State Office:
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria
Victoria Police Centre
311 Spencer Street
Docklands VIC 3008
General Enquiries: (03) 8335 6002
Media Enquiries: ceo@nhw.com.au
ABN: 41 586 657 273
Incorporation Number: A0018739R
Our Board brings extensive experience and diverse skills to support our CEO, including specialisations in finance, human resources, government, community development, management, information technology and grassroots Neighbourhood Watch.
President
Edwina is an executive with 25+ years experience in strategic marketing, communications, project and program management and business development. She has a successful track record at two of the world's largest professional services firms, PwC and KPMG. Prior to professional services, Edwina worked for US-listed Computer Sciences Corporation (now DXC) commencing as a Business Analyst and progressing to Project Management, Product Management, Account Management and Business Development roles. Edwina is adept at strategy development and execution, project governance, capitalising on growth opportunities and managing risk. She is an innovative thinker with a pragmatic approach who enjoys working side by side with senior stakeholders to achieve organisational objectives. Her career to date has afforded her insights into the unique challenges and opportunities within listed companies and private and family-owned businesses so she brings a different perspective to the Board of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria.
Edwina holds a Bachelor of Economics from La Trobe University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In addition, she is a member of Women on Boards and of the Institute of Community Directors. Throughout her career, Edwina has worked across time zones, geographies and cultures as well as her roles taking her to the UK, US, Canada, India, South Africa and throughout Southeast Asia. Through these experiences, she developed her love of travel. Outside of her professional life, Edwina enjoys reading all sorts of novels, and podcasts, watching everything from documentaries to dramas and reality TV and planning the next travel adventure for herself and her husband.
Vice President
Anika Dell is a criminologist with 25+ years of experience in academia and state and local government and a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology. Holding a Master of Criminology from Sydney University, she has enjoyed roles at a range of Victorian universities in both teaching and research. Early in her career, Anika spent time with the NSW Ombudsman’s office where she was involved in research and investigations into police misconduct and complaints and where she memorably served stale biscuits to the NSW Police Commissioner (inadvertently, it must be said).
After spending several years as a social researcher with Knox City Council where she helped to develop the municipality’s first Community Safety Plan, Anika joined the Community Crime Prevention Unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). During her almost eight years at DJCS, Anika helped shift the focus of government funding and effort toward community-led, social crime prevention initiatives that decades of evidence shows are the most effective form of crime prevention.
Since leaving DJCS, Anika has kept busy running a criminology consulting business, maintaining academic roles at various universities, and volunteering locally. When not preventing crime, Anika can be found trail running in the forest where she is easily distracted from the task at hand by lyrebirds and fungi, hence her average pace never improves, and she is perfectly happy with that.
Treasurer
Brittany Langner is a Chartered Accountant and an emerging professional Business, Accounting and Tax Advisory firm currently serving as a Senior Business and Tax Advisor.
She brings broad experience across day-to-day business operations, preparation of financial statements and tax returns, and the delivery of strategic tax advice for complex transactions. With a strong interest in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, she is committed to being a trusted advisor, enabling businesses to focus on strategy and growth while she manages compliance and administrative obligations. Her technical expertise spans management and financial accounting, tax compliance, and business advisory, complemented by a keen interest in process improvement and policy development.
Brittany grew up in Canada and earned a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in Service Management from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. She leapt across the pond shortly after completing university and after 10 years, now calls Melbourne home with her partner.
As a board member, Brittany is eager to bring her fresh perspective, enthusiasm and dedication to Neighbourhood Watch Victoria.
Secretary
Geoff Kloot has been a dedicated member of Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) in Manningham since 1985, starting as a Zone Representative. By 1991, he was the Area Manager and took on the role of newsletter editor a year later, positions he still holds. Geoff joined the Executive of NHW Region R4D1 in 2005, becoming Deputy Chairman, then Chairman, and later, after a restructure, was Chairman of Manningham Neighbourhood Watch. He served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of NHW Victoria from 2015 to 2017, where he especially enjoyed helping establish new NHW groups.
Geoff's has been honored with multiple awards, including the Menzies electorate Australia Day Award in 2007, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria State Award of Honour in 2007 and Sgt John Cain Memorial Award for Distinguished Service to Neighbourhood Watch R4D1 in 2010. He won the NHW Australasia Malcolm Grant OAM Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013 and was the City of Manningham Citizen of the Year in 2016.
Professionally, Geoff brought his experience as a senior manager in a State Government agency and later as a management consultant to NHW. His innovative approach led to projects like the Junior Watcher Activity Book and Community Safety Guide, funded by government grants.
Geoff is a strong advocate of business planning and annual budgeting and firmly believes funds raised by NHW should be used directly for community safety projects. Geoff is married and cherishes time with his family, including two children and four grandsons. He also enjoys photography.
