Volume 17 Issue 2, August 2017
Print Post 100018975
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CONTENTS Volume 17, Issue 2, August 2017 2 3 5 6 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 20 21 21 22 24 25 26 28 29 30
CEO’s Message Facebook is our letterbox drop of the future Safety Alliance Victoria Whitehorse Awards – Deakin Community Awards Filling the gaps in – Manningham NHW Sandringham Community Neighbourhood Watch Gate Opening Sandringham – Safety PL8 Day Sandringham – Vale – Victor Bernard Bateman Mildura Junior Watch Program Sandhurst Neighbour Day Tarneit Central Youth Safety Forum, Yoga Day & Radio Discussion Moira, Cobram NHW Thanks for 30 Years Echuca West Operation Safeplate – 2017 Whitehorse Bike Patrol Moonee Valley Interview with Senior Constable Luki Yantono Glen Eira’s Digital Transformation Torquay Jan-Juc Safe Plate Day Banyule Council Volunteer Awards NHW Ivanhoe & Eaglemont Banyule Fighting Graffiti with Murals Yarra Ranges Community Connections Morwell Open Mosque Day Point Cook Central NHW Turns One Greater Dandenong NHW Monash, Valley Lake NHW Connecting for Safety & Security Our Cup Runneth Over Monash, Valley Lake NHW
Copyright All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. Advertising Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.
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CEO’S MESSAGE
FROM THE CEO
B
y the time you are reading this I will have enjoyed my first 3 months at Neighbourhood Watch Victoria. As I am sure you can imagine it has been a huge learning curve which I would not have travelled without the support, knowledge and advice of our State Secretary and most recent Acting CEO Geoff Kloot.
If there is something to know about Neighbourhood Watch that Geoff doesn’t know, as the saying goes, “It ain’t worth knowing”.
Bambi Gordon CEO Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Inc.
Geoff, Graeme Elder, our President Michael Strong, the Board and our VicPol colleagues, in particular the Safer Communities Unit, have generously supported me through these early days and have been gracious in answering my sometimes naive questions. I also appreciate the welcome I have received from volunteers and for those Groups who have invited me to meet and provide me with their guidance and feedback. Thank you. Geoff closed his most recent CEO’s Message in the last issue of Sentinel (April 2017): “As you can see we are looking forward to some exciting times for NHW in Victoria … ”. We sure are. Whilst we continue to do great work at a local level, it is my obligation to
To get there we have some housekeeping issues to address such as a new website and administrative systems that make it easier for us to communicate with you and visa versa. We will be building awareness of the NHW brand – which for many out across our community is warmly remembered, but only with prompting. We will embrace digital media to boost our engagement with a far broader community and continue to build our relationship with VicPol. But I will not be throwing out the baby with the bathwater. At our heart the traditions and customs of the original NHW are vital for the organisation to survive and to thrive. The 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne is often held up as the largest volunteer force in our State. Google tells me that event ran on the input and commitment of 15,000 people. At our height NHW Vic was 30,000 strong. The largest volunteer organisation in the history of our State. My aim is to get there again. I look forward to working with you.
What’s on?
NHW Web Support
To see upcoming events, go to
If you wish to contact NHW Web Support please email support@nhw.com.au. If you wish to contact NHW Victoria, please email admin@nhw.com.au
www.nhw.com.au/Events (or select region/events)
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grow the organisation by way of members, programs and innovation and build a strong State Office to provide every volunteer with great service.
Sentinel August 2017
www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
FACEBOOK IS OUR
LETTERBOX DROP OF THE FUTURE Neighbourhood Watch has been built on the millions of steps our volunteers have taken over the decades to deliver information to our local communities – primarily through letterbox drops.
T
his has been an invaluable service and in the early days was the only way we could effectively reach out to each other. It is still vitally important and we hope that newsletters will remain a core communication tool for our Groups.
Social Media has replicated how we already communicate face to face and provided a new opportunity to reach more people, more often. If you haven’t yet embraced Facebook as a tool to converse with your community do consider the opportunity it delivers. It is close to real time and means that people can act more effectively in protecting their homes and valuables. It is conversational and delivers two way (even hundred-way) communication so that people can ask questions, express opinions, become informed. And it is free. A recent count of ‘followers’ of the many Facebook Pages that our NHW Vic Groups have established is 70,000. Many groups have over 1,000 followers and one has even surpassed 10,000 That is an incredible reach direct to the householders in those areas.
“Social Media has replicated how we already communicate face to face and provided a new opportunity to reach more people, more often.” If you haven’t yet delved into Facebook or are not sure how to do it, please visit this simple tutorial: http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Facebook Dive in – you never know who you will meet. Behind the scenes we are developing some more training resources to assist our volunteers embrace Facebook. Watch your inbox for more information.
nhw.com.au The Neighbourhood Watch Victoria website is constantly being updated and features various tips on how to be safe and secure. There are also many volunteers who work on the Local Government Areas of the website and do a fantastic job. www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic Visit the Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Inc Facebook page and 'Like Us' August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
EXCITING NEW SAFETY INITIATIVE IS AUSTRALIAN FIRST Safety Alliance Victoria is a dynamic group of community, government and business stakeholders working together to improve the safety of all Victorians in particular in the area of residential burglary.
R
esidential burglary is a high volume crime that affects the whole community and Safety Alliance Victoria recognises that in order to succeed in prevention and harm reduction a closer collaboration with community, government and business stakeholders is required.
• There were more than 36,000 cases of residential burglary reported to police between April 2016 and March 2017. • This equates to about one residential burglary every 15 minutes occurring across the state. • Almost $120 million worth of property and items were stolen. • The most common types of entry in residential burglaries were: • Forced/broken door or window (50%) • Unlocked/open door or window (21%) • Therefore, an offender gained entry to a home to commit a residential burglary through an unlocked/open door or window to about 20 times per day. The Alliance formally consists of Victoria Police, RACV, Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers Victoria and Federation University and over the next few years the Alliance members will work together to deliver a range of innovative crime prevention and detection campaigns. The first pilot is Protect | Prevent which utilises innovative technology in traceable liquid property marketing. For this first pilot, local police and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers will deliver synthetic DNA kits to 1000 homes in Geelong and Whittlesea in August. Each kit contains a clear liquid that can be applied to up to 50 valuable items including tablets, jewellery and appliances, and is registered on a secure database to the people occupying the home. If a marked item is stolen and recovered then police can use a UV lamp to identity the presence of the liquid, which is then tested to determine the unique DNA code and therefore its registered owner. The technology will be supported by visual saturation of the Protect | Prevent campaign at a local level through street and house signage.
www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
Similar technology has been successfully rolled out by police in United Kingdom and New Zealand. The UK pilot achieved a 91% reduction in residential burglaries in its pilot area, while New Zealand achieved a 61% reduction. A key finding from these pilots was that largely the technology was a deterrent to thieves, which is what we hope to see in Victoria. This is the first time Victorian community, government and business stakeholders have formed an alliance for the purpose of providing a targeted and collaborative approach to crime prevention and intervention and an Australian first for our first pilot program. NHW Victoria is proud to be a valued member and thanks our volunteers on the ground who are participating.
