The Queensland Retired Police Association (QRPA) Beenleigh Branch is looking to extend its membership to fellow retired officers across Greater Springfield and surrounding areas.
The QRPA is made up of former Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers, officers from other recognised Police Services within Australia and overseas, and former Queensland Police Service public servants who have retired or resigned from service and continue to be of good honour.
QRPA Beenleigh Branch president and former QPS officer Colin “Col” Thorne said the group was a great way for former police officers and public servants to connect with each other, form friendships, and fight loneliness in retirement.
“The primary object of the association is to build camaraderie within the retired policing group,” Col said.
“A lot of police have a tendency to be insular within the organisation, and then when they retire, they’re sort of lost.”
QRPA Beenleigh meets monthly and features guest speakers from various charities such as Orange Sky, Rural Aid, Night Light, and Fortem Australia, who support mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families.
The branch also supports these charities through donations.
Branch history
The association itself launched in 1932 and celebrated its 90th anniversary last year.
“The Logan-Beenleigh branch started in 2010. At the moment we’ve got about 84 [members],” Col said, noting that most members are in the 60s to 90s age group.
“Then we’ve also got associate members – usually the spouses of retired police.”
A typical meeting will include discussions about recent political changes, recognition of previous members who have passed, general business, organising group outings, and more.
“We’ve been finding out a lot of retired police are not aware of the association.
“If [you’re] interested, come to a meeting and see what it’s like.”
QRPA Beenleigh Branch meets on the fourth Wednesday every month at 10:30am at Club Beenleigh, 28A Alamein Street.
For more information, email col.thorne1@bigpond.com or visit qrpa.asn.au.
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