Honouring decades of ethical police service

PROVIDENCE Aged Care resident Graham Henderson has been presented with two medals to recognise his service to the police force and community.

The 92-year-old retired senior constable was presented with the National Police Service Medal and Victoria Police Service Medal at a morning tea in Bacchus Marsh last Friday

He was joined by his family, friends and representatives from Victoria Police and Police Veterans Victoria.

The medals recognise Mr Henderson’s ethical service to the police force for 32 years.

“I think it’s very nice to receive these two medals because I never expected to get the medals,” he said.

“I don’t really know that I’m worthy of them, I’ve just done everything I was supposed to do and that’s about it.”

Mr Henderson is a second-generation police officer who joined the force at 23 years old in 1956.

He began his career at Russell Street before moving to Richmond and Fairfield where one chemist called Mr Henderson the best police officer the area had seen.

“I always enjoyed it,” he said. “I know I was never a star, I was just an ordinary policeman.”

Mr Henderson’s police career ended in 1988 after 32 years of service.

Senior sergeant Brett van der Vliet said it was important to recognise Mr Henderson’s contributions.

“It is a bit out of the ordinary to do such a presentation as some medals came in after some police had finished service, but they get backdated,” he said.

“In this case, Graham had finished service when the medals were introduced, and they acknowledged people that had served during the time he served.

“It’s a nice little recognition of their service as policing can take a big toll on your home life at times.”