Former Ballarat policewoman on duty in Christchurch

By Pat Nolan
Updated November 2 2012 - 3:50pm, first published February 28 2011 - 12:32pm
LENDING A HAND: Isla Wakeling
LENDING A HAND: Isla Wakeling

FORMER Ballarat woman Ilsa Wakeling says she is anxious about the mountain of work that lies ahead of her as a member of Victoria Police in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch.She is not anxious about negotiating the destroyed buildings at risk to her own safety, but more so she is anxious and eager to start helping people as soon as possible.Senior Constable Wakeling is part of the Force Response Unit of Victoria Police, a unit that has been sent over to New Zealand as part of the 100-strong Victorian policing contingent.She has been in Christchurch since Friday.Speaking to The Courier from Christchurch yesterday, she said it was impossible to grasp the full magnitude of what happened without actually being in the city."You get to have a look around and appreciate what's really gone on, some describe it as a war zone with the army trucks being driven around 24/7. Others say it's like a movie set," Senior Constable Wakeling said.The former professional softballer said her police unit had been working on the outskirts of Christchurch since they arrived, trying to keep unauthorised people out of the city.She was expecting to work with the Urban Search and Rescue team on a night shift overnight last night, which she said she was anxious to start."You just get anxious because all you want to do is help, in our type of work all you want to do is help," she said.Senior Constable Wakeling said there was still an eerie feeling around Christchurch."It's sort of a surreal because when you come in after that has happened you try and appreciate what the people have gone through here. In some buildings there are still full plates of food where people have just run when the earthquake started."The Force Response Unit's role in Australia is to support police operations where general uniformed police need additional help, such as protecting witnesses.Senior Constable Wakeling moved away from Ballarat 10 years ago when she was 22.She said she expected to be home on March 11.

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