By LIAM DURKIN
AS long as Gippsland Rotary Centenary House stands, the legacy of late local Detective Sergeant, John Hodge will also proudly stand as a permanent reminder of his dedicated service.
Almost 50 years since his passing, the family of John Hodge proudly gathered at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, Traralgon to see the unveiling of ‘Stage 3’ named in his honour.
Det Sgt Hodge died while on duty in a car crash in Drouin in 1976 aged just 43.
His son Michael (one of five boys) was 13 at the time, and spoke on the family’s behalf at the dedication.
“An amazing honour, to think that after nearly 50 years since dad’s passed that we could commemorate him in the way we have, attached to such an iconic facility as Centenary House,” he said.
“Dad was Det Sgt at Warragul Police Station and CIB (Criminal Investigation Branch), very senior and prominent position in the local community, that’s what I remember, the standing in which he had in the community. When you pass at 43, you leave a lot on the table.
“I’m sure he’d be a little bit embarrassed (by the honour) but he’d certainly be quite proud.”
Det Sgt Hodge was especially pivotal in establishing youth groups around the Warragul area, including the Warragul District Junior Football League, which is still going today.
The Warragul Blues Junior Football Club under 14 best-and-fairest is named in his honour.
The police dedication was also especially poignant, as Det Sgt Hodge’s wife, Isabel died only six months ago, aged 90. A photo of Isabel looked proudly on those assembled, along with Det Sgt Hodge’s police service medals.
Befitting the occasion, Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner, Robert Hill APM addressed those assembled, in what was coincidently his first official duty after assuming the role following the resignation of interim police chief, Rick Nugent on Thursday, May 8.
Other dignitaries to speak were past Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Gippsland Branch President, Sergeant Leanne Evans, Blue Ribbon Foundation Chief Commissioner, Neil Soullier OAM (who also emceed), and Gippsland Rotary Centenary House Deputy Chairman, Dave Swainsbury.
Among the special guests was Victorian Police Minister, Anthony Carbines, the state’s shadow police minister, David Southwick, Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and Latrobe City Mayor, Dale Harriman, and deputy mayor, Sharon Gibson.
Victoria Police’s Blue Ribbon Foundation supports a number of hospitals across the state, including Centenary House – a not-for-profit self-care accommodation facility for patients of the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre and specialist medical services at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
The house, located behind LRH, contains 30 motel style guests’ rooms, and aims to ease the burden on Gippsland cancer patients and their families, who would otherwise have to travel to Melbourne for treatment.
