2023 WAPU SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Introduced in 1997 to help shoulder the burden of the cost of education, the WAPU scholarships help aid our member’s children pursue academic achievements that may not have otherwise been possible. In recent years, the WA Police Union has significantly increased the number of recipients of our annual scholarship as a means of improving our support to members.

This year’s senior scholarship recipients were Olivia Miller (Santa Maria College), Sienna Santoro (Penrhos College), and James Dark (Perth Modern School).

The winners from lower school were Mia Britton (Woodvale Secondary College), Georgia Western (Chisholm Catholic College), and Harry Clements (St Norbert College).

The excited students were presented their scholarships by President Paul Gale in March.

Sienna Santoro, whose mother is Inspector Kareene Santoro, said she loves studying dance, enjoying the various genres of style and said her aspirations were to study physiotherapy.

“I would like to study physiotherapy at university, as it would keep me learning about anatomy and muscles, which I enjoy. This scholarship will allow me to take opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise get,” she said.

Mia Britton, daughter of Senior Constable Nadine Britton, and Georgia Western, daughter of Sergeant Chelsea Western, both aim to use their scholarship winnings to pursue sports-based careers.

Mia has a passion for football and intends to use her scholarship to represent WA in this year’s national tournament, after which she hopes to pursue the sport further.

“I aspire to play at a professional level then pursue a career in the medical field,” she said.

Georgia Western said her favourite hobby is Irish dancing and has dreams of touring with the Riverdance company as a lead dancer before turning her love for sports into a career.

“I would love to be a sports doctor and help athletes in preventing and treating injuries,” she said.

The WA Police Union congratulates all 2023 recipients and wishes them the best in their studies and future aspirations. ■

Applications for our 2024 scholarships will open later this year.

The WA Police Legacy Karratha to Broome Bike Ride has now reached its 30th year, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to assist WA Police Legacy over the years.

Event organiser, Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt said that despite the challenges of COVID and other hurdles over the years, it is a testament to the previous efforts of all involved to ensure the event has continued. All riders and support crew donate their time to participate, with some participants now having been involved in over 10 consecutive years.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen a much larger participation from the Broome crew which is really pleasing” he said. Both Broome and Karratha now hold additional fund-raising functions like Soiree’s and cocktail functions as curtain raisers to the event. This further brings in community involvement and helps raise awareness for Legacy in the Pilbara and Kimberley.

Now retired from riding, Senior Sergeant Barratt said that completing the ride is an incredibly satisfying accomplishment for anyone wishing to challenge themselves both physically and mentally, but most of all being a part of the team and raising money for Legacy and understanding where the money goes makes it even more rewarding.

For further information contact Senior Sergeant Barratt at mark.barratt@police.wa.gov.au

KEVIN McDONALD Field Officer