Constable Kenny Koala unveiled his new ‘wheels’ at The Canberra Hospital with Garran Primary School children today on Day for Daniel (Friday, October 28).
For the past five years Constable Kenny Koala has been chauffeur-driven around in a Hyundai Accent which was donated by rental car company AVIS in 2006, and since then has covered more than 70 000 kilometres to travel to schools and community events across Canberra.
Escorted by the Deputy Chief Police Officer for the ACT Bruce Hill, Constable Kenny Koala today excitedly accepted the keys to a new Kia Cerato, but vowed he would adhere to all road rules when driving.
“We are very pleased that the partnership between AVIS and the Constable Kenny Koala program is strong and ongoing, so that we can continue to deliver important crime prevention and personal safety messages to the children of Canberra,” Deputy Chief Police Officer Bruce Hill said.
“Constable Kenny Koala is very much a Canberra institution, and a key component of our law enforcement efforts.”
The launch of the AVIS-donated Constable Kenny Koala vehicle coincided with Day for Daniel, the 13-year-old boy who tragically disappeared in Queensland in December 2003.
“While the events surrounding Daniel are tragic, the day provides us with an opportunity to remind and teach our children about being safe so they do not become a victim of crime. It is fitting that today, on Day for Daniel, Constable Kenny Koala is provided with the keys that will see him deliver these messages for years to come,” Deputy Chief Police Officer Bruce Hill said.
Children from Garran Primary School wore red to mark the occasion — the colour Daniel was last seen wearing. The launch was followed by a tour of the Canberra Hospital’s children’s ward where Constable Kenny Koala entertained his fans.
Constable Kenny Koala has been delivering crime prevention and personal safety messages to primary school children for more than 30 years. In the 2010-11 financial year he delivered his message to more than 23,000 students.
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