“A newfound confidence in Australia’s police force”

For 13 years, Anna Dwyer travelled the most isolated areas of Queensland, working with some of the state’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. She has become a role model for a new generation of Australian women, writes Steph Carter, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Brisbane, Australia.

My first real brush with a policewoman is one I won’t forget, but for all the right reasons.

Within the first ten minutes of meeting the quietly confident Anna Dwyer, I was convinced that she is one of Queensland’s most impressive members of the police force; a role model for a new generation of Australian women.

Anna grew up in Australia, where her family had relocated from Papua New Guinea prior to that country’s independence in 1975. Graduating from a Queensland high school, Anna pursued tertiary studies at Queensland University of Technology and decided that the police force was a career path she wished to follow.

As a young woman joining the force, Anna found herself on a unique career trajectory.

“In 1998 after being sworn into the QPS, I was posted to Cairns and later spent time in Coolum, Mareeba, Bamaga and Weipa (regional areas of Queensland),” recalls Anna.

For 13 years, she traveled the regional and most isolated areas of the State, working with some of Queensland’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, including the indigenous communities of Northern Queensland.

Anna has a positive outlook about how those early challenges made her the person she is today.

“I am a person who likes to see the glass half full, I consider myself an optimist,” she says.

“Life has thrown me challenges, however it is my goal in life to try and stay focused on the blessings.”

Anna also credits these experiences as being crucial to her promotion to Sergeant of the Strategic and Cultural Policy Unit attached to the Office of the Commissioner in Brisbane.

“It now appears that all my station postings, mixed with my own cultural heritage, are the perfect mix to serve me better in my role, as I am now in the very section that formulates the whole of the Queensland Police Service policy in regards to multicultural and indigenous issues,” says Anna.

“My goal is to one day be a leader in the Queensland Police Service, who is of service to the community through positive engagement, encouragement and inspiration.”

Inspired by her experiences in the force and with Queensland’s indigenous communities, Anna’s determination focused on a new horizon. She wanted to meet the Queen of determination herself, Oprah Winfrey.

With nothing to lose and a burning desire to share her passion with another great female role model, Anna submitted a home-made video, telling Oprah why they should meet in person. It was a success.

“I went through a series of telephone interviews with her staff, and then five days before Oprah filmed her show in Sydney, she sent up a producer, a film crew and special video message inviting me to be her special guest in Sydney,” Anna says.

“Because my thinking was big and I dared to dream, I got to meet Oprah and go to a show.”

There is no doubt that Anna Dwyer instills a newfound confidence in Australia’s police force. With her as the new Sergeant of Queensland’s Multicultural and Indigenous Branch, we can be sure that the future of an important policy area is in safe hands.

Photos courtesy of Steph Carter

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About me:

“I’m a student based in Brisbane, Australia. I am currently in my final year of undergraduate study at the University of Queensland, studying Development, Journalism and International Relations and will be commencing a Masters of International Studies in 2012.

“Aside from my study commitments, I lead a hectic life! I’m passionate about aid and development and am involved with World Vision Australia’s national youth movement ‘Vision Generation’. I also work part time in the travel industry (which might explain my love of travel) and when I have spare time, you can find me playing my piano.”

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/

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