APRIL 30, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Police force bolstered By Ewen McRae Moorabool and Melton police numbers will be boosted as part of a statewide roll-out of new officers. Moorabool will soon have an additional 10 officers, along with 12 officers in specific units who will be shared with the Ballarat service area. The shared officers include six family violence specialists and four highway patrol officers. These police will be deployed across the area over a 12-month period, starting in May. Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Naylor said the Ballarat and Moorabool communities can look forward to seeing an increased police presence in their area.
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New bloom for avenue
We are committed to keeping the community safe - Paul Naylor
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“This injection of resources will help us improve our policing response in the Ballarat and Moorabool areas,” Mr Naylor said. “As part of Victoria Police’s Staff Allocation Model (SAM), Ballarat in particular was identified as an area with a high need for services. “We are committed to keeping the community safe and these extra resources will help us to respond and prevent crime where and when needed.” The announcement follows the addition of 14 officers to the Moorabool area in last year’s deployment. Melton Police will also receive seven new officers and will share 14 family violence specialists and two highway patrol officers with the Brimbank region. Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent said the extra police were crucial in providing a visible presence for law enforcement in the region. “Every day and night police right across the state are working hard to keep people safe,” he said. “We know that in order to do that we need to be visible in the community, with police out in vans providing a mobile and agile response to incidents that occur. “It also means having expert teams in place that can provide a specialist capability to investigate complex crimes, gather intelligence and prevent harm in the community. “Rest assured we are never complacent. We will continue to monitor trends and emerging issues and police right across the state.”
Mark Gilliland and Meghan McBain with Bacchus Marsh RSL president Cherrison Lawton and RSL member Terry Rosewarne. (Shawn Smits)
A new commemorative sculpture will mark the entrance of the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour. The 2.9-kilometre long avenue is one of the largest war memorials in Australia. The sculpture has been commissioned as part of the Centenary of Armistice celebrations. Produced by local designers Mark Gilliland and Meghan McBain, and sculptor Dean Bowen, the artwork – Resting Poppy – will feature a vividlycoloured, multi-part bronze sculpture, interwoven with 464 name plaques. Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said it would be a significant project for a well-loved local icon. “The significance of the WWI commemorative sculpture cannot be over-stated,” Cr Tatchell said. “The Bacchus Marsh RSL has worked tirelessly to bring this project to life and should be commended for their efforts.” For Mr Bowen, the sculpture will have a deeply personal connection after the discovery his great-grandfather’s service plaque is on one of the trees in the avenue. “I felt extremely moved and honoured knowing that this tree was planted in 1918 to honour my great-grandfather Archie Davis,” he said. The sculpture is expected to be completed in late-2020. Ewen McRae