For Werribee Police’s multi-cultural liaison officer, Richard Dove, all roads lead back to Werribee. “My grandparents were from Werribee and I’ve always had family living there so I will forever feel a strong connection to the community,” he says.
What’s your connection to the local community?
I was born at the old Werribee Hospital. I’ve been the multicultural liaison officer at Werribee police station for nine years but have been in the force for 24 years. I work with locals to build relationships between migrant communities and the police. In a lot of countries, police are seen in a negative light and to be feared. Settlement in Australia is about building a connection for help so that migrants have someone to turn to. I go on camps with refugee families who have moved to Wyndham and have always enjoyed working with the community as it allows me to make a positive difference. I get invited to Australian citizenship ceremonies and I’m guest speaker at many. I’m also involved with Wyndham Community Education Centre, New Hope Foundation, AMES, the Victorian Cooperative on Children’s Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG) and Wyndham council.
What’s your favourite eatery and place to get coffee?
I only go to Jaffa. I get a coffee there every morning and lunch. The menu is diverse, from Vietnamese soup to toasted sandwiches, and the owners are lovely.
How do you spend your downtime?
I enjoy walking along Werribee River and looking at the redgums. Those trees represent the Aboriginal heritage and pre-colonisation.
What would you change about your neighbourhood?
Not a fan of urban sprawl; I wouldn’t like to see Wyndham become too big. The area needs better roads for less traffic congestion.
What would you not change?
The cultural diversity. The sculptures in Watton Street and art exhibits at the cultural centre.
Share an embarrassing moment
I went to an event (as part of my role as multi-cultural liaison officer) for Lebanese people celebrating 25 years of independence and Wyndham residents were attending. When I arrived at the event my name wasn’t on the list so a name tag was made for me.
I went inside and looked around for someone I knew then realised I was in the wrong function room. It was a large venue with multiple functions on but I soon found where I was meant to be.
