The incident sent shockwaves through the policing community, reaching the border, and a year after the tragic crash Rutherglen RSL invited Victoria Police, through Brian, to join their annual Diggers Golf Day.
Now an ambassador for the Rutherglen RSL sub-branch, Brian said the golf day was originally a charity day celebrated around Australia to support families of military service men and women since 1949.
In Rutherglen, it has been a joint venture between Albury Legacy and Victoria Police Legacy since 2021 to support the families of Victorian police officers, and this Sunday marks the 77th event.
“It’s one of the oldest charity golf days in Australia,” Brian said.
“When the RSL approached me at the time to see if the police would like to get involved, I was in charge of the Rutherglen Police Station, and we gratefully accepted.
“We've been doing it as a joint fundraising golf day since then; half the funds go to Albury Legacy, and the other half goes to Victoria Police Legacy.”
The event has raised tens of thousands of dollars in the last five years.
The day is open for anyone who would like to attend and play, with registration and a commemorative service at 9am before a 10am shotgun start.
There are competitions throughout the day, such as longest drives and nearest to pins, raffles, and novelty events, with drinks and a sausage sizzle on the 12th hole and finger food at the end of play.
Brian said local businesses were supportive of the event with many donating money, vouchers or prizes to be handed out on the day.
“This year’s major raffle prize is an accommodation and dinner package for two at De Bortoli Rutherglen,” he said.
“The local businesses have always helped us out; it's a fantastic event which is well supported by the community for a good cause.”
For more information contact David Ward on 0419 818 629.
