Border patrol 12 weeks in...

When the border closures were introduced back at the beginning of July, our twin towns went into a state of panic. Life as we knew it was going through a massive change in terms of accessing goods and services we had come to rely on and being able to pop across the bridge to see friends and loved ones. 

To ensure that we always adhered to the restrictions, keeping border resident permits in our possession, was the first team of border patrol police officers from Sydney. Stopping every car that crossed the bridge, checking off licences and reading passes has seen a rotating roster of up to six officers on any one shift. They’ve come to know our faces, been well taken care of with baked treats and hospitality from locals; and most importantly helped to keep our community COVID-Safe. It’s a far more laid-back day’s work for the officers here in Barham; a usual shift for them in some of the areas in and surrounding Sydney with extremely high crime rates can mean putting their lives at risk on an almost hourly basis.

The most difficult situation they have found themselves in while working a shift on the Koondrook-Barham border has been deciding whether they can possibly fit in another home-made cup cake or should they just stick with a chocolate chip cookie! 

With the uncertainty as to how much longer the border restrictions will continue, we may still have the Sydney Police with us at least for the coming weeks ahead. We as a community hope that they enjoy the rest of their time here keeping us safe and we appreciate the undoubtedly, at times, tediously long days they endure in doing so. 

Twelve weeks in, and goodness knows how many more to come; the officers have grown accustomed to our country hospitality and gratitude. We thank them for their service thus far, and certainly look forward to the return to normality whenever that may be.