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Inundation causes huge loss to farms

October 25, 2022

FARMERS across the region are looking to begin on the road to recovery following the floods earlier this month, with many still suffering from loss of livestock, crops, and damages to property.

Support groups are working to assist farmers in getting back on their feet, setting up base camps in affected areas across Victoria to help rebuild fences to allow livestock to return to farms that were flooded.

Farmers in the Mitchell Shire are also working to recover, however significant amounts of water still on the ground are preventing groups such as BlazeAid from working with farmers to repair damages to property.

BlazeAid chief executive Melissa Jones said multiple camps had been set up to help farmers repair, including at Bridgewater.

“It’s looking like we’ll have about six base camps across Victoria in places like Seymour, Echuca, and Rochester once it dries up enough for us to start work,” she said.

Somerset Heritage Produce is located on the banks of the Goulburn River in Seymour and saw significant damage, with floods submerging both the farm and the home of owners Chloe and Cam.

Efforts from the State Emergency Service meant farm personnel and animals were safe, however the recovery of vegetable crops and replacement of farm equipment is expected to take several months as the significant amounts of water will take time to fully recede.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the farm recover from damages.

BlazeAid has been working with farmers to repair fences following the floods, a process which first requires the clean-up of debris before assessing previous fences to determine if wire and posts can be reused in a new fence.

“It can cost $15,000 per kilometre to rebuild a fence, and some farmers have 30 to 40 kilometres of fencing that was damaged so it can be quite costly for them,” Ms Jones said.

Ms Jones said losses of livestock and crops would hit some farmers especially hard, as spring is an important time for selling produce.

“From my experience, farmers really care about the welfare of their animals it can be tough for them when things like this happen and some animals are lost,” she said.

BlazeAid has put out a call for volunteers and donations to assist with clean up efforts following the floods, including setting up base camps in affected areas. Anyone can volunteer regardless of experience.

For more information or to donate, people can visit blazeaid.com.au.

Support available

The State Government is offering support to farmers through the Primary Producer Flood Relief Program, which provides primary producers with a $10,000 payment to assist with cleaning up, re-establishing properties and returning their businesses to operation.

Flood-affected primary producers can also claim up to 50 per cent of transport costs for the transport of emergency food or drinking water for livestock, as well as the transport of livestock.

Mitchell Shire chief executive Brett Luxford said council would work with government and farmers to offer support in the coming months.

“Farmers were hard hit by the recent flooding and Mitchell Shire Council is working is working in partnership with the state and federal governments to support them,” he said.

“At this stage council does not have clarity on the number of livestock lost, with most farmers managing stock losses on their own land and fencing losses being referred to BlazeAid.”

Property owners with dead animals on private land are encouraged to contact council’s environmental health team on 5734 6200.

To apply for State Government support, people can visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods/flood-advice-and-support.

Seymour performers regroup to perform Annie

The North Central Review

October 25, 2022

Seymour performers regroup to perform Annie

After almost two years in the making, a global pandemic and a major flood, Seymour Performers Workshop members are set to present their production of Annie.

The irrepressible comic strip heroine will take centre stage in Seymour this November in one of the world’s best-loved musicals.

The production was originally scheduled for November 2021 and had already commenced rehearsals when it became clear that it would need to be postponed due to the pandemic.

Many of the cast from the original production were able to return this year, along with some new faces.

Unfortunately, both of their rehearsal and storage venues, The School House Theatre in Tallarook Street and the Les Bell Pavilion in Kings Park Seymour, were inundated by flood waters during the flood on October 14.

President Brett Harvey said many of the company’s costumes, sets, props and curtains had been destroyed and both venues would not be able to be used for some time while clean up and repairs were underway.

“We have a big task ahead of us as we need to completely empty both venues and relocate any of the costumes, sets and equipment that were able to be salvaged,” he said.

“We also had to dismantle our theatrette in The Schoolhouse Theatre and put this in to temporary storage.

“We have been overwhelmed by the show of support from the community and would like to extend our heartful thanks to the amazing band of volunteers who have been assisting us with this very smelly, dusty and damp task.”

Mr Harvey said several local organisations and businesses had stepped in to offer the performers a temporary storage and rehearsal space, which they were grateful for.

“A special shout out to the members of the Australian Defence Force from Puckapunyal who helped us move piles of costumes, equipment and staging – an incredible effort,” he said.

