Pat Ritter. Books

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'Dream Angel'
- Page 1: Chapter One

Dad sat in his lounge chair and stared at me. His eyes rolled back and forth. The whites shined against the contrast of brown pupils. Foam formed on his lips and seeped. Spittle flowed like a waterfall. Wrinkles changed to rage. I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack. His mouth opened in one movement, ‘No son of mine is going to be a copper.’ He screamed.
Judgement day arrived; I wanted to join the Queensland Police Force as a police cadet. My boyhood dream was to become a real-life detective. Was I any different to anyone else to want to fulfil his or her dream? There must be a reason why Dad didn’t want me to become a policeman? Over and over he said, once a policeman, never a man. You’ve got to swear to arrest your own mother or father.

Cunnamulla, aboriginal meaning ‘long stretch of water’, is a small country town which lies on the Warrego River in south-west Queensland, 206 kilometres south of Charleville, and 950 kilometres west of Brisbane.
Dad’s father, my grandpa, moved to Cunnamulla in 1896 to work as a shearing contractor, his name Peter Ritter.

'Dream Angel' - Page 2:
Dad’s mother’s family settled in Cunnamulla from England, her name Daisy Sharpe. Grandpa and Momma Ritter (that’s the name we’d known her by since I can remember as a child) married in Cunnamulla and had eleven children, seven boys and four girls. My father Frank is the second eldest.
On my mother’s side, her mother, Hannah Ryan (we’d known her by the name Mam), was born in Cunnamulla in 1903. Mam attended Cunnamulla State School. Mum’s father, Grandfather Wilson moved to Cunnamulla before World War 1. He fought in the Great War and served in France. It’s fascinating how both of my grandparents, on each side of the family met and fell in love and married in Cunnamulla? My parents were born in Cunnamulla six months apart.
Grandfather Wilson and Mam had seven daughters, my mother being the second eldest. When I was growing up, I remember Mam told me stories of the early days of Cunnamulla when she rode in Cobb & Co coaches; and battled the heat and flies. Her storytelling filled my mind with visions of how people lived and worked in Cunnamulla. I devoured each word to instil into the library of my mind and never forgot them.
Mam’s father, Joe Ryan, my great grandfather worked as a shearer in the town. In 1891 the shearers in Cunnamulla took part in the Great Shearer’s Strike, which lasted five months. Great grandfather, Joe Ryan joined 500 other shearers to fight for better wages and conditions.
Mam’s childhood was tough and lonely. When she was ten years old, her mother died while giving birth. Great grandfather Joe Ryan couldn’t cope with the loss of his wife and gave his children away to different families in Cunnamulla like a ‘litter of pups’. Mam went with a family who owned the drapery store. Two of her sisters went to other families in the town and her youngest sister went to live in Warwick with relatives...

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'The Proposition' - Page 1:
Chapter 1

Bundy Quicksilver is an alcoholic. His final drink on 13th January 1977, reminded him never to allow alcohol to pass his lips again. If it did – one drink was too many and a thousand not enough. His wife Ada threatened to leave with their two children if he didn’t do something about his drinking. His promise, he would never drink again, he kept.
After this declaration he never again allowed alcohol to pass his lips. After another twenty years, he understood why he was an alcoholic. Ada helped him rediscover a new life. With her help he changed from being a dry drunk to live an enriched life.
Sadly, after thirty-one years of marriage he lost the love of his life to cancer and retired on a farm in the beautiful Mary Valley north of Brisbane. Until one day a visit to his local post office changed his life forever.

