Page 94 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

10

QUESTIONS

with “My greatest

SERG. DAMIAN MEADOWS inspiration is my wife,
Maggie. She is the

most selfless person

I know. She always

thinks of others and
has the greatest work
ethic I’ve ever seen.”

We have a chat with Damian’s wife Maggie, and two daughters at the viewing platform on Flagstaff Hill.
one of local boys in 6. Any advice to those thinking of pursuing a to Port Douglas in regional or country Queensland mentionable is the wandering crocodile in
blue Port Douglas career in the Police Force? And personally, what with only one posting to a major centre, Surfers suburbia. It was raining lightly at about 2:00am
Police Sergeant, attributes have helped you succeed in your role? Paradise, as a young Constable. I love immersing when my partner and I turning into Ulysses
Avenue from Old Port Road, I saw something
myself within the community and actively

Damian Meadows There are many difference facets within the contributing to the community to make it a better in the headlights walking on the left-hand side

policing environment, and you can specialise in

many areas. The catch cry “we don’t do boring” place and I knew Port Douglas was somewhere of the roadway and at first, I thought, that’s one

I could do that. I was at a country station when
fat dog. It didn’t take long to realise it was a

is so true. Every day can be different, and I have my position was advertised, and I told my wife 2.7m estuarine (saltwater) crocodile. Now I’ll be
Sergeant Damian Meadows on the job on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas had many very rewarding experiences in my I wanted to give it a go. I was very fortunate to honest, I’ve done some stupid things in my career
Sergeant Damian Meadows on the job on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
career. If you like helping people and making a achieve the position and I think I have made some so far, but wrestling a crocodile was not going
difference, this could be the job for you. I have impact on the community, making it a safer place to be one of them. We watched it cross the road

been fortunate enough to be involved in some for everyone to enjoy. I’ve never regretted any and my partner asked, “What are we going to do?”
incidents throughout my career that have resulted

1. What inspired you to become a police officer? is one too many. A family is ruined, and the wouldn’t know it from my figure, but my wife is in good outcomes. As you near the end of your posting during my service. However Port Douglas Getting out the car was not entering my mind

community feels that ripple effect too. Police an excellent cook and Sundays normally involve is by far the best community I have had the real fast, so I decided to follow it and see where
My father had some close friends who were can only do so much, however the motoring a roast of some kind, so it ends on a high note as career, those moments make you realise that you privilege to serve. it intended to go. It didn’t take long to realise it

police officers in FNQ and we were fortunate public must take responsibility and change their well. Being an operational Officer in Charge, I did make a difference to someone’s life for the intended to make a house call and went right up

enough to grow up with not only great parents, behaviour on our roads, heed our warnings and do shifts like the rest of the team, which means better. They are the most important things you 8. Who inspires you and what excites you about to someone’s front door. It was then that I realise

but some good role models in police officers. I help to minimise these life changing events. good quality time with the family is not a given can do. The reward is in the knowledge you made future developments in your field? this was next level and if the occupants came to

didn’t jump into it straight away. I completed a and we try to spend it wisely when we get the that difference. Awards and fanfare cannot replace My greatest inspiration is my wife, Maggie. She is the front door to see what the commotion was,

trade in the building industry first and during The Covid period has been challenging. As can opportunity. that knowledge. the most selfless person I know. She always thinks they could well be dinner. Fortunately, with some

that time my eldest brother joined and he was be expected, a global pandemic required some Empathy and compassion are very important. You of others and has the greatest work ethic I’ve ever manoeuvring of the police car, the reptile moved

basically my inspiration to chase the job I love. I significant legislation and policy to ensure the 4. What is one of your favourite holiday need to be approachable and an active listener, seen. She is an operational police officer, fantastic away from the front door just as the occupant

wanted to make a difference somehow. I’ve heard safety of all Australians and, more specifically, destinations - past or future? engaging and selfless. Giving your time to make role model to our two daughters and when you’ve came home on a local shuttle with a few beers

it said many times, but it is true, for career police Queenslanders. The Chief Health Officer was a change for the whole community is important. had a bad day at the office, she just knows how to onboard and walked straight past the uninvited

officers: “You don’t choose the job, the job chooses required to make decisions in the interests of Italy! I asked my wife to marry me in Tuscany and Taking ownership and pride in your community listen and what to say. visitor. I called his mobile and asked him to

you.” everyone, often with very short timeframes. therefore it will always hold special memories for and accepting responsibility for your staff is remain inside while we continued ‘herding’ the

us both. We were fortunate enough to return after

During the evolution of the pandemic, things were Policing has changed significantly in my time. The

2. What is one of the biggest challenges working changing constantly which meant we needed to we were married, and we would love to take our important. At the end of the day, we are blessed technology at our fingertips nowadays and the trespasser to a place of safety. A short time later

in your field? daughters back to where it all began one day. and owe a lot to our very supportive community it was crisis averted. The smiling crocodile was

keep abreast of all those changes. Hopefully we as they make our work so much easier. way we are doing business is arguably the best in trapped by the experts a few days later in Ferndale
There are probably a few, however domestic and are seeing the back end of the pandemic and life 5. Visitors to a holiday destination, what should the nation. Our Commissioner is a very forward- Lake and now lives the good life at Hartley’s

family violence is one that really gets under my will soon return to some form of normality, and we be mindful of? 7. What attracted you to Port Douglas above thinking leader, and she is taking us forward with Crocodile Farm, just down the road.
skin. It is a national issue and as a community we similar to pre-Covid days. In reality though, we other destinations? even greater technologies, legislation and support

should not be accepting this type of behaviour. are all aware that things have changed and will The Port Douglas region has plenty to offer but I was fortunate enough to grow up just down than we have ever had before. It’s a very exciting 10. Coffee or Wine?

We need to hold perpetrators accountable remain different for quite some time. we do have a few locals that are best viewed either the road in Cairns. I remember coming to Port time to be part of this organisation and I look Being an operational shift worker coffee is a must,

and encourage a change in their behaviour. 3. What does your perfect Sunday look like? from a distance or in a controlled environment, Douglas and Mossman with my parents as a child forward to what the future holds for policing, but I do enjoy a good wine on occasion when I get
Without this change, the cycle continues. Even crocodiles for one. During the summer months, and always had fond memories of my time in the both at a state level and nationally. the chance.
only swim within swimming enclosures and if
if the partner changes, it’s more than likely the Well it’s got to start off with the stereotypical region. I can recall whinging to dad how cold the 9. Any particularly interesting cases you have had

behaviour doesn’t. “Duke’s Doughnut”, fresh from the Sunday you are venturing out to hike a few trails, do your water was in the Mossman Gorge and his standard to respond to or a funny story you can share? We thank you Sergeant Damian Meadows for your

Markets, and a good coffee. Spending some research, take adequate water and if possible, take time and your service!
Road trauma is another area that costs quality time with my wonderful wife and girls and a personal emergency location device, just in case. response was “I didn’t drive all this way for There’s been a few in my time as the Officer in

communities dearly. We are fortunate in the Shire taking the faithful hound for a beach walk. You Some trails are very challenging and the better nothing” before pushing me in. Once you were in Charge in Port Douglas but perhaps the most

to have a pretty good record, but one fatality prepared you are, the greater the experience. it was fine. I completed most of my career prior
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