Junee has three new faces on its police force.
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Each hailing from Sydney and surrounds, Constable Lindsay Patten and Senior Constable Phil Bastow arrived earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Probationary Constable Jaydan Prior came to make Junee his home in the last weeks of 2018. Their arrival makes for six new police postings in Junee in as many months.
“They’ve all come to us from the metro areas, so they’re bringing that city experience and city knowledge,” said Junee’s Inspector Rob Vergano.
Each of the new residents admit the past week has afforded a much needed change of pace.
“It was a two-hour drive each way to get to work every day, and I got tired of it,” said Constable Patten, who spent three years serving in Maroubra.
Before his time in Cabramatta and Campbelltown, Senior Constable Bastow served in Hay.
“I wanted to get away from that city life, and get back to a place where you can stop and talk to people more. That’s how you make progress on things, by stopping and talking and being a part of people’s lives,” he said.
Soaking in the town atmosphere over the past month, Probationary Constable Prior has grown a taste for the country community.
Especially so after witnessing the town’s response to the back-to-school donation appeal.
“It’s been such a good, welcoming town. It really is a tight knit community which you can see through all the school supplies that have been donated,” he said.
“People are really involved with each other and they really care for each other here.”
Running since the start of January, the appeal has seen hundreds of stationery donations made to Temora and Junee police stations, to help families cover the costs of another school year.
The supplies will be taken to schools and community centres in the district for distribution.
“The flow of people coming in to hand us school supplies, we’ve had all sorts of people from young people to retirees and business owners,” said Inspector Vergano.
“Financially, this time of year can be a struggle for people, many are still just getting over Christmas and now it’s about time for term one.”