A project more than two years in the making was officially opened on Thursday, when NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos and Moree local Fred Pegus Junior proudly unveiled the Moree Aboriginal Tracker Wall at Moree Police Station.

The honour wall, alongside the front doors of Moree Police Station, recognises all Aboriginal trackers who served in the district since the mid-1800s.

The wall’s roll of honour pays tribute to 14 Aboriginal trackers, including local Fred Pegus, who stood tall in the Moree community.

The honour roll is the passionate work of Moree police sergeant Jack Mitchell and Aboriginal community liaison officer, Rod Tighe, who researched and developed the project for more than two years.

High-ranking NSW Police officials attending the unveiling included Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, Superintendent David Cooper from Oxley Police District, Inspector Phil Malligan from NSW Police Infrastructure and Assets Command and Inspector Sally-Ann Rodgers from Regional Field Operations.

Dignitaries were joined by Western Region Inspector David Botha, Chris Nicholson from Police Airwing, Aboriginal engagement and employment team manager, Jessica Tyrell, and Moree Police Inspectors Dwayne De Vries and Shane Robinson.

Traditional Aboriginal dancing was provided by students from Moree East Public School and St Philomena’s School.

A real privilege

Mr Pisanos, a key contender to replace outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb when she retires in September, acknowledged the research and work undertaken by Sergeant Mitchell and Mr Tighe.

“It is a real privilege to be here; what an amazing moment,” Mr Pisanos said.

“To all those involved in this project, I commend you for the partnership and the work that’s been done.”

Mr Pisanos said there is a rich history of policing partnerships with First Nations communities in New South Wales covering many decades.

“The NSW Police Force is the oldest police force in this country and started working in partnership with Aboriginal trackers and pathfinders well over a century ago,” he said.

“They worked together for many, many years, and it is quite an incredible part of the history of policing and partnerships with First Nations communities.”

Mr Pisanos said the Moree Aboriginal Tracker Wall was a definitive example of reconciliation at work in the community.

“Some of the most important things to occur are actual physical acts of reconciliation and partnerships – more than merely  words,” Mr Pisanos said.

“For me, being here today acknowledging all the work that has gone on between the police and community members is a fantastic example of partnership.”

Two years’ research

Former Moree Inspector Phil Malligan, who now works in Sydney as part of NSW Police Infrastructure and Assets Command, recognised the work and research carried out behind the scenes.

“Sergeant Mitchell approached me just over two years ago to seek my support on researching the stories and the history of those Aboriginal men who became Aboriginal trackers in support of the police,” Mr Malligan said.

“To get to this point today and unveil the tracker honour wall, is a credit to Sergeant Mitchell and Mr Tighe.”

Fred Pegus’s grandson, Craig McKenzie, also thanked Mr Tighe and Sergeant Mitchell.

“Rod and Jack’s passion was clearly shown when recognising my pop’s work in the town of Moree,” Mr McKenzie said.

“We are grateful for the hard work by Rod and Sergeant Mitchell. We were kept up-to-date and consulted throughout the whole process, allowing for the family to make their own contributions to the wall.”

The Moree project is the third of its kind in New South Wales and was created with support and research of senior historian, Dr Michael Bennett of the NSW Aboriginal Trackers Pathfinders, and former NSW Police Academy first nations co-ordinator, Sergeant Rebecca Lewis, as well as the invaluable contribution of local elders.

Remembering Fred

Moree tracker Fred Pegus was often seen walking proudly and purposefully along Frome and Balo Streets when going about his daily business.

Fred’s dignified presence, kindly, polite manner and impeccable dress sense stood him apart.

He was one of the last Aboriginal trackers in New South Wales and features on the honour roll alongside William Bowden, Billy Bowers, Albert Brady, Alex Stanley, Jackey Bundah, Ben Fraser, Percy Green, Jem Moree, Thomas Pitt, William Ryan, Ruben Wright, Alfred Roberts, Norm Walford and Jack Woods.

Jem Moree was assisting troopers as early as 1863, one year after Moree was gazetted as a town under the hand of Minister for Lands, John Robertson.

Fred Pegus and Norm Walford completed the last official case for trackers in New South Wales when searching for a man near Brewarrina in western New South Wales.

They found the man, delirious and starving, and saved his life.

Fred and Norm retired from police tracking duties in 1973.

Fred died in 2012 and is buried at Moree.

He was born on Palm Island, Queensland, in about 1936 and after working as a cabinet maker, came to Moree where he married Alma (Blondie) Newman, a local Aboriginal woman, in October, 1962.

Norm Walford died in 1981 and is buried at Walgett, where a walkway along the edge of the Namoi River is named in his honour.

Sergeant Mitchell said the number of Aboriginal trackers in New South Wales decreased to six in 1960 and by the end of 1973 there were no trackers at all following the retirement of Fred and Norm.

“This reduction of trackers is said to be largely due to ‘an increasingly urbanised population with fewer cases for trackers to work on’,” Sgt Mitchell said.

“It is assumed Fred was the second-last Aboriginal Tracker employed by New South Wales Police Force.”

Trackers honoured

Sergeant Mitchell said the NSW Police Force deeply honours the work of Aboriginal trackers over many years.

“From 1862 until 1973, more than 1000 Aboriginal men and several women were employed by NSW Police Force as trackers,” Sgt Mitchell said.

“These trackers played a crucial role in finding people lost in the bush, pursuing criminals and solving murders by using traditional bush skills.

“Aboriginal trackers made a significant, yet often undervalued, contribution to law and order in New South Wales to ensure the safety of the population.

“This historical display and honour wall celebrates the remarkable stories of the trackers and showcases their dedication and unique skills,” he said.

“The display also highlights the importance of sharing knowledge through storytelling and learning from the land, and is a tribute to not only the tracker stories but also acknowledges our shared history and the vital role trackers played in policing.

“To this day, families of the trackers take great pride in the work their ancestors did. These skills, stories and cultural knowledge of New South Wales Aboriginal trackers have been passed down through generations by stories, songs, dance and ceremonies,” he said.

“These trackers’ remarkable skills and deep connection to the land have left an indelible mark on the history of policing in New South Wales.

“We draw inspiration from their resilience, wisdom and dedication by celebrating their invaluable role, and not only acknowledge our shared history but also pave the way for the future,” Sgt Mitchell said.