From controlling crowds during Queen Elizabeth's visit to Newcastle in 1977, to helping people experiencing homelessness and tough times at the Coachstop Caravan Park, John Hakes (APM, OAM) lived an extraordinary life.
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Mr Hakes passed away on Monday, November 1 at age 83, and a moving funeral service was held at St Joseph's Catholic Church, East Maitland on Tuesday, November 9.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, five children, John, Narelle, Lynn, Peter and Ann, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
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His family agrees he was a tough but fair father, and a big softie when it came to his grandchildren.
Mr Hakes had an exceptional career in the NSW Police Force, the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) (now Army Reserves) and in retirement, with the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Mr Hakes joined the police force in 1955 as a cadet, and rose through the ranks to become Chief Superintendent of Parramatta Police District in 1988.
It was early in his career when he was working temporarily at the police switchboard, that he met his future wife, Patricia, who was a telephonist in Werris Creek.
Their grandchildren say their Nan must have made quite an impression through the phone, because after meeting in person in April 1959, the pair were engaged in June, and married in October.
The family lived at the police residence at East Maitland where Mr Hakes was the lockup keeper, and then moved down the street into their forever home.
During his time in the police, Mr Hakes played a part in some extraordinary things, such as writing the NSW Police Force's first Counter Terrorism Manual, and being invited to Brisbane to review the security plans for the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Hakes was controlling crowds at Civic Park when Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1977, and commanded the police segment of Prince Charles and Lady Diana's visit to Newcastle in 1983.
His daughter, Ann King, said her dad's personality can be summed up by how he spent his Christmas day in recent years, caring for those less fortunate than he and his family.
Mr Hakes' family would have a late lunch after he came back from providing lunch for those who didn't have families to spend Christmas day with at the Therry Centre.
"It was really important for him that they were well looked after on Christmas day, that's just the kind of person he was, he wanted to make sure others were okay," she said.
Ms King recalled a powerful memory of her dad from when he was in the police force, when she woke up one morning and he wasn't there.
"Mum pointed to the TV where a news story was covering a siege underway at the University of Newcastle, and there was dad walking across the screen with a rifle, in the midst of the siege," she said.
Mr Hakes had a decorated career, with his achievements being recognised by many medals, which include:
- Australian Police Medal, APM (Queen's Honours list 1993)
- Order of Australia Medal, OAM (Queen's Honours List 2016)
- Queen's Police Long Service Medal
- Australian Army Reserve Long Service Medal
- Australian Police Long Service Medal
- Australian National Service Medal
- Australian Defence Medal
- Australian National Police Medal
- Service Medal in Emergency Response for involvement in the evacuation and care of the homeless in the 2007 Maitland floods.
Mr Hakes received his OAM for service to the community through social welfare organisations, in particular, the St Vincent de Paul society.
As a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul for over 20 years, Mr Hakes made a difference to the lives of many people and families in Maitland through his work at the Coachstop Caravan Park.
Kathy Bowe from St Vincent de Paul remembers Mr Hakes as a very kind, compassionate and considerate man.
Ms Bowe said Mr Hakes was instrumental in improving the health of the people living there who were experiencing tough times or homelessness by helping community health reach out to the people there.
They trusted him, and he helped them get their health under control, raising money for a private cabin for medical consultations and even raising 40 000 dollars so the people there could access dental treatment.
Mr Hakes will be remembered for his dedication to public service and helping others, as well as for being a devoted family man and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
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