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
WHITEHORSE AWARDS –
DEAKIN
COMMUNITY AWARDS 6
Sentinel • August 2017
www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
ALLISON SUMMERS NHW WHITEHORSE SECRETARY, WEBSITE MANAGER AND FACEBOOK ADMINISTRATOR Allison has been a valued supporter of Neighbourhood Watch Whitehorse and Victoria over many years.
Three NHW Whitehorse members received Deakin Community Awards on Monday, July 31, 2017. These awards were presented by Michadel Sukkar, Federal MP for Deakin at the George Woods Performing Arts Centre, Ringwood. Our three recipients were Peter Alford, Treasurer, Allison Summers, Secretary and Vince Joyce, Vice President and Liaison Officer for the Whitehorse Community Support Register. As an organisation, we are honoured to have their support and congratulate them on receiving this recognition of their continual work in their community. www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
1992-2000: Newsletter Editor in WHS 024 / 025 2005-2009: Newsletter Editor, Statistician and Zone Representative in WHS 039 2008-2009: Appointed as Area Manager WHS 039 2009-2010: Appointed Secretary of the NHW Eastern Region Division 1 (ERD 1) Division Committee (Monash, Manningham, Boroondara and Whitehorse). This group was discontinued in 2010 and formed the NHW Local Government Area Committee and Allison continued in the same role. 2011: Received Victoria Police Divisional NHW Award of Honour presented by Acting Superintendent Robert May. 2011-2014: State Web Administrator 2011-2012: Vice President of NHW Board of Management 2012: Acting President of NHW Board of Management 2013: Received NHW State Award of Honour for her exemplary service in NHW and presented by the then Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay. 2011: to date - NHW Whitehorse State Forum Delegate, NHW Whitehorse Web Administrator 2013: Introduced Whitehorse E-News (now a Statewide E-News), and introduced Facebook Allison works at NHW Whitehorse activities such as Safe Plate Days, is very involved behind the scenes in administrative roles, and attends Executive and General Meetings at the Forest Hill Police Station. Allison has worked full-time for the past 20 years and through study has gained a Bachelor of Music, Diplomas in Business Management, Administration and Human Resources.
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
VINCE JOYCE PETER ALFORD NHW WHITEHORSE TREASURER Peter worked in General Insurance in Melbourne for 43 years. 1985: Joined NHW in Mitcham from its inception in 1985 as a Zone Representative 1993: Became Area Manager for WHS 015 2004: Became Area Manager for WHS 014 2010: Became heavily involved in the restart of Areas WHS 017 and 018 during the year and this resulted in four areas merging into one large area now known as Rangeview - the first of one of our Mega-Areas. Peter continues as the Area Manager and Newsletter Editor to date. 2012: Became a member of the NHW Whitehorse Executive and is now the NHW Whitehorse Treasurer. 2016: He successfully relaunched the Area WHS 042 (around Mitcham Hospital). Peter works at NHW Whitehorse activities such as Safe Plate Days and is heavily involved in Crime Prevention Field Activities, and attends Executive and General Meetings at the Forest Hill Police Station every month. In 2015 Peter became a member of the Ringwood Seniors Club with a particular interest in the Walking Group. He and his wife have mapped out and led numerous walks for the group and attends many working bees at the club.
NHW WHITEHORSE EXECUTIVE MEMBER AND WHITEHORSE COMMUNITY SUPPORT REGISTER COORDINATOR Vince worked in banking in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria with the then Bank of New South Wales. 1984: He joined NHW Whitehorse as a Zone Representative 2005: Became an Area Manager 2006: Became Treasurer 2007: Vince was a delegate to Eastern Region Sector of NHW 2011: Joined NHW Whitehorse Executive and is currently Vice Chairman 2013: Inaugural member of the Whitehorse Community Support Register (sponsored by NHW Whitehorse) 2016: Co-ordinator of the Whitehorse Community Support Register activities 2017: Event Co-ordinator of the NHW Whitehorse Spring Festival Vince works at NHW Whitehorse activities such as Safe Plate Days, is very involved in Crime Prevention Field Activities, the Whitehorse Community Support Register and attends Executive and General Meetings at the Forest Hill Police Station. Vince is a very active member with St John’s Mitcham Parish for close to 40 years, a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul and the Westpac Retired Officers Club as; 2014: Executive 2016: Vice President 2017: President Vince has also been involved in local sporting clubs across his working life since 1958.
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www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
FILLING THE GAPS IN – MANNINGHAM NHW Over the following three decades, housing estates and commercial developments spread into the eastern half of the municipality and this expansion continues today. With this development came crime. Individual residents expressed an interest in NHW but they were spread widely over the area. This lack of concentration of potential NHW members and the absence of people prepared to take a leadership role, limited our opportunities to create new NHW Areas. Unfortunately, in many cases we did not record details of these individual NHW enthusiasts so without frequent contact from us, their interest waned. In the last four years, with crime on the increase (see the graph), interest in NHW also increased. Now we record and store information on potential NHW volunteers. In April 2014 we started to produce an e-News which is sent to all potential volunteers “on our books” to keep them informed of crime in the municipality. The eNews also provides readers with tips on how to reduce crime and fosters a continuing interest in NHW. We were recently approached by two Templestowe residents who were concerned about the increased level of crime in their area and who wanted to set up a NHW where we have never operated before. This time we still had the names of nine residents who live in the general vicinity and who previously expressed an interest in NHW.
www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
Crime Rate in Manningham Crime Rate per 100,00 population
M
anningham NHW was established some 32 years ago. At that time there was quite a high crime rate and so there was great interest and enthusiasm for establishing NHW groups to do something about it. Most of the developed areas then in the City of Doncaster and Templestowe (now Manningham) were serviced by NHW groups. A NHW Area was formed from about 1,000 houses. However, the eastern half of the municipality had minimal development which reduced the need for, and interest in, NHW.
