A new chapter of service: Balwyn Blue supports police beyond the badge

PICTURED: Inaugural members of the Rotary Satellite Club of Balwyn Blue, Vic, at the club’s Launch event at Green Acres Golf Club on 12 August 2025.

Formed by current and former Victoria Police officers, the Rotary Satellite Club of Balwyn Blue is creating a vital bridge for those navigating life, identity and purpose beyond the uniform.

WORDS PDG Peter Frueh. Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic.

On 12 August, 2025, the Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic, proudly launched its satellite club – the Rotary Satellite Club of Balwyn Blue. This special group is made up of current and retired members of Victoria Police, brought together through the VicPol Leaders Mentoring Program (LMP), held in conjunction with local Rotary clubs.

Senior Sergeant Felicity Bell, who leads police welfare, is leading the charge. Felicity is passionate about helping officers find purpose and connection after they leave the force.

In addressing those gathered at the launch, she spoke of the struggle many officers face when they step away from the badge.

“For many of us, being a police officer isn’t just a job – it’s an identity. It’s a calling, a culture, a family. From the first day at the academy to the last shift on patrol, we wear the uniform not just on our bodies, but in our hearts. It shapes how we see the world, and how the world sees us.”

So, what happens when that uniform comes off – permanently?

“Retirement from policing is not just a change in schedule; it’s a transition of self. And for many, it’s harder than expected. There’s a silence that comes after the radio goes quiet. There’s a stillness that replaces the adrenaline. There’s a sense of invisibility that follows years of being instantly recognised by the uniform, by the badge, by
the role.

“And with that, comes a question that’s deeply personal and sometimes unsettling: Who am I without the badge?

That question deserves to be acknowledged – not with a shrug, but with empathy. Because for decades, our identity has been interwoven with public service, with being the helper, the protector, the one who runs towards danger while others
run away.

“And then suddenly the structure, the camaraderie, the mission – it all shifts. It’s no longer ‘Sergeant’, ‘Boss, have you got a minute?’ ‘Detective’ ‘Officer’. You become ‘Retired’.

“We see many of our colleagues resent retirement, delay retirement, fight retirement – many would sooner run towards a gun fight, than hand in their uniform and ID.

“But here’s the truth: retirement doesn’t erase your identity. It evolves it.

“You are still a protector – but now, maybe you protect in different ways: through mentoring, volunteering, guiding the next generation.

“You are still a leader – but now, maybe that leadership shines through community involvement, family roles or civic engagement.

“You are still a part of the brotherhood and sisterhood – but now, perhaps your role is as a wise elder, a keeper of stories, a bridge between what was and what will be – and a helping hand
to those taking the step into life after policing through Rotary.

“Our value has never rested solely in our uniform. It rests in our character, our integrity and our lifelong commitment to service. The skills in decision making under pressure, conflict resolution, resilience are needed in the world beyond law enforcement – perhaps now more than ever.

“So yes, retirement is a loss, akin to grief, but I see it as an opportunity. It is an opportunity for Rotary to harness like-minded people, but it is also an opportunity for officers to rediscover parts of themselves that may have been put on hold during years of shift work.

Today, we come together (as 11 to begin with, with 385 years of policing service) with the purpose to provide a bridging identity for retiring police employees; a volunteer workforce to support and work alongside like-minded organisations like Police Legacy, Police Veterans Victoria and Rotary, a reason to get out of bed in retirement and continue helping the community.”

With support from senior Victoria Police leaders and 11 founding members already on board, the Rotary Satellite Club of Balwyn Blue is set to grow, especially with more than 300 past LMP participants as potential members.

The club opens the door to exciting community projects that build on the strengths of both Rotary and Victoria Police. With the Rotary Club of Balwyn’s strong financial base from the Camberwell Sunday Market, and the passion of new members for hands-on service, there’s real potential to launch initiatives that support police welfare, mental health and broader community wellbeing.

These members will also help out at the market a few times a year, keeping the Rotary Club of Balwyn’s flagship fundraiser thriving.

The club is not just about welcoming new faces to Rotary; it’s about creating new ways to serve together.