From NHW State Office

Welcome to the new look State NHW newsletter.  It is hoped that the new colour layout will enhance the image of the newsletter and encourage additional readership. If you have any comments on the new layout, an article or photo for inclusion or other suggestions on how the newsletter can assist you in promoting NHW in your area please contact the NHW State Office.

 Winter Edition of the NHW State Newsletter

Due to unforseen circumstances the winter edition of the NHW State Newsletter was not distributed. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Over the past four years, 24 NHW areas around the State have implemented the Community Safety Project.  The Community Safety Project aims to enhance the crime prevention focus of NHW areas to include community safety initiatives of the Department of Emergency Service.

Due to the successes of the project every effort is being made to provide the project to many more NHW areas.  To ensure the success of this rollout, a new delivery model has been developed called the ‘Five Ways to Safety’.  This model invites selected NHW areas to attend a workshop where the 5 most popular initiatives identified from the Community Safety Project will be promoted and demonstrated.

A ‘Five Ways to Safety’ guide book has also been developed and is provided at the workshop.  The book provides a step by step process on how to implement the project and an overview of the initiatives. The ‘Five Ways to Safety’ workshop has already been provided to NHW areas in Cairns, Townville, Mackay, Gold Coast, Oxley and Logan.  Additional workshops are also planned for later in the year.  If your NHW is invited to attend a ‘Five Ways to Safety’ workshop I strongly encourage your attendance as it will provide your area with additional opportunities to create a safer community whilst raising the profile of your NHW.

Rally

The annual NHW State Rally will be held on Saturday 21 October 2006 at the Victory Christian Outreach Centre, 173 Old Maryborough Road, Gympie, Qld.

The day's events will include a variety of visual and interactive presentations based around this year's theme ‘Eyes and Ears to the Future’. Join other NHWatchers in discovering new crime prevention ideas for your NHW. The Rally will also launch ‘Crime Prevention Week 2006’ and promises to provide a showcase for crime prevention projects from around the State. A registration fee of $25.00 covers morning tea and lunch on the day.

The Rally will be held during the Gympie Gold Rush Festival 2006 which commemorates the golden history of Gympie and provides many events to attend. Accommodation may be limited so if you intend to stay over night book accommodation early. For further information on accommodation and local events you may wish to telephone the Cooloola Regional Development Bureau on 54825444 or visit www.cooloola.org.au.

The Rally registration broshure will be sent to all areas shortly or alternatively it can be obtained  from the NHW website. For further Rally information contact the Neighbourhood Watch State Office on 3234 2104.

National NHW Movement

The push for NHW to have a national focus continues to gain momentum with all States, Territories and New Zealand represented on the National NHW Advisory Board. The movement is seeking to promote NHW nationally through avenues such as marketing, website, dedicated phone number and sponsorship. This national promotion can only assist in raising the profile of NHW which will increase interest and further the implementation of the NHW objectives within the community.

On a personal note I would like to pay tribute to Dennis Webb, Upper Mt Gravatt 18 Area Coordinator who recently passed away. I referred to Dennis as Mr NHW due to his total commitment to NHW and his community.  Even after four heart operations and a terminal illness he continued to support NHW.  On behalf of the NHW community I extend my condolences to Dennis’s wife Margaret and family.