Meet Todd Cremer, he's the new cop on the beat in Kangaroo Valley.
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Senior Constable Cremer started in the Valley on December 16, just prior to the bushfire emergency that gripped the township on January 4, which saw a number of properties in the Budgong, Tallowa and Mt Scanzi areas lost.
"People have said to me it was a baptism of fire," he said "And they are not wrong.
"It was scary. I've seen a few fires but it's the most scared I've been as the fire came through."
His initiation was a tough one as he also didn't know the area that well.
"I think that was part of the problem, people would say go to such and such; go to such and such road: I didn't know them.
"But I suppose if you can survive a natural disaster like that you can survive anything
"The amazing thing has been how the community, which was hit hard, has rebounded.
"They have all pitched in to help each other which is great to see.
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"They are obviously a very tight-knit community."
It's that community spirit that Snr Const Cremer says he enjoys most about being a country cop.
Originally growing up in Laurieton near Port Macquarie, apart from a short stint in Leichhardt in Sydney early in his career, the majority of his 10 years in the force has been spent in the bush, places like Tenterfield and most recently East Gresford near Maitland.
There he was in a one officer station, similar to what he has in Kangaroo Valley.
"Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming," he said.
It is the first time in 12 months the Valley township will have its own dedicated officer after the retirement of Snr Const Murphy.
Scr Cons Cremer and his wife and three children have moved into the Valley and want to be part of the community.
"Our kids will be going to the local school," he said.
"It's pretty rare for a one station position to come up so close to Sydney and the coast," he said.
And according to officer in charge of the Bay and Basin Police Station, Acting Inspector Luke Geradts, who also oversees the outlying stations like Berry, Kangaroo Valley, Culburra and Ulladulla, there was no shortage of applicants for the position.
"There aren't many positions like this come up and they are highly sought-after," he said.
"Todd has done this work before. He was selected because of that and he fitted Kangaroo Valley's needs.
"He is part of our South Coast District and part of a big team that supports each other."
"It's a challenge," Todd admitted "but it's also great to be part of a community, being able to fit in and get the balance between work and family time."
Also a keen mountainbiker, he will certainly get the opportunity to do plenty in and around the Valley.
Snr Const Cremer's patch runs from the western Shoalhaven border on Barrengarry Mountain, through the Valley, over to Tallowa and Budgong and up to the Cambewarra escarpment and through to Berry, which he shares with his Berry counterpart.
The local community is urged to report any matters of concern. Of course in case of an emergency dial 000, for non-emergencies contact the station or call the Policelink on 131 444.
- The historic sandstone Kangaroo Valley courthouse and police station is National Trust listed and Heritage Listed. Built in 1904 and still used today as the police station, the building was designed by famous NSW Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. It is a fine example of the series of rock faced stone courthouses designed for the cooler climate areas between 1895 and 1905.