Victoria Police Aboriginal Service Award

The Aboriginal Service Medal was introduced this year and is awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees who have demonstrated ethical service to Victoria Police.??

Those honoured include:?

• Senior Sergeant James Egan, who is currently our longest serving Aboriginal police officer with 39 years of service.?
• Tarina Fanning, our first Aboriginal female police officer.?
• The late George Birkett who was our first Aboriginal police officer.?
• The late Robert Molyneux who was a police officer and Stolen Generations Survivor.???

Victoria Police is even looking into its archives with a view of recognising Aboriginal people who have played a key role in Victoria Police’s history like the trackers who helped find Ned Kelly.?

The medals are the idea of Acting Inspector Senior Sergeant Christian Wake, a proud Birri Gubba man born on country in Bowen Queensland, who was inspired by the Western Australia Police Force which introduced an Aboriginal Service Medal in May 2019.??

“We know the relationship between Victoria Police and the Aboriginal community has been challenging over the years. That’s why having Aboriginal people being part of our organisation is so important. They bring knowledge, expertise and culture that makes us a better organisation.” - Acting Inspector Senior Sergeant Christian Wake?

The Aboriginal Service Medal design?

The Aboriginal Service Medal’s design was created by Victoria Police’s Dunguludja Yapaneyput Aboriginal Employee Network working group with support from the First Peoples Experiences at Melbourne Museum and was endorsed by the Aboriginal Justice Caucus.?

It incorporates elements that symbolise the rich cultures of Victorian First Peoples and values of Victoria Police.?

These consist of a five-pointed star that connects to the emblem of Victoria Police, signifying the unity and shared purpose between the organisation and Aboriginal employees.???

The star is adorned with designs found on possum skin cloaks and shields, representing traditional Aboriginal art forms and symbolises protection.?

Elements also include five people sitting in a circle, signifying unity and the collective effort of police and community coming together to address issues, as well as lore spears which represent cultural preservation and two feathers symbolising the connection of Aboriginal dreaming to lore.?