ACT Chief Police Officer, Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan APM, has finally been able to present two major Neighbourhood Watch ACT awards to their deserving recipients after Covid restrictions in the territory were eased.
Southern Cross Club Jamison set aside an area so that the belated Awards could be presented at a gathering held within the parameters of Covid rules.
A restricted number of representatives from NHW and ACT Policing were present for the two major 2020 presentations, the NHW ‘ACT Policing Recognition Award’ and ‘NHW Member of the Year Award’; and recognition of the work of former NHW President Margaret Pearson and outgoing members of the NHW ACT Board, Sanjay Patel, Robin Millar and John Warouw.
The ‘ACT Policing Recognition Award’ that was presented by Deputy Commissioner Gaughan to Lina Webber recognises outstanding service by an individual ACT Policing officer or ACT Policing employee who has consistently contributed to NHW and the concept of community policing in the ACT.
Reading from the citation accompanying the award, NHW ACT President Laurie Blackall noted: “Lina has supported our community and NHW over the past 15 years. She joined ACT Policing in 2005, working in the Communications Branch where her duties included taking calls on the triple-zero and 131 444 lines and on radio dispatch.
“In 2013 Lina transferred to the Crime Reduction Unit which later became Community Safety, as the Seniors Liaison Officer providing support and advice to Seniors and their carers across the ACT. She has worked closely with NHW ACT in assessing our membership applications since August 2013.”
Ms Webber freely offers her time to attend NHW community forums and other local events. Her “straight forward and reasonable approach” has made her a favourite with the local community.
“Lina is always available to provide expert and timely advice and support to our Area Coordinators on local issues, in particular those issues that relate to supporting and educating seniors on crime prevention and to allay fears regarding their safety and security. She has also provided advice and guidance on community concerns impacting on the wider community,” Mr. Blackall added.
The recipient of the ‘NHW Member of the Year Award’, Yvonne Lipscombe, was recognised as an individual who has volunteered her time as a member of NHW ACT to empower people and communities through the development of strong and effective partnerships that promote the safety, security and wellbeing of the local Community.
The citation on the award presented by Deputy Commissioner Gaughan reads: “Ms Lipscombe has been a true champion of the ACT Neighbourhood Watch community.She has been a member of ACT NHW since 2010, has served as a Board member and, most recently, as Area Coordinator for Charnwood NHW.
“Yvonne embodies the qualities of the organisation. She is committed to the wellbeing of the communities in which we live and has demonstrated this through the interest she takes in the people in these communities … In her role as Area Coordinator her cheerful, generous personality made all volunteers feel valued and appreciated.”
The recipient of the ‘NHW Member of the Year Award’, Yvonne Lipscombe, was recognised as an individual who has volunteered her time as a member of NHW ACT to empower people and communities through the development of strong and effective partnerships that promote the safety, security and wellbeing of the local Community.
The citation on the award presented by Deputy Commissioner Gaughan reads: “Ms Lipscombe has been a true champion of the ACT Neighbourhood Watch community.She has been a member of ACT NHW since 2010, has served as a Board member and, most recently, as Area Coordinator for Charnwood NHW.
“Yvonne embodies the qualities of the organisation. She is committed to the wellbeing of the communities in which we live and has demonstrated this through the interest she takes in the people in these communities … In her role as Area Coordinator her cheerful, generous personality made all volunteers feel valued and appreciated.”