6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 1986
1996
2006
2011
2013
2016
Year
We have invited them to the inaugural meeting of the new NHW. Even though they have been on our books for several years we know they are still interested in NHW because they still subscribe to our e-News. We hope the new NHW group will get established at the forthcoming meeting and that some, if not all of the volunteers who have been on our books for a while, will have their patience rewarded when they join the new team. This would also give us some comfort that we have a workable model to turn residents who have some interest in crime prevention into active NHW volunteers. With about 40 new recruits in the last ten weeks, and a model to introduce them into new NHW groups, we feel we have a real prospect of filling the gaps in the parts of Manningham which are not covered by NHW. Geoff Kloot Manningham NHW
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
COMMUNITY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH GATE OPENING SANDRINGHAM YACHT CLUB A large crowd gathered at the entrance of Sandringham Yacht Club on Friday 21 April, 2017 for the official opening of the new Community Neighbourhood Watch Gate.
A
s the weather threatened rain, the ribbon was cut by Goldstein Local Member, Tim Wilson and SYC Commodore Rob Davis. Also in attendance were Mr Murray Thompson, MLA, ex Mayor Felicity Frederico, Sandringham Traders President, Chris Leggett and members of both Sandringham Yacht Club and Neighbourhood Watch.
Positioned at the main entrance to the Club, the gate has been installed to assist members of the community if they are in the area and feeling distressed or unsafe. They can access the Club via this gate and SYC staff will assist and call the relevant emergency service provider, whether that be the police or ambulance. 10
Sentinel • August 2017
The gate will be open between 6am and 10pm approximately, seven days a week while there is a duty officer at the Club. It also has 24/7 CCTV surveillance. This addition to the local area will give peace of mind to the many users of the area. Whilst in the heart of the Sandringham Harbour, the Sandringham foreshore area is removed from the hustle of Beach Rd and the area attracts thousands of visitors per month in summer including joggers, dog walkers, recreational walkers, fishermen, sailors and beach goers. Whilst seasonal, there are still thousands of regular users all year round and SYC and NHW would like everyone to know they have a safe harbour and refuge at SYC should the need arise. www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
The production Line! Plates refitted – as you wait.
SAFETY PL8 DAY
O
n May 4, over 50 cars had one way plate screws fitted at our local Safety Plate (PL8) Day. The ‘Force was with us’, with Sergeant Gary Oram from Victoria Police giving home and personal security information as the staff from Jefferson Hyundai refitted the registration plates.
Jefferson Hyundai also laid on a sausage sizzle, which was much appreciated by the drivers, the team of mechanics, Police and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. At peak times, there were five cars in the lane, but normally it was a five minute turn-around. Our team included the mechanic and Mike Haslemore from Jefferson Hyundai, Sergeant Gary Oram from Victoria Police, our excellent chef and Carmela Battista, Ellen McCartney and Tim Warner from Sandringham Neighbourhood Watch. Keep an eye out for future PL8 Days as it is a very worthwhile 5 minutes that can save you much time and keep the cost of crime down. The special screws can be purchased from auto stores for those with a DIY attitude. Many thanks to Jefferson Hyundai, who as a public service, picked up the full cost of mechanic and screws as well as sausages for our special day. www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
Sergeant Gary Oram, the mechanic and Mi ke Ha slemore of Jef ferson Hy und ai.
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
VALE
VICTOR BERNARD BATEMAN MARCH 14, 1937 - JUNE 9, 2017 The driving force behind Neighbourhood Watch BSD12 Sandringham for some 20 years, Vic Bateman passed away on June 9, 2017.
V
ic was a Police Sergeant at D24 during his working life and believed it was a natural progression to join NHW in the late 1990s. No matter what, he soldiered on with his area of NHW. He genuinely believed in the program and because of his policing background he knew the area very well and spoke to lots of people about lots of things. Vic was always supportive and never used the program to grandstand his own agendas. He was very honourable and honest.
Vic was supportive of NHW going electronic through the internet and other mediums and was passionate about keeping our NHW BSD12 area active, relevant and meaningful, creating its own webpage, as well as expanding the newsletter to become very community based i.e. “The Sandy Community”. He believed very much in the need for paper newsletters creating it into a booklet format. He sought sponsorship through the Bank of Bendigo, Sandringham, and other local businesses. He would also participate in public events promoting NHW and its objectives throughout Sandringham.
He was an active member of the Divisional Committee of Management meetings, taking on the role of Secretary of the Southern Metropolitan PSA group and contributed in a logical and positive manner to any discussions/debates and was practical in his outlook. Vic was also a respected and valued Freemason of the Masonic Lodge.
MILDURA JUNIOR WATCH PROGRAM The future of the Koori Cubs program has been secured thanks to a successful funding application through the MRCC Community partnership grants. The grant will fund the program which provides engagement, positive role modelling and support to at risk Aboriginal youth and their families, for the next 3 years in the amount of $17,138. A huge thanks to the Mildura Rural City Council for making this possible. The Junior NHW program continues to be a hit with the kids, teachers and parents. The latest round of lessons targeted Road Safety. The kids learned about the importance of wearing bike helmets through the Helmets for Eggs activity. Covert learning at its best.
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The kids test their helmets.
Helen Worcester and Leading Senior Constable Joe Clarke accept the cheque.
www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
SANDHURST
NEIGHBOUR DAY
O
n Sunday, March 26, Sandhurst Club Neighbourhood Watch hosted Neighbour Day 2017. Blessed with sunny skies, over 500 neighbours flocked to the great entertainment we had on offer for the day.
Thanks to the support of local business, Showtime Attractions, kids (and parents!) enjoyed our new feature, the ‘tea cup ride’, and special guests Poppy and Branch from the movie, Trolls, were also a huge hit and they posed for many photos! Kids tired themselves out on the inflatable obstacle course, whilst parents enjoyed a coffee and barbecue thanks to the catering team at the Sandhurst Club. We also had the family favourites; face painting, balloon twisting and the animal farm! Most importantly, this event was an excuse for us to come together as a community, meet new neighbours, catch up with friends, and remind us of the caring network we are surrounded by. We have received wonderful feedback and look forward to bringing more smiles to faces at Neighbour Day 2018! www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
TARNEIT CENTRAL
YOUTH SAFETY FORUM
I
t was a great honour for the Neighbourhood Watch Tarneit Central team to participate in the Wyndham Community Connection Forum at Saltlake Community Centre, Point Cook.
The forum is an excellent new initiative by Victoria Police and will be locally based grouping of community members interested in building and strengthening their relationship with Victoria Police. This will provide an ongoing platform to build a strong relationship with diverse groups of community members to identify current and emerging issues affecting social cohesion. Based on face to face interaction and group activities, it addressed the issues surrounding the community, informing everyone about the strategies to help and keep youth safe from crime and how we can develop social cohesion and bridge the culture gap among the communities, especially the younger generation. Our special thanks to Victoria Police Superintendent Stuart Bateson, Acting Sr Sgt Rosa Rossi, Proactive Policing Unit, Sr Sgt Chris Allen, Inspector Matty Allison and other Police officers from Werribee Police Station for organising such a useful community connection forum which was largely attended by various community group leaders and members
from Wyndham City, Tarneit, Point Cook Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Werribee, Footscray and different suburbs of Melbourne. Our special thanks to Cr Kim McAliney, Deputy Mayor Wyndham Council, Cr John Gibbons, Wyndham Council, representative from Multicultural and Social Cohesion division, Ms Claudia Rebiero, Department of Cabinet, Mr Keith Randall liaison officer for the Victoria Police Aboriginal Liaison who all shared their valuable views with the community”.
