HE wants to see change in Moree, so he put up his hand and sought a transfer to the black-soil plains.
Newly-appointed New England Police District Inspector Dwayne De Vries this week began the role of officer-in-charge at Moree Police Station after transferring from Broken Hill.
He’ll share duties with Inspector Shane Robinson, who arrives in Moree in mid-March from Queanbeyan.
Inspectors De Vries and Robinson replace Helen McWilliam and Phil Malligan.
Insp McWilliam, who earlier this year received an Australian Police Medal for distinguished service as a member of an Australian police force, will transfer to the Richmond Police District in the northern rivers region.
Insp Malligan signed off from the New England Police District late last year and began duties at the NSW Police Infrastructure and Asset Command at Sydney’s Olympic Park.
Insp De Vries, 38, migrated from South Africa with his family in 2006, and has been in the NSW Police Force for nearly 16 years.
He arrived in Australia with quite a rugby league and rugby union background, but wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do in his adopted homeland.
NSW Police Inspectors Helen McWilliam and Dwayne De Vries at Moree Police Station. Insp McWilliam is relocating to Lismore and Insp De Vries will soon be joined by Insp Shane Robinson to run Moree Police Station.
“I was semi-contracted to play rugby union, but got injured. The next thing, I was 23 years old and wondering what to do next,” Insp De Vries said.
“I didn’t want to go to uni. My dad was a cop in South Africa, and that appealed to me.
“I migrated from South Africa 19 years ago. That’s about 50-50 in both countries, but I’m as much an Aussie as any other bloke,” he smiled.
“I love fishing and I love my footy, although I don’t play anymore, and I’ve also been playing a fair bit of cricket.
“I’ve got two young kids and my wife is a clinical psychologist, and she’ll look at working locally down the track,” he said.
“I love Australia, and there is a lot of pride in being a cop here. Now, 15 years later, here I am in Moree.”
And, importantly, he wanted to be in the town.
“I’m here for the long-haul,” Insp De Vries said.
“I wanted to come here, and I asked to come here. I like the challenges, I like working hard, and I really like how everyone at the Moree station is eager to work and get out in the community and have a go.”
Insp De Vries arrives after serving in far-western New South Wales.
He says he’s ready for the challenges ahead.
“I came from Broken Hill and before that, I was at Cobar for several years, so pretty remote areas,” he said.
“I want to build relationships (in Moree) and meet all stakeholders and organisations, and try and improve on what we already have.”
Insp De Vries starts his Moree tenure during a youth crime problem that has spiked significantly in recent months.
“Obviously, I’m walking straight into it, and working on engaging our youth and working on youth crime is a priority.
“Youth crime is always an issue, and domestic violence is a key problem in town as well,” he said.
Insp De Vries will share officer-in-charge duties with Insp Shane Robinson, who relocates from Queanbeyan, where her served as detective-sergeant.
Insp Robinson was previously Criminal Apprehension Team sergeant at Bourke.
“Essentially, as the officer-in-charge I’ll look after the daily functions of the Moree station and the town itself,” Insp De Vries said.
“Shane will assist me, but will also look after other stations in the district like Boggabilla and Mungindi.
“If one of us isn’t here, the other will look after everything.”
Insp De Vries admits he has “some very big shoes to fill”.
“I’m honoured to be taking over from Helen,” he said.
“Helen has guided me through the (change-over) week and showed me the ropes, but I still have very big shoes to fill, and I’m very excited to put my flavour towards running Moree as the officer-in-charge,” he said.
Insp McWilliam is confident she is leaving her home of 10 years in safe hands.
“Dwayne has a lot of experience and has worked in regional New South Wales, and he’ll bring those experiences with him. He’s very keen to work with the community,” Insp McWilliam said.
“Dwayne and Inspector Robinson both applied for the two positions in Moree, and were promoted to come here.
“They’ve chosen to come to Moree and make their lives here, and they’ll both be living in the town.
“I’m leaving Moree in safe hands,” she said.
Insp McWilliam’s long and distinguished career in the NSW Police Force was recognised on Australia Day, when she was named one of 33 officers from across Australia as an Australian Police Medal recipient.
“I was very honoured to receive the APM,” she said.
“I love my work as a police officer, and I’m reminded every day that effective policing is about team work, so the recognition is not just for me, but for all the officers who have worked tirelessly beside me for the past 25 years to help keep our communities safe and strong.
“I feel especially privileged to have worked with the Moree community over the past 10 years.
“We are a community that has experienced many challenges in recent times, but we’ve come through because we work together and we try to find better ways, especially with – and for – our young people,” she said.
“I really want to thank the community. The role of officer-in-charge is so dependent on the support of the good people of Moree.
“We’ve seen it through floods, but the ability and resilience of the Moree community shows that when we’re in any sort of difficulty, we pull together.
“And it’s that pulling together. Whenever the chips are down, the community gets in and works together and helps each other out.
“That is one of the great things about Moree. The support from the community during the 10 years I’ve been here has been incredible, and I know in my heart the community will provide the same support to Dwayne and Shane,” she said.
Insp McWilliam signed off on Thursday and relocates to Lismore in the Richmond Police District.
“I’m transferring in the same role, and one of the main reasons I’ve accepted the position there is to be closer to family,” she said.
“I have an extended family, all living in the northern rivers area, so it’s a natural progression for me to be closer to them.”
Words and Image: Bill Poulos
