THE inaugural rose-to-rose walk raised more than $400 for the peninsula branch of the Blue Ribbon appeal, as 30 police, staff, and family members walked from the Mornington police station to the Mornington Botanical Rose Garden in Dunns Road.
Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said participants were humbled to be able to pay respects to fallen colleagues and help with the Blue Ribbon appeal.
The walkers started from the Angela Taylor rose and plaque outside the Mornington police station and finished at the rose garden, home to the Angela Taylor rose bush.
Originally given to Victoria Police by the Taylor family, the Angela Taylor rose bush is now at the rose garden and carefully tended by volunteers. Angela Taylor was 21 when she was killed in 1986 when a car bomb exploded outside the Russell Street police station in Melbourne.
Senior Sergeant Edwards said a drone was used for the walk to get some shots of the town, participants and the rose garden, but will also be utilised in the peninsula’s crime prevention strategy over the summer.
At the rose garden police were met by volunteers who keep the garden running all year.
“It is a huge task for the small group and they are always on the lookout for new volunteers,” Senior Sergeant Edwards said.
To volunteer at the rose garden email: morningtonroses@gmail.com
First published in the Mornington News – 4 October 2022