YOGA DAY
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HW Tarneit Central in association with Brothers and Sisters Foundation Inc held a free community event at the Penrose Community Centre in Tarneit for Victoria Police and Wyndham Community to join and practice a yoga session with a qualified Yoga Therapist.
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www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
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eighbourhood Watch Tarneit Central attended the ‘Building Youth Cohesion Forum’ organised by Victoria Police at the Footscray Community Centre to hear from the young community about issues surrounding their community.
Topics of discussion included what we can do to help our youth to be safe, how we can develop social cohesion and bridge cultures amongst our youth, working better together to do the right things. There was also further discussion about the upcoming recruitment opportunities with Victoria Police. The Victoria Police Recruitment team provided more information about the ongoing recruitment plan and information sessions planned especially for ‘Youths and Younger generations’ in different suburbs as a massive recruitment campaign. Special thanks to Victoria Police Proactive Police Unit officers Acting Senior Sergeant Rosa Rossi, Senior Sergean Reynolds, Acting Senior Sergean O’Conner, Sergeant O’Dyar, Sergeant Meehan, Inspector Healey, Acting Inspector Shannon for organising such a useful community forum. The forum is widely attended by local community leaders and members from Western Melbourne suburbs, Mr Keith Randall, a representative from Aboriginal community and Ms Claudia Ribeiro from Victoria State Government who also shared their views.
Acting Senior Sergeant Rosa Rossi of the Victoria Police Proactive Police Unit, Wyndham Deputy Mayor Kim McAliney, Neighbourhood Watch Tarneit Central, Sanjay Sethi and team and the Sanjhi Awaaz radio team.
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HW Tarneit Central had a radio discussion with Sanjhi Awaaz and his team on Community Safety, Crime Prevention and Family Violence
This was a great opportunity to share with the broader community the importance of Victoria Police, partners and neighbours working together for a safer community to live in. Together everyone offered crime prevention strategies for personal safety in the community, referrals for who to call if you see suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood and if you suspect family violence is happening what you can do to report it.
MOIRA, COBRAM NHW
M
oira Cobram NHW RED4 reached its 30th birthday and still has a swag of founding members working for it. Five of the 10 founders were able to attend a function to mark the occasion, during which Wangaratta Police Local Area Commander Insp Kerrie Hicks presented them with certificates of recognition.
sense of belonging. “Combined, these founding members represent 300 combined years of incredible service to the community.”
Cobram NHW still has 78 volunteers delivering newsletters and keeping an eye on things. Through the years, in conjunction with Victoria Police they have also Insp Hicks, a strong advocate of Neighbourhood Watch held two expos and with a grant from Moira Shire (NHW), said the program was especially important in purchased an information trailer. They hold Safe Plate rural areas where being part of the community added to a days, have had ‘Lock it or Lose it’ signs erected around Cobram and ‘No cash on premises’ signs made and given to all shops in the town. In 2011 they started a community service awards program in the three primary schools and have now extended that to Barooga, giving students a chance to earn one of four certificates and a voucher ($25) at each school for Super Service, left to right: Cobram NHW Coordinator Ron Renfrew, Allan McLean, Janice Hickey, Margaret their service. Wallace, Peggy Oliver, Noel Gould and Inspector Kerrie Hicks.
www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
ECHUCA WEST
OPERATION
S
o far, this year Echuca West has held 2 SAFEPL8 days. In February our volunteers tolerated the hot conditions to equip 84 vehicles with Safe Plate Screws. This included many rural vehicles and a travelling caravan with car trailer. Echuca Police again assisted our volunteers and met with a young ‘driver’ who was especially excited to show the officer his new car! In May, our hard-working volunteers managed to set a new record 134 cars!! A fabulous effort from everyone. Once again, Echuca Police were instrumental in focusing community attention on number plate security and general crime prevention.
In addition to fitting safe plate screws, Echuca West Neighbourhood Watch uses SAFEPL8 Days to canvass ideas from the community and distribute safety and crime prevention information. This information includes Do Not Knock stickers, Consumer Affairs information, the Little Black Book of Scams and general crime prevention suggestions, all contained in the Residential Safety Pack. These Packs have become a part of SAFEPL8 Days and are enthusiastically received by the local community. Last month Echuca West introduced a Park and Shop initiative so car owners could park and shop at Bunnings whilst the safe plate screws were fitted. This was very well
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received and proved to be successful as cars weren’t lined up causing congestion and people weren’t experiencing longer waiting times. In the last 12 months, Echuca West NHW has replaced the number plate screws on over 350 vehicles. SAFEPL8 days are held four times a year with the next ones scheduled for September and November.
www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
WHITEHORSE BIKE PATROL Victoria Police in Whitehorse now have four more officer’s all decked out in their brand new uniforms courtesy Neighbourhood Watch Whitehorse – Box Hill Bike Patrol members, Senior Constable Angela Marcon and Acting Seargent Jez Wilkinson, together with Inspector Robert May and NHW Whitehorse Chairman, Ray Summers.
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HW Whitehorse has fully funded the uniforms of four Victoria Police ‘Bike Patrol’ Officers to specifically patrol the streets, parks and shopping centres in the City of Whitehorse and help reduce crime.
The funds were raised from various activities held by NHW Whitehorse along with significant contributions from the Local Area NHW groups throughout Whitehorse. The total funding package of almost $3,000 has taken some time to raise along with the time spent to train the four officers. NHW Whitehorse Chairman, Ray Summers, said “it’s wonderful to see something material come from our hard work. We are sure the four full-time Officers will make a real difference to our community through their policing and crime reduction work, and mixing it with the kids at the local BMX Track (but we wont tell the boss!)”. On Wednesday, May 12, the second and third Officer’s officially ‘got on their bikes’ after having their pictures taken with Victoria Police’s Whitehorse Local Area Commander, Inspector Robert May, who presented NHW Whitehorse with a Certificate of Appreciation for the substantial contribution made to getting the four Officers ‘out on the beat’.
Box Hill Bike Patrol members Senior Constable Angela Marcon and Acting Seargent Jez Wilkinson, together with Inspector Robert May and Ray Summers.
