New constable makes history

Childers Police ranks have been bolstered by the arrivals of Constable Jamie Trevaskis and Senior Constable Donna Gay.

Gary Hutchison

HISTORY was made earlier this week when Senior Constable Donna Gay became the first female police officer to be permanently posted to the Childers Police Station in its almost 120 years of operation.

A spokesman from the Police Museum confirmed the station opened in Childers on May 23, 1890.

Childers Police officer in charge Sergeant Geoff Fay said that while other female officers had trained at the station for short periods, Sen Const Gay was the first permanent appointee.

“She certainly is a welcome addition to the staff,” Sgt Fay said.

One of two new officers on the Isis beat, Sen Const Gay was a qualified chef with many years’ experience in various aspects of the hospitality industry before she decided

to join the police service.

She described herself as somewhat of a gypsy, having lived in the Northern Territory and in Townsville previously.

“I guess I wanted a change and was looking for a career in which I could help the public,” she said.

Sworn in as an officer in 2002, she served at Redcliffe, Hervey Bay and more recently in Blackwater before her transfer to Childers.

Joined by her two children in pursuit of their equestrian passions, she and her family intend to become well acquainted with the local scene when time permits.

Constable Jamie Trevaskis is the other officer to bolster the Childers ranks.

A corrections officer in his previous career, Constable Trevaskis’s entire six years’ service to date has been served in Townsville.

With a new baby in the family, he and his wife believed Childers offered a better lifestyle for them.

“We thought we’d enjoy life in a smaller, country community,” Const Trevaskis said.

He grew up in Monto, is a keen fisherman and while he said he would love to strap on the boots for the Isis Devils, he could not make a full commitment to the club.

The new arrivals bring operational staffing numbers to six.