Australasian Council of Women and Policing

Excellence in Policing Awards

2013

AUDREY FAGAN MEMORIAL AWARD

Narelle Curtis, Queensland Police Service

Narelle Curtis in many respects is a pioneer within the Queensland Police Service with a career approaching 40 years, she is highly valued and widely regarded for her professionalism, her unwavering compassion and for simply being the kind of officer that many after her will aspire to be.

BEV LAWSON MEMORIAL AWARD

Melissa Northam, Australian Federal Police

Federal Agent Melissa Northam in 21 years of policing (VICPOL & AFP) has extensive experience in a diverse range of Policing roles. She is a very talented and dedicated individual with a proven commitment to Policing and demonstrated ability to deliver tactical and strategic results through coordination of operations in a local, national and international environment.

Highly Commended – Elizabeth Stirton, New South Wales Police Force

Highly Commended – Anne Wilkie, New Zealand Police

BRAVERY AWARD

Naomi Hindle, Queensland Police Service

Naomi Hindle is unwavering in her commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence, known for her determination, passion, and steadfast commitment in the face of danger.  The key reason for this nomination is to bring recognition to the outstanding work of a female police officer in a remote indigenous community, her contribution to protecting victims of domestic violence, and the brave battle that she faced against the violence inflicted upon her as reprisal for her work.

CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD

Stephan Gollschewski, Queensland Police Service

Throughout his career Stephan Gollschewski has continually supported and promoted the cause of women in policing and is, by definition, a true change champion for women in the Queensland Police Service.  His leadership has resulted in a considerable shift in culture and attitude toward women in policing, particularly in operational areas.

Highly Commended – Martin Jeffrey, South Australia Police

EXCELLENCE IN POLICING IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION

Anita Mayasari, INP

Anita Mayaysai is a highly diplomatic, enthusiastic,  passionate, and incredibly driven young female police officer who is unstoppable in her determination to raise the profile and advance women in policing around the globe,  but more specifically in her own region , the Asia Pacific

Highly Commended – Diana Willie, Vanuatu Police Force

Highly Commended – Dora Sahe, Vanuatu Police Force

EXCELLENCE IN POLICING FOR WOMEN INITIATIVE

Ash Dubbelman, Queensland Police Service

Ash Dubbelman is the Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator for the Gold Coast District, Northern Patrol.  He has occupied that position for just over 3 years and in that time has developed and fostered strong partnerships within Government and non-Government departments.  He has improved Queensland Police Service (QPS) service responses and developed policy and procedures to better support and empower victims of Domestic and Family Violence of which women and children are predominately victims.

Highly Commended – Denby-lea Eardley, New South Wales Police Force

Highly Commended – Donna Adney, New South Wales Police Force

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH ON IMPROVING POLICING FOR WOMEN

Professor Jenny Fleming, University of South Hampton

Professor Jenny Fleming has a made a long-term commitment to using research to improve policing for women, both through research on the status of women police officers and through research focused on improving policing services, especially for victims of sexual assault.  Jenny has supported women police through her membership of the Australasian Council of Women and Policing and research on the integration of women in policing. Jenny also recently co-authored a major report for the Victoria Police on how to improve police responses to female victims of sexual assault.

Highly Commended – Professor Mangai Natarajan, City University of New York

MOST OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEADER

Melissa Adams, Queensland Police Service

Melissa Adams has been the Officer in Charge, Rockhampton Police Station for in excess of 4 years and in this role has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the operational policing field, an unrivalled work ethic and exceptional role model to members of the Queensland Police Service, particularly women and also the community during the response to the Queensland Flood Disasters in 2010/11 and Flood events of 2013.

Highly Commended – Janet Stevenson, Victoria Police

MOST OUTSTANDING FEMALE ADMINISTRATOR

Jenny Reilly, Queensland Police Service

Jenny Reilly has been an outstanding police leader, dedicated to professional practice and enhancing police effectiveness across Queensland.  Jenny has led a key area of the Queensland Police Service.  As the Executive Director of Administration Division, her personal leadership approach was one of garnering the support of her people to deliver professional, efficient and innovative practices in a broad range of business areas.

MOST OUTSTANDING FEMALE PRACTITIONER

Shelly Walsh, New South Wales Police Force

Shelly Walsh has shown exceptional resilience and determination to overcome extreme adversity and has become an inspiration and role model to all women Police and an advocate for the rights of victims of crime through the telling of her story and her tireless work as a lecturer at the Goulburn Police Academy

Highly Commended – Joanne Howard, South Australia Police

MOST OUTSTANDING FEMALE INVESTIGATOR

Talei Bentley

An outstanding investigator with a wealth of experience, she is known for her integrity, determination, resilience and dedication to the development of others through her long involvement in mentoring and involvement with the Women’s Focus Group and ACWAP. This nominee has a long history of improving how SAPOL responds to victims of crime while herself being an outstanding investigator.

Highly Commended – Erin Vanderwoude, South Australia Police

SPECIAL AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO POLICING

Specialist Development Unit, Victoria Police

The Specialist Development Unit ‘s (SDU) dedication to improving the management and case outcomes of victims of sexual assault and child abuse.  Over the past 7 years, the SDU within Victoria Police’s Sexual and Family Violence Directorate has been leading the way in training Victoria Police members in the Whole Story framework, a new approach in the investigation of rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse.