Officers ride for their fallen mates

Last published on 30 Nov 2020 

Current and former staff and their families strapped on their motorcycle helmets to honour the 12 corrections officers who lost their lives while keeping our community safe.

The roar of 100 motorbikes signaled the start of Corrective Services NSW Remembrance Day Ride on Friday, which set off from Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy in Eastwood following a commemorative ceremony.

Commissioner Peter Severin said the occasion demonstrates how CSNSW is one big family and how each loss of life hits hard.

“It’s a humbling and moving moment when the officers and their loved ones ride single file out of Brush Farm, waved off by their fellow colleagues,” Mr Severin said.

“There is such an outpouring of camaraderie, which is so important on days like this.”

The group departed Brush Farm on Friday at 10am and drove 166km to South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.

Metro and Central West Director Hamish Shearer said the ride has quickly become an important supporting activity in our Remembrance Day calendar, with more than double the number of riders in only its second year.

“The Remembrance Day Ride both recognises the ultimate sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in their service to the community, and also of the camaraderie and mate-ship of the men and women who continue to serve and support each other,” Mr Shearer said.

“Each rider donated a Christmas toy for the kids at the Westmead Children’s Hospital, to provide a little happiness for those who can’t be at home with their families.”

The ride honours the 12 men who lost their lives on duty from fatal attacks by inmates, as well as commemorating the lives of staff who passed after retiring or died from other causes while still employed.

Forty-two members rode from Brush Farm to the Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre at Windsor, along Bells Line of Road to Lithgow Correctional Centre and finally onto Bathurst Correctional Centre, in the inaugural ride last year.