Former police chief Ian Bull awarded OAM

As Inspector in Charge of the SPSA, Mr Bull was involved in the establishment of a range of community safety programs including the Cool Heads Young Driver Program, Street Rider Night Bus Service and the Greater Shepparton Liquor Accord.

Mr Bull has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community of Shepparton.

Mr Bull said he was proud of the community partnerships he was able to develop, most importantly within the Cool Heads Young Driver Program.

Created in 2008 and recently celebrating 10 years, Mr Bull said the program continued to go ‘‘from strength to strength’’.

‘‘We’ve had just fantastic support from the entire community,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m very proud of what we have achieved.’’

Another of Mr Bull’s proudest achievements was receiving the Shepparton Citizen of the Year Award in 2017.

Mr Bull played an active role as an umpire, coach and mentor in the Goulburn Valley Football Umpiring Association from 1992 to 2016 and was part of the fundraising committee for Goulburn Valley Hospice Care from 1996 to 2009.

He has also been involved in the Shepparton Golf Club as a member since 1992.

After retiring from Victoria Police in 2015, Mr Bull has pursued a career as a celebrant.

‘‘I enjoy continuing to be involved in the community and my work as a wedding and funeral celebrant,’’ Mr Bull said.

‘‘I feel very honoured and humbled to have received the Order of Australia Medal, which came as a big surprise,’’ he said.

Mr Bull is extremely grateful to the community for inspiring him everyday.

‘‘I would like to thank and acknowledge the wonderful people of the Goulburn Valley who have supported me during the past 26 years, whose assistance, friendship and encouragement inspired me to become involved with the local community in various ways,’’ he said.

‘‘Most importantly, I would like to thank and pay tribute to my wife Thelma, for her trust, her belief and for her unwavering support, every step of the way,’’ Mr Bull said.