Latest Neighbourhood Watch News
Neighbourhood Watch SA State Coordinator Kirsty Mudge revisits the neighbours who have shaped her life across continents, homes, and decades.
I’ve lived in cities and country towns in the northern and southern hemispheres. I’ve lived in single dwellings, apartment blocks and duplexes. I’ve lived with my family, on my own, with friends and with flatmates. I’ve lived in some places for...
Nominations are now open for the 2026 South Australia Police Officer of the Year award.
Presented annually since 1978 by the Rotary Club of Unley, the award seeks to increase awareness of the policing role in the community and offers an opportunity for community members to recognise an outstanding and committed police officer.
The South Australia...
For long-time Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteer George Holroyd, helping the community comes naturally.
George was born on April Fool’s Day and grew up in suburban Sydney where he became a talented sprinter. He vividly recalls the pride of being crowned the fastest boy at his primary school sports carnival.
By age 15 he had left school to...
Grants for crime prevention and community connection projects are available to Neighbourhood Watch SA (NHW) Areas for 2026!
The Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of South Australia Inc. (NHW VASA) is funding the grants program, which is offering up to $2,000 for projects that can provide positive tangible outcomes for towns and suburbs around South Australia.
The decision to run a 2026 grants...
If you’re familiar with Adelaide’s inner-western suburbs, the chances are you’ve noticed the array of vibrant, mosaic-clad stobie poles.
Hindmarsh Greening are the group behind the striking public art and their projects have helped foster a sense of pride within the community.
The group of around 15 volunteers meet every Sunday from 9am to 12pm and their work is as broad as...
The Adelaide Bike Kitchen has been teaching South Australians how to repair their bikes for more than a decade.
Secretary Katharine Hampton-Smith said the Bowden-based group had built a unique community in the process.
“For such a flat city, not many people around here ride bikes,” Katharine said. “For many people, if something breaks or stops working on their bike, it’s easy...
Valley View Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) helped strengthen community ties by hosting a successful community Christmas barbecue in the lead up to the festive season.
Food stalls, a jumping castle, face painting and a visit from Santa were among the highlights of a day enjoyed by locals of all ages.
Valley View NHW were successful in their application for a NHW SA 40th...
A new Neighbourhood Watch campaign encourages South Australian householders to improve their home security with the aim of reducing crime in communities statewide.
The campaign provides practical home security tips and directs people to the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) website, where they can access tools and information to help make their homes safer and more secure.
A key feature of the campaign...
Goolwa Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Area Coordinator Pat Salter has fond memories of growing up along the Murray River in Victoria.
Having spent the first four and a half years of her life in an institution, Pat moved to country Victoria with her adoptive parents, attending primary school in Rutherglen and high school across the New South Wales border in Corowa.
“I would...
A Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) SA 40th anniversary grant helped Woodcroft NHW spread festive cheer and create community connections at the recent Woodcroft Carols in the Park.
The popular community carols event organised by Woodcroft NHW has been running for 30 years. The local council was unable to provide financial support this year so the grant allowed Woodcroft NHW to continue the...
Helping others comes naturally to Erindale Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Area Coordinator Bronwyn Pederson.
At 15 years of age, Bronwyn began working as a comptometrist using a mechanical calculator with South Australian Railways. Two years later, she followed her older sister’s path by becoming a travel agent.
“My sister, Diedre, was already working as a travel agent at the time and she encouraged...
Emma Adams is the social media guru behind the Woodcroft Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Facebook group.
Emma joined Woodcroft NHW in 2023 after receiving a newsletter in the mail asking for volunteers to join the group.
“I didn’t know too much about Neighbourhood Watch, but I thought it would be a shame if the group had to close,” Emma said. “So I rang...
Community members are benefitting from the added security of having personal alarms thanks to Sefton Park Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) winning a NHW SA 40th anniversary grant.
The group demonstrated in its grant application that personal alarms would add to the peace of mind of vulnerable community members.
Personal alarms were given to individuals who expressed concern about their personal safety when visiting...
