The driving force behind the Wagga Boys' Club, now known as the Police Citizens and Youth Club, has been remembered as a great officer, a stalwart of the community and a loving father.
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Patrick John Kain, known to most as Pat, passed away on November 1, at the age of 88, after battling ill health for many years.
Mick Kain, one of Pat's sons, said he had cherished his family.
"Pat and Barb were blessed with three grandchildren Damien, Adam and Matthew," he said. "Pop and Nan were so proud of the extended family. Pat cherished his great-grandchildren Elenor, Juliete, Valerie and the twins, Travis and Ivy. They all loved seeing old Pop, and didn't he show them off at the nursing home."
Acting Detective Inspector Phil Malligan paid tribute to Pat's diligent service to both the police force, and the PCYC.
"At the age of 19 years, Pat was the correct height and the correct weight - sounds like we are talking about a horse race - to join the police," he said. "He left the country of Tumut and Talbingo ... to commence at the police academy of Penrith."
After just three weeks of training, he was sworn in as a member of the police force on November 13, 1950. Through his 22 years of policing, Pat would rise to the rank of sergeant, working as the lock-up officer, superintendent's driver and secretary of the boys' club to name a few.
Pat was given the challenge of fundraising and setting up the boys' club in Wagga, a responsibility he took seriously. Inspector Malligan said Pat was often seen outside the post office and David Jones asking for sponsorship and funds.
The Wagga Leagues Club donated the land that the PCYC stands on today. At the official opening on December 7, 1963, the Commissioner of Police at the time said that the Wagga Police Boys' Club broke all records in that from fundraising to opening was 22 months, a record that stands to this very day.
As Retired Senior Constable Fred Loneragan said, of all the press coverage of the opening of the boys' club, there was one line that has stuck with him.
"A young boy was interviewed, and he stated 'this is the best Christmas present there has been for us kids'," he said.
"In the not too distant future when the new PCYC is opened ... remember if it was not for Gurwood Street, there might be no brand new building on the corner of Edward and Fitzhardinge streets.
"On June 23, 1971, Sergeant Pat Kain retired from the NSW police force due to ill health, but there is no doubt that the boys' club movement is to this day a stronger unit for the work and dedication of Pat and his wife Barbara and their family."