So Bike Patrol - time you start pedaling and hit the streets! NHW Whitehorse would like to thank Victoria Police Whitehorse, Inspector Robert May, and the Whitehorse Crime Prevention Officer, Leading Senior Constable Rebecca Millin, for their ongoing support of Neighbourhood Watch across Whitehorse. Chris Summers NHW Whitehorse Whitehorse Local Area Commander, Inspector Robert May presented Ray Summers, Chairman of NHW Whitehorse with a Certificate of Appreciation as a result of NHW Whitehorse contribution and generous support of the Box Hill Bike Patrol.
www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
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FEATURE
INTERVIEW WITH SENIOR CONSTABLE LUKI YANTONO Moonee Valley Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Constable Luki Yantono is a supporter of the Neighbourhood Watch Program. Interview by Diane Plim (DP), NHW Moonee Valley Representative, June 2017 DP: What is the feeling now after achieving 12 years of service in the police service? Luki: I feel very fortunate being able to work and learn from members of different backgrounds. Many of these members have significant experiences and knowledge from their previous employments which are often relevant for policing duties. I find them always willing to share their knowledge. DP: What was your motivation for joining the police service? Luki: I thought being a police officer would be an interesting and challenging job. There is so much variety and every day is different. DP: What’s an earliest recollection you have as a young officer? Luki: My first posting after graduating from the academy was at the Melbourne East Police Station. It was a very busy station due to its location in the central business district of Melbourne with clients from diverse backgrounds. While performing many hours of foot patrol duties I sometimes had to deal with anti-social behaviour which can be very challenging. DP: What comment would you make about the changes you’ve seen in policing since you commenced your career? Luki: Policing is continuously evolving based on the needs of our community. Accordingly, police officers undertake ongoing training to prepare them to deal with new and different challenges. DP: How did you come to be a specialist officer involved in Crime Prevention? Luki: Prior to becoming a Crime Prevention Officer (CPO), I was working with the Divisional Intelligence Office, which gave me valuable information on the nature of criminal offending in the area. This background gave me opportunity to apply for the role as a CPO. DP: Can you share some experiences as highlights or low lights you’ve had in relation to your role? Luki: One of my highlights was being able to help an overseas tourist with speech impairment who had lost his wallet. With some difficulties I was able to contact his father in London and get some money sent to him in Melbourne. The most challenging job I ever had was to deliver a death message to a woman with a young baby. It was very hard to knock on her door at 2am to tell her that her husband had died due to an www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
CPO Luki Yantono of Moonee Valley Police at the 2017 Festival.
accident. You will never forget this kind of experience, especially when you have a young child of your own. DP: How do you see the Neighbourhood Watch Program’s viability and do you have any notions about strengthening it in its main function of working for community safety? Luki: In my opinion Neighbourhood Watch’s role in promoting community safety will always be important and relevant. We can strengthen this role by actively promoting it to new and emerging community members and by utilising social media. DP: If you hadn’t been a police officer, what career would you have been in? Luki: I would like to work as a guide on bicycle tours somewhere in Tuscany, Italy. That would be a nice job, meeting different people in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
GLEN EIRA’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
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ver the years, as the population of Glen Eira has increased greatly (reaching nearly 150,000, a 13.6% increase since 2011), the number of active NHW groups has declined substantially, making it ever more difficult to reach residents and provide useful crime prevention education and support. This unfortunate situation has been Glen Eira 35 NHW Digital Launch Meeting. compounded by a spike in crime rates and a decrease in numbers of front line police per capita of population. • Social Media allows for dialogue amongst participants In fact, there are 2 fewer first responder police in Glen Eira with important information disseminated quickly; than in 2014. • Social Media can measure the effectiveness of communication. To overcome this challenge, a journey began in February of this year to create a comprehensive and inclusive NHW In this exciting new phase of its long history, NHW Glen Eira group utilizing Social Media to communicate with as many has benefited greatly from having David Southwick MLA as residents as possible throughout all 15 suburbs within the its patron, Leading Senior Constable Gary Oram as its Police city of Glen Eira. The group’s goal is to leverage Social Media Liaison and Cr Dan Sztrajt as its liaison with the Glen Eira and a reactivated website to replace formerly paper-based City Council. We are also very grateful to the Caulfield communications. The advantages of this approach includes: Park Branch of the Bendigo Bank for its generous sponsorship this year. • Paper newsletters have at best reached a few hundred people, whereas digital posts delivered via Social Media 2017 has been an exciting year for NHW Glen Eira who are and Web can reach tens of thousands with little making steady progress towards the ultimate goal of marginal cost; educating and supporting residents in safety, crime • An increasingly large proportion of the population, prevention and reporting. They also look forward to engaging with other NHW groups going through the Social Media notably those under 40, depend on Social Media for most change process to share best practices. or all of their information and interactions with others;
TORQUAY JAN-JUC SAFE PLATE DAY On Saturday, July 22, NHW Torquay JanJuc conducted a successful ‘Safe Plate Day’ at the Bunnings store in Torquay.
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his was conducted in partnership with local Police, SES, CFA and NHW volunteers. Police members greeted car owners, explained the procedure and handed out ‘spot prizes’ and pamphlets relating to property security.
Our BBQ was enjoyed by some 400 people and helped raise funds to purchase NHW Signs and Bin Stickers. We also sold personal hand held alarms and door stop alarms which the public appreciated. Another ‘Plate Day’ will be held on the Melbourne Cup weekend.
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FEATURE
BANYULE COUNCIL VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Banyule NHW Committee.
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nce again this year during Volunteers Week, the Banyule Council hosted a dinner at the ‘Heidelberg’ Town Hall to acknowledge the great contribution that volunteers make to the Banyule Community.
Better known to older residents as the Heidelberg Town Hall, it is actually in Ivanhoe and now known as “The Centre”. The building is a great Art Deco masterpiece built back in the 1930’s. It has been beautifully maintained and is a popular choice for large weddings, concerts and balls.
Organizations within Banyule were invited to nominate volunteers worthy of recognition. Many residents volunteer with more than one group and a number of nominees were also NHW Volunteers. These included Yvonne Tait, and Karen McColl, from BNY 43 in Heidelberg West and Nelun Tirimanne from BNY 45/46 in Heidelberg. Our committee members also received invitations to attend and over 30 Community Awards were presented on the night. By Pete Henry Banyule NHW Committee Member
NHW IVANHOE & EAGLEMONT
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he Ivanhoe and Eaglemont NHW is continuing with the renewal and expansion of the Area. They are now participating in events with the Eaglemont Historical Village Traders. The Heritage Listed centre was established by the Eaglemont Station after World War II. Some of the shops have been operating since the 1920’s and have an authentic Village atmosphere. Over the years, the Village has seen many changes and today has 25 independently owned small businesses. Every second month between April and November an “artisans Day” or Village Market is being held. NHW have assisted with publicity and distributing over 1,000 flyers for these events and will continue to participate with a stall to assist residents with crime prevention material. By Pete Henry Banyule NHW Committee Member
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Ruth Fleming & Bob Underwood at Eaglemont Market.