“I’d also like to extend my thanks to our SPW members and friends, Seymour Veterinary Surgery, Seymour Dental Clinic, MH Truck and Trailer Repairs, Seymour Agricultural Society, Kings Park Committee members, Seymour Scout Group, Seymour Anglican Christ Church, Seymour College and Seymour Flexible Learning Centre. This truly is a wonderful and generous community.”

Show director Peter Read said despite the latest setbacks, the performers was pushing forward and had a busy few weeks ahead as they polished up the production and prepared for opening night.

“We encourage everyone to come along, show your support and enjoy this feel-good, family-friendly musical. After some pretty challenging times for us all, we all need a smile” he said.

Annie will be performed at Seymour Community Arts Centre from November 12 to 20.

Tickets are available at www.spworkshop.or.au or call 0492 860 331.

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Moving Beyond your Now in Whittlesea

Grace Frost

October 25, 2022

By Grace Frost

The ‘Beyond your Now’ conference at Whittlesea Secondary Performing Arts Centre on October 8 heard testimonials and stories of encouragement and inspiration.

More than 70 women gathered for the conference for its second year.

The event was envisioned by founder Christina Matthews as a safe environment for women to gather, share their stories, find hope within their hardships and acquire the skills to move ‘beyond their now’.

‘Beyond your Now’ this year adopted the theme of ‘Shame doesn’t live here anymore’, and saw four women each deliver their own personal testimony on topics ranging from childhood trauma and domestic violence to homelessness and difficult major life changes.

Women gathered during morning tea to reflect on the stories shared, confiding in each other with their own personal hardships and sharing advice, building community with both new and familiar faces.

Ms Matthews said her vision for the event presented itself while working at a church in Whittlesea, hoping that one day she might be able to provide a safe place for people in the community who didn’t have a secure support system to help them through their hardships.

“It’s about my passion for people who are hurting and people who are outside of community,” she said.

“Having somebody walk with you through a journey is important, whether that be a church, or a community or your friends or a prayer group, whatever it is.”

Ms Matthews said she had many ‘beautiful friends’ whom she wanted to provide a platform for to share their stories, knowing they’d come as encouragement to others facing similar difficulties.

Jacqui Kelly shared her story of grief, loss and shame she faced amidst a major life change in 2020.

Beyond Your Now Conference 3 — Jacqui Kelly delivers her message on perspective and hope at the Beyond your Now conference in Whittlesea earlier this month.

Though saying she is still journeying the harship, Ms Kelly encouraged attendees that a change of perspective on a situation can help to cultivate hope in the face of uncertainty.

“It took me so long to decide to actually speak because I thought I wasn’t on the other side already of the journey, but I felt that it was important for people to hear…that they can find hope and courage in the midst of the journey,” she said.

“Things happen in life that aren’t our choice, that don’t go our way, but that there is always hope and there’s strength in hearing people’s journey’s and traveling with others through that.”

Event MC Ange Smith said she loved being part of the conference as it highlighted the power and courage within vulnerability.

“Everybody has a story, stories are powerful, but the power is in them being shared,” Ms Smith said.

“I think everybody sitting here is going to relate to something in someone’s story and draw what they need from that, whether that’s hope, courage or strength.

“For me, I think it’s about these stories being told, that break down barriers, but also everyone walking away feeling like ‘I actually belong to something bigger, I belong to a community’.

“Nowadays, especially coming out of COVID, there’s so much isolation, people forget how important communities are and how important a village is, and I feel like that’s kind of what gets reconnected here as well.”

Author of Where’s The Red Button? Lavinia Wilson shared trauma from her childhood, and said there was hope the scars of the past could be healed.

Madeleine Frost, who found herself homeless, in an abusive relationship and a drug user at 19 told her story of revival, speaking on how people could better support those feeling isolated.

“I wanted to speak for a number of reasons but one of them was to take away the taboo from some of the topics I’m going to talk about, like homelessness and drug addiction … to encourage other people to not be scared of those things but just to sit in that uncomfortable moment with others,” she said.

The conference raised $1000, $250 being donated each to Mill Park Community Care, Big Group Hug, Hope for a village Fiji and Prison Network.

Several local businesses supported the conference, donating ‘more gifts than could be given away’ to women in attendance.

Businesses in support were Whittlesea Flowers and Bears, Wild South Morang, Whittlesea Bowls Club, McDonald’s Whittlesea, Delightful Frootz, Lush Skin and Body Doreen, Encounter Dance Company, Mill Park Community Care, Love in Action Wallan, Royal Mail Hotel and Wendy Barlow Cards.