‘You have a parcel you’re to sign for.’ She pushed a sheet of paper toward him, ‘sign here,’ pointed to a spot beneath his name. Bundy signed and was handed the parcel.
On the rear were the words - Commissioner of Police. His eyebrows lifted not knowing what to expect - twenty years since he retired from Queensland Police Service. Tearing the paper, he discovered a blue coloured metal case with the words POLICE SERVICE MEDAL clearly embroidered on the front.
‘After twenty years, the Commissioner decided to send me a medal.’ Stunned and excited, he shared his latest discovery with the Post Mistress. ‘I suppose, being the Post Mistress, you could do the honour on behalf of the Commissioner to present me with this medal. Would you do me this honour?’ Bundy asked in a soft and sincere voice....
The Proposition' - Page 2:
‘I’d love to,’ she replied - poked her chest out, a broad smile spread across her moon shaped face. Bundy handed her the case. She opened the lid, a large medal with the words DILIGENT AND ETHICAL SERVICE fastened with coloured stripped two-tone blue ribbon and a bar with the figure ‘20’ pinned across the centre of the ribbon, held her attention. ‘Do I take them out and pin them on you?’ She asked in a concerned voice. A look of seriousness covered her face.
‘I suppose you should. What’s the other medal?’ Bundy asked when he saw two in the case.
‘A smaller version of the larger one, I suppose you wear them to show you served twenty years in the police service. I’m privileged to do this, a proud and honoured moment.’ She said as she unclipped both medals from inside of the case quickly fastening them to Bundy’s shirt, ‘do I salute or stand at attention?’ She asked nervously.
‘No, I don’t think so – I’m overwhelmed to get them. I never believed I’d ever hear from the police again. I’m grateful to be remembered.’ A tear welled in his eyes; memories flooded back of twenty years he served his community as a law enforcement officer.

After he returned home, he wrote a personal letter to the Commissioner to express his appreciation and gratitude on receiving the medals. Words flooded his mind. Actual right words were difficult to find. He wrote from his heart.

‘Is that you Bundy?’ The voice didn’t sound familiar when Bundy answered the telephone.
‘Bundy Quicksilver here, who’s speaking,’ he answered the caller, only thinking might be another pest call from a call centre.
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'The Year That Never Was' - extract ...page 4:

Nat and Martha agreed to Joe’s idea to travel with them to Brisbane after shearing completed. Joe worked from daylight until dark through the shearing period. This time taking half the time to shear the sheep because of overhead shearing equipment with machine driven hand pieces instead of hand shearing. Hannah arranged tickets for travel on the train from Cunnamulla to Brisbane.
Beginning first week in June they boarded the steam train at Cunnamulla Railway Station. A board smile spread across her face. She leaned over kissed Joe on the lips, ‘I love you.’ Joe smiled, returned the kiss.
Pulling out of Cunnamulla Railway Station Hannah said to Joe, ‘I’ve never travelled by train this far west. When I was eighteen years old, went to Brisbane to school was the last time I travelled by train. Such a long time ago.’ She pondered. ‘Do you think we’ll stop at Coongoola Railway Siding to catch up with Daisy, Desi, Keith and Little Daisy?’ She asked.
‘I hope so. I think the train stops for water to keep the steam going.’ Joe answered.
Martha and Nat sat across from Joe and Hannah in their carriage. Most of the train filled with passengers excited to be journeying from the final stop west to the first stop in Brisbane. A loud whistle sounded indicating the train about to start their journey. A journey for the next couple of days stopping at Railway Stations with Refreshment Rooms for passengers to partake of refreshments on their journey east.
Leaving Cunnamulla Railway Station they commenced their journey. After about twenty minutes Hannah said to Joe. ‘Look Joe. The place Billy Wells held the stagecoach up the morning I returned to school. How life has changed. If Mr Shirley hadn’t been a passenger on the stagecoach.’ Hannah stopped to reflect about this life changing event. Mr Shirley started her career as a school teacher in Cunnamulla. ‘My life would’ve been different. I’d never have found you.’ Her eyes sparkled with joy...

