Police Veterans Victoria

08/06/2026

*Content warning*

At about 0820 hours Sunday 9th June 1991, Constable Andrew McFarlane, 25660 of the Seymour Police Station was on duty travelling south along the Hume Freeway, near Tallarook. The road surface was slippery and as he rounded a curve he lost control, veering off the road and hitting a tree, killing him instantly. He was just 24 years old.

Andrew paid the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember him and thank hm for his service.

04/06/2026

Our friends at 3 Zeros Coffee recently featured on the Zero Limits Podcast, where co-founder Beau shared stories from his 21-year career with Victoria Police and spoke candidly about the challenges many police veterans face after leaving the job.

Founded by first responders for first responders, 3 Zeros Coffee was created by police members and their families who collectively have more than 160 years of service to the community. Their mission extends well beyond great coffee, with a strong focus on supporting the first responder community and giving back through partnerships and advocacy.

During the conversation, Beau highlighted a reality that Police Veterans Victoria knows all too well: despite the unique challenges experienced by current and former police members, there remains no ongoing government funding dedicated to supporting police veterans in Victoria.

By sharing these conversations, organisations like 3 Zeros Coffee help raise awareness of the issues affecting police veterans and the vital role community-led organisations play in ensuring no veteran is left behind.

Thank you to Beau and the team at 3 Zeros Coffee for continuing to advocate for the first responder community and for helping shine a light on the experiences of police veterans.

3zeroscoffee

Listen to the episode here:
https://www.zerolimitspodcast.com/ep-248-beau-s-victorian-police-3-zeros-coffee/

Support 3 Zeros here: https://www.3zeroscoffee.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOorV2CbEddeSKzJQx7C96VDNBgq-Hl7tvlG3Q7eFRu6-y8uhpm35

On this Zero Limits Podcast host Matty Morris sits down with Beau S. former Victorian Police Officer - and Co Owner of 3 Zeros Coffee. Beau is a former Victoria Pol…

27/05/2026

Police Veterans Victoria is farewelling Rebecca Lynch after many years of dedicated service to PVV and the wider policing community.

A daughter to a shearer, a mother, and a roustabout with wanderlust from the wheatbelt town of Warracknabeal, Bec brought to PVV not only deep clinical experience, but an exceedingly rare kind of warmth and humanity that left a lasting impact on the lives of so many police veterans and their families.

Her work before PVV had taken her all over the world, from Alice Springs to London, Scotland to Tanzania, teaching children English and working across courts and prisons, but throughout it all she remained unmistakably grounded in the values and character shaped by her upbringing in country Victoria.

Bec joined PVV from the Victoria Police Psychology Unit in 2019, bringing with her more than 17 years of frontline mental health experience supporting serving and retired police members.

During her time with PVV, she helped shape and lead the Veteran Peer Support Program while providing clinical advice, guidance and support to veterans navigating some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

“Making that initial phone call can be overwhelming, however I can assure veterans that their concerns will be taken seriously, confidentially and with compassion,” Bec once said.

Those words became the standard she lived by every day.
One veteran described her impact best:

“There is so much value in a phone call, a text message, a positive thought. Bec has done all of those things. I suspect that Bec does those things not just because that’s her job but because that’s the type of person she is.”

At PVV, we have always considered Bec to be the beating heart of our organisation. Her compassion, wisdom, humour and unwavering care reached far beyond her role, and the space she leaves behind will be felt deeply by our team and by the countless veterans she’s supported over the years.

We will miss her dearly, as will so many of the police veterans whose lives are better because she was part of them.

We thank Bec for every conversation, check-in, and act of kindness she gave to this community. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to be felt across the veteran community for many years to come.

19/05/2026

*Content warning*

At approximately 0220 hours on Saturday, 20th May, 2000 Senior Constable Fiona Robinson, 30507 and Senior Constable Mark Bateman 30810 of the Northcote Police Station were travelling along High Street, Northcote with emergency lights activated in response to an emergency call. At the intersection of Dennis & High Streets, the divisional van collided with another vehicle before coming to rest against a traffic control signal and electricity pole. Both members were killed instantly. Mark, 30 was married with two young children and his 31-year-old friend and colleague Fiona was married just 11 weeks earlier.

Fiona and Mark paid the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember them And thank them for their service.

18/05/2026

Yesterday, Police Veterans Victoria was honoured to attend and speak at the annual “Soupy Smith” Memorial Lunch, held at The Dick Whittington Tavern in St Kilda.

The gathering brings together former members of H District, Prahran and surrounding stations, with many attendees having dedicated more than 30 years of service to Victoria Police.

PVV was invited by Bill Woodley VP15766, who wanted to provide an opportunity for veterans to hear more about the work being done to support the police veteran community across Victoria.

Among the more than 40 attendees was 94-year-old Commander Eric Sutton VA, who, along with many others, warmly thanked PVV for taking the time to attend and acknowledged the positive impact the organisation continues to have within the veteran community.

The event honoured the memory of Colin “Soupy” Smith 15974, a veteran Prahran Constable whose life changed dramatically following a serious football injury in 1972 that ultimately led to his medical discharge from Victoria Police. Despite immense challenges, Soupy went on to build a successful career in local government and remained deeply respected and connected to his former colleagues throughout his life.

