For over 45 years, Victoria Police Legacy has wrapped its arms around the children, partners and parents of our members. They have provided invaluable and unwavering support in times of hardship, providing emotional support, counselling, financial advice and assistance, education support and many other services. Importantly, Victoria Police Legacy creates a community of police legatees and keeps our families connected to Victoria Police throughout their lives. To read a short history of Victoria Police Legacy click here.
Strongly supported by the Chief Commissioner Sinclair Imrie "Mick" Miller, the Victoria Police Legacy Scheme was formally established on 6th February 1980. It was led by founding committee members Chief Superintendent Peter Ryan APM OAM, Inspector Bryan Kelly, Inspector Gary Storey and other officers. CCP Mick Miller arranged for every member of Victoria Police to have 20 cents deducted from their wages to support police legatees.
In 1981 Victoria Police Legacy employed an office manager, signalling the start of non-police being engaged to perform specialist roles as needed.
Since then our staff team has grown under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Lex de Man.
Police legatees were taken on their first country getaway. CEO Meg Galpin and board members Gary Storey and Peter O'Neill accompanied 38 police legatees to the National Police Tattoo hosted by the South Australia Police Force.
On 20th April 2006, two large Victoria Police Legacy banners were created and hung at the front of the Police Chapel at the Victoria Police Academy. They were unveiled by Patron-in-Chief Professor David de Kretser AO Governor of Victoria.
Nearly $900,000 of assistance was provided to police legatees - the biggest financial year expenditure on police legatees in its history.
In 2014 Victoria Police Legacy purchased and relocated to its own premises in Carlton.
The Carlton offices were officially dedicated and named the S.I. Mick Miller Victoria Police Legacy Building. Former CCP Mick Miller attended the dedication with founding members Peter Ryan and Brian Kelly along with former CCP Graeme Ashton, members of police command and police legatees.
On 16th November, 2016 Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway APM was the first female to be elected Chair of Victoria Police Legacy having served six years as a board member.
In February 2020, around 140 guests including police legatees, Victoria Police Legacy Patron Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton AM, Victoria Police Legacy Board, Ambassadors, Staff and volunteers, and members of Victoria Police command, came together to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Victoria Police Legacy at Bishopscourt in East Melbourne. View the 40th Anniversary booklet-click here.
The 'Victoria Police Legacy Remembrance Garden' at the Victoria Police Academy was dedicated to the fallen four - Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Joshua Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris.
In 2021, Detective Senior Sergeant Kate O’Neill was appointed as Chair of Victoria Police Legacy. Kate commenced the role having served on the Board for the previous 2 years as Vice Chair. Kate's appointment continues the journey of Victoria Police Legacy having a passionate and committed leadership team, ensuring that those within the policing family who have lost a loved one will be forever supported.
In January 2025, VPL welcomed new CEO, Debra Robertson APM, who retired from Victoria Police at the rank of Commander. Deb brings to the role a raft of experience in the not-for-profit sector having been a member of the Blue Light Board for 12 years and its Chair during that time. Deb is also a past Executive Member of The Police Association of Victoria and is currently a Board Member of BankVic.
Over the past 45 years, VPL has remained steadfast in our commitment to support police families through connection events, welfare services, advocacy, and more. We're grateful for the ongoing support from Police and Protective Services Officers, our partners, sponsors, and supporters, ensuring that those who have served are never forgotten, and that those currently serving, who may experience a loss, and their families are supported.
Strongly supported by the Chief Commissioner Sinclair Imrie "Mick" Miller, the Victoria Police Legacy Scheme was formally established on 6th February 1980. It was led by founding committee members Chief Superintendent Peter Ryan APM OAM, Inspector Bryan Kelly, Inspector Gary Storey and other officers. CCP Mick Miller arranged for every member of Victoria Police to have 20 cents deducted from their wages to support police legatees.
In 1981 Victoria Police Legacy employed an office manager, signalling the start of non-police being engaged to perform specialist roles as needed.
Since then our staff team has grown under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Lex de Man.
Police legatees were taken on their first country getaway. CEO Meg Galpin and board members Gary Storey and Peter O'Neill accompanied 38 police legatees to the National Police Tattoo hosted by the South Australia Police Force.
On 20th April 2006, two large Victoria Police Legacy banners were created and hung at the front of the Police Chapel at the Victoria Police Academy. They were unveiled by Patron-in-Chief Professor David de Kretser AO Governor of Victoria.
Nearly $900,000 of assistance was provided to police legatees - the biggest financial year expenditure on police legatees in its history.
In 2014 Victoria Police Legacy purchased and relocated to its own premises in Carlton.
The Carlton offices were officially dedicated and named the S.I. Mick Miller Victoria Police Legacy Building. Former CCP Mick Miller attended the dedication with founding members Peter Ryan and Brian Kelly along with former CCP Graeme Ashton, members of police command and police legatees.
On 16th November, 2016 Assistant Commissioner Lauren Callaway APM was the first female to be elected Chair of Victoria Police Legacy having served six years as a board member.
In February 2020, around 140 guests including police legatees, Victoria Police Legacy Patron Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton AM, Victoria Police Legacy Board, Ambassadors, Staff and volunteers, and members of Victoria Police command, came together to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Victoria Police Legacy at Bishopscourt in East Melbourne. View the 40th Anniversary booklet-click here.
The 'Victoria Police Legacy Remembrance Garden' at the Victoria Police Academy was dedicated to the fallen four - Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Joshua Prestney and Constable Glen Humphris.
In 2021, Detective Senior Sergeant Kate O’Neill was appointed as Chair of Victoria Police Legacy. Kate commenced the role having served on the Board for the previous 2 years as Vice Chair. Kate's appointment continues the journey of Victoria Police Legacy having a passionate and committed leadership team, ensuring that those within the policing family who have lost a loved one will be forever supported.
In January 2025, VPL welcomed new CEO, Debra Robertson APM, who retired from Victoria Police at the rank of Commander. Deb brings to the role a raft of experience in the not-for-profit sector having been a member of the Blue Light Board for 12 years and its Chair during that time. Deb is also a past Executive Member of The Police Association of Victoria and is currently a Board Member of BankVic.
Over the past 45 years, VPL has remained steadfast in our commitment to support police families through connection events, welfare services, advocacy, and more. We're grateful for the ongoing support from Police and Protective Services Officers, our partners, sponsors, and supporters, ensuring that those who have served are never forgotten, and that those currently serving, who may experience a loss, and their families are supported.
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Bryan T Kelly QPM | 1980 – 1985 |
| Peter F Ryan APM OAM | 1985 - 1992 |
| Bryan T Kelly QPM | 1992 - 1994 |
| Allan J Pocock APM | 1994 - 1997 |
| Robert L Martin | 1997 - 2003 |
| Graeme D Arthur APM | 2003 - 2004 |
| Roger H Schranz APM | 2004 - 2015 |
| Stephen C Cooper | 2015 - 2016 |
| Lauren Callaway APM | 2016 - 2021 |
| Kate O'Neill | 2021 - |