The Band of the South Australia Police brought music to people’s ears with a melodious performance in Mount Gambier’s city centre on Friday evening.

The event raised funds for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a not-for-profit organisation that supports and raises awareness for the Special Olympics and people with intellectual disabilities and their athletic abilities.

Limestone Coast Crime Prevention Officer in Charge Sergeant Jade Hill said at least 500 people attended the event at the Cave Gardens/Thugi and said it was great to see the community come together.

“It was an amazing turnout, the band played heaps of tunes and the crowd was up dancing,” Sgt Hill said.

“Everybody seemed to be having a fabulous time, we were very lucky with the weather.

“It was a massive turnout by the community, not only did they enjoy the police band but they were also very supportive of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

“There were all ages in the crowd, there were a lot of families, there were some older members of the community as well, the kids were up dancing and they loved it,” Sgt Hill said.

“It was promoted as an event that catered for people with a disability and we did have quite a few people come with physical and intellectual disabilities.”

Local police officers attended the event and Law Enforcement Torch Run committee members travelled from Adelaide.

A torch run took place along Commercial Street from the Wehl Street intersection to the Cave Gardens and the cauldron was lit at the Cave Gardens/Thugi.

“It was about raising awareness, running with our local police and torch committee members were our Special Olympics athletes,” Sgt Hill said.

“As we were running we were chanting – that raises awareness of Special Olympics and the torch run.

“We had some of the All-Abilities Soccer athletes as well as four local competitors for the national games that were held in Tasmania last year, with Amechai Bawden, Courtney Brown, Shaun Austin and Kristy Weber who all won medals at the games.

“They were presented to the community at the Cave Gardens, the whole community rallied behind them and really celebrated their achievements which was a really special moment for those athletes.”

The event was opened with a Welcome to Country by Tim Brennan and Ewen Grant from Triple M was the MC.

Superintendent Campbell Hill thanked the community for their cooperation and support through the COVID pandemic and Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin welcomed the community to the space and thanked everyone for their attendance and support of the event.

Law Enforcement Torch Run’s Inspector Rob Badenoch delivered a speech about the organisation and the Special Olympics athletes were introduced.

The Rotary Club of Mount Gambier Lakes also presented Inspector Badenoch with a $1000 donation from the proceeds raised for the Law Enforcement Torch Run at the Mount Gambier Australia Day Breakfast.

Proceeds from a Rotary Club and barbecue were donated to the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Sgt Hill said the band was thrilled to be in Mount Gambier and said she would like to see them back in the region again.

“During the pandemic they were put on hiatus and this was their first large-scale community performance since the pandemic,” she said.

“I had a lot of the community come up and say they would love for it to be an annual event.”

Band of the South Australia Police music director and acting Sergeant Dave Polain was extremely pleased with the event and said it was the band’s first outdoor performance in two years.

“It is so good to be out on the road again and doing what we do which is entertaining the public and the response down here by the audience was fantastic, I hope we can do it again some time,” Sgt Polain said.

“We always have a great time down here because the crowd get into it because the music scene down here is just so good.

“Bravo to the Limestone Coast and Mount Gambier.”