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FEATURE
BANYULE
FIGHTING GRAFFITI WITH MURALS
I have always hated Graffiti. It looks terrible, defaces personal and public property, lowers property values and causes great discomfort, even fear for the elderly in the community.
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s an operational police member as I was for many years, it is frustrating and very difficult for police to apprehend and prosecute the offenders. Many years ago while stationed at the Heidelberg Police Station, two youths were arrested for painting a wall behind the IGA supermarket in Silverdale Road Eaglemont. During their interviews they claimed to have the approval of ”the man in the shop”.
Before authorising the brief I followed this up and interviewed the proprietor Ivan Mason. He confirmed that he did give them permission to paint the rear wall. He did this in the hope that it would keep graffiti off the front and side of his building. I disagreed with him and suggested that he should consider a proper mural. Some years later I became the police NHW co-ordinator for H 22
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District now Banyule. The Eaglemont Village is a quaint strip of old buildings adjacent to the Eaglemont railway station. This is between Ivanhoe and Heidelberg on the Hurstbridge line. It was being very badly damaged by graffiti. I approached Ivan and again raised the subject of a mural on his premises. While he was receptive to the idea, he made the proviso that NHW arrange for all the graffiti in the area to be removed. We then took it on board as a project. An audit was conducted and identified all of the graffiti in the area. We made a request to the local Council to have it removed. They immediately removed everything from council property which was a very small percentage. We then had to identify all the other stakeholders and pressure them to clean their property. They included, Telstra, Australia Post, Connex, Vick Track, SP Ausnet and private residents. It was a long drawn out saga, with the power companies the most difficult www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
to respond. NHW volunteers also assisted with cleaning and painting over small graffiti on private property. Once this was completed, further discussions were held with Ivan and Banyule Council. Although the intended wall was private property, council approval was needed as it is also on a public street. A historical heritage theme was then developed with the input from local artists. A number of grants were applied for to assist with the cost of three murals. A beautiful result was achieved and completed in 2004, named “Impressions of Eaglemont Village circa 1930.” It was painted by Andrew Rowe assisted by Bridgitte Dawson, Kim Hughes and Laura Rowe. In 2008 extensive renovations were carried on the supermarket. It was expanded to encompass the adjoining premises and two apartments built above the shop. The mural was also extended vertically. Ivan Mason was a supporter of NHW for many years. He advertised in newsletters, assisted with ordering and storing of meat and other consumables for our sausage sizzles at Bunnings. www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
After forty two years in the same premises, Ivan sold the business in 2015. He retired and continued to live close by. His retirement was rather short as he passed away in April this year after a short battle with cancer. His mural remains as a legacy to the community. In the ongoing fight against graffiti Banyule and Grimshaw NHW have worked with Banyule Council to achieve a number of murals. These have included a milk bar in Cameron Parade Bundoora, the Watsonia Timber yard, Diamond Village shops in Greensborough and the Yarra Valley Water pumping station. These murals, while not easy to achieve, certainly help to reclaim our neighbourhood from graffiti and improve the street scape. They are well worth pursuing as a NHW project. By Pete Henry Former Police NHW Co-ordinator Banyule NHW Committee Member. August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
YARRA RANGES COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS History was in the making at the Mount Evelyn Scout Hall on Monday, May 25, 2002 with the largest Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) launch in the eastern region taking place. Over one hundred Mount Evelyn residents attended the meeting.
The first newsletter is done! Principal Darren Trippett with Year 7 Community Connections students, outgoing newsletter writers Anne Welsh and Dot Gavin and Leading Senior Constable Hancock.
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his was an extract Senior Constable Brooks wrote for the local community paper ‘ME & You’, after running her first Public Forum. Thanks to the commitment and the spirit of the Mount Evelyn community, NHW has been running in Mount Evelyn ever since. Mount Evelyn is one of the last remaining NHW groups in the Yarra Ranges and with dedicated volunteers starting to relinquish their duties, it was imperative NHW be rejuvenated within the area in the hope of recruiting new blood.
It was 2017 when Leading Senior Constable Brooks took up her new role as the Yarra Ranges Youth Resource Officer alongside Leading Senior Constable Hancock the Yarra Ranges Crime Prevention Officer. Linda has been working with Mount Evelyn NHW since the restructure in 2010. Here was the perfect opportunity, the founding member with the current member and what a team they make!
HOW DO WE INVOLVE OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE WITH NHW? This is a recurring question for most NHW groups but this time we had an idea! The current dedicated newsletter people were calling it quits (a sterling job Anne Welsh and Dot Gavin have done for countless years, thank you), here was an opportunity. The local High School, Yarra Hills Secondary College Mount Evelyn Campus, was approached about having the students involved in writing the newsletter. It was up to the students to come up with ideas to make the newsletter interesting and relevant to the local community. The initial meeting covered ideas including interviews, surveys of 24
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Outgoing Newsletter Editor Anne Welsh hands the reigns over to Year 7 Community Connections students.
students and the wider community, personal pieces. The ideas kept flowing. This concept was taken up enthusiastically by staff and students and June 2017 saw the first publication of the all new Mount Evelyn NHW newsletter through our young peoples’ eyes.
AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR NEW EDITORS … MRS WATERSON COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS TEACHER At Yarra Hills Secondary College we pride ourselves in making connections to the community. We offer a ‘Community Connections’ subject to the Year 7 students, to not only learn about their local community, but also how they can support and help those in the community. As part of this course, students were offered the chance to write suggestions or advice, on how one can stay safe in the community. As part of this process students undertook a brainstorming session about what safety is and what it meant to them. Students were encouraged to share stories, advice and ideas about how they and their families maintain safety in the community. Students discussed and shared what type of things made them feel unsafe and what strategies they could apply to keep themselves and others safe. Students then working together, sharing ideas and stories, wrote a short article on what advice they would like to give to others, not only to educate but to protect. The first newsletter is out and there is bound to be new interest as students wait at the letter box for delivery (OK perhaps a slight exaggeration there) by our volunteer walkers. I wonder what the next newsletter will contain!!! www.nhw.com.au
FEATURE
Open Mosque Day.
MORWELL OPEN MOSQUE DAY Recently Neighbourhood Watch Victoria conducted a survey on the demographic reach of Neighbourhood Watch.
