Jane and I will be in Bali from today to 2 April, driving around and enjoying some new experiences with our brother Gordon. We'll be back in time for the Little Creatures tour on 7 April (if they ever open the bookings).
I'm not sure whether there will be a bulletin next week. It depends whether Tony has time or if I have internet access.
Remember the bulb fundraiser closes on 31 March although there will be a few days grace as I won't be able to collate them until I get back. Harry and Betty, surely you need some for your gardens at the new house. Info re the fundraiser is in this newletter.
A reminder that this week, Rohan is on roster for student host this week and Laurie Glossop the following week.
Darlene Sullivan spoke to us on Tuesday and gave members an overview of her life and career.
She discussed her journey from a shy, skinny kid from the northern suburbs to Police Officer of 37 and half years, a job considered completely out of left field for her.
A 60yr old female, WA born & bred, Darlene lived mainly northern suburbs and currently resides in Yokine. She is married with two adult kids. As the child of working-class parents, consideration of attending university wasn't on the table and Darlene became a Dental Assistant in 1982. After working in a dental practice, she made the change to working with the school dental program and travelled widely in WA.
Her brother, a serving police officer got in her ear and encouraged Darlene to join the police force, and she commenced her career as a Police Officer in 1988, until she retired August 2025. In her intake, she was one of 23 women in a cohort of 124. The odds were very much in favour of the male trainees.
Darlene met and married her husband, also a police officer, while in the force. As a married police officer, when Darlene applied for a job in the forensic branch, she was greeted with the interview question - are you planning on having a family? This presented a conundrum as, she had an idea that if she said yes, and she and Brendan were planning a family, it would affect her chance of getting the job. If she said no, she would be comprising her integrity. She said and although it was a long road to actually being appointed, she was successful in getting the job (and she'd just foubd out she was pregnant).
However, success was a double-edged sword and she and other female officers in forensics seemed to be rostered onto more than their fair share of unfriendly shifts.
Darlene's husband was transferred to Albany when he was promoted to senior sergeant so Darlene took a part time position until they returned to Perth.
She retired after serving 35 years and is now enjoying travelling and getting back into shape after many years sitting at a computer. As part of the getting back into shape, Darlene enjoyed a Michelle Bridges training camp in Bali.
Travel has included the opportunity of standing in the snow as it fell about her.
___________
Who's registered for district training? Let's see how many members we can encourage to attend. There's always something new to learn and the fellowship is invaluable. We might learn something at District Assembly that might help invigorate the club.
Participants are being sought for a Lift the Lid Walk leaving from UWA at 9:00am on 18th April. Will we put a Western Endeavour team together?
