by Alleyne Hall

There are several sorts of cops in the world: I was but one of many,
All with different ways of dealing with their job. With different intents.
I wanted our town to flourish, grow, get rid of some bad elements…
My name is Leslie Hall, once a constable up at Wodonga, where
Gangs of belligerent youth roamed the streets, always causing trouble.
Asking why, I came up with a bit of an idea. Change them; their minds.
Train them; teach them the benefits of working with society, not against it.
Get them to want to win a place in their township; to gain prizes.
We’d befriend them, talk to them, show them police could be useful,
For their benefit. I rounded up some of the townsfolk, a few big-wigs,
Putting across my ideas. Let’s find a suitable building and turn it into a club –
A Police Boys’ Club. Teach boxing, sports. Get them out of motorbike riding.
As a copper called Kanga, having boxed a kangaroo for show myself as a kid,
I started such a club at Wodonga, in 1922, commencing an initiative that spread:
I had proved myself worthy, even if now I’m not given credit more widely.
Acknowledged by my bosses at least, I was put in charge over at Nagambie,
Working hard there in the crime section. Serving 12 years at that station,
I then moved on to Tallarook, working with characters up in the high country.
Eventually it all came to an end. Perhaps the grog got the better of me,
Due to damage from earlier service, gassed across on the Western Front.
With all the stress of police work, after bombings as a sergeant in the army,
I was put on lighter duties, back in Melbourne, but my mind never stopped ticking.
I’m an old man now, a TPI war veteran, long forgotten by cops who came later.
Yet I think back to a boxing ring, with boys in gloves, among 70 off the streets,
Sparring with each other – if not a kangaroo – instead of causing mischief.
I hear coppers now are still dealing with street gangs: bodgies, they call them!
It makes me smile – they could do worse than bring us old buffers back…
Yet I feel satisfied, fulfilled, knowing I’ve achieved all that a man has a right
To hope for, without status or cash, but with brainwork, effort and compassion,
Giving a place to wayward young souls, steering them clear of trouble.