WA Police celebrate Carnamah Station’s 30th anniversary with recreated photo, stories and lunch

Mid West-Gascoyne police gathered in Carnamah on Friday to celebrate 30 years since the local station was established, as old officers visited to reminisce on war stories and memories in the region. On June 2, 1993, Carnamah Police Station opened on Macpherson Street, following wear, tear and decay at the former asbestos building. Former officers travelled to Carnamah Police Station to celebrate the building’s 30th anniversary with a lunch and the retelling of memories and stories. A photo taken at the station on the day it opened, featuring then Sen. Const Shane Sadler and Const JJ Byrne, was recreated at the 30th anniversary. Now, Sadler is the Inspector at Joondalup Police Station and Byrne is a Det. Sgt at the State Operations Command Centre. In 1993, the new building was considered “state of the art”, with two “suicide-proof” cells, office areas, a foyer, store room, interview room, lunch room, showers and a large outdoor area. Officers praised the station’s former officer-in-charge, Sen. Const. Paul Kimber — who passed away in 2018 — who was an integral part of the movement after his tireless calls for a new station to be built in the early 90s. Carnamah police OIC Sgt Mike Nardini said the cells had since been decommissioned and the station had recently undergone renovation, including fresh paint inside and out, changing to solar energy and the installation of automatic gates. “The front counter in currently being replaced with a secure front foyer which will see the station fall into line with other stations in the area,” he said. Sgt Nardini said Mid West-Gascoyne Supt Steve Post, Geraldton police acting Insp. Chris Martin and former officers enjoyed visiting the small town. “They had the chance to meet up with locals from 1993 who were still living in Carnamah,” he said.