Neighbourhood Watch Awards

The Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Awards, recognise outstanding contributions by our volunteers and supporters in community safety and crime prevention.

About the awards

The awards showcase volunteers, initiatives and supporters that have significantly enhanced crime prevention efforts, community engagement and collaboration in local communities across Victoria.

Awards history

The Neighbourhood Watch Awards were launched in 1986, 3 years after Neighbourhood Watch began in Victoria. After a short hiatus between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our awards will return, refreshed and renewed, in 2024.

Awards categories

in 2024 we will present the following Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Awards:

• Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Awards of Honour: for Neighbourhood Watch members or supporters who have given outstanding service to Neighbourhood Watch and the community.
• Best Youth Engagement Activity Award: for an innovative activity which engages young people in crime prevention and neighbourhood safety, and has the potential to keep them involved in Neighbourhood Watch in the long term.
• Best Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Engagement Activity Award: An activity which engages and includes CALD individuals and groups, effectively communicates with them and successfully integrates them into ongoing Neighbourhood Watch activities.
• Best Collaboration Award: A meaningful collaboration with other local community organisations which has a positive impact on the local community and the potential for long-term benefits.
• Best Police Partnership Activity Award: A partnership with police that effectively achieves Neighbourhood Watch's vision and mission, uses innovative strategies and has a measurable impact on preventing or reducing crime.
• Neighbourhood Watch Appreciation Award for an Individual or Business: A positive contribution to the local Neighbourhood Watch group and the broader community, which is unique or innovative, and will potentially have a lasting, positive effect on Neighbourhood Watch activities.

Nominations

Nominations for the 2024 Neighbourhood Watch State Awards will open in April 2024. Only accredited Neighbourhood Watch Victoria members can submit nominations. The awards will be presented at a dinner in November 2024.

Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Hall of Fame

The Neighbourhood Watch Hall of Fame was established in 2008 to commemorate and honour those who have made a unique and lasting contribution to Neighbourhood Watch in Victoria. Current inductees are:

Tom Newman OAM - 2008

Tom was the first Area Coordinator of Victoria's very first Neighbourhood Watch group in Kananook, in 1983, and later became Division Chair and the inaugural State President. His dedication, initiative and skillful work over 3 decades helped shape the Neighbourhood Watch program in Victoria.

Mick Miller AO QPM - 2009

As Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Mick was the driving force behind Neighbourhood Watch being established in Victoria. He personally oversaw the
formation and development of the original pilot project in 1983 and launched the state-wide program in 1984. The program's ongoing success is testament to his personal drive, vision and commitment.

Ron Bell - 2010

In 1984, Ron led a group of concerned Bell Post Hill residents to establish the first Neighbourhood Watch program in the Geelong region. He was with Neighbourhood Watch for 36 years, including Area Coordinator from 1984 to 2018, Division Insurance Coordinator and Division Newsletter Printing Coordinator.

Geoff Kloot - 2017

Geoff has been involved in Neighbourhood Watch since the first group was established in Manningham in 1985. Locally he has served in numerous roles, including Area Manager, Newsletter Editor and Regional Chairman and has been Chair of NHW Manningham since 2010. He was elected to the NHW Victoria Board in 2012, is the current secretary, and was Acting CEO of NHW Victoria between 2015 and 2017.

Graeme Elder - 2019

Graeme joined Neighbourhood Watch in Mont Albert North in 1998. In his local Area, he served as Newsletter Editor, Secretary, Treasurer and Area Manager and became the Chair of NHW Whitehorse in 2010. Graeme was elected to the NHW Victoria Board in October 2012 and was deeply involved in a major restructure of NHW Victoria between 2015 and 2018.