A plaque honouring long-time Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteer Rodney Beames was unveiled at Apex Park, West Beach recently as part of a NHW event focused on building community connections.
Rodney was West Beach Area Coordinator for 29 years, from 1996 until he died in 2024.
City of West Torrens Mayor, Michael Coxon, helped unveil the plaque alongside members of Rodney’s family.
West Beach...
This Christmas Eve, children can help Santa stay safe on his journey through South Australia’s neighbourhoods with our free downloadable Santa snack placemats. These festive mats give kids a special place to set out Santa’s treats while also sharing friendly safety tips for the jolly man as he moves from home to home.
Each placemat features an allocated spot for milk,...
Pauline Cother of Kingston SE Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) was recently presented with the President’s Award for her dedication to the program.
The award recipient is selected by the President of the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of South Australia Inc. (VASA) and is awarded to a volunteer who has demonstrated exemplary service to NHW.
Pauline, who is secretary of Kingston SE NHW, keeps...
Robert and Aileen Eldridge of Para Hills Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) have been named NHW Volunteers of the Year in recognition of their exemplary service to the program.
The presentation took place at the NHW 40th Anniversary Awards, held at the Lakes Hotel on 23 November.
Robert and Aileen have been involved with Para Hills Neighbourhood Watch for more than 20 years and...
Certificates of Commendation and Merit were presented to Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteers at the NHW 40th Anniversary Awards, held at the Lakes Hotel on Sunday, 23 November.
The awards recognise volunteers who have demonstrated significant levels of service to NHW SA.
Certificate of Commendation
Rodney Beames
Rodney spent 29 years as Area Coordinator of West Beach NHW.
He promoted close liaisons between the police and...
Six SAPOL officers were presented with Certificates of Merit at the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) 40th Anniversary Awards, held at the Lakes Hotel on 23 November.
Senior Constable First Class Bridgette Barendregt
Senior Constable First Class Barendregt began liaising with Klemzig NHW when she joined the Eastern District Community Engagement Section four years ago.
Her nominator said Bridgette has been approachable, responsive and extremely...
Rodney and Shona Morgan epitomise community spirit.
Both were born in New Zealand, where, as young adults, Shona worked for the bank and Rodney with the post office.
“I was working at the Bank of New Zealand and at first the post officer came over once a day to do the banking, then he came over twice a day, then three times,”...
Senior Sergeant Darren Parker is moving on from his role as long-time Police Coordinator with Goolwa Neighbourhood Watch (NHW). Darren is transferring to the State’s south-east where he will take on the role of Officer-in-Charge of Naracoorte Police Station.
“As soon as I came to Goolwa, I started attending Neighbourhood Watch meetings,” Darren said. “The group was well established, but my...
Louis Chirakis attended just one West Beach Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) meeting before being appointed secretary, back in 1996. He has been in the role ever since.
Louis was born in Astros in southern Greece, but the Chirakis family moved to South Australia in 1955 and settled in the Riverland.
“At the time, education in Greece was very sparce, especially if you lived...
Matt Curnow lives and breathes volunteering.
A highly respected member of Flagstaff Hill Neighbourhood Watch (NHW), it was Matt’s rural upbringing which helped ignite his passion for volunteer work.
“My father worked on the Broken Hill railway line for a number of years, so we moved around a lot, living in towns like Mingary and Yunta,” Matt said. “In the end I...
Nominations for the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Volunteers Association of SA (VASA) Board of Management are now open, with three positions available!
If you are a dedicated NHW member or know a NHW volunteer who would make a great addition to the Board, now is the time to get involved and help shape the future of the program.
Why join the Board?
- Make a...
Tickets are now available for the highly anticipated 2025 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) SA awards ceremony and annual general meeting (AGM), hosted by South Australia Police (SAPOL) and the NHW Volunteers Association of SA Inc. (VASA).
This year’s event will be a special celebration of the program’s 40th anniversary, honouring the incredible efforts of volunteers, police officers...
