Leading Sen Const Baldock and his wife Senior Constable Charlene Baldock are settling in to their new home, having recently relocated from Mildura.

Senior Constable Baldock works out of the Warracknabeal Police Station.

“We’d been wanting to make a move for a while,” Sen Const Baldock said.

“This opportunity came up and we thought we’d give it a go. We’d been looking at moving somewhere else and making a change.”

The couple have three grown children, two boys and a girl.

Leading Sen Const Baldock joined Victoria Police in 1999 and Sen Const Baldock followed six years later.

Yarriambiack Senior Sergeant Stephen Armati said he was thrilled to welcome both Leading Sen Const Baldock and Sen Const Baldock to the Wimmera.

“Charlene and Mick bring a wealth of experience to the district,” he said.

“They’re both looking forward to getting to know the communities they’ll be serving.

“It’s really exciting times for Minyip and Mick will be a great asset to the community.”

Minyip police station has been unmanned since August 2014 after its sole officer David Flannery transferred across the state.

Victoria Police advertised three times for a station officer – twice in 2015 and again in March this year.

Northern Grampians Inspector Ian Lindsay said the appointment was a welcome one.

“It’s been a long and well publicised battle to get a police officer at Minyip,” he said.

“I think we’ve found the right person with the right experience for the job and I believe he will meet the desires and expectations of the Minyip community.

“I’m very pleased with the appointment. It’s a win for not only Minyip but also Warracknabeal.”

Leading Sen Const Baldock said he was looking forward to getting out into the Minyip community.

“I’ll be making myself known about town and getting to know a few people,” he said.

“I’ve already had a few people drive past the station just checking out what was going on, so I don’t think it will take people too long to start dropping in.”

The Baldocks will call the Minyip police residence home.