Police have recognised Geelong doctor Rudi Gasser for five years of going “well beyond” the call of duty for a Kokoda youth program.
Leading Senior Constable Andy Brittain praised Dr Gasser for his active and genuine interest in at-risk youth preparing to take on the Kokoda Trail.
“On our very initial program, I remember Rudi ringing my mobile very early on a Saturday morning when we were transiting through Cairns Airport on the way to Papua New Guinea.
“He was doing a welfare check to make sure everyone was OK and that we had taken our malaria tablet … prior to our departure from Geelong.”
Each year Geelong police select 14 at-risk youths from local schools to take part in the 10-month program, which involves trekking the gruelling Kokoda Trail.
So far the 61 youths that had completed the program had either returned to school, gained employment or gone onto further education.
Dr Gasser has been involved with the program since it began in 2013, providing health checks to determine medical fitness to undertake the strenuous trek.
Leading Sen Const Brittain presented Dr Gasser with the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program’s Blue Ribbon Community Award earlier this month.
“His sincerity as a person is very humbling and very noteworthy to Barwon Health, who can trust that he is representing the organisation to the highest standard,” he said.
“He has taken a very active and genuine interest in the at-risk young people, even being able to recall their name when spoken about.”
