New England

New England Branch contacts :   
Chairperson: Ian Ramma
Vice Chairperson: Bruce Thomas
Secretary: John Walkowiak
Treasurer: David Ryan – Mobile No: 0428 656 086 Email: 


The New England Branch is a small branch, with members living in an area from Boggabilla, Warwick (Qld), Tenterfield to Tamworth.  Due to the large area, the New England RFPA branch meets quarterly (March, June September & either late November / early December).   

The first branch meeting of the year is conducted on the 1st Friday March at the Tenterfield Golf Club.  Our branch meeting is conducted separately but on the same day as the Southern Downs and Granite Belt Branch of the QRPA. Both branch membership have a combined lunch at the conclusion of our meetings, whilst there are members who are duel members of both branches.  Other branch meeting dates and location being determined at the end of each meeting, generally between Armidale, Glen Innes and Inverell.  The September meeting is conducted on Retired Police Day (1st Thursday of September) at a venue location that changes year to year. 

Peel RFPA Branch Christmas Lunch and Awards Presentation

Members of the Peel and New England RFPA branches, along with several friends from the area Fire and Ambulance services, gathered at the South Tamworth Bowling Club for a festive Christmas Lunch and special awards presentation.

State RFPA Secretary Ian Lovell and RFPA Webmaster Dave Whiteman were special guests, joining in the celebrations and presenting some of the awards.

Branch Secretary Phil O’Reilly APM (Radar) presented Harry Tunnicliff and Kevin Welsh with their OBE (Over Bloody Eighty) certificates.

Following this, Significant RFPA Volunteer Service awards were presented to Phil O’Reilly APM, David Walker, Greig Stier, Steve Bradshaw APM, and Matt Lynch for their outstanding initiative in the successful fundraiser for New England branch member Bob Drew, who became a paraplegic after a horse accident.

Bob was on hand to share in the occasion and thanked all those who came to his aid after his tragic accident.

Group hanging out for Xmas Lunch at table 78, South Tamworth Bowlo
 Harry TUNNICLIFF receives his OBE from Peel Chair Phil O’REILLY aka
‘Radar’
Radar serves up Kevin WELSH with his OBE
 Dave WALKER with his Significant Voluntary Service Award (SVSA)
presented to him by Bob DREW and Gael DREW
Radar receives his SVSA from Gael and Bob
Greig STIER receives his SVSA from Bob and Gael
Steve BRADSHAW APM receives his SVSA from Bob and Gael
A very emotional pair; Matt LYNCH receives his SVSA from Bob
Visitors Dave WHITEMAN and the Secretary with South Bowlo Club Manager Radar