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'Greatest OMR Stories

Don't Stop Me Now

When Noel gave us this topic, my mind went directly to a song Elvis Presley sang 'Don't Stop Me Now.' Elvis's voice echoed in my mind listening to the words.
Or I might be wrong about the title. May have been 'Don't Leave Me Now.' Anyway, whatever the song title Elvis Presley sang the song.
Growing up in the 50's Elvis Presley became 'King Of Rock & Roll'. I remember aged eight-year-old my mother taking me to the movie theatre at Roma for the movie 'Love Me Tender'.
Being his first movie left an impression on an eight-year-old when he sang the title of the movie to his mother. If only I could've possessed a similar voice to Elvis to sing the same song to my mother.
Venturing into my teenage years Elvis Presley created more 'Rock & Roll' music plus acted in the many movies. Elvis never gave up instead changed his act to include a more mature kind of music. After acting in over thirty-six movies Elvis loved touring especially playing Las Vegas International Hotel.
His marriage to Pricilla Presley became the highlight of Elvis's life until the arrival of his only child Lisa Maree Presley, became the apple of his eye. Life went along smooth for Elvis until his desire to entertain his fans took over his life. His love of music grew wide throughout the world placing him 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
Unfortunately, his life with Pricilla ended in divorce. His music never stopped with nightly shows at Las Vegas International Hotel for his audience to enjoy. These shows kept Elvis alive until 1977 when he collapsed and passed away at his home in Graceland’s.
'Don't Leave Me Now' echoed throughout the many radio stations across the world. Fans gathered, most crying to witness the passing of an American Icon.
No one believed Elvis was dead. Many have tried to swing their hips, sing songs like Elvis, no one can replace the 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
This year marks forty years since the death of Elvis Presley. Many sightings have been reported across the world. Elvis Presley is dead.
His music never died with him. Even after forty years from his death Elvis's music lives on in the soul of his fans.
How can one individual after forty years since he left this world live on in his music.
His music should be 'Don't Stop Me Now' which Elvis Presley has proven to the world he continues to sit on his throne as 'King Of Rock & Roll'.
Word count: 435

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'Brilliant OMR Stories' -

Then There Were Three
Fairy tales have been with us since childhood. Remember those three little pigs whose house was going to be blown down
by the big bad wolf.
This version is a little different. In this fairy tale there are five little pigs.
It’s a game I normally play with my grandson who is fifteen months old.
He holds his little hand out; I hold it in the palm of my left hand and with my right fingers touch his index finger and say, ‘this little piggy went to market’. His smile and 'laughter almost takes my breath away.
With the next finger I say, ‘this little piggy stayed home.’ And continue onto the next finger I say, ‘this little piggy had bread and butter,’ and the next, ‘this little piggy had none.’ For the final finger I say, ‘and this little piggy went way, way, way up here,’ travelling my finger along his arm and tickling him on his neck underneath his ear.
His giggle is infectious and I hug him with delight.
When we play this game my mind wonders back to the nursery rhyme ‘three little pigs’. The first pig wanted to build his house of stray and it was blown down by the big bad wolf. The second wanted to build his house of wood and it also got blown down by the big bad wolf. Whilst the third pig built his house of bricks which the wolf huffed and puffed and couldn’t blow his house down.
After the battle of not destroying the third pigs house, the big bad wolf left, then there were three pigs left to live together in the brick house without worrying about the big bad wolf huffing and puffing and blowing their house down.
They all lived in harmony safe and secure from the big bad wolf. Is there a lesson to be learnt from this nursery rhyme?
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'Greatest OMR Stories' -

