NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has officially dedicated a Memorial Rose Garden at the Police Academy in Goulburn this morning, in honour of Mrs Beverley Ann Moroney.
The Commissioner was joined by former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, AO, APM, MA (Rtd), members of the Moroney family, friends, and colleagues, for the dedication in Goulburn today (Thursday 10 December 2015).
Mrs Beverley Ann Moroney, wife of former NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, passed away on Sunday 24 May 2015, aged 70, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Her unwavering support of her husband and care for their family during their various country postings, early in his policing career and later as Commissioner of Police, was always evident.
During his tenure as Police Commissioner, Mrs Moroney often travelled with her husband, where she visited many regional towns and small country police stations, always making an effort to check on the welfare of police officers’ families.
Mrs Moroney began work with a number of others to create the NSW Police Memorial Rose Garden on the grounds of the NSW Police Academy in 1987, when the former Commissioner was the Director of Training in Goulburn.
Her knowledge and passion for flowers, and roses in particular, encouraged the design of the garden, which was officially dedicated in February 1997.
Commissioner Scipione said the Memorial Rose Gardens are the perfect way to honour Mrs Moroney’s memory and her intrinsic connection to the NSW Police Force.
“Beverley Moroney was a much admired, widely respected and cherished member of the police family,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“She was known as a woman of warmth, grace and dignity, who genuinely cared for the many police families across the state.
“The Beverley Ann Moroney Memorial Rose Gardens will forever serve as a reminder of the devotion, sacrifice, and support family members offer our police, so they may continue to serve our community,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“I’m honoured to dedicate the gardens here today in recognition of Beverley’s service – her memory will live on in the grounds of the Police Academy.”
Following the dedication ceremony, Commissioner Scipione was joined by Education & Training Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, and Commander of the Aviation Support Branch, Superintendent Mark Noakes, to unveil the PolAir 1 display, at the entrance to the NSW Police Academy.
PolAir1 was the first police helicopter to operate in Australia; it was considered state-of-the-art at the time of its official launch and its use, highly innovative.
The helicopter operated as part of the Aviation Support Branch from 1979, and was officially decommissioned in 2006.
PolAir1 was a key specialist resource utilised during several policing events including the Milperra shooting in 1984, Belanglo homicide investigations in the 1990s and Sydney Olympics in 2000.
“PolAir1 represents a significant milestone for the Aviation Support Branch, being the first owned and operated NSW Police aircraft in its history,” Commissioner Scipione said.
“Since its inception, PolAir1 provided invaluable policing support through search and rescue operations, drug eradication programs and investigative support via intelligence gathering. The permanent display at the Police Academy honours this contribution.
“The Aviation Support Branch continues to be an integral part of the arsenal of tools used in the fight against crime – providing a highly visible presence designed to prevent and detect offences and allow for a safe and secure New South Wales.”