Clare Police backpacker road safety awareness competition
Polaroids from the event
Last week on August 23, Clare Police proudly presented their second annual Clare Police Backpacker Road Safety Awareness Competition at the Clare Club.
The event is proudly sponsored by the Clare Club, Booth’s Farms, Clare Police and Queensland Transport.
The competition was held in conjunction with Queensland Road Safety Week 2017 and once again targeted the niche and diverse community of international backpackers.
This event was a follow up to Operation Burdekin Grey Backpack, which aimed to detect drug and/or drink driving, drug offences, unsafe backpacker vehicles and illegally scheduled bus services.
In this thought provoking competition, contestants are challenged to create a poem, a song or video or any form of art to express their views on what it takes to be safe on our roads for the chance to win prizes.
There were approximately 40 people in attendance consisting of mostly the target group with a few locals and other farm workers in attendance.
The competition is now held annually in remembrance of Lydia Spencer and Jamie Dumbleton, both from the UK who died on Australian roads in separate accidents whilst on a working holiday.
The night commenced with a short talk by police, giving a first-hand perspective of what it is like for an investigating officer to attend a road tragedy.
Clare Police then read an impact statement which they obtained through liaison with the family of Lydia Spencer, the letter was very moving.
Guest speaker, local business owner Anna Booth, who employs backpackers, gave a short talk in relation the fatal accident of one of her former employees, Jamie Dumbleton. She explain how he was killed in an accident in South Australia shortly after getting his second visa at her farm. The accident was deemed to be caused by a friend/driver of the vehicle who tested positive for drugs.
Following the talk, the backpackers presented their entries. This year the entries ranged from poetic expression to songs and there was one very creative and captivating video entry which took out the top prize. The winning entry was written and produced by UK backpackers Fay Cross and James Whatmore.
Fay Cross and James Whatmore with Officer in Charge of Clare Police Station Senior Constable Shane Martin
Prizes were donated by The Clare Club, Booth’s Farms and Clare Police and included accommodation at Magnetic Island, meal vouchers at the Clare Club and cash.
All persons present took the time to take a picture using the Queensland Road Safety Week Speak up for Road Safety selfie frame on a polaroid camera which was loaned to the event by Senior Constable Shane Martin.
Clare Police thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were happy to provide this vital road safety information to the backpackers.
For more information on road safety and how you can join the drive click here.
Source: Townsville Crime Alert
