T H E B AROS S A MAG | 49
you could see the potential!”
Dave says. to building rapport and respect
between cultures.
From service and sporting club
involvement, to bottle drives
and rubbish collecting, Dave was
engrossed in all areas of community
life. He even got roped into herding
camels into town and managed to
“import” lawn from the city “piece
by piece” to create a real turf oval. It’s the reason both received high
accolades, John named South
Australian Policeman of the Year
in 1988 and Dave being presented
the Australian Police Medal for
distinguished service in 1986.
John was doing the same thing
wherever he went, whether it was
chairing a hospital board or running
some community initiative.
He took aboriginal children
on bus excursions, visited their
schools regularly and built strong
relationships as the local “Tjilpi”, the
aboriginal word for “old wise man”.
Dave was eventually stationed
at Nuriootpa in 1990 where he
remained until his retirement
11 years later. He quickly became
involved in local life again,
including taking on the role
of operations manager at the
Nuriootpa Rover Football Club
which resulted in him being
awarded Life Membership for
his outstanding contribution.
John retired to Nuriootpa after
a nine year posting in Clare which
began in 1990, and is now set to take
on the presidency role for the Lions
Club of Barossa Valley.
John provided backup for charity
walks, got involved with Lions,
numerous other clubs and helped
raise funds for countless projects.
He was also the Anglican church
warden and supported his wife,
“Reverend Joan”, a lay minister.
The two retirees have no regrets,
only great memories shared with
each other and their families.
“But she’s not the bible bashing
type and neither is her husband!”
John laughs.
“They are good memories,”
John says.
John and Dave say community
involvement was the essence
to successful policing and key
“Because we’ve lived to tell
the tale!”
Modern,
easy living
from a local
builder you
can trust
“
Creating a flexible home that
could grow with our family
was very important to us and
so our choice to work with a
local, family owned business
was a simple one.
The team were understanding
and flexible with our
requirements and offered
advice every step of the way.
They turned a simple house
design into our home.
It was a pleasure building
with Frank Nesci Homes.
– The Pfeiffer family
“
CUSTOM DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION • FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • LOCAL BUILDER USING LOCAL TRADES
8523 1022
www.franknescihomes.com.au
44B Adelaide Rd, Gawler SA 5118
BLD 10650
Generations of builders...