Do you know a Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteer or police officer who goes above and beyond to make their suburb or town a safer, more connected place? Now is the time to recognise their dedication!
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Neighbourhood Watch SA Awards, celebrating the incredible contributions of volunteers, police officers...
Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) and the Volunteer Association of South Australia Inc. (VASA) are proud to announce the recipients of the 40th anniversary grants. These grants were established to commemorate the four decades NHW members have dedicated to building safer, more connected communities.
It was initially agreed that SAPOL NHW and VASA would each contribute $5,000 to the grants program. However, following...
Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) intends to launch local Facebook groups in areas currently without NHW groups in an effort to improve communication on crime prevention and community connections throughout the State.
The program is initially focusing on Coober Pedy, Port Lincoln, Gawler and Port Pirie as these areas lack nearby NHW groups and have higher levels of crime.
According to NHW State Coordinator...
In early 1989 a group of Gawler East community members met in Gawler Town Hall to discuss their Adelaide Hills suburb. As proactive and caring individuals, they dreamed of a connected, safe and proud area. Quickly two small but determined Neighbourhood Watch SA (NHW) groups formed - Gawler East 111...
The Neighbourhood Watch SA (NHW) team recently travelled to Clare to see the local group’s graffiti removal project in action. The group have been committed to cause, having started the project 10 years ago and gave us great insight into how the operation works.
It was a beautiful spring day with...
On Monday 23rd August, Para Hills Neighbourhood Watch SA group (Area 441) came together with the wider community to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
Taking place at Para Hills Community Club and following all COVID regulations and protocols, attendees gathered for a very special occasion with VIP speeches,...
Bikes can provide you with a great way to get from A to B. Usually more affordable than a car or motorbike, they’re also very good for the environment and your physical fitness, but with these positives comes interest from potential thieves.
We sat down with Senior Constable Sophie...
WORLD PHOTO DAY: A History of NHW SA Through Photographs
Around for 36 incredible years, the Neighbourhood Watch SA (NHW) program has been on a fascinating journey!
On this World Photo Day we decided to dig through the archives, finding old photos that help bring that journey to life.
Here’s what we found…
1985...
Your home and its contents are probably your most valuable assets, and although you might feel it may never happen to you, house break-ins are a reality.
SA Police is committed to preventing these types of offences and catching those who commit them, but you can prevent your property becoming an...
What3words is a platform that has divided the world into three metre square segments, and then given each square a unique combination of three words.
In using what3words someone can give their exact location easily, by going to the what3word website or app, activating it, and then sharing the...
On Sunday 30 May, Broadview and Collinswood Neighbourhood Watch group hosted a community pruning day, in partnership with Prospect Local Environment Group (PLEG) at Broadview Community Garden.
To celebrate World Environment Day, which takes place today, local residents were invited, along with their secateurs and shears, to...
Did you know that this time last week it was World Password Day? The first Thursday in May serves as an annual reminder for us to check and update our passwords.
To help you stay safe online, here are four simple things you can do right now to help you improve...
SA Youth Week is South Australia’s biggest celebration for young people aged 12-25.
Running from Sunday 2 May to Sunday 9 May, the annual celebration week provides a unique platform to recognise the contribution of young people to our communities while aiming to empower our youth to make a difference to...
Neighbourhood Watch SA believes in a safe and connected community. At the centre of any community are the local stores and businesses. They support you while also enriching your life in various ways. It’s therefore incredibly important to keep them safe.
Unfortunately local stores and businesses can be a target for...
Are you a Holden or Ford supporter? Or do you lean towards Fiat? Tesla? Maybe Toyota?
For thieves, it doesn’t matter. Any make or model of vehicle can be a target for theft.
Vehicles are usually stolen for either immediate use, to be used in another crime later, or stolen to be...
Knowing how to safely handle food is paramount to enjoying any meal, from a gourmet degustation to a simple NHW BBQ in the local park. Did you know there is FREE training available to anyone who wishes to make sure they are doing things right with food,...