Watch out for NHW Stars

North Coast Region NHWs put their heads together recently and came up with an eye-catching way to promote NHW. Senior Constable Julie Ferguson gave us some insight into what it took to become TV stars ….

We approached the local Channel 7 network who offered us a Community Support Package at a very reasonable price. At the 2002 North Coast Regional Conference, Maryborough proposed the idea to all NHW groups in the region, suggesting that if each group contributed $20 - $30 we could afford to produce and broadcast a NHW Awareness Advertisement.

In the ensuing twelve months over 80% of NHW groups within the Bundaberg, Maryborough and Gympie Districts came on board to the tune of $30 each. This was enough support to run the Awareness campaign in the Channel 7 Wide Bay viewing area. Some groups are yet to contribute, but once they do we will have raised enough money to cover production costs and play the advert in blocks of 40, three times.

Two NHW Awareness advertisements have been produced, each lasting 15 seconds. The first centres on the “Know Your Neighbours” campaign and the other on the “LOCK-UP” project. Both advertisements are currently being played in rotation throughout five peak viewing periods.

The filming of the ads starred real NHW people from Bundaberg and Maryborough and took about three hours to shoot. Obviously more bloopers were produced than useable footage, but that only added to the fun of the day. Rumour has it that invitations to star in Blue Heelers and Stingers are in the mail!

The advertisements were made to be ‘portable’ so that they can be played in other areas around Queensland with Channel 7 coverage. Other NHW areas are welcome to use these advertisements. We can coordinate this for you, once you’ve raised the required amount. Contact your local Channel 7 network to get an idea of the pricing in your area. It would be terrific to see other NHW areas supporting this campaign with the end result being NHW advertisements being run all around the state. We did it … you can too!

For further information please contact the Maryborough District Crime Prevention Coordinator, Senior Constable Julie Ferguson