Ms Matthews said she was already in the planning phase for next year’s conference, of which the theme would be ‘strengthened by the storms’.

Whittlesea Uke Muster strikes a chord

Max Davies

October 25, 2022

By Max Davies

Whittlesea Community House last week presented the 2022 Whittlesea Uke Muster, bringing together ukulele groups from across Victoria to take part in a day all about uke.

Held at Whittlesea Secondary College, the 2022 event marks the first time the Uke Muster was held in person since 2019, with a marquee set up outside to allow for greater flexibility in holding workshops and getting people together in large groups.

A range of community groups from the City of Whittlesea also contributed to the event, with workshops for players of all abilities held on speakeasy blues, gypsy jazz, songwriting, and rhythms and riffs.

Whittlesea Community House manager Mary-Lynn Griffith said the Uke Muster was a way for people to learn about ukulele in a friendly environment.

“It gives everyone an opportunity to play in a group, everyone’s very happy,” she said.

“Some people here do know each other and other haven’t people met. The ukulele’s a great way to engage because it’s a pretty cheap instrument to buy and it’s not too hard to learn, and there’s ukulele groups all over the place.”

Ms Griffith said the Whittlesea Community House was working to reduce social isolation and increase community connections, and the Uke Muster was a way for people to get together and learn something new.

The Uke Muster was first held to address a lack of options for people interested in the ukulele on Melbourne’s fringes, with limited groups operating outside of Melbourne’s metropolitan area.

“We thought it would be good to connect with other fringe and semi-rural groups and that’s what we’ve done in the past,” Ms Griffith said.

“I think now that we know we’ve got support from groups in the community we can keep going in the future.”

The 2022 Uke Muster was supported by the City of Whittlesea council through the Community Event Funding Program, as well as Whittlesea Secondary College by providing facilities and instruments for the event.

Living Music in Greensborough also provided a prize of a $100 voucher for ukulele lessons, awarded to ‘Best in Show’ during a fancy dress competition as part of the event’s finale.

“The finale concert gave ukulele groups that don’t get a chance to perform very often an opportunity to perform for each other as well as for an audience,” Ms Griffith said.

“Workshop groups also performed what they learned in their workshops, so it makes for a really good day.”

uke muster 2 — Singer/songwriter Holly McNamara presents a workshop for people of all abilities to learn how to play ukulele.

uke muster 3 — Singer/songwriter Holly McNamara presents a workshop for people of all abilities to learn how to play ukulele.

George Cross recipient’s final visit to Queen

Pam Kiriakidis

October 25, 2022

George Cross recipient’s final visit to Queen

Former Constable Michael Pratt has flown many times to greet the Queen and did for the final time last month to pay his respects at her funeral.

Sitting between the rows provoked memories for Mr Pratt, particularly in 1981 when he first met the Queen after receiving the George Cross medal. He received the honour for his bravery in 1976, when he was shot while intervening in a robbery during his police career.

The George Cross medal is the highest award for gallantry by the British Government and is equal to the military award, Victorian Cross.

Few days before the funeral, Mr Pratt and other cross holders attended Westminster Hall to hold a minute of silence for Queen Elizabeth.

“We saw her lying in state in Westminster Hall on the previous Friday and we were lucky enough to because everyone was waiting in line,” Mr Pratt said.

“You hear a pin drop, there wasn’t a sound in the place, it’s a big hall.

“I supposed we stayed there as long as we wanted, we stayed there, and you just did the same, we didn’t sort of speak to each other.”

Michael Pratt and other Victorian George Cross holders — Michael Pratt with other George Cross and Victorian Cross medal recipients.

The Victorian Cross and George Cross Association is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation headquartered in London for cross holders all over the world to meet and communicate at reunions, which Queen Elizabeth was a patron of.

Members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, including Mr Pratt were known to the funeral arrangements for three and a half years when Operation London Bridge was revised in the years before her death.

“We’ve been informed by our secretary of our association the Queen wasn’t well and she sort of kept us informed,” Mr Pratt said.

“The Queen had indicated that all the Victoria Cross and George Cross holders that were able and well enough to just travel to London for her funeral, she would like them a lot.”

The queen’s orders to invite the cross holders was from the days when Mr Pratt travelled to London every two years for a review union with family members. He said on a few occasions, the association had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace and Windsor.

“I sat down the other day and worked out trips to Windsor, Buckingham Palace and other things involving her. I probably had 16 or 17 audiences with the Queen over the years, Mr Pratt said.

