindful of the poetry of Omar Khayyam ‘ah make the most of what we yet may spend before we into the dust descend…’
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Vale On behalf of the UNOPAA National Executive, our National Committee, State Branches and all members of UNOPAA, we would like to acknowledge the service of the following, particularly to overseas peacekeeping, and to express our sympathy to family, contingent colleagues and friends. It is with regret that we advise of the passing of:
MARIE REID
BILL GRIFFITHS
The wife of Mike Reid, a Tasmanian Police member of the 10th Contingent to Cyprus (1973-74).
A South Australian (and later Commonwealth Police) Police member of the 18th Contingent to Cyprus (1981-82).
Marie passed away in Tasmania on May 22, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Marie’s funeral was held on May 27 and a ‘Live’ Stream of the funeral was provided for those who could not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Bill died on Friday, June 19, 2020, after some weeks in hospital. He was 86.
LINDSAY GORDON (GORDON) DAFTER A New South Wales Police member of the 6th Contingent to Cyprus (1969-70). Gordon passed away in Hornsby Hospital on June 3, 2020 at the venerable age of 95. He retired from the NSW Police in 1984 as a Chief Inspector. His funeral was held under COVID-19 restrictions at White Lady Funerals, Pennant Hills NSW on June 11, 2020.
Bill started in SAPOL and was in traffic, and also served in the CMF. He did Officer Training and graduated from OCTU in 1967. He served in India and Cyprus and later Christmas Island (74-76).
ROBERT (DOC) GILLESPIE A Queensland (later Commonwealth Police and Australian Federal Police) Police member of the 1st Contingent to Cyprus. ‘Doc’ passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, as a result of complications from brain surgery. Doc’s funeral was held under COVID-19 restrictions on June 30, 2020, and was ‘Live Streamed’ for those who couldn’t attend
GEOFF PARKER
DET SUPT IAN MARTIN QUIRK
Geoff, who stood down last year as the South Australian Branch Secretary, passed away on June 27, 2020.
Detective Superintendent Quirk, AFP 5091, passed away on June 27, 2020 aged 50 years.
Geoff attended our Caloundra Reunion with breathing difficulties. His condition deteriorated over his last 2 weeks, and he sadly passed away at 6.12pm.
Detective Superintendent Quirk joined the Australian Federal Police in October 1990. Ian deployed to Cyprus on two occasions, initially in 1999. In 2002, he deployed to Bali and Jakarta as part of the AFP’s response to the 2002 Bali Bombings.
Geoff was the backbone of the SA Branch for many years and always gave well thought out advice and options to the National Executive. Geoff gave great service to UNOPAA and was awarded Life Membership at Caloundra. He will be missed.
In 2018 he was awarded the ‘Medal for Strengthening International Police Cooperation’ by the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation for assistance with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
A funeral service for Geoff was held in South Australia on Thursday, July 2, at 2.00pm which was relayed via a live web broadcast The UNOPAA National Executive, our National Committee and all members of UNOPAA, express our sympathy to families and friends of the above.
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UNITED NATIONS & OVERSEAS POLICING ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (UNOPAA)
Membership Renewal or Application Your annual UNOPAA membership subscription is $20.00. Please complete this form and return with your subscription to address at the bottom of this form.
Surname or Family Name Given Name/s Preferred Name Private Address (No. & Street) (Suburb or Town) (State)
(Postcode)
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(Business)
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All payments MUST be made in Australian Dollars. Make cheques payable to UNOPAA. Do NOT send cash.
Please send this Application Form and remittance to: UNOPAA c/- Peter McDonald, National Secretary PO Box 253, East Keilor, VIC, 3033 Phone: (03) 9337 4736 Mobile: 0418 131 352 Email: secretary@unopaa.org
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CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER Send cheque or money order in mail, payable to “UNOPAA”, and this form completed with your order to PO Box 7099, KARABAR NSW 2620 DIRECT CREDIT - INTERNET TRANSFER Account: UNOPAA Merchandise S2 BSB: 815000 Account: 100343942 Reference: <your last name> and ‘MRCHDS’ in the reference field Then e-mail details of the transaction including your reference number and a copy of this completed form to heldale.cooper@gmail.com Title (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr, Rank)
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The United Nations & Overseas Police Association of Australia (UNOPAA) will accept returned products/ merchandise where: • The product is faulty, or not fit for purpose, or the product does not match the sample or description. Proof of purchase (UNOPAA merchandise receipt) must be provided in order to: • Obtain a refund (by cheque) will be provided or re-issue alike article.
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ANF Challenge Coin IMPORTANT NOTES The UNOPAA will take the utmost care in packaging; however, we will not accept any responsibility for goods damaged in transit. The UNOPAA will not accept returns where the product or merchandise is ordered specifically for an individual (eg Montage, clothing, etc) All queries for return of merchandise must be received within 30 days from date of purchase and directed to the UNOPAA Merchandise officer @heldale.cooper@ gmail.com. Item returns will be at the discretion of the APPVA Merchandise Officer provided the above criterion is met in the first instance. Please choose carefully as UNOPAA cannot accept returns due to a change of mind.
OFFICIAL MEDICAL ADVICE
Coronavirus: Thanks to you, we are saving lives and stopping the spread. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important we continue to keep all Australians safe. Stay at home unless necessary and avoid non-essential travel. Banks, supermarkets, petrol stations, medical services and suppliers remain open.
If you can, you should work from home. Use phones for meetings, stop handshaking, tap to pay where possible instead of using cash.
Maintain physical distancing and hygiene practices. Keep 1.5 metres of physical distance, exercise away from others, and wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds.
Visit australia.gov.au to find restrictions specific to your State or Territory. Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra
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