Brinkworth, South Australia
Brinkworth, South Australia
Brinkworth Police Station
59 Main Street, Brinkworth SA 5464
Opening hours: Station opening hours may vary. Contact the station on 8846 2050 for an appointment or call 131 444 for police attendance.
In an emergency, call 000
Brinkworth Police Station Centenary Oct 25th 2008
(by Lisa Redpath in the Plains Producer)
Weeks of planning in the tiny, Mid North town of Brinkworth came to a spectacular climax when locals and visitors turned out in force for the centenary of the town’s police station.
The stone building on Main Street has accommodated a series of law officers more or less continuously, since its inception in 1908 and current Officer in Charge, Brevet Sergeant Wally Clarke, invited not only past serving officers to make a return visit, but the SA Police Band and Mounted Unit as well.
He also enlisted the help of the tiny Brinkworth History Group to organise a museum display and evening dinner dance, while the RSL Hall hosted a craft display by Brinkworth SACWA ladies.
The small farming community is struggling with drought, falling population, fuel costs, uncertainty about changes to health delivery services and worrying economic times but, inspired and assisted by Brevet Sergeant Clarke, they put such concerns aside on Saturday, October 25, for a day of celebration.
Activities began with a parade down Main Street by the SA police band, led by a pair of police greys and accompanied by a vintage motor escort comprised of two highway patrol cars and two police motorcyclists, driven by volunteers from the SA Police Historical Society. Officers who had been stationed at Brinkworth marched at the rear.
Spectators enjoyed a concert by the Police Band on the lawns of Brinkworth Primary School and an enlightening – and amusing – demonstration by the ‘Police Greys’, in which Senior Constable Emma Bowden, riding Police Mare Jade, and Constable Janet Parker on police horse Epsom, easily caught up with a ‘criminal’ bearing a strong resemblance to Brevet Sergeant Clarke, fleeing across the school oval.
To the delight of the crowd they quickly returned him, red-faced and breathless, to his starting point, firmly restrained between the bodies of the two horses.
Over 120 people attended an evening dinner dance in the Memorial Hall, dining to the sounds of the SA police ‘Rock Patrol’ and ‘Little Big Band’.
Speakers including Brevet Sergeant Clarke, Chief Inspector Kameniar (Acting Officer In Charge, North East Local Service Area), Brinkworth Management Committee member Benny Mills and Pastor Fin Klein. Chief Inspector Kameniar enthusiastically accepted one of the bottles of the commemorative port that were available for purchase.
Among those who attended were farmers Judy and Barry Goss. “It was brilliant,” said Mrs Goss, “especially the Dusty Springfield tribute show and surprise appearance by ‘Elvis’.
Another enthusiastic local was Chris Bolvig, secretary of Brinkworth Management Committee, who described it as “a fabulous and highly successful evening.”
“What is most wonderful is that by organising this celebration of 100 years of policing in the Brinkworth police district, much-needed fund raising opportunities were made available to the History Group, school council and the bowling club. Thank you Wally and SAPOL,” Chris said.
S.A. Police Historical Society has this photo on the internet of the Brinkworth town centenary celebrations in 1992.
Senior Constable Peter Sims at Brinkworth Centenary Celebrations with camel 'Brinky' & baby “Sahara” S.A. Police Historical Society 'Black Maria' in background behind Ford F150 utility. October - November 1992.
Brinkworth Police Station Centenary Oct 25th 2008
Photo courtesy of The Plains Producer
Red Cross
Brinkworth Red Cross was formed in 1915 just after the commencement of the Great War. Each soldier enlisting from the area was presented with three pairs of socks and four handkerchiefs prior to embarkation.
Sadly it slipped into abeyance and was reformed during the 1930’s at the behest of the policeman and doctor of the township.
The Red Cross was very active during the Second World War, raising funds and sending support to Prisoners of War.
Drawing on this proud history a Red Cross Group is still active today raising funds, supporting the activities and initatives of the South Australian Office.
Country Fire Service
Brinkworth CFS is a volunteer organisation and is part of the Blyth/Snowtown Group in Region 4 of the South Australian Country Fire Service.
Men and women volunteers are fully equipped and trained in
- Rural and structural fire fighting,
- Radio operation
- Senior first aid
- Administration support
- Leadership
- Chain saw operation
- Operation support (Rescue, Hazardous material spills, Road crashes, Structural fires, Search and Rescue and Emergency services)
South Australian Ambulance Service
The Brinkworth District is covered by an Ambulance from Snowtown or Clare.
Ring 000 in an emergency and ask for the Ambulance Service.
You will need to give the following details
- Exact location and the telephone number you are using
- Type of incident
- Hazards
- Access
- Number of patients involved
- Emergency Services required
Community Response Kit
SAAS (South Australian Ambulance Service) Snowtown Branch also provides a community response kit for the area, which is located in Brinkworth and manned by qualified SAAS Volunteers who live in the area. The response kit can assist in most emergency medical conditions and help to stabilise a patient prior to the arrival of an ambulance
To access the community response kit
RING 000 to mobilise an ambulance and ask if the community responder is or could be mobilised.