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or the past 6 years Morwell Neighbourhood Watch has been exploring opportunities to engage with every member of the Community from newborn through to Seniors’. Some of our projects have come about through attending other Community functions as members of the general public and engaging in conversation. ‘Harmony Day’ at the Morwell
Greek Club is one example. Without prior notice one of our attending members was invited to step up and give a brief talk about how ‘Harmony Day’ fits in with NHW values. This same individual later engaged with members of the Muslim Community in private conversation. A few weeks later a request for assistance was received from the Gippsland Muslim Community for their Open Mosque Day held at Churchill on Sunday May 7th. Our involvement was to assist as guides for the event and to assist with cooking at the BBQ. (Our Food handling certification helped). The members who attended found the community to be peaceful and loving and obviously trying extremely hard to feel accepted by the rest of the community. We believe our presence on the day helped members of the Muslim community feel safe and less intimidated by individuals who may have been opposed to a Culturally diverse Community. The lesson here is that Crime Prevention and Community Safety does not always have to be the hard sell approach. Every event does not have to be exclusively NHW in order to bring about change.
NHW Volunteers barbecue duties.
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By Gerard Traynor NHW Morwell Events Committee August 2017 • Sentinel
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FEATURE
POINT COOK CENTRAL HW TURNS ONE N We have had a huge first year! 26
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e kicked off with a successful Safe Plate Day at the Point Cook Town Centre which helped launch our ‘Neighbourhood Watch Point Cook Central – Accredited’ Facebook Page. Our page has 3,679 followers and our posts have a reach of 120,000+ people, which is a lot of residents who are being kept informed and educated on crime prevention.
Our Estate community groups have also grown to over 1,500 active members who communicate daily, report to and assist local police and lookout for one another. It has empowered our residents giving them a sense of strength and resilience in that we are all working together; it is what community is supposed to be about. Our efforts on Crime Prevention, Education, Community Communication and Support as well as use of social media earned us the privilege of being asked to host a meeting with Supt David Cowan, Victorian Police Safer Communities Unit, Senior Local Police members and Michael Strong, President of NHW to discuss our use of social media in order to assist with the setting of the NHW Vic Social Media Guidelines. Our impact on NHW and the effort of our volunteers has been acknowledged by many key people including • • • • • • • • •
Graham Ashton – Victoria Police Chief Commissioner David Cowan – Supt Safer Communities Unit Michael Strong – NHW VIC President Geoff Kloot – NHW Vic CEO (previous) Bambi Gordon – NHW Vic CEO (current) Stuart Bateson – Supt Westgate Divisional Commander Marty Allison – Insp Chief of Police, Wyndham Aaron Prentice-Evans – Sgt Westgate Highway Patrol Kim McAliney – Wyndham City Council Deputy Mayor, Safer Communities Portfolio holder
Over the year we have hosted many meetings with local police in order to foster a strong relationship. In turn we were invited to attend the Community Connection forum to contribute our input to help achieve social cohesion within our community. We recently also took part in the Community Safety in Wyndham and the role of NHW meeting where we met our new fearless leader NHW CEO Bambi Gordon and got to catch up with NHW Secretary, Geoff Kloot who is always a wealth of information. Most of all we have made a point to thank Victoria Police for their service at every opportunity, something we adopted from the NHW AGM. We have built strong allies including Kim McAliney from our local council, Century21 real-estate, Community Against Crime, The Lions Club of Point Cook, Mauri Wardens, Sudanese Community leaders, The Brook on Sneydes as well as other NHW groups in the Wyndham area and beyond. On the successes of two prototype newsletter trials in one of our estates, in June we launched our first official newsletter across all the Point Cook estates we oversee reaching 12,000 homes in a week ensuring residents who are not connected via social media are still staying informed. Our future is brighter than ever with more residents stepping up. We recently added eight new NHW PCC Board Members bringing our full time action team to 19 in addition to our many active community volunteers. Why not follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook. com/nhwpointcookcentral/ www.facebook.com/NHW.Vic
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FEATURE
GREATER DANDENONG NHW
Operation Bounce Back for Car Prevention Theft at Noble Park.
PUBLIC FORUMS AND INFORMATION SESSIONS Two were held on May 17 at 1.30 and 7.30pm. Vic Police Highway Patrol members were our Guest Speakers and included Greater Dandenong Unit Commander for Southern Metro Region Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts, Leading Senior Constables Darren Barnard and Steve Vekokas. They showed us people doing very dangerous burn outs in our local area where one car had actually hit a lady.
SANDOWN GREYHOUNDS ENTERTAINMENT Community Services Groups from Greater Dandenong, Bayside, Casey and Cardinia were invited to the dinner at Sandown. Gil, Tina, Margaret, Sandra, Reg and Dawn had a lovely night where lots of awards were presented. They thanked all groups for their volunteering work.
Giveaways handed out at Operation Bounce Back. Left: Operation Bounce Back at Dandenong Plaza.
OPERATION BOUNCE BACK ‘Lock Your Car’ was the main message. Members from Vic Police, Council and NHW volunteers Maria, Tina and Dawn handed out free Pens, Key rings, Toy Cars for the children, other valuable information and of course Greater Dandenong NHW Newsletters. There were three sessions; June 27 at Dandenong Market, July 8 at Dandenong Plaza and Noble Park Shopping Centre.
FUNDRAISER NIGHT On September 16 we are holding a fundraiser night at the RSL Noble Park. There will be a 6 Piece Band ‘Boomers Jukebox’, Rock and Roll and Country 50, 60, 70s with No cover charge. Meals and drinks are available and anyone interested can email Dawn at; president@ nhwgreaterdandenong.org. 28
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Boomers Jukebox Band to play at NHWGD Fund Raiser Night.
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FEATURE
MONASH, VALLEY LAKE NHW
CONNECTING FOR
SAFETY & SECURITY
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t is, “a truth universally acknowledged” — as Jane Austen would say — that a community criss-crossed with neighbourly connections is not in want of a sense of security. Indeed, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) refers to these “networks …that facilitate cooperation within or among groups” as social capital. Such capital is proven to have direct and indirect positive consequences on the community in areas such as crime and wellbeing.
Cognisant of this, the Valley Reserve NHW Team got behind the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea with a view to offering an annual ‘Australian as’ event as a platform for neighbours to get to know each other and to refresh their ties. Begun three years ago, the Valley Reserve Biggest Morning Tea has been steadily gathering momentum.
