august 6 - 12 | 2014
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inside page 7
Police career peak
circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
By KYLIE WILSON
WORK AND PLAY:
Sergeant Brian McCormick, who is a keen skier, relishes his regular postings to Mt Hotham during the snow season. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
DEBBI
RSPCA
WITH
VERONICA
FILM
GUARDIANS OF THE
GALAXY
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
TRYING to move traffic safely during a blizzard, or searching for a missing person in subzero temperatures, with little visibility in some of the most inhospitable terrain in Australia, is a reality of policing North East’s alpine resorts over winter. The extreme challenges come with the unique territory, and despite such adversity, Sergeant Brian McCormick, of Wangaratta police, wouldn’t swap it for the world. Sgt McCormick is among officers who volunteer to provide a permanent police presence at Mt Hotham during the winter season, honing a specific skill set ranging from search and rescue to winter driving a 4WD and skidoo. “I’ve been doing it for a decade and am fortunate to have the opportunity,” he said, conceding his passion for skiing, developed while stationed at Myrtleford, was an initial motivator. He said keeping traffic running smoothly was a large part of his job on the mountain. “There are many problems the road throws up – it’s pretty challenging when the weather’s bad,” Sgt McCormick said. “It’s all hands on deck. “We recognise not everyone is an expert driver in bad conditions.” When he’s not working he’ll be skiing the slopes, usually wearing his police uniform, taking every opportunity for people to approach him in a more relaxed setting. “It’s amazing who you can talk to on the ski lifts,” he said. continued page |
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