Debates Day 4 - Tuesday 30 October 2012
Parliamentary Record 1
Debates for 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016; ParliamentNT; Parliamentary Record; 12th Assembly 2012 - 2016
2012-10-30
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Debates
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DEBATES Tuesday 30 October 2012 241 Officer-in-Charge of the Pine Creek Region. He then went on to lead the Training Branch where he supervised the training of many former and current members of the Police Force. In 1974, Saus was one of only two successful candidates from the Police Forces across Australia, and one of 20 from Commonwealth countries to be selected to undertake an Executive Development Course with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ottawa. Following Cyclone Tracy, Saus family was evacuated to Sydney. However, Saus remained in Darwin to play an instrumental role in maintaining law and order in during the rebuilding phase - such was his dedication to the Territory. Saus was appointed Assistant Commissioner in 1975 and moved to Alice Springs to take charge of the Southern Command. At just 37, he was the youngest officer to have held that rank in any Australian Police Force. On 14 July 1977, Saus was awarded the National Medal for: diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property. In 1982, Saus received a transfer back to Darwin to take control of Northern Command. He was again recognised with a civilian medal on 3 September 1985, and was the recipient of the Australian Police Medal for his distinguished service on Australia Day 1986. Saus was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellowship, named for the founder of Rotary, in 1989. Saus retired in 1992 after 33 years of service. He continued to play an active role in the Retired Police Association. That is Saus on paper, but on a personal level, he was a terrific family man who lived his life by a high moral code. In 1961, he met Norma Helen Bailey who was in the first squad of women inducted into the Northern Territory Police Force. They married in 1962 and had three sons: Michael, Tony and Matthew. I was moved by eulogies given by each of the sons at Saus funeral. Their love and respect for their father is something we strive for as parents. They also spoke of the great love their parents shared and the positive effect it had on their family life. They remembered the time spent together, the things he did for them as a father, and his role as a doting grandfather who played a significant role in the lives of his grandchildren. The moral codes Saus lived his life by was also mentioned in these eulogies: his values of fairness, accountability, trust and integrity. He was described as applying these sensitively at home, unwaveringly as a policeman, and intelligently as a member of the community. His sons spoke of the legacy being passed on to his children and grandchildren. Saus and a group of his workmates were responsible for instilling this code into the Northern Territory Police Force. These are values that govern the force to this day. These values have also been passed on to the Territory community in general. What a legacy to bestow. Saus was interested in everyone he met. His keen interest in genealogy was not limited to his own ancestry. His genuine interest, as well as his fairness and kindness, saw him remembered by people from all backgrounds, regardless of the length of time they spent with him. Saus was a man who spent all his adult years serving the community. He was a man who loved and valued his family. He was a man who was well-respected and much liked and was a man many looked up to. In his passing, the Territory has lost a great man who will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Saus family and friends. Ms LAWRIE (Opposition Leader): Madam Speaker, I join with so many others who knew Saus Grant in offering my condolences to his family on his passing. Saus passed away suddenly on 3 October this year. Although it is of little consolation at this sad time, it should be of some comfort to know that in his passing we can celebrate a long and productive life which made a significant contribution to our Territory community. Saus was raised on a farm in country New South Wales and came to Darwin in 1959 seeking opportunity and adventure. He joined the Northern Territory Police Force in that year. To put the matter into some historical context, 1959 was the year in which Darwin was first granted city status although its total population at that time was barely more than 10 000 people. Saus worked in what was then called the Uniform Branch at the Darwin Police Station. My mother met Saus back in those early days, and lived in the same hostel as Norma. I would like to put her comments about Saus on the record. I will quote my mother, Dawn Lawrie: I first met Saus and his peer group of new recruits when I lived in the Commonwealth Hostel in Mitchell Street in the early 60s. Even then he was known as Saus, and he was the same then as he was to remain all of his life - an absolute gentleman with a