A fathers final shift

It was a rainy Monday morning on 13 October 1980, when Leading Senior Constable Graham Blair was dropped off at the gates of the Victoria Police Academy.

“I was standing there soaking wet, wondering what the hell I had done”.

Forty-three years later, Graham has called time on his duties, spending his last day on patrol with son, Senior Sergeant Trevor Blair, and daughter, Sergeant Cherree Kennedy.

Walking the streets of Ballarat, the trio reminisced on Graham’s incredible career – from finding his feet at Sunshine Police station, to using his motorcycling skills in trail bike policing.?

A particularly memorable moment for Graham was back in 1983, where he assisted with the police escort for Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their Victorian leg of their tour of Australia.

A country boy at heart, Graham soon returned to his roots. Over his four-decade policing career, he would spend 23 years at Nhill Police Station, 11 at Jeparit’s one-member station and his last two years at Ballarat.

A few other career highlights were shared on their patrol, but none would top the two days he returned to the Academy to present Trevor and Cherree with their Freddie’s at their graduation, following in his footsteps.?

Between them, they now share a combined 85-years’ experience.

When asked what they felt their father’s most admirable skills as a police officer were, both Trevor and Cherree didn’t skip a beat in naming his community focus.

“He is more than happy to help out anyone. All you need to do is talk to him and ask and he'll do his best to make things work for you.” Trevor said.

“It’s the reason I now work in a proactive policing unit, because I saw the impact Dad had.”

In retirement, Graham will be spending more time beekeeping, hunting, working in the backyard and holidaying around Australia with wife, Kerry.

“I’m going out with a smile on my face.”

Think policing might be in your blood? Or love the idea of giving back to the community? A career with Victoria Police may be for you.