Who we are
Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of South Australia Inc
Board of Management
Our Board members are passionate volunteers who help guide the direction of Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) SA.
Representing communities across South Australia, they bring a diverse range of skills, experience and local knowledge to support the program and its volunteers.
Together, the Board provides leadership, oversight and strategic direction to help NHW continue building safer, more connected communities.
Meet the current members of the Board below.
President
Andy Constantinides
Andy joined St Clair NHW Area 628 in 2019 as Secretary and Media Coordinator. She became the group's Area Coordinator the following year. Andy is also a State Councillor and Treasurer for Western District NHW.
Andy has lived in St Clair for more than a decade and grew up in Cheltenham, where she has seen many changes in the area over time.
“I want to see St Clair become an inclusive community looking out for each other, neighbour by neighbour,” she said.
Vice President
Heather Merritt
Heather joined NHW in 2014 when she was asked to become Secretary of Morphett Vale NHW Area 163/347. She later became the group's Area Coordinator.
Heather and her daughter Gemma formed a mother-daughter team when Gemma became Secretary, continuing a family tradition as Heather’s mother was one of the original NHW members.
Heather is a former Secretary of the Board and is also Secretary of the Southern District NHW Region. Outside of NHW, she is Vice Chair of the Reynella Neighbourhood Centre and Christie Downs Community House, editor of the Onkaparinga VIEW Club newsletter and a member of the Antipoverty Network.
Vice President
Phil Tavender
Phil is Area Coordinator of Hope Valley and Highbury NHW Area 222 and Chair of the Eastern District NHW Group.
He has previously served as President of the Board and authored the NHW Volunteer Association of South Australia Inc Constitution.
Phil is a seasoned expert in constitutional and regulatory frameworks and has a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of NHW in South Australia.
He has organised NHW volunteers as marshals for Australia Day parades and has been the volunteer manager for three police ceremonial tattoo events.
Phil has been involved with NHW since 1995.
Treasurer
George Holroyd
George joined Woodcroft NHW Area 414 in 2003 after moving from New South Wales, where he had also been actively involved in the program. He is the group’s Area Coordinator and Treasurer of the Southern District Group.
George is a respected mentor and is always willing to provide expert advice and support to other volunteers. This is demonstrated through his work assisting other NHW areas with financial processes, events and initiatives.
His dedication to NHW has also led him to take on the additional role of Treasurer for St Clair NHW Area 628.
George is passionate about the future of the NHW program and regularly shares ideas and initiatives to support and promote NHW, recruit members, prevent crime and build connected communities.
Secretary
Rochelle Bauer Bailey
Rochelle Bauer Bailey joined Woodville, Woodville Park and Kilkenny NHW Area 257 in 2024. She is the group’s Secretary and Deputy Area Coordinator and serves as a State Councillor representing Western District NHW.
Rochelle is passionate about empowering residents, strengthening community networks and supporting closer collaboration between volunteers and police. She brings leadership, project management and stakeholder engagement experience to the Board.
A Registered Nurse for 14 years in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Emergency Department, Rochelle later moved into management, education and community mental health nursing. She has taught nursing students at Flinders University and has extensive experience working with community groups, consumers and stakeholders.
She has also held project management and leadership roles within the health sector and completed leadership development programs through Women & Leadership Australia and Women on Boards.
Board of Management
Simon Brewer
Simon has been involved with Athelstone NHW Areas 374 and 140 for over 30 years. During that time, he has served as an Area Coordinator and held various office bearer positions.
He has been a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) for 17 years and is an experienced company director in the not-for-profit sector.
Simon is a former Mayor of Campbelltown Council, a role he held for 12 years, and brings more than 40 years of experience as an IT professional.
He is committed to supporting the future growth of NHW SA and believes he can make a valuable contribution toward achieving that goal.
Ripu (Robin) Gill
Geoff Eaton
External Board Member
James Slocombe
James holds formal qualifications in law, criminal justice, public safety and public administration.
In his professional career, James is a Manager for the Attorney-General’s Department. Over the course of his career, James has worked in various legal roles in administrative and public law, mitigation law and criminal law.
Outside of work, James has been a dedicated volunteer with animal rescue organisations and in emergency response for the last 15 years. He has served as a public officer, committee member, team leader and crew member in these areas at various times.
One of his most memorable volunteer experiences was helping at a staging area during the Cudlee Creek bushfires, where he witnessed the enormity of the response by everyday people helping their neighbours.