The Virgin Father

My mind passes back to a trip my partner and I went on many years ago, ‘Stars, Spars, Outback Tour’. Instead of staying in motel accommodation, we camped on outback sheep and cattle stations.
Shortly after turning twenty-one years old I worked on a sheep and cattle property in far south-west Queensland. This latest adventure became different to anything I ever experienced before.
Country people are always friendly greeting us with warm country hospitality. First property we stayed overnight ‘Nardoo Station’ north of Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland. Not long after arrival our host took us on a tour of the property to familiarise us with this great country.
I’d seen most of this type of country a hundred times over, particularly, mulga scrub, open plains, Mitchell grass, until we came across a nest of Emu eggs in a clearing. Our guide stopped the bus for all to decamp and inspect this wonderland of animal instinct. All my travelling through this country, I never witnessed this sight before. Five large emu eggs in a nest with a giant male Emu standing nearby.
‘Let me explain to you about the Emu.’ The guide started to inform us all. ‘These eggs were laid by the female Emu, she left her nest. The male Emu sits on these eggs for six weeks until the chicks are born.’ I needed to close my mouth before flies entered.
‘A Virgin Father.’ These words I spoke aloud.
‘What do you mean, A Virgin Father’? The guide asked me.
‘Simple, the female Emu lays the eggs. The male Emu takes over making him ‘The Virgin Father’. I said in astonishment. This thought entered my mind when the male Emu stood near the eggs.
‘How do you work out he’s ‘A Virgin Father’? The guide questioned me. Obvious she’d become intrigued with my answer.
‘Okay, I realise they conceived the eggs before laying them. ‘The Virgin Father’ is unique because probably he is the first male I’ve ever seen to sit on eggs to produce his chicks. I’ve never witnessed a man pregnant. Have you?’ I explained in a manner-of-speaking.
‘When you explain how this happened in the way you have done. Yes, I agree, ‘The Virgin Father’ is a male Emu. I’ll need to keep this in mind to tell other guests.’ Our guide answered with a frown on her face.
‘You’re clever to point out this point.’ My partner whispered in my ear.
‘Don’t worry. I only thought of ‘The Virgin Father’ after the guide told us about the male Emu sitting on the eggs. I’m not clever.’ I finished with a smile spread across my face.
‘I think you’re clever.’ My partner replied holding my hand in hers. ‘You are my Virgin Father’.
‘I’m too old to be sitting on your eggs.’ I smiled.
Word count: 474
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'Greatest OMR Stories'
The Day I Cooked The Books
During the late 1970’s in Australia many businesses adopted a system to reduce paying their taxes to the Commonwealth. This system ‘Bottom Of The Harbour Scheme’. I’ll share a story of my knowledge to this scheme.
Around this time, I worked part-time for a trucking business at Dalby on the outskirts of the Darling Downs. My role repair field bins. Another of my tasks to answer the telephone, record the messages for the owner to read on his return to the office. This being a part-time job I worked one full day a week.
Many times, I became the only person in the office to answer the telephone, record messages. One occasion a telephone call from another business person down the road wanted to contact the Boss about something important. No mobile telephones in those days. My only chance to hold onto the messages until the Boss returned.
When he returned I immediately told him about his messages including the emergency to contact his business friend. ‘I’ll phone him later. I want to thank you for taking care of business in my absence. Anytime you want a fulltime job.’ My Boss told me.
This being a second job, I couldn’t leave my permanent position. I thanked him for his offer declined under the circumstances. Before I left he wanted to speak to me about something important.
‘These telephone calls you’ve been receiving in my absence is from so-and-so down the road.’ His machinery business sold more farm machinery than any other business on the Darling Downs.
‘Yes.’ I explained.
‘He’s got me tied up in a scheme called ‘Bottom Of The Harbour Scheme’. Great idea he came up with to reduce tax paid to the Commonwealth.’ The Boss explained, taking me into his confidence.
‘Yes.’ Blank look on my face appeared not to understand.
‘Thought I’d share with you. Saved me thousands of dollars last year. I purchased another house down the Gold Coast.’ My mind exploded with visions of this other house.
‘Wow! How does this scheme work?’ My interest obviously showed to think I may be interested.
‘We place our money into movie deals. Claim the money as a tax deduction.’ He explained.
The penny never dropped. ‘How do you make money?’ I queried.
‘We don’t. Whatever money we invest, the money is a tax deduction at the end of the year. Hence the name ‘Bottom Of The Harbour Scheme’’.
‘Excuse my ignorance. How do you make money from investing into movie deals when they don’t make money?’ I queried.
‘The day I cooked the books to show how much money we invest. No movie has made any money at this stage. Deduction for loss returns to us at the end of the year through our tax returns.’ The Boss explained everything.
‘Sorry, I don’t understand. All I do understand is you cooked the books. I don’t understand what these words mean. Hope you’re never caught.’ I finished my employment immediately with this Boss.

