June Newsletter

ABN 458 484 906 50 INCORPORATION A0049036P

JUNE 2008 ISSUE No 7

Hello Registrants,

Recently you may have read some press on 14.04.2008, regarding the closing of the Bellarine Police Station for a short period. Unfortunately, media do like to make issue of anything related to policing and a perennial topic is police numbers. I therefore just wanted to take the opportunity to reassure everyone that police will always respond to incidents or requests for assistance that occur on the Bellarine Peninsula, 24 hrs per day and 7 days per week. 

The Bellarine Peninsula has four stations (Bellarine, Queenscliff, Drysdale and Portarlington) to service their respective communities, plus the overall support of the entire Geelong Police Service Area which includes stations at Geelong, Corio and Lara, not to mention the support of the Surf Coast stations at Torquay and Anglesea.

In the particular incident referred to in the paper, police were called away from the station to assist with an incident in Geelong’s area. This is not an unusual occurrence - to assist Geelong, but, on this occasion, it meant the closure of the police station for a total just in excess of 1 hour. While it is rare for Bellarine to close its doors during the day, this did not mean that police were not available to attend to calls; it just meant that we closed the doors of the station for that period – police were still on duty and available to attend to jobs as required.

Please also remember that in an emergency, if you need police assistance ring 000. This will ensure that your call goes straight to the communications centre for dispatch to the closest patrolling police unit.

I hope this clears and corrects some concerns that may be held regarding your local police and their availability.

Winter Checks - Smoke detectors
Once again winter is nigh upon us and I wanted to take the opportunity to remind you all that it is time to check your appliances, particularly your electrical/gas heaters and electric blankets to ensure that they are all in good working order. Unfortunately it is this time of the year that we see increase in house fires. Please also check your smoke detectors and replace batteries as required.

Volunteers
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer for the Bellarine Police Community Support Register? If so, please express your interest by contacting the chair of the committee via the register (phone or mail).

Regards,

Gary Coombes
S/Sgt 21887


UPDATE ON FUNDING
The Committee gratefully acknowledges the following donations received during
February, March and April 2008:
Donations
St. Leonards Retirees $100
Ocean Grove Senior Citizens Club $50
Magistrates Court, Geelong $200
Ten Registrants $230
Borough of Queenscliffe Grant $500

Sponsorship
Bellarine Memories $1500

DONATIONS
Donations will be accepted at any Bendigo Bank Branch in the Geelong Region. Our Account details are:
BSB 633 108, Account 127715209
When you use this banking facility we would appreciate it if you would advise us of your donation so that we can acknowledge it and forward a receipt. All donations of $2.00 and over are Income Tax Deductible.


BEQUESTS
If you are in the process of revising your Will and wish to consider leaving a Bequest to the Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc, please contact us if you require further information.


REGISTRATIONS
As at the 30 April 2008, we had received 1,068 registrations. This represents 12.18% of our target population. We encourage you to talk to your friends and neighbours about the Register. The most effective publicity is usually “word of mouth”.

Townships % Response Townships % Response
Barwon Heads 13.59% Ocean Grove 14.00%
Clifton Springs 10.65% Point Lonsdale 15.1%
Drysdale 11.21% Portarlington 16.07%
Indented Head 21.69% Queenscliff 7.95%
Leopold 4.83% St. Leonards 12.29%

ID REGISTRATION CARD
If you are one of the very early Registrants your ID card may not note the full telephone number 03 5256 2698. Please contact the Register Office if this is the case and we will forward a replacement card. The 03 reference with the telephone number is particularly important when you travel interstate or overseas.

PROMOTIONS
During the winter our Volunteers will be concentrating on promoting the Register to local groups and organizations as well as in selected Supermarkets. Do stop and say hello if you see them.

SAFETY AND SECURITY REPORT
Key Safes and Personal Alarms
Registrants have now purchased 31 Key Safes, 20 Weather Protective Covers and 19 Personal Alarms. Please contact the Register Office on telephone 5255 3968 if you require an Order Form.


Mobile Telephones
Since announcing the Mobile Telephone Tutorials last September, sixty four Registrants have attended Tutorials which were held in Queenscliff, Portarlington and Drysdale. The majority of those attending succeeded in their aim to “learn how to make and receive a call”.

Unfortunately, the Committee has resolved that it can no longer continue with these Tutorials due to confidentially issues, and because we were not able to recruit sufficient volunteers who are confident enough with their own skills, to teach others how to use their mobile telephones. In fact we understand 40% of those who own a mobile telephone do not know how to use it! If you are keen to update these skills some of the local Neighbourhood Houses have begun to offer a range of classes in a number of IT subjects.

If you are considering purchasing a mobile telephone it has been suggested you should try to purchase one with the following
A model as large as possible, with large and easy to use buttons
A clear screen which is easy to read
If you are purchasing a mobile telephone for emergency and security reasons, then select one which is as simple as possible – why purchase one with all the latest gimmicks if you don’t intend to use it for photographs, music, emails etc.?

Seniors Who Suffer Abuse
In a press release on 27/04/2008 the Senior Victorians Minister, the Hon Lisa Neville, MP, announced the establishment of a free state-wide telephone hot line which will be operating from 10am until 5pm Monday to Friday, to provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, as well as raising awareness of elder abuse.

“Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional or psychological. It can involve mistreatment or neglect. It can include such instances as families pressuring elderly relatives for money, forcing them to sign documents they do not understand or restricting their contact with friends.”

“It is difficult to know the full extent of elder abuse in Victoria, because many cases are not reported. However studies have estimated that between 1 and 5 per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect”.

Anyone seeking assistance or information about elder abuse can telephone Seniors Rights
Victoria on 1300 368 821 or, if out of hours, the Bellarine Police Station on 03 5255 2698 or 000.

NEW DIRECTIONS
Due to lack of interest by Registrants, the Committee will not be planning further Afternoon Teas. Unfortunately, we understand from comments received from those who attended the recently-held Drysdale Afternoon Tea, transport is a problem for those who are now unable to drive.
ANIMAL REGISTRATIONS
Geelong is a pet loving community. With almost 45,000 pets registered in the City of Greater Geelong. This is one of the largest populations of cats and dogs in an Australian municipality. Registrations for 2007 were
Cats 11,902
Dogs 34,778

State Government Legislation requires that all dogs and cats being registered with Councils for the first time, must be microchipped. The registration fee is then levied at a reduced rate. Microchipping assists in the reunification of the pet with its owner should they become separated or stolen. It also improves the direct return of the animal to the owner and cuts out the expense and stress of impoundment.
“City of Greater Geelong Tag Time News”

35% of Registrations have indicated they own pets.



JOKES – Have you had a chuckle lately?
I’ve lost my dog Why not put an ad in the paper?
Don’t be daft – he can’t read!
What part of the car causes the most accidents? The nut behind the wheel!
How did the barber win the race? He took a short cut.
Why didn’t the toast come out of the toaster? Because it was jammed.
Kidsview @the Age- Joke of the Week


REMINDER
Please don’t forget to notify the Register if your circumstances or contact details change, or if you have requested a telephone call and you will be away from home when your regular call is due.


ENQUIRIES
The Bellarine Police Community Support Register Inc. office is staffed each week day from 9.30am until 12 noon. Telephone 03 52 55 3968.

You may wish to visit the Register’s website. Go to
www.community-support.blogspot.com