Board Member
Megan is a senior executive with a career of more than 20 years in the human resources space working for international global businesses in sectors such as logistics, transport, retail, events, hospitality, banking and finance. The roles have been varied although with a strong foundation on being a true human resources business partner and strategic advisor. With the constant changes faced by many businesses over the past decade Megan has honed her skills in change management, workforce design and strategic management.
Megan is a passionate, driven and intelligent leader with a proven track record of building a connected and engaged workforce to deliver the strategic business plan. This is achieved whilst driving growth with a commercial acumen and ensuring the best talent is in the right roles to deliver. Megan’s current role is as the Executive General Manager, People, Capability & Development at the Victoria Racing Club – a role that engages with the business at all levels to deliver an end to end people management support leading them through the return out of the pandemic.
Megan has completed a Bachelor in Public Relations, a Masters of Business Administration and numerous development programs around leadership, mentoring and coaching. Megan is an Affiliate Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors. Megan is fortunate to move between Melbourne and the Surf Coast living with her husband and their dog.
Board Member
Rhonda has been an active and dedicated member of Neighbourhood Watch in Geelong since 1994, initially as a Newsletter Editor and later as Area Coordinator. By 2005, she assumed the role of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Division Coordinator, a position she held until 2016. After a short break, she returned in 2018, invigorating the Geelong region's Neighbourhood Watch.
In 2009, Rhonda was elected to the Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Board, serving terms as both President and Vice President. She involved in navigating significant changes within the program, reinforcing its strength and purpose.
Her commitment to community extends beyond Neighbourhood Watch; she has served as Vice Chairperson of the Bellarine Community Support Register and as President of the Geelong Branch of Queenscliff’s Cottage by the Sea. Rhonda lives in Wallington with her husband, Peter. They have adult daughters. She loves spending time with her granddaughter in Sydney, and her hobbies include music, gardening, and travelling.
Throughout her life, Rhonda has championed community connectedness, emphasing the importance of Neighbourhood Watch in fostering such bonds. Rhonda is a strong advocate for community connectedness and the important role Neighbourhood Watch can play in developing it. She believes that getting to know neighbours and feeling part of a community is a step towards a safer community.
Board Member
Carolyn has been an active and dedicated member of Neighbourhood Watch South Mitchell since 2018, initially as an Events Coordinator and later as the Secretary, Media Coordinator and Grants sub-committee. In 2019, she assumed the role of Secretary of Mitchell Shire Neighbourhood Watch Inc. Group, a position she’s held ever since.
In November 2023, Carolyn was elected to the Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Board. In this role she can draw on her past career as an accountant and running her own business. She also has been involved with writing policies and procedures for both her employer and during lock-downs she devoted this skill set to her local Neighbourhood Watch group. Her commitment to community extends beyond Neighbourhood Watch; she has served in the local Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee and the Southern Mitchell Local Safety Network Committee.
Carolyn is eager to contribute to the overall wellbeing of Neighbourhood Watch in a general board position. With her keen involvement to her local group, Carolyn can contribute first-hand knowledge about the issues and challenges the groups face in the community, especially as she comes from the regional town of Wallan.
Carolyn lives with her husband, Jack, who is also involved in Neighbourhood Watch South Mitchell. Between them they have 5 children, many grandchildren and even some great grandchildren. She loves spending time with raising Burmese kittens, reading a book, doing genealogy and travelling.
Board Member
Dr Richard Thornton is a strategic thinker and highly capable leader with broad-raging knowledge and strong skills in research and development, as well as risk management.
Recently retired, he spent over two decades in executive roles, including as CEO of Australia's national research centres for bushfires and natural hazards. In that role, he was instrumental in leading national conversations around community safety in the face of the growing natural hazard risks. He brings an excellent understanding of governance, legal principles, leadership, and financial and IT literacy, along with experience in government policy development and not-for-profit business management. His career spans higher education, emergency management, the environment, and the telecommunications sectors, where he has built deep expertise and a wealth of knowledge.
Richard holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physics from the University of Surrey and a PhD in Physics from RMIT. He is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Born in the UK, he moved to Australia 38 years ago. He and his wife Helen have been married for just as long and share a love of travel, walking in nature and, snorkelling. They have three adult children and three grandchildren. A lifelong Formula 1, Richard remains passionate about the sport.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria acknowledges the 38 mobs, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live, and gather as employees and volunteers. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
At Neighbourhood Watch, we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and welcome. We are committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity are embedded throughout our organisation – in the work we do, the services we deliver and among our staff, volunteers, and the communities we work with.
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria
Victoria Police Centre
311 Spencer Street
Docklands VIC 3008
General Enquiries: (03) 8335 6002
Media Enquiries: ceo@nhw.com.au
ABN: 41 586 657 273
Incorporation Number: A0018739R