Fr Stephen’s Police Service honoured
06 June, 2022
Father Stephen Hanly was presented on Thursday 26th May with a 10-year badge and Certificate of Service for 10 years’ service by Deputy Commissioner Paul Taylor.
Father Stephen Hanly was born and bred in the Mackay area having completed his schooling in Mackay and then worked for 12 months in retail. From 1983 – 1989, Stephen lived in Brisbane, studying at the Catholic Seminary at Banyo to be a priest in the Catholic Church. Following his studies at Banyo, he began ministering as a Deacon on the Capricorn Coast.
Fr Stephen later moved onto being a priest at the Cathedral in Rockhampton for several years before being posted to Emerald and the Central Highlands. From the Central Highlands, Stephen moved to Bundaberg, then Sarina, then the Mackay area for 10 years, before returning to Emerald and the Central Highlands.
It was during Fr Stephen’s second visit to the Central Highlands that he began his work with the Queensland Police service as a part time Police Chaplain. He began as a Chaplain on the 1st of March 2011. After 6 months’ probation, he was inducted on the 12th December 2011 at St Patrick’s Church, Emerald. As Police Chaplain in Emerald, Stephen enjoyed visiting Police Stations all over the Central Highlands.
In May 2015, Stephen was transferred to Mackay where he has continued in his role as a part time police chaplain focusing on the Mackay and Mackay Northern Beaches Stations. In 2021 Stephen took 12 months leave of absence to do further study in Spiritual Direction in Melbourne, returning in 2022 to continue his Ministry with Queensland Police.
We thank Stephen for his service and may God bless him in the future.