Other times Mr Pratt was invited to Windsor for a meet and greet, the Queen and Prince Phillip decided to give an unexpected tour to the cross holders of the new West Wing building after the fire.

“We had a meet and greet and a couple of drinks, and then she announced to us all she said ‘right, I want all of you to follow me, we’re going to go around the West Wing,” Mr Pratt said.

“To look at it all and the Queen’s pointing things out, and you know the tour guide Is a Queen -that’s something different.”

Besides the usual reunions every two years, Mr Pratt and other cross-holders attended the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012 to ride behind the Queen on a much rainy day.

“She was in an elite boat and there were three boats in the honour, and were in the boat in behind,” Mr Pratt said.

Retirement for Mr Pratt was at the start of 2020 and before that serving at several places, including Seymour and at Wallan’s new station in 2004.

After the robbery incident, he was forced to retire, and spent five years recovering at home, however Mr Pratt was back on his feet in 1996 to continue what he claims best to do.

Noawadays, the retired officer looks back at his memorable career, and reflect on his commitment to Victoria Police, as well his trips to London where he saw the Queen in a different light.

“I was 21 when my incident happened, and then I got the medal, you know three years later, when a new baby came along, she would say ‘how was the new baby?’

“She’s a typical grandmother, she wants to know what’s going on, and as time advanced, I got grandchildren and she wanted to know how they were.”

Grand return of Lancefield, Romsey swap meet

Lauren Duffy

October 25, 2022

Grand return of Lancefield, Romsey swap meet

THE Lancefield/Romsey Lions Club swap meet will be hosted next month at Romsey Park, bringing together the local community and car enthusiasts in search of ‘bargains’.

The swap meet will see a range of products being sold and potentially traded, primarily automotive, but also tools and other bric-a-brac.

Event coordinator Rusty Purchase says the event is great for community spirit, supporting multiple community groups within the Romsey/Lancefield area, including the local CFA.

“[The swap meet is] great for people not only to have a stall there if they’ve got something to sell, but also for the community to get along and support the Lions Club and the community at large,” he said.

“Obviously we’ve been shut down for a couple of years, so it’d be great to see some people come along and join.”

Mr Purchase hopes attendees will be able to source products at the swap meet that they’d been unable to find online or through other social media trading sites.

“People can really pick up a bargain and also maybe pick something up that they’re looking to do to restore their classic car,” he said.

The event will also see food and coffee vans available to attendees.

The swap meet will be held at Romsey Park on November 6, open to stall holders from 6am and the general public from 8am, being expected to run into the early afternoon.

Killfest set to return to Kilmore next month

Grace Frost

October 25, 2022

Killfest set to return to Kilmore next month

By Grace Frost

HEAVY metal festival Killfest is making its grand return to the Old Kilmore Gaol on November 26, with a range of local, national and international acts on the bill.

Psycroptic are set to headline Killfest this year after recently completing their North America tour ‘Divine Ascension’, with Californian band Skeletal Remains also making the trek to Kilmore for the event.

The Killfest lineup sees acts flying in from across the country, with Perth’s Innasanatorium, Sydney’s Flaming Wrekage and locals Dreadnaught, Firing Squad, Pistonfist, Nothing, Abreact, Vicious Cirle and As Flesh Decays all making an appearance.

Event organiser Mick Quee says the inspiration for Killfest presented itself after moving to the local area amid lockdowns.

“I thought it’d be great to bring some live music to regional Victoria,” he said.

“I’d been thinking about trying to find a location to do something at some point and it did fester mainly through the first set of lockdowns.”

Mr Quee said last year’s Killfest was a success, with over 400 attendees flocking to listen to the heavy metal performances.

“The last one sorta slid nicely between lockdowns so a lot of people were quite excited to get out and about and see some live music,” he said.

“I don’t think the area has seen anything like it before and we ended up having people come to the last one in May from all around the country.”

“It is a lot of work and there’s a lot of preparation that goes into it,

“I hope people do take the opportunity to come down if you’re into heavy metal…if it’s at a loss it may not happen again.”

Kilmore-based band Firing Squad are opening Killfest this year, which Mr Quee is bass player and vocalist in.

Killfest is providing locals the opportunity to support the homegrown band, with the event being Firing Squad’s fifth performance ever since starting up amid the pandemic.

“Firing Squad was sort of born out of the sitting around during lockdown,” Mr Quee said.

“I thought it would be good to find some guys around Kilmore and start a band together that’s into thrash metal.

