AS the development of the Gunnedah Police Station nears the halfway point, the rich history of the current building comes closer into view.
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From countless police officers, to locals in need, the Gunnedah Police Station holds its fair share of memories and history.
For Gunnedah’s Jodi Hayne a single bench seat brings back fond memories of her childhood between 1977 and 1981, and time spent waiting for her father, Detective Senior Constable, Denis Quinn, to knock off work.
“We lived out of town, so on days when I had after school activities I used to sit on this bench and wait for dad,” Mrs Hayne said.
“I think it probably helped shape me as a person and some of my behaviors now as an adult if I’m honest.
“Back then I used to love to watch all the people who came into the station, I didn’t need to know what they had done or why they were there, I just enjoyed watching it all pass me by and I guess I still do today.”
Mrs Hayne said the strong bonds formed by the station’s officers at the time, were clear for all to see.
“They were so tight knit,” she said.
“At the time, police officers didn’t really get out and socialise with the general public terribly much.
“However, they did spend a lot of time out of work together and they really looked after each other.
“They had a friendship almost like a brotherhood and when I came to the station I felt as though I was viewed as another daughter to each of them.”
Oxley Police Inspector Michael Wurth told the Namoi Valley Independent he was glad the history of the current police station would live on.
“To see the old and the new of this station at the same time is something that I think is very special,” Inspector Wurth said.
“It’s so important that we as police officers come together and appreciate the past as well as looking to the future.”
Inspector Wurth said once the upgrade was complete later this year, he hoped past and current police officers would come together and celebrate.
“It’s going to be a terrific addition to the Gunnedah community once it’s complete,” he said.
“It would be great to see police officers from past and present get together and while no plans have been set in stone, we’re hopeful of making that happen.”
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After Detective Senior Constable Quinn resigned from the police force in 1981, Jodi’s family moved to Scone before she eventually made her way back to Gunnedah.
“So originally I came from Sydney,” Mrs Hayne said.
“I then moved to Gunnedah and spent my late primary school years and half of my first year of high school here, before moving with the family to Scone.
“My sister however stayed in Gunnedah, I came back for a holiday and here I am all these years later living in our great community.”
Mrs Hayne said she would give the bench a new home before demolition of the current building gets underway.
“It will take pride of place on our porch I’m pretty sure,” she said.
“Hopefully it will be something the whole family can enjoy and for me, it will always be a reminder of my dad and will take me back in time to when I was a kid.
“I think it will always bring up nice and fond memories of my dad every time I look at it.”
The construction of the Gunnedah Police Station Upgrade is expected to be complete later in 2018.