By KATH GANNAWAY
A PERMANENT memorial now stands as a tribute to Healesville police sergeant Tony van Gorp’s contribution to the Healesville community.
Sergeant van Gorp’s partner Gayle Shelley, his brother Fred van Gorp and other family members and his police colleagues joined with the Healesville community on Wednesday 24 April to recognise his contribution as officer in charge of Healesville Police Station.
Sgt van Gorp’s suicide on 23 March 2010, shocked the community he had served for 14 years and led to legislative changes in November last year to the act governing police disciplinary procedures.
Representatives of the CFA, SES and ambulance services, schools, welfare, church, service clubs and other groups and individuals gathered at Healesville Police Station for the ceremony.
The memorial was driven by resident Robyn Johnson and then Yarra Ranges councillor Jeanette McRae.
Ms McRae said it was one of the projects she was asked to bring to fruition before retiring from the council and would bring some closure to the incident and provide an opportunity to acknowledge someone who was very important to the Healesville community.
“Tony believed very strongly in working with the community and making sure we have police here who are approachable and that community safety was at the forefront of whatever they do,” she said.
She said he provided support for many groups such as the CFA, SES and schools and spoke of his involvement in organising the Tricia O’Reilly Scholarship, the Code One school concerts and the Portsea Camp each year for disadvantaged young people across the Yarra Valley.
Wurundjeri indigenous elder and friend Joy Wandin said the memorial would ensure Sgt Tony van Gorp was never forgotten.
She said he was learning about local Aboriginal culture as a PALO (Police Aboriginal Liaison Officer) and never took anything for granted.
“He was always willing to listen and take advice,” she said.
“At times there are people in your life and your community who are extremely special – Tony was one of those people,” she said.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Graham Arthur spoke on behalf of Victoria Police.
He said Sgt van Gorp’s death had been a bitterly painful experience for everyone involved, including his colleagues, many of whom were at the launch.
He said Sgt van Gorp had been a committed and dedicated police officer and the community in return had respected him and held him in high regard.
Police colleagues Matt McInnes and Chris Hickey planted a tree next to the memorial plaque. A seat will provide a place for reflection.
The memorial was unveiled by former Healesville Primary School principal Howard Jones and Peter O’Reilly, father of Tricia in whose memory Sgt van Gorp facilitated a scholarship following her death.
Mr van Gorp thanked the Healesville community for honouring his brother.
“It was a beautiful, moving ceremony and we were honoured to be part of that,” he said.
“I think the tree with the autumn colours will remind me of the good times we had together and the work, especially with the bushfires, that Tony did.”
“It feels like we have closure on things of the past,” he said.
Ms Shelley also thanked the community.
“It was wonderful to see Tony respected in that way,” she said.
She said she felt the three-year-long ordeal had come to fruition.
“I’m so happy for him – not happy with the way everything happened, but happy for him,” she said
