Thursday, 21 August 2025
Dining Hall, NSW Police Academy, Goulburn
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Thank you, Inspector^[1].

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of this land and pay my respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging; and extend that respect also to all the Elders of all parts of our State from which you travel.

Minister, Commissioner, distinguished guests …

Boorowa Central School, in the Hilltops Region of NSW, is a little country central school, in an area that has produced some impressive graduates^[2].  Tim Fischer comes to mind.  But on 1 February 2022, this little school was the gathering place to celebrate not only one of its impressive graduates, but also to mark an historic occasion in NSW’s history. The NSW Police Force, after 160 years, had its first female Commissioner.  

That occasion in Boorowa spoke to everything that represents community: pride, excitement, respect and honour, all captured in the mood of the town as it gathered at the school to see and hear from the person who was marking the occasion by returning to her hometown and her school.  

Up until that time the NSW Police Force had seen 70,000 members pass through its ranks since its formation in 1862^[3]. Of those only 22 had made it to the top job. That day we celebrated the 23^rd – Commissioner Karen Webb^[4]. 

Being the first matters. And it is not easy. I have known that acutely throughout my career. Looking at the girls at Boorowa Central School that morning reinforced my perception as they looked on with wonderment and respect.

I said to the students:

You have many role models already: your parents, your teachers. And, today, this school has its very own role model. The new Police Commissioner today is the person that ‘you’ can be in the future. 

She has shown us all that your dreams and aspirations can be achieved through determination, courage and commitment - or, in the words of your school motto by: ‘excellence through respect, responsibility and participation’.^[5]

Karen, you have embodied that school motto, and the pride that was felt that day continues in your hometown, amongst family, friends and colleagues, and the State. 

Your achievements over the past three years are many, and I will leave some of those details to the Minister. But I do want to highlight one I have seen close up through my regular role as the Reviewing Officer at the Attestation Parades here at the Academy.

My first night as Governor of NSW, following my Swearing In ceremony on the morning of 2 May 2019, and a State Luncheon hosted by the Premier at the Opera House, was not spent in the neo gothic castle that is Government House, but here in Goulburn at the Best Western Plus in Lagoon Street.

At 8am the next morning I was on the Parade Ground here at the Academy for a briefing ahead of the Attestation Parade of Class 337. By the end of the Parade, I knew I had witnessed something inspiring – probably best summed up in the single word ‘service’.

Fast forward to December 2023. At the Parade of Class 360, I talked to the Probationary Constables about the oath they had taken, and how those words were almost identical to those required by The Police Regulation Act of 1862 – the same words declared by Karen Webb on the Parade Ground here in 1987 as a part of Class 228.

My focus was this unchanging oath in a continually changing operational environment.

One year later in December of 2024 I was able to say to Class 364 that they were the second class to attest as paid trainees and the largest Attestation class to graduate from the Academy in 10 years.

Class 365 was even bigger. It was a turning point in recruitment for the NSW Police Force.

At that time, it was reported that based on the weekly average, the number of applications had increased by 70% since November 2023 when the new payment scheme for recruits was announced and a 33% increase from female applicants.^[6]

Karen, you have transformed the force in your term by encouraging, advocating for and leading reforms that have adapted to that continually changing operational environment.

And there can be no doubt this has led to spectacular results in terms of attracting and retaining personnel

Before I finish, I must say it warms my heart to know that after your 38 years of service in the force you are continuing your career long work to support victims and survivors of domestic violence, and to use your expertise and compassion to address this crisis.^[7]

I wish you well. Our State is fortunate to have had you lead the NSW Police Force and now to have you in this space.

It was an honour to be at Boorowa Central School at the start of your time as Commissioner and it is an honour to be with you on this special occasion. You have cared for your people, transformed the force to be fit for purpose, and made our State a safer place.

In all of that you have been an exemplar of your school motto: ‘excellence through respect, responsibility and participation’.

Karen, thank you and congratulations on a job well done.

[1] Inspector Mark Hayes

[2] Tim Fischer went to Borree Creek Public School, which is about 250 kms south west.

[3] https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/karen-webb-gives-important-advice-for-other-women-rising-through-the-ranks/news-story/0226057ce9d67b8f2108d97b44ad6ce3

[4] https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/commissioner

[5] https://boorowa-c.schools.nsw.gov.au/

[6] https://www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases/record-breaking-number-of-police-recruits-set-to-join-frontline-as-new-recruitment-program-announced

[7] https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/karen-webb-gives-important-advice-for-other-women-rising-through-the-ranks/news-story/0226057ce9d67b8f2108d97b44ad6ce3