“I saw a post by a guy on the Kilmore Buy Swap and Sell selling a drum kit, and I said ‘hey, this might be a funny question but I’m looking at starting a thrash band, are you interested?’ and he said… ‘100%’… it was sort of born from that.”

Additional to Mr Quee, the band comprises Kilmore’s Kyle Hawkless on drums, Sudbury’s Heath Ese Kongas on lead guitar and Wallan’s Justin Pietrobuono on guitar.

Mr Quee says since their first rehearsal at the end of 2020 amid lockdowns, the band now have a permanent rehearsal space in Kilmore and have recently released a couple of songs.

Killfest is sponsored by local businesses, including Tooborac Brewery, Dexter’s Hot Sauce, Instinctive Tattoo Broadford and Kilmore, as well as major sponsor DAEMCO.

Killfest is an 18+ event, and will run from 12pm to 11:30pm on November 26.

Tickets are $40 and are available at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/killfest-2022-kilmore-victoria-tickets-224544778477.

Spelling paddock for Howley’s star

Lauren Duffy

October 25, 2022

By ‘Pegs’

KYNETON trainer Liam Howley will send star colt Virtuous Circle for a spell after the colt’s brave second placing to Berkley Square in the $500,000 Moonee Valley last Saturday.

The temptation was there for Howley to give his colt a ‘throw at the stumps’ in Saturday’s $2M VRC Derby.

“He’s come through Saturday’s super effort at The Valley in great order,” Howley said.

“We’ll head to the paddock now for a well-earned break with our eyes firmly locked on the Autumn. We’re very proud of him and hungry for what’s to come,” he added.

For the second placing, Virtuous Circle earnt $90,000 for his connections.

The colt has won two races with two minor placings from his five starts, already earning $271,700 in prizemoney, chipping away at his purchase price of $360,000.

Cranbourne win

A weekend that could have been for Howley, as the previous day at Cranbourne, he was successful with the 20/1 pop Almighty Will.

The six-year-old gelded son of Medaglia D’Oro and Sabie found the turf more to his liking than his unplaced previous run on the Pakenham synthetic last month, when he took out the Freeway Ford #NextGenRanger 0-64 Handicap over 1400 metres.

The gelding, ridden by the trainer’s good mate Jason Maskiell, defeated the $3.30 favourite Writey O’Pal by a half-head with Trodaire ($18) a further 1-1/2 lengths away third.

Previously trained at Lindsay Park, Almighty Will was having his 30th start for Howley. Friday’s win was his sixth for Howley.

Almighty Will Cranbourne — Jason Maskiell returns to the mounting yard on Almighty Will after winning the Freeway Ford #NextGenRanger 0 – 64 Handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse on October 21, 2022 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)

Moe winners

The application of blinkers did the trick for Seymour trainer David ‘Butch’ Bourne’s Wanjiru ($7) at Moe on Saturday.

The Complacent five-year-old gelding also found the drop in class to his liking in taking out the Ladbrokes Might & Power — Cox Plate Legend 0-58 Handicap over 1623 metres.

Ridden by Lachie King, the gelding got up by a short-half-head to defeat the $3.60 favourite Alphaville with One For Rocky ($15) a further two lengths away, third.

The former New Zealand gelding, raced by Network Bloodstock No. 1 and a number of stable clients, has now won two races with seven minor placings from his 15 starts.

Wanjiru Moe — Lachlan King returns to the mounting yard on Wanjiru (NZ) after winning the Ladbrokes Might & Power ? Cox Plate Legend 0 – 58 Hcp at Moe Racecourse on October 22, 2022 in Moe, Australia. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)

Dyer’s back

In the following race at Moe, Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer saddled-up his first winner since returning from his annual Darwin trip in August.

Dyer was successful with Svaneke ($17) in the Ladbrokes Makybe Diva – Cox Plate Legend 0-58 Hcp over 2082 metres.

Ridden by promising apprentice Celine Gaudray, the Magnus six-year-old mare defeated the $2.90 favourite Flame Of Venice by a short-half-head with Rippa Choice ($5.50) a further two lengths away third.

Part-owned by Dyer, the mare has now won three races with four minor placings from her 19 starts.

Farewell George

This writer was devastated to hear of the immediate retirement of leading Kyneton trainer George Osborne.

George, who has been training for 28 years across many parts of Australia, will saddle-up his last horses on Kyneton Cup Day – a day he owned for many years.

Osborne’s decision to retire was hastened due to the training facilities badly damaged from recent flooding of the track and surrounds.

