Blue Ribbon Foundation honours Constable Delaney while supporting Benalla Health

The second was to celebrate a significant donation to Benalla Health, which has allowed it to purchase a number of new, much-needed patient hoists.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation does amazing work to perpetuate the memory of members of Victoria Police who have died in the line of duty through the support of worthwhile community projects.

And its presentation in Benalla showed how well it lives up to that mission.

The event was introduced by Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation chief executive officer Vedran Drakulić OAM, who thanked special guests in attendance and spoke a bit about the man they were all there to honour – Constable Joseph Delaney and the donation to Benalla Health

“I particularly want to mention all the family members and descendants of the police hero that we are honouring here today,” he said.

“Thank you all for coming.”

That includes Leading Senior Constable Joan Richards, who is a current serving member of Victoria Police.

“Today we will be honouring Constable Joseph Delaney, badge number 6389, who lost his life more than 100 years ago,” Mr Drakulić said.

“His memory will be honoured and remembered thanks to the efforts of our north-east branch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, who worked tirelessly to raise funds locally for the purchase and installation of specialised care systems here at Benalla Health.

“This equipment helps ensure better care and rehabilitation for the patients, while at the same time supporting hospital staff to care for their patients in a safer and more patient-focused way.”

The first special guest speaker was Acting Senior Sergeant Travis Carroll.

“We gather here today to honour the memory of Constable Joseph Delaney, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty almost 103 years ago,” he said.

“His sacrifice serves as a lasting reminder of the risks that police members willingly face in serving and protecting their communities.

“As a serving police officer, losing one of our own in the line of duty is among the most devastating experiences we can endure, and it is a tragedy that extends far beyond the police family.

“During my 20 years serving throughout north-east Victoria I've experienced this loss personally.

“Most recently, within the last 12 months, we lost Detective Leading Sergeant Constable Neal Thompson, a colleague, a mentor and a personal friend.

“We also lost Vadim De Waart-Hottart, whom I'd been speaking with at Falls Creek just two days before the incident that claimed his life.

“These events are a stark reminder that behind every police uniform is a person, a family,and a community.

“When a police member dies while serving the grief felt by their loved ones is immeasurable and the impact reaches far beyond Victoria Police, touching friends, colleagues and the wider community in profound and lasting ways.

“The Blue Ribbon Foundation exists to honour the memory of fallen members by providing much-needed funding to Victorian hospitals.

“As a parent of a childhood cancer survivor and now the son of a current cancer and kidney failure patient, I understand first-hand just how vital our hospitals are.

“Being able to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while also contributing to improved healthcare in our communities is something that is deeply meaningful to me personally.

“It’s a fitting tribute to those that have dedicated their lives to serving the community that their legacy continues to serve the community once they're gone.”

Since its inception, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has contributed more than $13 million towards more than 70 hospital projects across Victoria.

“In the last financial year alone, the foundation has provided more than $516,000 to six projects across five public hospitals, including this one,” Snr Sgt Carroll said.

“The north-east branch of Blue Ribbon Foundation was established in 2006 following the tragic death of Benalla Highway Patrol member Senior Constable Rennie Page.

“Over the past two decades our branch has honoured local police members who have died in the line of duty by funding important projects within our hospitals.”

Including this one, which has seen $62,614 donated to Benalla Health for vital equipment that will benefit patients and staff.

Benalla Health board chair Dr Sarah Chaplin spoke more about the donation at the event.

“I would like to begin by sincerely thanking the Blue Ribbon Foundation for their remarkable generosity and ongoing commitment to our community,” she said.

“We're incredibly grateful for this recent donation. It has enabled the installation of overhead hoists in our acute ward.

“Thanks to this support, we now have seven fixed hoists and one manual travel hoist in place.

“That equipment is already making a meaningful and very visible difference to both patient care and staff safety.”

Benalla Health cares for about 3200 inpatients every year, with a total of 800 inpatients in its acute ward and 2400 in its day procedure unit.

Dr Chaplin said many of these patients arrived at times when they were at their most vulnerable, when their mobility was limited.

“Even the simplest movements can be difficult, uncomfortable or distressing,” she said.

“What might seem like a small moment — being helped to sit up, be repositioned in bed, or safely transferred — can have a profound impact on a patient's comfort, dignity and recovery.

“The newly-installed overhead hoists are already transforming these everyday moments of care.

“Just as importantly these hoists are making a significant difference to our staff.

“Healthcare is deeply rewarding, but it's also physically demanding work.”

There were several more significant speakers at the event, including Victoria Blue Ribbon Foundation chair Mark Stone AM and Victoria Police deputy commissioner Robert Hill.

Once they had spoken, the Delaney family descendants were asked to come to the front of the room so the plaques honouring Constable Joseph Delaney could be unveiled.

Constable Delaney’s great nephew Stephan Delaney was then invited to the lectern to say some words.

“This has been an honour for our family,” he said.

“Joseph was born in 1895 to a family of farmers in the Greta area.

“As a young man he worked the family farm. He also worked in retail in Benalla.

“Like many young men in his era, World War I came along and he enlisted.

“During World War I he received military honours in relation to bravery and valour.

“He served his nation with pride and dignity and honour.”

After his service, he returned to Australia and joined Victoria Police in Geelong.

“He was in Victoria Police for about four years,” Mr Delaney said.

“He spent his first two years in the metro area in Melbourne and then took up a position in Swan Hill.

“He was well regarded in that community. He received a number of commendations in relation to his work and his service.

“On August 30, 1923, Joseph started his day like many of our current members start their day.

“He had a task to complete and that was to arrest a young man, a young boy really, a 14-year-old, Frederick Smith, on charges of suspected theft.

“He was working on his own ... and he went to the premises where Frederick was living.”

No-one came to the door, so Constable Delaney went inside.

“At that stage, the young lad came forward with a firearm, a shotgun,” Mr Delaney said.

“At which time he asked, or commanded perhaps, Joe to stand.

“But Joe being Joe, a man of courage, a man of integrity and conviction, rather than take a step back, he took a step forward.

“At which time the young man discharged the firearm, ultimately causing a fatal wound.

“Tragically, that was Joseph's last act of courage.”

Constable Delaney would live for another four days, but would ultimately succumb to his injuries.

“It is said that prior to his death he forgave the young man, displaying that not only was he courageous and brave, but also merciful,’’ he said.

“Part of Joe's legacy, I believe, is that in the Delaney lineage, we have a number of officers that have served in Victoria Police.

“I'd just like to acknowledge the work of the Blue Ribbon Foundation in this tribute to Joseph.

“To think that (after) 103 years that his service and his life is still being remembered by his fellow officers and his family, shows a real care for former members, but also for our current members as well.

“On behalf of Joseph's relatives, family and friends here today, I'd just like to acknowledge the Blue Ribbon Foundation for their work and tireless support to this day.”