Macarthur’s finest gathered once again on Wednesday night for the 2023 Rotary police officer of the year awards.
And none was finer than a humble officer from the crime prevention unit at Camden who was born and bred in the Macarthur region.
Sergeant Phil Gornall, who also won the crime prevention category of the awards, was named police officer of the year in Macarthur.
Which is quite an honour considering that there are around 2,200 police officers serving in the various commands of outer South Western Sydney.
Sergeant Gornall hesitated for a moment before agreeing to making an acceptance speech before his peers, members of Rotary clubs across Macarthur and sponsors, including the three local councils and Wests Group Macarthur, whose Leumeah auditorium hosted the awards presentation.
He started with a little bit of humour: “I’ve just come for a beer,’’ he said, shrugging his shoulders.
Then, this down to earth cop proceeded to make one of the best speeches by a winner at these awards.
Sergeant Gornall, who is in charge of the crime prevention unit at the Camden police area command, firstly thanked Rotary for putting on the awards.
“Just to get that pat on the back, the thank you – most people in this room do a thankless job,’’ he said.
“I come to work every day hoping the people around me have a good go, and so well done to everyone here. Just being here means you’ve had a crack.
“People only win individual awards when their teams are performing, are working hard, and then kick goals every week,’’ Sergeant Gornall said.
“Most police officers make a difference every day.
“In the crime prevention world, it’s going that extra length, really hitting the core of what the issue is and trying to identify it and make a big change.’’
Sergeant Gornall didn’t forget to mention the most important person in his personal life: “My wife, she works harder than me, she supports me every day of the week, I wouldn’t be standing up here if it wasn’t for her.
“I love her to death.”
The citation nominating Sergeant Gornall for a Rotary police officer of the year award said he is “professional, extremely diligent, hard working – working many hours over and above his rostered shifts. His leadership of this team has been exceptional.
“Phil implemented a firearm safety program during local and region operations,’’ the citation said.
“He has also led the command response to domestic violence. He and his team have been responsible for a number of community initiatives, working with council and government and non- government stakeholders to raise awareness.
“Phil also personally and tirelessly plans and leads the largest events in the command every year including the command’s response to the Camden Show, Police Open Day (which is one of the largest in Metropolitan Sydney) and monthly pro-active disruption operations to target alcohol related and other crime.
“He leads a diverse team of specialists in front line policing. He has an excellent ability to get the best out of each member of his team,’’ the citation said.
The 2023 Macarthur Rotary Police Officer of the Year award category winners were:
Elijah Armstrong Campbelltown): Probationary constable of the year;
Michelle Berenger (Camden) and Toni-Lee Regan (Campbelltown): Unsworn officers of the year;
Constable Grace Plotecki (Camden): General duties officer of the year;
Sergeant Phil Gornall (Camden) – crime prevention officer of the year
Senior constable Elise Hulley-Thomas (Campbelltown): highly commended;
Detective senior constable Phillip Hill (Camden): Detective of the year;
Senior constable Daniel Churchill – Highway patrol officer of the year;
Sgt Phillip Gornall – Police officer of the year.
