Rotary Nunawading was invited by the Whitehorse Business Group to co-host a Community Safety Breakfast in support of Neighbourhood Watch Whitehorse, on 25 August 2023, held at the Canterbury International Hotel Forest Hill.
The guest speakers were senior Sergeant Ronald Sinclair and Senior Constable Brendan Gogarty, Whitehorse Crime Prevention Officer both from Box Hill Police Station were introduced by Kay Evans, President Neighbourhood Watch Whitehorse.
The Club promoted the event to cluster clubs ranging from Mont Albert - Surrey Hills [MASH] to Maroondah and to Whitehorse Rotaract.
Members from most clubs were able to attend the breakfast from 7.30am to 9.30am.
It was pleasing to receive the support of DG 9810 Ian Ballantine who travelled from Sandringham.
For non-Rotarians present, President Ian spoke about Rotary commenced in the USA in 1905 and in Australia in 1921. Rotary is in over 150 countries, has 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members. While in Australia there is over 1,000 clubs and 30,000 plus members.
Rotary provides humanitarian services and is not for profit.
In our District 9810 which ranges from the city to the hills has 38 clubs and in the Whitehorse area we have 7 clubs and 1 Rotaract club between Surrey Hills and Ringwood.
President Ian spoke about Rotary Nunawading which was chartered in 1965 currently has over 40 members. In recent years we are perhaps we are best known in the local community for our presence at the likes of the Spring Festival each October, Australia Day festivities, Bunnings at Nunawading Sausage Sizzle on the 1st Saturday of each month and our presence with other local Rotary clubs at the Whitehorse Farmers Market on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
The police presenters discussed the relationship between Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch.
Furthermore, they discussed current crime prevention initiatives at a local community level along with a local perspective on safety and security issues.
The Rotary Club of Nunawading was very pleased to co-host such a successful event.
