INTIMIDATION is a word often associated with a police station.
But that’s far from the case at the single-member station at Culgoa, a small Mallee town on the Calder Highway.
For a community with just 101 people, it takes big strides in putting smiles on faces after a tough two years mostly is isolation.
“I was down in Melbourne for an awards ceremony and I went to Costco and we locked eyes,” Senior Constable Annie Coobs said of a life-size koala.
With an Australian theme, Kevin is a fitting name for the marsupial that now keeps a close eye on passers-by.
Joining Kevin on the Christmas set is a Christmas tree, electric train, a giant wrapped box, Santa and lollies for children.
“Getting him into the back of a LandCruiser was no easy feat given he’s eight-foot tall,” Sen-Const Coobs said with a laugh.
“He’s drawn a lot of attention and lights up at night.
“It’s an Aussie Christmas theme just to make people smile because it’s been one hell of a year.”
Sen-Const Coobs said she was warmed by children writing letters and cards left under the tree by appreciative locals and travellers.
“It’s all been worth it,” she said.
“From my desk I can see people pull up to have a look, and generally I have a rule of not going outside with my gun on.
“The kids say, ‘Are you a police officer?’ and I said ‘Yes, this is my station’, and have a photo with them.
“It’s funny because I have to put down on my running sheet that I’m outside taking photos with Kev because it takes up so much of my time.”
Erecting Kevin wasn’t an easy process, however.
“It was a total fire ban day and his ears ended up in the park, scarf on the road, then he tipped over … bloody nightmare,” Sen-Const Coobs said.
“But it’s given so many smiles to people, me included.
“Traditionally I don’t get visitors at the station, they ring me or I’m out on patrol.
“It’s nice for me to have interaction at the station as well.
“Culgoa gets missed a lot because the town is on either side of the highway – it’s split in two and you can’t see us from the highway.
“People have come off the highway to look at him, it’s been really good fun.”
