Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

We were all saddened on Monday, 15 May 2017 when we learned that former senior sergeant of police and member of the Hervey Bay retired police association Kevin Robert Guteridge, 86 years old, of Point Vernon, tragically lost his life in a traffic crash near Tiaro. Kevin was a highly respected, competent police officer and member of our community and will be sadly missed by his friends and former colleagues.

In 1954, Kevin was a constable at Cloncurry and was directed to escort a female patient by train to Townsville base hospital. In those days it was necessary for the police officer on such an escort to be accompanied by a female. A young Victorian nurse, Cynthia McDonald from the Cloncurry base hospital, agreed to be part of the escort team. This was the start of their friendship and a marriage that lasted more than 62 years. They have six children, two girls and four boys. The four sons followed in Kevin's footsteps by joining the Queensland Police Service.

Kevin served at more stations throughout the state than any other police officer: Roma St, Brisbane; Rockhampton; Cracow; Townsville—twice; Prairie; Birdsville; Cloncurry; Bedourie; Mt Isa; McKinlay; Cooyar; Aramac; Tewantin; Nanango; Clayfield; and Beenleigh. Cynthia's nursing training was a great benefit to the communities, also.

To an outstanding policeman, husband, father and friend, vale Kevin Guteridge.

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