I commenced my police driving instructors course on 27 November 1989 with a sworn member of the NSW Police and another Public Service Officer (PSO) with a PSO as our Instructor.
On our introduction to the Principal of the Police Academy, I was asked what I thought about the situation where ICAC was investigating my previous employer the RTA and in particular the Driver Examiners Branch, where I had come from. I replied "About bloody time".
My hope, given my home address, was to acquire a transfer at a later stage to Police Driver Training, St. Ives. Our instructor assured me during our training period that this would not happen. The sworn member also being trained assured me the only people to be trained by PSOs were Student Police Officers (SPO's) attending the Academy. Having a PSO as our instructor I could see advancement as feasible which only helped to fuel my ambitions.
With this knowledge, as anticipated, a change of residence became eminent although not urgent. My driving approximately 280 kms to work in Goulburn Monday morning and travelling home Friday night was no different to the life style I had become accustomed to whilst working as relief staff with the DMT/RTA. My home life remained strong and separate from my work life. My travelling over the next two years was to award those work colleagues, who had family living on the Central Coast or further north, a lift whenever requested.
My confidence was greatly assisted with my first real classroom lecture in front of all the more experienced instructors. The questions designed to test, triggered confident responses that come through my extensive knowledge, experience and training.
A short period later I earned certification to drive buses with instructor status, this gave me the feeling I was becoming a more usable asset for the Police and this small advancement pleased me as I was then called upon to drive and teach in the academy buses.
I had found it obvious who would give me the benefit of their expertise and assist in my training techniques, knowledge and skills. Some resented PSO's trying to teach Police any part of their job. Some accepted PSO's as equals and acknowledged that with our skill level we were competent to instruct at higher levels, in fact "we could go all the way".
Corrupt practices had already had a large impact in my life and were once again a concern. A small but resourceful group appeared to have systems that allowed them to take unfair gain from police and other resources. Those like myself with a conscience, belief or faith who would not allow themselves to be involved, either moved on or shut their eyes pretending not to notice too much as there was little or nothing that could be done. This might seem like a strange situation but in this type of job as most would advise, 'you are damned if you notice and say anything and you are damned if you notice and say nothing, so it is best to do your job and not to notice'.
The mate ship and worth that came from doing this type of job overpowered the concerns that a corrupt few bought. I like many others hoped I would never be in a position where I would need the type of help or backing these people seemed to be able to provide.
My surname had an in built nickname, so I like many others were usually known or referred to by nicknames. The head teacher was largely responsible for a friendly, informal but productive work-relationship always prepared to listen, help and advise. He made it known that he believed all his instructors should strive to achieve the 'minimum' driving standard required of Highway Patrol officers.
Knowing the true standard expected of Highway Patrol officers, I wanted to reach this standard of competency with instructor status, this gave me motivation to learn and practice. My concentration and effort were dictated by my desire to be one of the better driving instructors able to answer any question on driving. As time wore on, I felt more at home in this environment, that reflected my greater understanding and belief in the benefit of PDT techniques. I believed myself extremely lucky to have gained employment in a very enjoyable and mentally rewarding position.
My living arrangements in Goulburn from the time I commenced my employment with driver training, were in a caravan park on a weekly basis until March 1990 when another instructor requested I move into premises rented by him following the break-up of his marriage.
Later that year this instructor and myself decided on and entered into a business agreement to buy tube stock, pots etc and set up a small plant nursery, at which time my wife and I supplied the initial funds required.
He was discontented at driver training and was seeking a way out however this had been put on hold when a Sergeants job was advertised. He was lucky enough to win the promotion and decided to remain at PDT. A decision that was helped when he met a female police officer whom acquired a transfer to Goulburn Highway Patrol and moved in with him.
This female police officer, my wife and myself later that year discussed the prospects of the nursery and the benefits we could all gain for our future in Goulburn if we were to make this a successful business venture.
My wife and I then commenced to set up a small propagation nursery at our home address on the Central Coast that was registered as "Sleepy Hollow Nursery" the following year. Our aim was to propagate tube stock to supply the business in Goulburn. We hoped this would help finance our move to Goulburn, hopefully keeping our property on the Central Coast as this had become and remained my prime retirement fund.
Early 1991, my flat mate and his partner bought a house in Goulburn. The nursery was moved to this address. I was taken on as a paying tenant and the nursery was then registered in their names, which in some ways was expected, as was an offer to buy me out.
Another policeman had transferred to PDT, he moved into the same house as another paying tenant. We travelled together from the Central Coast to Goulburn on Monday mornings then back on Friday nights sharing the travel cost.
My wife had been employed by the DMT/RTA since early 1986. After the ICAC report dictated a change to the Driver Examiners duties, she then applied for this new position of Customer Service Officer Grade 2 and was trained into this driver testing position on the Central Coast.
