Friends, family, and former colleagues gathered at Nobbys Beach at dawn on Friday to remember Mark Lucas, a former NSW Police Force officer who died on November 3, 2023, at age 49. Lucas served 18 years in the force and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
His brother, Jamie, expressed gratitude for the memorial swim organized by Pat Gleeson, calling it a special tribute at an iconic location. The morning concluded with a barbecue, which Jamie described as capping off an outstanding event.
Former colleague Pat Gleeson said the swim was an opportunity to reconnect and check on each other. He remembered Lucas as a larger-than-life character who was loyal and always had your back.
Lucas joined the Newcastle Knights as a 19-year-old in 1993 before entering the police force in 2002. He retired in 2020 due to PTSD. His family, including his 11-year-old son Jack, traveled from Gunnedah to honor his memory.
Gleeson noted that mental health was rarely discussed when he joined the police in the 1980s, and the gathering reinforced that support remains available even after leaving the job. He emphasized the importance of staying on top of mental health and said it was heartening for Lucas's family to see he is still remembered as a great fellow.
