"Victoria Police Road Policing Command and Rotary Central Melbourne - An opportunity for reflection, development and fostering relationships"

After commencing studies at Monash after completing VCE, Sarah joined Victoria Police in 1999 as a 20 year old wanting to serve the community whilst following in the footsteps of her grandfathers, father and brother – all of whom had served in the Australian Armed Forces.  

Sarah was initially stationed at the Heidelberg and Greensborough Police Stations.  In 2006 she obtained a Detective position within the Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit.   

In 2010, Sarah obtained a Detective position within the Dandenong Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Unit.  It was this period that presented Sarah with an unmistakable insight into the human character – at its best and worst - whilst reaffirming the reasons why she originally joined Victoria Police. 

In 2013, Sarah was promoted to Sergeant at the Oakleigh Police Station. 

In 2016, Sarah completed a six month period alongside the Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner, where she was responsible for the implementation and education of 2000 members regarding recommendations arising from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission review in relation to sex discrimination and sexual harassment within the force. 

At this time also, Sarah commenced a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management at CSU. In 2017 Sarah was promoted to Senior Sergeant within the Road Policing Strategy Unit.  Sarah is responsible for delivering research, evaluation of new and improved road policing technologies, road policing projects, implementation of strategy, legislative reform and engagement with key partner agencies.  Sarah is enjoying the challenge of operating within the corporate environment, the opportunity for high level thinking and exposure and stepping outside of her comfort zone.

As the mother of three boys under 11 and the wife of an ex-serving policeman, Sarah is outnumbered in the gender stakes at home.  Sarah is hoping to add another female member to family unit in the near future – namely a female French Bulldog.

Sarah and her husband Nick are both avid food and wine devotees. 

Sarah was a contestant on the second series of MasterChef in 2010 where she was selected from over 8000 other applicants.

COST

Our club has funded 5 primary schools in Luang Prabang, I attended the most recent school opening on behalf of Rotary Central Melbourne in December. 

Our club also funded life saving surgery for a young Laotion boy, Nonh, in 2017 and you will have the opportunity of visiting his village and meeting Nonh and his father, Bounsy.

While in Luang Prabang the accomodation is at Somnuek's 5 star resort, My Dream.

We have secured very reasonable airfares and accomodation so the entire tour will only cost $3,299 per person twin share flying economy.

Further details and the booking form have been emailed to members separately.

President Neville Taylor was a recipient of an award in the Australia Day Honours list, recognized for distinguished service with an Australian Police Medal. In part, this award recognizes his work in building internal and external relationships that have contributed to the development of VICPOL. 

Neville is an alumni of the Victoria Police Leaders Mentoring Program (VPLMP) a project of this club, and represents VICPOL on its Steering Committee.  

Other recipients of the medal this year who are alumni of the program or otherwise associated with the club are Superintendent Charles Allen, a Rotary Peace Fellow and speaker at our District Conference; Inspector Stephen Mutton, a syndicate leader on the VPLMP and  contributor to the development of the “Connecting Communities” theme of the conference; and Superintendent Peter Lardner a participant in the first year of the VPLMP.