In wishing George a happy retirement, this writer hopes Osborne is not lost to the industry.

Bright future for Kilmore op shop

Pam Kiriakidis

October 25, 2022

By Pam Kiriakidis

KILMORE District and Health Hospital Op Shop, behind the streets of Kilmore on Albert Street, is still taking donations to provide for the community and hospital.

Kilmore residents and coordinators Elizabeth Stewart and Annie Brooks operate the shop with a few volunteers, taking donations, and working together to make changes after the pandemic.

Former Dianella Hostel volunteer, Ms Stewart joined the team 12 months ago, re-arranging the area for volunteers to be able to have a seat and turned the old storeroom into a linen room.

“It’s just fresh eyes, I came in with a new perspective,” Ms Stewart said.

Ms Brooks who have volunteered for the last 15 years said the fresh perspective enhanced the structure of the shop.

“For me, before Elizabeth came on board, I was trying to make some changes but nobody to bounce off,” Ms Brooks said.

Before running the shop part-time, Ms Brooks was a former nurse at Kilmore’s hospital where she first volunteered at the op shop for once a week.

The op shop first opened on November 3, 2005, through the annual garden fair at the hospital’s grounds to support the local hospital.

Ms Brooks said resident Denise Lee was the first to unlock the doors on Albert Street 18 years ago to store the left-over donations and support the hospital, as well as the aged-care facilities, including Caladenia Nursing Home and Dianella Hostel.

“They had overflow from the garden party, nowhere to store the stuff, so they decided open this for a short time, sell off the stuff from the field that they had up there,” Ms Brooks said.

Over the years, the shop has raised almost $400,000 towards the hospital, and received wish lists by the hospital or aged-care facilities to fund for more equipment.

Ms Stewart said few customers are not aware of the shop’s contributions to the hospital.

“One of the main things that maybe a lot of people don’t realise is that all our profit goes to the hospital, so that’s a big deal,” Ms Stewart said.

Till this day, the op shop is still known for its warmth, as the volunteers find ways to have a laugh and communicate with customers that come through the tight-knit shop.

“We do get feedback from various customers about how they love coming in here because they always have a good laugh and everyone’s friendly,” Ms Stewart said.

Depending on the time of the month, the op shop gives away massive prizes through raffles that the public can purchase tickets at the front desk.

“We’ve got a great Christmas raffle at the moment, with seven prizes, five of them are hampers,” Ms Stewart said.

The Kilmore Hospital Op Shop opens on Thursday and Friday from 9am to 3pm, and Saturday from 9am to 12pm, at 40 Albert Street, Kilmore.

Wallan George Cross recipient’s final visit to Queen

Pam Kiriakidis

October 25, 2022

Wallan George Cross recipient’s final visit to Queen

By Pam Kiriakidis

Former Constable Michael Pratt has flown many times to greet the Queen and did for the final time last month to pay his respects at her funeral.

Sitting between the rows provoked memories for Mr Pratt, particularly in 1981 when he first met the Queen to receive the George Cross medal after he was shot intervening in a robbery on June 4, 1976, during his police career.

The George Cross medal is the highest award for gallantry by the British Government and is equal to the military award, Victorian Cross.

Few days before the funeral, Mr Pratt and other cross holders attended Westminster Hall to hold a minute of silence for Queen Elizabeth.

“We saw her lying in state in Westminster Hall on the previous Friday and we were lucky enough to because everyone was waiting in line, ‘’ Mr Pratt said.

“You hear a pin drop, there wasn’t a sound in the place, it’s a big hall.

“I supposed we stayed there as long as we wanted, we stayed there, and you just did the same, we didn’t sort of speak to each other.”

“We’ve been informed by our secretary of our association the Queen wasn’t well and she sort of kept us informed,” Mr Pratt said.

“The Queen had indicated that all the Victoria Cross and George Cross holders that were able and well enough to just travel to London for her funeral, she would like them a lot.”

“I sat down the other day and worked out trips to Windsor, Buckingham Palace and other things involving her. I probably had 16 or 17 audiences with the Queen over the years, Mr Pratt said.

Other times Mr Pratt was invited to Windsor for a meet and greet, the Queen and Prince Phillip decided to give an unexpected tour to the cross holders of the new West Wing building after the fire.

“We had a meet and greet and a couple of drinks, and then she announced to us all she said ‘right, I want all of you to follow me, we’re going to go around the West Wing’,” Mr Pratt said.