Word count: 506
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'Greatest OMR Stories' -

Where There Is A Will

Malcolm Fraser, Prime Minister of Australia once used these words, 'Life wasn't meant to be easy'. I remember his words today although he'd spoken them thirty years ago. At the time these words became a turning point in my life. My role guarding him.
We never had the terrorist threats as we have today. I remember driving in an unmarked police vehicle to Oakey Air Force Base to meet his plane. Apart from his personal security personnel, we were assigned to protect the Prime Minister whilst he visited towns in our area.
Mingling amongst the crowd people swarmed around the Prime Minister like bees to honey. I kept my distance like a duck out of water. A tap on my shoulder instantly returned by mind to the present, 'where's the Prime Minister?' Superintendent Byers shouted.
Pointing toward the large gathering I didn't say a word until Superintendent Byers said. 'If someone tries to shoot the Prime Minister I want you to take the bullet.' Like bloody hell I'll take a bullet for the Prime Minister went through my mind. My life is more important than his. I have a wife and family. Immediately I moved closer to the crowd surrounding the Prime Minister.
Where there is a will. There is a way. My instincts filled my mind. I stood on the outskirts of the crowd surrounding the Prime Minister whilst he made his speech to open the function. After which the crowd dispersed leaving the Prime Minister with his security staff.
On our return to Oakey Air Force Base Superintendent Byers vehicle led the procession at a rapid pace. Driving the second vehicle I had difficulty keeping up with him. Behind my vehicle the Prime Minister's vehicle. A vehicle approached us swerved to avoid collision with Superintendent Byers vehicle. I looked in the rear-a-vision mirror. The Prime Minister's vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway.
The Prime Minister alighted from his vehicle walked to toward the vehicle which by this time stopped on the side of the roadway. The driver shaking and nervous. The Prime Minister personally apologised to the driver, turned to me and said, 'who was the bloody idiot who drove this driver off the road!' He blasted.
By this time Superintendent Byers arrived at the scene. 'Me Mr Prime Minister.' He replied.
'I've apologised to this person. Now I want you to apologise also.' The Prime Minister said in a threatening voice.
Superintendent Byers apologised to the driver who by this time settled his nerves. I thought to myself, where there is a will. There is a way.
Word count: 439
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With More Than Usual Intent

1975 my first real investigation as a Detective Constable. Only a couple of months before, I was transferred to Dalby Criminal Investigation Branch to fulfil my life ambition to become a designated Detective in Queensland Police Force.
Detective Sergeant Lionel Bacchi our Officer-in-charge of Criminal Investigation Branch became my mentor. On a Monday morning he instructed me to take Plain Clothes Constable Peter Martin travel to Chinchilla to investigation two fires. This became my first major investigation.
We travelled to Chinchilla to interview a young male for setting fires, one in his neighbour's garage, another in a shoe store. I interviewed this young male in the presence of his mother. His admissions astonished me with his forthright admission of guilt wanting to burn down his neighbour's garage because of an altercation between neighbours. Cut and dry investigation, you may say.
With the second investigation this young male went to a storeroom at the rear of the local shoe shop. Cardboard boxes were staked along the rear wall. He removed these boxes placed them into a pile in the centre of the room. He was about to strike a match when the owner of the store entered the room stopped the young male from setting the boxes on fire. If the boxes ignited the whole shopping centre of Chinchilla would've been destroyed.
At the time I interview this young male he admitted to stacking the boxes; about to strike a match when the owner came into the storeroom to stop him. I asked a question, 'why did you want to set fire to these boxes?'
His reply, 'I don't know.'
On our return to Dalby Lionel wanted us to call into his home to discuss what we did. I handed him the Record of Interview I recorded from the young male person. We bid him goodnight. Next morning when we arrived at the office, Lionel wanted to speak with me. His demeanour not exciting. His words, 'when you asked him the question why did you want to set fire to these boxes.'
'Yes. He told me he didn't know.'
'You haven't proven intent.' His words fell on deaf ears. I didn't have a clue what he spoke about. Lionel continued, 'when a person plans to commit an offence, you need to understand he thinks through the process of intent, which is a state of mind. In this case you haven't proven 'intent'. His defence could be he wanted to set fire to the boxes to warm his hands which is no offence.' My head bowed. I didn't study enough to understand the law.
'Don't worry about this because I'll prosecute to make certain he doesn't raise the defence.' I thanked Lionel for this valuable information intent to study harder to understand the law. This investigation with more than usual intent became a strong lesson for me to learn early in my career.
Word count: 489
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