2005 National NHW Conference

The 2005 National Neighbourhood Watch Conference was hosted by Victoria Police from 5 – 7 October.   Officer in Charge of the Crime Prevention Unit, Inspector Graham McIntosh and State Coordinator Sergeant Wayne Rasmussen attended as the Queensland Police Service representatives.

The conference was attended by delegates from all Australian States and Territories, and New Zealand.  The theme of the conference was ‘Contributing to Making Safer Communities’, and was promoted by presentations from keynote speakers, discussions and lively debates.

The major focus of the conference was discussions around the development of a ‘National’ Neighbourhood Watch board.  Objectives of the board would include:

• Identifying opportunities for national sponsorship;
• Identifying opportunities for federal funding;
• Develop a national marketing plan;
• Identifying and promoting national good practice; and
• Being a vestibule for the dissemination of relevant information.

Delegates were able to agree on National Mission and Vision Statements, being:

Mission –         ‘Creating Safer Communities’.

Vision –           ‘Neighbourhood Watch Partnerships for Safer Communities’.

The establishment of the ‘Neighbourhood Watch Australasian Advisory Board’ will investigate how best to implement an executive and associated rules for the national board.  The advisory board will also prepare a document on the role of the national body, and it is hoped that it will be presented at the 2006 Police Commissioners Conference.

The Queensland Police Service has a member on the Advisory Board, namely the State Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator.  The findings of the advisory board will be presented and furthered at the 2006 National Neighbourhood Watch Conference in South Australia.

Sergeant Rasmussen was also honoured to present the ‘Community Safety Project’ at the Victorian State NHW Rally on the following Saturday.  The Victorian hosts facilitated an informative and social conference, and it is obvious that Neighbourhood Watch is not only alive and well in Queensland, but thriving nationally.