Thursday, 20 November 2025

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (09:55): I recognise and thank Senior Sergeant Wayne Spence APM. Policing is a rewarding and challenging job. It is one that often puts you in front of people on their worst days and challenges you in ways you did not think possible, and Wayne did this so well for over 46 years. Joining Victoria Police in 1977, he graduated in 78, and over the decades he supported the communities of Melbourne CBD, Preston, Eltham and Heidelberg before coming to Diamond Creek, where he served for more than 20 years. Wayne is highly regarded, with many noting that even on hard days, if they saw Wayne turn up, they knew they were in good hands. He has devoted his career to frontline policing, serving the Victorian community, and has been a driving force in emergency management. While Wayne may be a bit understated about his job working with the community, helping those who need assistance and dealing with offenders, we know it is so much more. Wayne received the medal for merit for his extraordinary efforts during the Black Saturday bushfires, including coordinating the rescue of people trapped in the fires through the Strathewen area on 7 February 2009. This was despite being in considerable danger himself as he patrolled five protected areas, working into the early hours of Sunday morning. I thank him for his role in advocating for greater education in our schools regarding respect and family violence. Congratulations, Wayne, on an incredible career and your service to our community. We wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement. Know that you will be missed, and I am sure that many locals will be very keen to see you still walking around the streets of Diamo and Eltham, knowing that our community has benefited so deeply from your service.