Look who’s coming back to town

WA Police officer Constable Ryan Marron, who was struck down with Murray Valley encephalitis while working in the Kimberley last year, will attend next month’s Broome Police Legacy Ball, which aims to raise thousands of dollars towards his continued rehabilitation.

Broome police Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Baddock said he was excited to announce Const. Marron would be a special guest at the ball, with half the event’s proceeds going to the Ryan Marron Foundation.

“This was an easy choice for us, given Ryan is, and always will be a Kimberley copper, and is a brotherin need,” Det- en. Sgt Baddock said. Const. Marron was unable to walk or talk and needed 24-hour care after contracting the mosquito-

borne virus during a two-week relief stint in Balgo.

For the past six months he has been treated at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago after $600,000 was raised by Const. Marron’s family, WA police officers and a donation by the State Government.

Det-Sen. Sgt Baddock said his wish was for Const. Marron to be a 100 per cent better and at next year’s ball “kicking up a storm on the dance floor”.

Constable Toni Misitano, Const. Marron’s partner, would also be received as special guests of Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa during their stay in Broome. “As you know, we didn’t leave by choice; it was something that occurred.

So we are very excited to come back and Ryan is very excited to see all our friends,” she said.

“It’s going to be normality. Slowly, but surely, we are getting back to normal life and for Ryan to be back up to Broome, it will show how much stronger he is and how far down the track to recovery he is.”

Det-Sen. Sgt Baddock has encouraged the Broome community to show their support by buying tickets for the ball, to be held at at Sun Pictures on October 27, featuring Australian Idol finalists Chris and Courtney Murphy.

For tickets and more information, call Broome police on 9194 0200.