President
Barbara Poland
XL1 Club Newsletter
August 2026
Dear XLI Club member,
Welcome to my belated August newsletter, and my apologies for its late arrival. As the saying goes, “better late than never”. On a positive note, the timing is such that it affords me the opportunity to both report on our highly successful August John Forbes lunch, and to encourage you to attend our September Police Remembrance and Community Service Awards lunch on 17 September.
I am pleased to report that on 20 August 2026 we held our John Forbes OAM KGSJ Sporting Lunch at the Police Association building in East Melbourne, with 75 members and guests in attendance. We were delighted that Faye Forbes and her sons, Peter and David, could join us, along with special guests Ray Borner, Shane Healey, Terry Daniher and Rodney Eade.
The day featured a full program, including the induction of new member Tony Loveridge, the presentation of sporting awards to two talented young athletes, a guest speaker, the auction of two books by Dan Eddy and two framed V8 Supercar prints, as well as our usual raffles.
Our John Forbes Sporting awards recognise two young talented athletes and encourage them to pursue their sporting dreams. This year’s awards went to Harriet Caldwell, our regional award recipient and Campbell Brooks, our metro recipient. Harriet is an inspiring wheelchair basketball athlete who has already competed at the national level in the Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball league. Campbell is also a talented young athlete, already achieving impressive results in the Victorian Half Marathon and the World Cross Country Championships in Canberra and Florida, USA. We wish both Harriet and Campbell every success with their sporting aspirations.
Continuing our youth-in-sport theme, we also welcomed Detective Sergeant Vince Manno, founder and coordinator of the Sports COPPS program, as our guest speaker. Vince shared insights into the program’s valuable work, using sport to connect police and emergency services with young people as positive mentors.
All in all, it was another great day with positive feedback from those in attendance. I’d like to thank all those who helped make the day such a success with special thanks to member Pat O’Toole of Bridgwater Bakehouse, who supplied the yummy party pies for our entre.
On another matter I’d also like to extend my thanks to all who completed the Members’ Lunch survey. We had a very good response, and we will share the outcomes of the survey with you shortly.
Finally, don’t forget our next lunch is on 17 September 2026, at the William Angliss restaurant. This is our Police Remembrance and Community Awards day. Barring anything unforeseen, Chief Commissioner Bush is expected to join us, and I hope you can join us too. I look forward to seeing you then.
Barbara Poland
President
Upcoming Lunches:
17th September $100 WA – Police Memorial and Community Service Awards
15th October $100 TPA – Ladies Day and Race Day
19th November $100 TPA – AGM
11th December $100 TPA – BBQ & Service Awards
WA = William Angliss, 550 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
TPA = The Police Association, 70 Jolimont St, East Melbourne
Subscription Reminder:
The 2026-27 annual subscriptions are now due and there are a number of members yet to pay their 2025-2026 subscription.
The subscription fee has increased to $50.
New members who joined after the Anzac lunch are not required to pay the 2026-27 renewal fee.
Subscription fees may be paid online or at the door at a Club Luncheon.
Welfare of members:
Please report any members you know ill or injured to:-
Gareth Hanlon – Mob: 0416 050 702 Ray Thompson – Mob: 0411 883 367
Vale Ray Cooper
It is with great sadness that we note the passing of our long-time member, Ray Cooper. Ray joined the club on 1st May 1991 and has been a regular attendee since joining. Ray was a former member of VicPol and then the Australian Federal Police, Narcotics Branch. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray’s family and friends during this difficult time especially his 2 daughters who would often accompany Ray to our lunches.
Rest in peace Ray, you will be sadly missed.
Next Lunch
If you are wanting to attend the September Lunch, to be held on Thursday, 17th September, at William Angliss Restaurant, please advise Barbara Poland, ASAP to allow sufficient time to finalise numbers with the venue. Barbara may be contacted via;
Email: [email protected] , or
Phone: 0413 580 489
Payments may be made via online transfer, or on entry with cash or Tap & Go.
BSB: 704230
Account No: 100440796
Account Name: XLI Club Inc.
Please ensure you provide your name in the reference field and the reason for the payment
(e.g.) Lunch, Subs, Raffle, Auction ….etc..
Important Notice
There has been an increase in ‘no shows’ at recent lunches. Where we don’t receive advice that you will not be attending, the club remains responsible to pay for your lunch. Therefore, moving forward, if you have indicated that you will be attending and then fail to show, you will remain liable for the payment for that lunch. To avoid this, you MUST notify Barbara Poland at least 24 hours prior to that lunch. The committee notes that there may occasions or reasons for not attending and you are unable to give notice within the 24 hours (e.g. accident or illness). These incidences will be considered by the committee on a case-by-case situation.
More Photos…….
