Page 551 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 13 February 2013
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swift response. As a member of my community fire unit in Hawker and the liaison person for the second CFU in Hawker, I am aware of the preparedness of the CFUs during that time and the support and advice available to them from the regular firies.
We were obviously in a state of readiness throughout the whole period of those extreme conditions. I am aware the Hall CFU was, in fact, activated, and I thank them for their work on the day and thank all my colleagues who are committed to their role in protecting people and property in their areas through constantly being involved in training.
Neighbourhood Watch
MR WALL (Brindabella) (6.41): I rise tonight to draw attention to the work undertaken by the dedicated volunteers involved with Neighbourhood Watch. Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with the President of the ACT Neighbourhood Watch Association, Margaret Pearson. The Neighbourhood Watch program is a community-based crime prevention program in which members of a particular neighbourhood accept that they have a personal and social responsibility to assist in the promotion of a sense of wellbeing, safety and security. The program is also aimed at reducing crime, especially property crime and crime to the person. The program is primarily directed at reducing the incidence of burglary in residential areas, but it is also aimed at reducing crime generally.
Promotion of a safe and secure environment through the Neighbourhood Watch program is the aim of the ACT Neighbourhood Watch Association. There are over 75 Neighbourhood Watch groups operating in the ACT, supported by approximately 3½ thousand members. Groups vary in size and purpose, focusing on an area as large as a suburb or as a local group of residents living in the same townhouse complex. Neighbourhood Watch communicate with their members and the wider community through printed newsletters and email updates. These are used to inform the community of crime trends, current scams and proactive tips for reducing opportune crime. Within the electorate of Brindabella there are many active Neighbourhood Watch groups in areas such as Farrer, Pearce, Bonython, Calwell and Gordon.
Canberra has the longest established Neighbourhood Watch group in Canberra, being established in 1984, while other suburbs have from time to time had active groups depending on the needs of residents. Neighbourhood Watch are always looking for new volunteers to strengthen the service that is provided to the community, and there is currently a focus to strengthen their presence in Banks, Conder and Fadden. I would like to place on the record my sincere thanks and offer my support to the many volunteers who work with Neighbourhood Watch to promote a safer and happier community for all Canberrans.
Convoy for cancer
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (6.43): I rise tonight to inform the Assembly about an event I took part in on 2 February—the convoy for cancer. The convoy is an awareness-raising event that also raises funds for a very important cause—the Cancer Support Group of Canberra, formerly known as the Eden-Monaro Cancer Support
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