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Ex-detective turned teacher Luke Taylor named Junee’s Australia Day Ambassador

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2 weeks ago

January 19, 2026

JUNEE will be represented this Australia Day by former NSW Police detective turned educator Luke Taylor, who has been appointed as the town’s official Australia Day Ambassador for 2026.

Luke will attend Junee’s annual Australia Day Awards Ceremony at the Athenium Theatre, where he will congratulate nominees, present awards and engage with community members as part of a day dedicated to recognising local contribution, service and achievement.

With a career spanning more than a decade in law enforcement and a second chapter in education and public speaking, Luke brings a perspective shaped by both the challenges of frontline policing and the transformative potential of storytelling and learning.

Responding to news of his appointment, Luke said he was “honoured” to be chosen as Junee’s Australia Day Ambassador and to be part of a ceremony that shines a spotlight on everyday contributions within the community.

“My role for this Australia Day will involve a number of key events at Junee, and I look forward to sharing my positive message with that fantastic community,” he said.

“As a former police officer and now educator, I accept this role on behalf of every hard-working police officer — sworn and unsworn — and teacher and support staff.

“I am one of millions who could have been chosen, and like you all, am proud to have been a small part in shaping this great country.”

From the front line to the classroom

Luke spent 14 years as a detective with the NSW Police Force, working in some of Sydney’s most demanding precincts, including Cabramatta and Blacktown.

His work involved investigating serious crimes such as murder, sexual assault, armed robbery and child abuse, as well as participating in undercover operations and child protection units.

His policing career placed him in close contact with vulnerable communities — an experience that would later influence his approach to education, advocacy and public speaking.

After leaving the force, Luke navigated a personal journey through post-traumatic stress and a loss of confidence, before deciding to pivot toward teaching and creative learning.

He completed a Master of Arts in Writing and became a high school English teacher, where he began developing innovative ways to engage students across diverse learning levels.

“As an English teacher for more than 11 years, I became captivated by the challenge of engaging students across diverse learning levels while navigating outdated teaching methods,” he said.

Luke Taylor | Photo: Facebook/Luke Taylor

Crime Story Australia

That classroom innovation grew into Crime Story Australia, an immersive literacy and inquiry-based learning program that uses mock crime scenes to teach students creative writing, research skills, critical thinking and problem-solving.

The program places participants in the role of investigators, encouraging them to build narratives through observation, evidence analysis and structured inquiry.

It has since been delivered in schools and workshops across regional and metropolitan Australia, from Bundaberg to Broken Hill, as well as to corporate and professional audiences.

Luke Taylor | Photo: Crime Story

Luke said the approach is designed to give students ownership of their learning, building confidence and curiosity through hands-on engagement rather than traditional, passive instruction.

“Drawing from my 14 years as a detective, I discovered that sharing compelling anecdotes and creating mock crime scene investigations sparked student interest,” he said.

“The secret to deeper learning? Asking the right questions.”

“I developed immersive methods to engage participants as investigators, focusing on authentic dialogue, research skills, deep imagery and intriguing character development.

“Through this approach, I found that crime scene analysis could also facilitate research and academic writing, allowing students to take charge of their investigations, build confidence and experiment across the curriculum.”

Advocacy, resilience and community

Beyond the classroom, Luke has become a mental health and resilience advocate, drawing on his experiences in policing and education to speak about recovery, adaptability and personal growth.

As a keynote speaker and corporate facilitator, he works with organisations to build confidence, creativity and team problem-solving, using humour and storytelling as tools to connect professional development with real-world experience.

During his visit to Junee, Luke will meet with community members and award nominees, sharing insights from his career and his belief in the power of storytelling to strengthen understanding, resilience and connection.

His presence at the ceremony will form part of Junee’s broader Australia Day program, which celebrates local achievement while bringing residents together to reflect on the people and efforts that shape the town year-round.