Our Chief Executive Officer, Lex de Man AFSM, started at VPL in June 2016. Lex’s career is wide and varied. Born and educated in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Lex first became interested in the emergency management sector when he joined the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria, as a Volunteer Fire-fighter at the Yarrambat Fire Brigade, aged 17 in 1977. He has maintained this volunteer role throughout his work career and currently holds the most senior volunteer rank of Group Officer for the Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group of Fire Brigades’. He served from 1978 to 1995 as a sworn member of the Victoria Police Force serving in both uniform and as a Detective. From 1995 to 2015 he was an Executive on staff with the CFA, firstly being responsible for fire service delivery within three regional areas of Victoria, with the last 5 years of his paid CFA career prior to retirement, serving as the Executive Director of Training & Volunteerism. Since June 2016 Lex has been the CEO of Victoria Police Legacy. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, whilst employed full time with the CFA, Lex also served as an elected Councillor at the Shire of Nillumbik, serving 2 of his 5-years as Mayor. Lex has been recognised for his service and achievements both within Victoria Police and the CFA, receiving the following awards: 2011 Australia Day Honours - Awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal – for his leadership during and post the Black Saturday Bushfire’s of February 2009. The National Emergency Medal – Vic Fires 09 The National Police Service Medal The National Medal with 2nd Clasp The Victoria Police Ethical and Good Conduct Medal Chief Commissioner’s Highly Commended Certificate in recognition for his arrest of an armed offender for in excess of 30-armed robbery’s following an exchange of gun fire. Chief Commissioner’s Highly Commended Certificate in recognition for his leadership and investigative skills and professionalism which led to the extradition from the USA and subsequent conviction of Anne and William Hamilton-Byrne. The CFA Outstanding Service Medal The CFA Life Membership Medal Lex’s tertiary qualifications include an MBA from La Trobe University. During his policing career, Lex dedicated nearly 5 years of his police career into a ‘religious cult’ known as the ‘The Family’, which took him from Melbourne to New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA. This episode in Lex’s police career was turned into a film and book, both known by the title of ‘The Family’. The film premiered at the 2016 Melbourne International Film Festival, winning the 2016 Best Documentary at the Australian Film Critics’ Awards. A 3-part series ‘Cult of the Family’ screened on the ABC over 3 weeks in March 2019.
Judy has over 25 years’ experience in the areas of financial and management accounting and reporting, compliance and risk management, audit, corporate services and welfare support.
Contact Judy directly on : judy.thompson@policelegacyvic.org.au
Erica started with VPL in March 2011. Erica has been working at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley at the Promotions Programs Unit which conducts training for all newly promoted sergeants, senior sergeants and inspectors. Erica has extensive experience in the office management role and is a very efficient event organiser taking on responsibility for the Annual Trip and the Christmas
Our full time Field Officer, Eileen Keily, originally from Warrnambool, has experience working in psychiatric nursing, general nursing and social work. Eileen has worked as a community and liaison nurse making her the “link” for patients and clients between various internal services, community services and agencies. This included resourcing government, council and private providers of services for clients e.g. dept. of housing, social security, various service clubs, accommodation services, legal and advocacy services. Eileen has also been employed in Aged Care where she worked in administration and as a Family Liaison Officer, Veterans Liaison Officer and Complaints Officer for the Department of Human Services. Eileen utilises all this experience when working with our legatees and travels many kilometers around the state to visit them.
Andrea Lyons is our Youth Events Coordinator. She brings to VPL 25 years as a serving police officer (she retired in 2012) experience working with youth and the experience of being a police legatee. Her work as a police officer including time in the mounted branch and for the last 12 years Andrea worked in the Police Schools Involvement Program and as a Police Youth Resource Officer. In that time she initiated and implemented a youth diversions program called "Right Step". Andrea organises our young adult group events and family camps and works with our families.
Our part time Field Officer, Jennie Thorn worked as a primary teacher in South Gippsland before joining Victoria Police in 1993.Jennie was initially stationed at Knox Police Station before transferring to the Force Response Unit in Flinders Lane where she performed a variety of duties. After working at the Witness Security Unit, Jennie transferred to Professional Standards Command where she will continue to work on a part- time basis whilst taking up a part-time role at Victoria Police Legacy.Due to current restrictions, Jennie is enjoying getting to know our legatees by phone, however she is really looking forward to getting out and about around the state to meet legatees in person once restrictions have eased.
Contact Carol directly on carol.jenkinson@policelegacyvic.org.au
I have been working as a volunteer with Police Legacy for about thirty years. Late in 2018 I was approached to see if I was interested in taking up a part time role with Victoria Police Legacy as the Consultant to the Male Legatees. I took up the position within weeks and thoroughly enjoy the partnership with the men. Prior to this role, I was a Detective Senior Sergeant based at Wangaratta. I worked twenty years in various places in the South East and central Melbourne and a further twenty years in the rural environment. I am married to Heather, and we enjoy caravanning, and have just returned from almost four months touring the western and central parts of Australia. We enjoy seeing our two children and their partners, and our two very special grandchildren.
Paul McBride, APM, is our Volunteer Coordinator and commenced with VPL part-time in July 2018, after volunteering as a VPL photographer since 2010. Paul spent 47 years with Victoria Police, his last role being in charge at Ringwood Police Station. Paul spent twelve years as a detective, and five years teaching at the sergeant’s course. Having been a Senior Sergeant for 28 years and working at a large station, Paul has a wealth of management experience in the policing environment. His attention to emergency management, prisoner management, occupational health and safety, and particularly the welfare of his staff are strengths he is well known for. Paul thoroughly enjoys his role with VPL, and continues to volunteer his photography expertise to assist VPL.