Golden Day at Gympie Rally

The Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Program was showcased in October with 190 delegates from across Queensland attending this year’s State NHW Rally at Gympie.  The theme of this year’s event was ‘Neighbourhood Watch Eyes and Ears to the Future’. 

The day was opened with all in attendance singing the National Anthem supported by the Victory College Choir.  The Mary Valley Heritage Railway re-enactment group then lead the way with a bang by enacting a ‘Train Robbery’ where the town’s gold was stolen by bandits and to this day has not been located.  Delegates also enjoyed the motivation of speaker Gerrard Gosens, Deputy CEO for the Royal Blind Foundation Queensland. Gerrard, who at only 35 years of age, has packed a long list of sporting achievements into his life. Among them is a 2000km charity run from Port Douglas to the Gold Coast, running the Melbourne Marathon and climbing to Mt Everest Camp 3. All of these and many more achievements for a man who is congenitally blind. 

Detective Sergeant Tony Liessi and Ian Stahlhut also provided delegates with a very interesting and well received presentation on illicit drugs including what the signs, sights, smells and suspect behaviour associated with the manufacture and distribution of amphetamines.  Steve Thomas from Hervey Bay SES spoke on how SES and NHW can work together to help the community in particular the training of NHW members in first aid.  Detective Sergeant Gary Davis and Senior Constable Rod Shelton from the Fraud Squad also advised on how to prevent becoming a victim of identity fraud. 

The day concluded with Commissioner Bob Atkinson launching ‘Crime Prevention Week’ and presenting NHW awards. Congratulations to the regional award winners and to Marion Costin the 2006 NHW ‘Member of the Year’. Marion was also the first recipient of the NHW ‘Member of the Year’ badge which will now become an annual award.

The day was presented by a very capable MC Mr Ken Hose.  The organising Committee consisting of members from the Gympie South Burnett District NHW Committee and the Regional Crime Prevention Team, Volunteers in Policing and NHW volunteers are to be congratulated on the success of the Rally.