Since his passing in 2014, the “Soupy Smith” Memorial Lunch has continued as an important annual tradition, celebrating friendship, camaraderie and the enduring bonds formed through service.

It was clear throughout the afternoon that the work of PVV is widely recognised and appreciated among the veteran community, and we thank everyone involved for the warm welcome and ongoing support.

13/05/2026

*Content warning*

At about 1230 hours on Thursday, 14th May 1987, Senior Constable Peter Smith, 19373 was undergoing motor cycle riding instructions together with five other police students. They and their two instructors were riding their motor cycles along Skenes Creek Road, 2.8 kilometres south of Wild Dog Road, Apollo Bay when Smith failed to negotiate a right hand bend, ran off the road and hit a tree, dying instantly.

Peter made the ultimate sacrifice and today we remember him and thank him for his service

13/05/2026

We are delighted to share information from Victoria Police regarding the reintroduction of Police Reservists.

Victoria Police is inviting former police officers to express interest in returning as a reservist, working in the role of Frontline Support Officer (FSO) on a two‑year, fixed‑term contract. Frontline support officer is a new role, developed to support frontline police. In the role, you will work closely with frontline police while using your valuable policing knowledge across:

- customer service,
- investigation support, and,
- justice-related support tasks.

This opportunity is open to former members with at least two years of prior service and provides a way to stay connected to policing, support frontline staff and help the community, using prior experience in a flexible role that fits around life commitments. The role offers full‑time and part‑time options, with 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 FTE arrangements available. Frontline Support Officers (police reservists) will be rostered to eight‑hour shifts between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm on weekdays, inclusive of public holidays.

Because applicants have already served as police officers, training for frontline support officers will be streamlined and tailored for the role, with successful applicants completing a specially designed training program focused on ensuring policing knowledge is current. There are no fitness requirements for police reservists, and you will not need to train with or use Operational Safety equipment. Former members who previously retired on medical grounds may still be eligible, subject to a medical assessment confirming fitness for the role.

Working as a police reservist gives you many of the things you may miss about policing – purpose, teamwork, and service to the community – without returning to frontline deployment.

If you are interested in finding out more, we encourage you to visit the Victoria Police Careers website: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-reservist-frontline-support-officer-careers

Express interest: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/register-your-interest-become-police-reservist-frontline-support-officer

12/05/2026

A relaxed afternoon at Doncaster Police Station brought together serving members and police veterans last week as Police Veterans Victoria hosted a community BBQ.

Police veteran and former Kokoda Trek participant Cameron Duncan joined PVV Veteran Peer Support Officer Kevin Halsted to host the gathering, welcoming a strong turnout from across the local policing community.

Divisional staff, uniform members from Doncaster and Warrandyte, detectives and DSU members came together alongside a group of 10 to 15 veterans, creating a space where stories could be shared and connections renewed.

Old friendships were picked up where they left off, new ones were formed, and, as is often the case when police come together, a few tall stories found their way into the mix. It was a reminder of the enduring bond shared across the policing community, long after the job itself has ended.

Police Veterans Victoria extends its thanks to Inspector Carlie Kohler, Acting Inspector Rachel Jones, Local Area Commander, and Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Lionel Joseph for the invitation and the warm welcome extended to both PVV and the veterans in attendance.

11/05/2026

Faces of PVV | Linda Philpott

Policing began at just 19 for Linda Philpott, graduating from Squad 15 in 1988 and stepping straight into the fast-paced world of general duties across Melbourne’s southeast. Stations like Doveton, Camberwell and Ashburton shaped her early career, where instinct, teamwork and resilience defined the job.

“It was the epitome of old school policing… high pressure, unpredictable, and driven by the strength of the team around you,” Linda said.

Linda found purpose in the work and deep connection in the camaraderie.

“I have never laughed so hard and so often in a workplace,” she said, reflecting on the bonds that only those in the job truly understand. Those same bonds helped carry her through the harder moments, including navigating misogyny and proving her place in a culture that often made women fight to be heard.

“Experiencing that created a resilience and strength that has stayed with me for life,” Linda said.

Leaving policing brought a profound shift. Like many veterans, Linda found herself comparing every role to the job she once loved, before realising they did not need to measure up, only to offer something different.

Her career continued in service-focused roles, from Ambulance Emergency Communications through to the Federal Public Service, where she now works as an Assistant Director.

“I often reflect on the fact I would not be here if it weren’t for the challenges and experiences I faced within the job,” she said.

Today, being a police veteran remains a defining part of Linda’s identity.

“Once a cop, always a cop,” Linda said.

She speaks openly about the importance of connection, particularly through organisations like Police Veterans Victoria, where shared experience creates a safe and genuine space for support.

“The camaraderie and shared experience of policing do not evaporate when you leave the force…you’re still part of the family.

The uniform and the badge do not create your identity…the qualities that made you an effective officer never leave you,” Linda said.

“The badge will eventually come off, but your legacy will remain. That legacy is written in the integrity you carried throughout your career.”

Read: https://policeveteransvic.org.au/faces-of-pvv-meet-police-veteran-linda-philpott/