With my employment in Goulburn and an expected move for the whole family, my wife applied for a position with the RTA in Goulburn. Her application was successful however a re-deployed officer from the DMR was placed into the position.
With the demise and subsequent closure of St. Ives PDT complex, we had previously acquired it's old co-ordinator at PDT, Goulburn. Shortly after his uptake in Goulburn he called me aside to advise "You are doing a good job and we are pleased to have you as part of the team". I was proud that I had been noticed for doing a good job, as this was all feeling so easy. I had a lot of energy and was being motivated by a very positive outlook and future for my family.
I applied for leave without pay, my aim to finish the work on our home on the Central Coast. However, not having been employed by the Police for two years my leave without pay was not granted.
1991 had become a very busy and productive year. Having full time employment, involvement in the two nurseries, maintaining two family cars, working on our home and clearing the land, participating in a Panel Beating Hand Skills Course at Goulburn TAFE on Monday nights and exercising on the other nights of the week whilst in Goulburn. My wife and I had consolidated our finances ready to take the next step in our desire to move to Goulburn.
Application for leave without pay was once again applied for on 28th October 1991 when I had been with PDT for nearly two years. Leave without pay was approved, with official confirmation dated 13th November 1991, to commence on 18th November 1991 for 4 months duration with a return date of 16th March 1992.
My flat mate had accepted to buy me out of the nursery and assured me I would be paid in full prior to my leave commencement date. Although I showed my good faith and continued paying rent, he made no attempt to honor his word or maintain any good will.
With more disturbing inappropriate events occurring at PDT among some of it's staff, this period of leave would allow me time to consider what action would be appropriate, if any. These events were causing a very unstable environment, something had to give and I hoped it would happen whilst I was on leave. When discussing this with work mates, I had voiced my concerns 'I didn't want to get caught in the middle of events that at some stage would have to happen to sort out the problems. If I come back, I'll be back for good'.
About 2am, 10th February 1992 floodwaters inundated our property on the Central Coast, causing no damage to our home. Losses from in my garage and workshop of tools and nursery equipment were extensive. Our farm shed washed off its foundations necessitating later demolition and replacement. Renovation materials and furniture stored in the shed destroyed and domestic breeding livestock lost.
We had insurance coverage on our home although a Gosford assessing company advised our inability to claim as flood was deleted in the terms of our policy. I didn't agree with his assessment and advised in a number of phone calls my differing opinion to their definition of flood. The claim was never paid however the insurer changed the wording of the policy in line with my complaints.
Approval from personnel confirming my leave without pay gave a contact number should I require any variation to this approval. As advised an application was forwarded through personnel for an early return to work quoting "the flood and extenuating circumstances" as my reason for this request. Approval for me to resume work on 2nd March 1992 was granted.
The first few weeks back at work with a few added worries didn't allow me to immediately perform to the best of my ability. I felt uncomfortable returning to work under these circumstances, however, it didn't take us long to realise it wasn't a real concern as the family would be together in Goulburn soon allowing us to take our time finishing the work on our home on the Central Coast.
ICAC had released its findings a short time earlier that documented much of what had been happening in my old area of employment within the DMT/RTA. I had come through unscathed and had been cleared of any wrongdoings by ICAC before consideration for employment with the NSW Police.
Some of my work colleagues not knowing the extent of my involvement or lack thereof with ICAC obviously felt uneasy with my presence. They knew I had seen occurrences at PDT that did not comply with police instructions.
One sworn officer strongly advised my silence, proving his guilt. He became annoyed when I was instructing two other Instructors to drive the Academy bus, as rostered. He had not checked the roster and had no idea where I was. I had apparently done something wrong by going straight to work rather than standing around the office. The three of us were called back to the office so he could give me a dressing down for doing my job.
My ex-nursery partner's attitude towards me had changed dramatically, I thought because he still owed me money although I still treated him the same and said nothing to anyone else about our business dealings. He seemed discontented with his living arrangements and was spending more time in Sydney with Police Rehabilitation Unit. He was no longer receiving rent from myself nor the other instructor, who had subsequently bought his own home, offered me accommodation, which was gratefully accepted.
The trek home every Friday night delivered another cold storage box of propagation material to our workbench from the gardens around my residence in Goulburn. Over the weekends my wife, daughter and myself would prepare and tube these cuttings. Between my return to work in March, 1992 and August 1992 from the gardens in Goulburn and around our home, we had filled the igloo at home with approximately 20,000 tube stock.
My work mate had received a transfer. He and his wife left me in their home as caretaker until it was sold or let. My wife had applied for a further position with the RTA in Goulburn. I was living in the home I thought we might be able to rent or even buy at a later date.
The house was then rented from Monday 3rd August 1992, with the lessees accepting me as a paying tenant, utilising the bedroom that I already occupied with access to all other amenities. These lessees were known and personally endorsed to me by another more respected instructor at driver training. They were a young couple and we saw ourselves as fortunate to have met under these mutually advantageous circumstances.