“The annual tea is the pièce de résistance in a series of events run by NHW Valley Reserve throughout the year.” In 2015, it drew a modest 16 guests and in May this year, the tea drew some 30 locals. It was clear that those who turned up did so, expecting to see familiar faces. It has also drawn the attention of councillors, as well as local and federal ministers. The efforts of Area Manager, Judith Clancy and her intrepid team has been noted in both the Victorian and Australian Parliament Houses. The annual tea is the pièce de résistance in a series of events run by NHW Valley Reserve throughout the year. All efforts are geared towards the first stated aim of the NHW movement: “to encourage community participation in building safe and confident communities”. Last October, it rode the wave of the City of Monash’s Community Safety Month campaign and drew some 40 participants from the community to its Selfdefence for Self-confidence session. Their contribution to the
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same campaign this year features a presentation by Safe Steps, a family violence response centre.
Every even month, a meeting open to all, features a presentation on a topical issue, to draw interested local parties. Last year, a presentation by Acting Inspector Trevor Evans, of the Major Crime Scene Unit which collects forensic evidence and examines crime scenes, drew a teacher and students from a local high school. The year 12 students were considering degrees in forensic science and meeting someone with a career in forensics spanning 30 years was a boon. Over the years, several unsung local heroes have also taken the floor. Last month, retired virologist Marge Kennett spoke about the work she does with the Uniting Church’s Mission Liaison Group (MLG) providing backpacks filled with school supplies for South Pacific children starting primary school. Over the last year, NHW’s profile was raised via a number of Safe Plate Operations. A Children’s Colouring Competition held at one of Mount Waverley’s monthly craft markets brought local and visiting families together. Some 2,000 households receive a newsletter during the odd months replete with activities for children, safety and crime prevention tips and a friendly, personal message from the area manager publicising upcoming events. The recent appointment of new electronic-media-savvy CEO Bambi Gordon, has spurred Monash LGA John Ashton-Smith to enlist three youngsters to set up a NHW Monash Facebook page with a view to reaching out to younger people. The Valley Reserve team is keen to work with their neighbouring counterparts to ensure that the social capital it already has in its patch grows and thrives, augmenting the safety, security and confidence of residents in Monash, the city they call home. By Joan Bungar NHW Valley Reserve
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OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER They came from near and far. Some trekked in early, others trickled in later. But all wanted to join in the fight against cancer. And they had a good time doing it – downing cups of tea or coffee, savouring sandwiches and relishing cakes, biscuits and slices – and getting to know each other better.
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rea Manager Judith Manager and event organiser, Anne Mavridis, were ever on hand. While Anne welcomed guests and guided them through donation procedures and handed out tea and coffee, Judith worked the room, introducing people to each other, platter proffered.
Amongst the early arrivals was Mount Waverley Ward Councillor MT Pang Tsoi who arrived in tandem with local state MP, Michael Gidley. Both are vocal supporters of NHW and are committed to fostering neighbourliness with a view to promoting safety and confidence in the community. Councillor MT revealed that he’d recently married but had not yet gone on honeymoon because duty had called. He added that he was interested in cultivating mutli-cultural ties and was involved in Timor. He was soon animatedly cultivating ties with Mt Waverley locals.
Meeters and greeters. Left to right:David Wilson, Area Manager Judith Clancy, event organiser Anne Mavridis & Karyn McCowan.
MP Gidley was swept up by Joan who fortified him with treats from the table. Mingling, he revealed that there had been a new addition to his young family since the last Biggest Morning Tea. Federal Member for Chisholm, Julia Banks whirled in from an earlier event at Deakin University. She had been on the go since 7.00 am so the cuppa Judith handed her did not go amiss. It was the MP’s day in Victoria and it was choc-abloc with a pp oi nt m e nt s , a s s i s t a nt Caitlin revealed. Despite this, MP Banks seemed in no hurry to leave, listening attentively and chatting with local residents. The event also enjoyed the stalwart support of many NHW regulars and locals such as Evelyn, Des and Joe, Eunice and Colin, Trish, June and Frank as well as several new faces. Old friends Anne shows June the drill. greeted each other warmly and enthusiastically even as they embraced new ones. The weather, property prices and murmured appreciation for the dedication of MPs and councillor present were exchanged alongside news of marriages, births and deaths, requests for recipes and approval and admiration for the spread. 30
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Area Manager Judith Clancy, Trish and Pauline. Right: Stalwarts Des and Joe.
Hostess with the mostest, Judith fortifies Caitlin, assistant to Federal MP Banks , for the long day ahead.
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“I had the pleasure of attending a … Biggest Morning Tea … to raise funds for medical research. Such good will and good spirit is constantly at play in the heart of Chisholm morning, noon and night, thanks to the wonderful people who care for our community and their fellow Australians.” Member for Chisholm, Julia Banks The Valley Reserve NHW team held its third successive and successful Biggest Morning Tea on May 26 2017 at the local scout hall in Waimarie Drive. The event drew some 30 people and raised $238.50 for the Cancer Council. But over and above that, the team was thrilled by the jollity of the event and the evident enjoyment of guests. Their Biggest Morning Tea drew two MPs and a councilor keen to get to know their constituents better. Friends and neighbours who trekked in were clearly happy to be in each other’s company and grateful for an occasion to catch up over several cuppas and a tableful of tasty tucker, and to contribute to a good cause.
Councillor MT and John AshtonSmith, Monash LGA Manager, Glen Waverley.
Federal Member for Chisholm Julia Banks, State MP Gidley and residents Judith and Max.
Councillor MT bonding over brownies with Joan.
Old friends, Lois, Lyn and Malcolm.
Councillor MT and Robyn.
Evelyn, David and Kath.
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Left to right: Joan, MP Gidley, Norm (standing), Pauline, Councillor MT & David (standing).
SOCIAL CAPITAL Networks together with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate cooperation within or among groups. Social capital concerns people’s networks of friends, neighbours and colleagues and the values and trust that people share which help them work together for collective benefits or shared goals. Social capital has both direct and indirect consequences for a wide range of positive social and economic outcomes, in areas such as health education, crime and wellbeing.” — Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Bookworms Marge, June, Marcia and Eunice bond over a cuppa.
Lovers of the written word, Marge, June and Eunice caught up on the latest titles and authors. Writers, Marcia and Joan discussed the rich source that family history makes for both biographies and novels. Monash Word Fest 2017 and the line up of writers was another hot topic that morning. Local heroes involved in projects to ameliorate conditions in neighbouring countries such as Timor and Fiji exchanged information.
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Left: Norm Gibbs, OAM aka Zodo the Clown has cheered up countless children in hospital. Right: Connoisseur of Cake, Colin.
The Valley Reserve Team was chuffed to find themselves with $238.50 to send on to the Cancer Council. They are grateful to everyone who donated funds, food and fun to the event. Last but not least, they would like to acknowledge the generosity of the Valley Reserve Scouts for once again allowing them the use of their hall for free.
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