After 12 years as chief inspector at the Parkes Police Station - and working his way into the hearts of many in our community - Dave Cooper has taken on a new role in Armidale.
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But he said he'll never forget Parkes and the impression its left on him and his family, nor the friendships he's forged along the way.
Dave is the new Officer in Charge at Armidale Police Station, a role he's been in for a month now that sees him in charge of a bigger station with more staff and new challenges.
The move takes his family back to the New England area where they will be closer to his and wife Dana's parents and their extended families.
The Cooper family arrived in Parkes in 2008 after Dave was promoted to inspector from Glen Innes with the then Lachlan Local Area Command.
Daughter Maddison and son Ben - 10 and five at the time - attended Holy Family School.
Dana is a clinical psychologist, first working in community health before moving to the Department of Community and Justice over the last 12 years.
"We soon realised we were living in a wonderful community," Dave said.
Ben, who is now 18 and plans on attending university, became part of the junior sporting scene playing cricket, soccer, rugby league and touch footy.
Maddison found her path to the Little Theatre and Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society (M&D), which has left a lasting impression on the now 22-year-old who aims to become a drama teacher.
"Through these endeavours our family was always welcomed and we really felt part of the community," Dave said.
"This is the longest we've stayed in any town so that says it all, it's the town our children call home.
"Parkes wrapped itself around us, we're so lucky," Dana added.
It wasn't long after they arrived that Dave found himself volunteering at junior cricket to umpire or coach, Dana too helped at cricket and the M&D as a parent.
Dave played senior cricket and soccer, and later became involved with touch football, at one time holding the position of president.
"I formed the view that if you want to be part of the community you have to participate and you have to give back," Dave said.
"For the same reasons I started helping out at the junior and senior rugby league clubs - both great clubs with proud traditions.
"[And touch footy], I loved every minute of it.
"What really drew me to the Parkes Pumas was their commitment to junior development pathways.
"The kids of Parkes got to go away and play rep touch footy against all the big Sydney clubs, and while the results didn't always go our way the club was always widely known and highly respected."
All this while having a very important role in protecting the community too.
Dave said he has worked with some great police during his time at Parkes.
"I am incredibly proud of the relationships we were able to build with the community," he said.
"Parkes Police will always hold a special place in my heart for the people I got to work alongside and the community we served.
"I would like to acknowledge my colleagues in emergency services including NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, the RFS and SES.
"We have always enjoyed solid, professional relationships and have always worked closely alongside each other particularly at times of great stress and need."
Such relationships and how everyone worked so well together is among his highlights in Parkes, Dave said.
"That's indicative of the esteem in which we hold each other," he said.
"Council too - I have enjoyed personally and professionally working with council. I knew that I could call the mayor or the general manager any time and we could talk."
Another highlight for Dave was the construction of the new Parkes Police Station and its professional surroundings in 2013.
"That's a big highlight for the police and the town," he said.
In his new role in Armidale, Dave is aiming to introduce some community engagement strategies.
"All what I did here, I want to do there. I want to build good relationships with everyone," he said.
Dave and Dana officially left Parkes last Wednesday, departing as "empty nesters".
Outside of their new jobs, they look forward to spending more time with family, travelling to the coast, going fishing (for Dave) and having more of a work-life balance.
"If Covid has taught us anything it's the importance of family," Dave said.
"On behalf of the Cooper family, thank you Parkes for welcoming us and allowing us to be part of this great town.
"The community and its people have given us far greater than we could ever repay."