CONNECTING: Code One lead singer, Senior Constable Brian Carbery, belts out a tune with Healesville High School students Rochelle Smith (left) and Ashleigh Stewart.By KATH GANNAWAY
HEALESVILLE Memorial Hall was rockin’ again last week when students from schools around the Yarra Valley packed the hall for the final Code One police band concert for 2005.
Organised by Healesville police, the concerts have been a popular event with local schools for eight years.
More than 1900 primary school students and year 7 students from Healesville High School have attended the series of four concerts over the past few weeks.
Healesville police Sergeant Tony Van Gorp said the concerts aimed to create a link with local police.
“It’s about creating a positive image of police and helps build trust,” he said.
“Some of the kids who came along to the first concerts are teenagers now and I have no doubt they still remember that link.”
He said for some children, their experience of the police is not always positive being present when their parents are stopped for traffic offences or during domestic situations.
“Through activities like the Code One concerts and the Portsea Camp, where we take 25 kids away on a holiday each year, they get to see police in a positive role.
“They know you by name, and by sight, and it’s not unusual at all for kids to approach me and say ‘hello’ in the street because that connection has been made.”
