NYAH LOSES A FRIEND Vale Warwick Cook The opening of the new Nyah police station this month will be tinged with sadness because the OC won’t be there to enjoy it. Sergeant Warwick Cook died tragically in June pursuing a passion – rock climbing. W arwick Cook was respected and admired by all who worked with him during a career spanning more than 30 years. His attitude to policing was summed up in this death notice, placed by his workmates – ‘A man who never let policy override commonsense. Respected, valued friend and cluster leader…’ Acting Sergeant Paul Warnock outside the new station victoria police association journal, august 2006 and working as head of his cluster that took in Manangatang and Piangil. He was looking forward to working in the new station in Nyah Warwick Cook came to Nyah but had barely settled in when the unthinkable happened. Police in the state’s north-west were devastated when they heard the date. They certainly weren’t great working conditions, but every- 22 one says Warwick loved working with the tiny local community West in January 2001. In those days it was a small, weatherboard station well past its use-by The original station at Nyah West Acting Sergeant Paul Warnock with his partner Cheryl Hull news of Warwick’s terrible accident. Warwick was well known in the area. He was born and bred in photography www.gregnoakes.com Sergeant Warwick Cook will always be remembered Mildura and had worked in the town as well as Robinvale and Merbein. In May Warwick was climbing Mt Arapiles, in the Grampians with a friend when he fell 15 metres to a ledge. Paul Warnock worked with Warwick Cook, known as ‘Cookie’ to his mates, at Nyah. They had known each other for years and had become firm friends during their time together in this two-man station. Cookie’s death after was a great shock. A phone call came through on that Saturday afternoon saying that there had been an accident and the original report was that Warwick was OK. A short time later another call came through with the bad news. Warwick Cook fell onto a ledge and clung to life until the rescue helicopter arrived overhead. “I’ve no doubt Warwick only gave up when he knew his mate would be OK. That was the nature of the man,” says Paul Warnock. His injuries were such that there was nothing the ambulance crew could do for Warwick. The accident happened late in the afternoon and they couldn’t bring Cookie down until the next day. He didn’t spend the night alone. His climbing mate stayed by Warwick’s side. Warwick Cook was carried down from the base of Mt Arapiles by his close mates – Kevin Oakley from Piangil, Kevin Hinge from Natimuk and Paul Warnock. Kevin Oakley is also the local peer support officer and stepped in to help Warwick’s partner, Kathleen “There was a constant stream of people coming to the police station to pay their respects. They were in shock,” says Paul Warnock. “About 200 attended a memorial we held at the local town’s people turned out to pay their respects. The crowd spilled out of the local Catholic Church as friends and colleagues paid tribute to their mate. His police cap, climbing rope and helmet, football umpire’s shirt, running shoes, motorcycle helmet and scuba diving gear were all signs of his active life. A young umpire blew the final whistle and raised his hands. Father Peter Hudson farewelled Cookie with a ‘Code 8’ – signing off from his station and going home. It was a fitting tribute to a fine policeman who will be missed by his friends, colleagues and the people of the small community of Nyah. Today the members in the cluster are working together to keep hall. There were people there Cookie had dealt on a professional the spirit alive in the Nyah Police Station. Warwick’s beaming face basis. That was a fitting tribute to the man. He was everything looks over the police station from a makeshift shrine to his memo- you would want in a policeman. He was involved with his com- ry. They are sure to toast an absent friend when the station is offi- munity.” cially opened. Vale Warwick Cook victoria police association journal, august 2006 and his mates. Warwick Cook always wanted to be buried in Mildura and the 23