Police chaplain Reverend Peter Kilkeary retires

During his 17 years as police chaplain with Blue Mountains Police, Reverend Peter Kilkeary has been woken from slumber on many occasions to provide support to police and others involved in traumatic incidents.

Now 80, Rev Kilkeary thought it time to retire, finishing up last week.

The Winmalee man reflected upon some of the incidents that had stayed with him over the years. He recalls a call at 2.30am on a Sunday 13 years ago when a man had been celebrating his birthday earlier that evening, and later thrown himself off Echo Point. Rev Kilkeary went to Katoomba to support a young police officer.

And six years later when a man jumped from a cliff in the national park at Glenbrook, Rev Kilkeary was there to support the man’s friends who had gathered in the park. After they’d been told of his death, “a young girl screamed and threw her arms up in the air – they were to be married in three months’ time,” Rev Kilkeary recalled sadly. 

The Baptist minister was mostly at the Springwood station. “In Springwood I got to know them very well and had a great rapport.

“Detectives would have their heads down and I’d say ‘morning, anything you need to confess?’” he said.

“I leave with a bit of sadness. I have really enjoyed it. There’s been no conflict, I’ve just enjoyed our time together.”

Rev Kilkeary was an English and History teacher before he undertook training for the ministry at a theological college in Eastwood, Sydney, in the late 1960s.

Skip forward a few decades, and a friend suggested Rev Kilkeary become a police chaplain, as he thought he could relate well to people. “That’s been the secret all along, rather than ticking the boxes, treat people as people,” Rev Kilkeary said.

He and his wife Joy moved from Strathfield to Winmalee in 2001. He enjoys time with his family, and is on the P and C at Winmalee High where his grandson Liam attends and his granddaughter Siobhan Clifford also attended before graduating last year and joining group Hi-5.

Rev Kilkeary was awarded an OAM in 2009 for service to church and community. Last week he was farewelled at Springwood Police Station and given a plaque in recognition of his services.

Blue Mountains Police Superintendent Darryl Jobson said: “We are most grateful to have Peter in our corner looking out for us. He has provided faithful support and sincere interest in the wellbeing of all staff attached to Blue Mountains Local Area Command.”