Chief Commissioner opens station
New station opened: Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan officially opened the Korumburra Police Station last Friday with guest of honour, Victorian Police Chief Commissioner and Korumburra local, Ken Lay. They are pictured with former Korumburra Police Senior Constable Bruce McClaren (left) and former Korumburra Police Senior Constable Frank Walker.
A FAMILIAR face made a special trip to Korumburra last week for the opening of the town’s new $2.6 million police station.
Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay returned to his hometown for the event, meeting with family, old friends, workmates and community members on Friday morning.
When Superintendent Tess Walsh introduced Mr Lay as “Korumburra’s favourite son”, the Chief Commissioner said it was wonderful to see “a lot of very old faces” in the crowd, as well as his parents Doug and Pat, and his wife Chris.
Korumburra police: Leading Senior Constables Wendy Smith, Brett Guy, Jim Brannigan and Fleur Beavis outside the $2.6 million new station
Mr Lay gave the history of the Korumburra police during the ceremony, beginning with the coal mine boom in 1872 and the station moving to its current site way back in 1897, as well as the odd tale or two.
“When it was time for the weekly pay, the town came to life and it was common for the cells to be full to over – brimming,” he said, commenting to his father he hoped his great-grandfather wasn’t one of them.
“When the cells became full, the officers would let the prisoners half-sober up, then they’d load them into the back of the truck and take them up to the Strzelecki Hills and leave them to walk home and sober up completely,” he continued.
“Then they’d have room to lock up the next lot!”
Mr Lay said he was proud to stand there as the Chief Commissioner with the Deputy Premier Peter Ryan.
“This station is a sign of the government of Victoria Police committing to the area for a long time to come,” he said.
Mr Ryan officially opened the station, presenting Acting Senior Sergeant Dale McCahon with Australian and Victorian flags.
The Minister for Police said the new facility was a major boost for community safety in Korumburra and would provide better support for the town’s seven police officers.
“The new Korumburra Police Station delivers a modern base for policing in the town and will allow for growth in police capacity in the coming years,” Mr Ryan said.
Childhood dream come true: whilst Ken Lay never fulfilled his dream of becoming the Korumburra sergeant, Acting Sergeant Gary Best stepped aside for the day to let the Chief Commissioner take the top seat at the new station.
“By building and upgrading more facilities for police, this government is assisting them to continue to do the great work they do every day in targeting and preventing crime.”
Mr Ryan praised Mr Lay for leading the Victoria Police force so well over the past year.
“Those who wear the blue today reflect so well the man who leads them,” he said.
“Mr Lay has done a magnificent job in providing that leadership.”
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