News

Baddaginnie artist immortalises police officers in community-inspired artwork

By Benalla Ensign

May 15, 2025

Leading Senior Constable Chris Di Ciero and Leading Senior Constable Lisa Atkinson were proud to receive a painting by Baddaginnie’s Leon Pappas, which featured them. He included the Benalla police members after meeting them at the Creating Community Connections Expo in February.

Earlier this year, Leading Senior Constable Lisa Atkinson and Leading Senior Constable Chris Di Ciero stopped for a quick chat with local artist Leon Pappas at Benalla’s Creating Community Connections Expo.

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The interaction was such a positive experience for Leon that he picked up his paintbrush and added the two police members into his masterpiece.

Today, Leon presented the framed artwork to Leading Sen Constable Atkinson and Leading Sen Constable Di Ciero, who were honoured to have their community connections captured in the stunning artwork.

“To me the picture represents two members helping keep people safe while enjoying beach activities,” Leading Sen Constable Atkinson said.

Leading Senior Constable Chris Di Ciero, Leading Senior Constable Lisa Atkinson and Constable L. Taylor at Benalla’s Creating Community Connections Expo in February. Photo by Simon Ruppert

“A great part of the role in the Proactive Policing Unit is getting to interact with the community, and this artwork will always remind me how each small interaction can have a big impact.”

Victoria Police said it understood the importance of community partnerships in reducing crime and providing a safer place to live.

Leon Pappas, of the Broken River Painters, creating the masterpiece he would eventually donate to Benalla police, at the Creating Community Connections Expo. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Its Proactive Policing Unit is often building links with the local community, schools and young people, multicultural communities, local businesses and traders, local groups and agencies.

To learn more about how Victoria Police community partnerships, visit police.vic.gov.au/our-community