Honouring duty and service on National Police Remembrance Day 2023
Last month, on National Police Remembrance Day, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust hosted the annual End of Day Reflection service in partnership with Blue Ribbon Foundation and Victoria Police.
Uniting police officers, families and community, National Police Remembrance Day is an opportunity to honour the officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty in the past year.
“Their dedication exemplifies the pinnacle of duty, a value that binds our community together today. We are grateful to the unwavering duty of Victoria Police and its members for upholding the law and ensuring our community is safe,” Trust Chair Dr Vanda Fortunato said.
Police Memorial, located within the beautiful grounds of Springvale Botanical Cemetery, provided a tranquil backdrop to the service, welcoming all who came to reflect and pay tribute.
The service was led by the CEO of Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, Mr Neil Soullier OAM, and attended by community leaders, including Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Eden Coster, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Corrections, and Member for Mornington Mr Chris Crewther and Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Southern Metro Region representing the Chief Commissioner of Police, Commander Therese Fitzgerald APM.
During the ceremony, Veteran Leading Senior Constable and Senior Police Instructor – Road Policing, Glenn McCabe delivered the Police Ode. As the husband of a fallen police officer, his recitation deeply touched the hearts of members of Victoria Police and their families.
Representatives from SMCT, Victoria Police and the community laid wreaths, lowered flags to half-mast and placed flowers and ribbons on the Police Memorial. These symbols of respect offered a poignant moment for remembrance and reflection.
"Our vision and work at Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT), much like Victoria Police, is filled with a sense of honour and service," Trust Chair Dr Vanda Fortunato said.
The Police Memorial is a space to share the memories of fallen police officers now and in perpetuity. This is a space for the community to come together for reflection, to pay their respects and to remember the dedicated service of Victoria Police members.
For those interested in participating in similar commemorative events, details can be accessed on the events page of our website or by joining the mailing list via events@smct.org.au.
Additional support and resources
If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one, support is available. Having someone to confide in can make all the difference.
You can speak to a family member or friend who may understand what you are going through. Confiding in others with shared memories can provide a comforting reminder of your loved one while delivering emotional support.
Alternatively, organisations like Beyond Blue or Griefline offer professional support via online forums and over-the-phone care. These services are anonymous and available from anywhere in Australia, anytime.
You can also learn more about our Community Care and Wellbeing program, which holds several free community activities throughout the year.