6 April, 2017 | Local News, Safety and Security
(by Pam Blowers, NHW Assistant Coordinator)
The ‘Safety for seniors’ information sessions being conducted by Tweed Heads Police are a crime prevention initiative which started in May 2014.
The information sessions cover topics including personal safety, home security, credit card fraud and scams and rorts, particularly those currently happening in and around the Tweed Heads and surrounding areas.
Most of the people living in and around the Tweed are good honest folk, just like you and I, going about their daily business. It is most unfortunate that there is a small element of people who are criminals. Senior citizens are often targeted by the latter group and the aim of creating awareness by conducting information sessions is to increase awareness and keep people and property safe.
Tweed Heads Police have visited over 40 retirement communities, nursing homes, manufactured home villages (over 55s) and Clubs and Associations and talked with some 1200 senior citizens.
During the presentations, senior citizens often share stories and experiences where they have been victims of crime. Some of these ‘stories’ relate to:
- Personal safety
- Home security
- Nuisance and scam phone calls
- Credit card fraud
- Concerns about the pay-wave payment system
- Cyber safety
- Scam attempts via phone and internet
Everyone who attends an information session is provided with a sample bag of useful booklets and handouts which they can share with other senior citizens and with their families. Crime prevention is relevant to everyone in our community.
If you would like to book a Safety for Seniors Presentation for your community group just phone the Tweed Heads Police Station on 07 5536 0999 and ask to speak to the Crime Prevention Officer, Senior Constable Brad Foster.
22 February, 2017 | National News
Bernie Durkin, NHWA President is cycling solo across Australia, to promote the importance of keeping Australia Safe. Connecting neighbours to neighbours along the way through Neighbourhood Watch.
Combining a passion for cycling and a passion for community safety is what has driven Bernie Durkin to undertake the biggest personal challenge of his life. Cycling solo across Australia to promote the importance of keeping Australia safe.
Bernie, 55, married, a father of two, is the Executive Manager of Community Engagement for Western Australia Police and Director of the state-wide Neighbourhood Watch program. Bernie is the President of Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, a collaboration of all member Neighbourhood Watch programs across Australia and New Zealand.
NHWA believes that getting to know your neighbours, those who live around you is one of the simplest and easiest ways to keep yourself and your community safe. Being aware of who lives in your apartment block, house next door or in your street, can enable the identification of unusual activities or traffic movements that may seem suspicious. Joining a NHW Group and working with policing agencies, is an easy way to contribute to ensuring everyone is safe.
Bernie plans to connect as many people as possible through the NHWConnect App (on line NHW group) on his 4,000 km ride from the west to east coasts of Australia. Leaving from Scarborough Beach, WA, on Saturday 25th February, Bernie plans to arrive at Bondi Beach, NSW by Saturday 8th April 2017. Bernie believes by promoting the simple actions of one individual connecting to another he can raise awareness that community safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Bernie is riding solo, with no support vehicle and only a small bike trailer of supplies. He is hoping that friendly road users will assist him by providing him with some water or supplies if he finds himself short of either. Sleeping in a tent, Bernie plans to be as self-sufficient as possible, but hopes the goodwill and community spirit of fellow Aussie’s will help him across the country.
Bernie will be tracked and have his daily safety monitored by NHWA. A blog will be updated three times a week and regular updates will be posted on NHWA Facebook, so that his progress and adventures can be tracked and viewed by you.
Source: Neighbourhood Watch Australasia
11 January, 2017 | Local News
Residents living between Tweed Heads and Kingscliff will now have greater access to after-hours GPs, as House Call Doctor has launched in the region.
House Call Doctor provides 100% bulk-billed GP visits to Medicare or DVA Card holders. Medical consultations are done in the privacy of peoples’ homes, when normal GP clinics are closed.
Since December, a team of local doctors accompanied by chaperones have been on the road from 6.00pm weeknights, after 12.00noon Saturdays and all hours on Sundays or public holidays.
New South Wales state manager Phil Lagana said that House Call Doctor is pleased to be servicing residents from Tweed Heads to Kingscliff, as 2017 gets underway.
“There used to be a number of after-hours GPs operating within Tweed Heads,” said Mr Lagana. “However, at least one of these doctors has reduced their service locations in recent years.”
“House Call Doctor will provide a valuable addition to local healthcare services,” said Mr Lagana. “We can offer families peace of mind if they fall sick at unusual times of the night.”
A visit from House Call Doctor can be particularly crucial in medical situations that do not warrant an Emergency response, but cannot wait until normal clinic hours.
“Our doctors take detailed medical notes during their home visits, which are then sent to the patient’s regular GP by the next business day,” said Mr Lagana.
House Call Doctor CEO Wayne Ormond anticipates the service will grow into other parts of New South Wales, over the next 12 months.
“Across Queensland, House Call Doctor makes more than 20 000 after-hours visits each month,” said Mr Ormond. “We are pleased to be extending our services across state borders.”
For more information or to book an after-hours appointment:
– Visit www.housecalldoctor.com.au
– Phone 13 55 66
– Download the free app
House Call Doctor is available from Tweed Heads to Kingscliff, throughout the following times:
– Monday to Friday: From 6.00pm
– Saturday: From 12.00noon
– Sundays and Public Holidays: 24hrs
12 December, 2016 | National News
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Watch out for fake parcel delivery scams this Christmas
Scammers are sending emails pretending to be from Australia Post or FedEx, to try and trick you into believing you have an ‘undeliverable package’. In some cases, these emails may include your name and address and include legitimate-looking company information, complete with fake logos.
The email may threaten to charge you a fee for holding your ‘undelivered item’, and will ask you to open an attachment, click a link or download a file to retrieve your parcel. If you follow these instructions, you will likely download a ransomware virus that locks your computer.
To unlock your computer, scammers demand payment in the form of bitcoins (a form of online currency) or wire transfer. Even if you pay the fee, there is no guarantee that you will be able to access your computer again.
Australia Post will never call you out of the blue to request payment or send you an email asking you to click on an attachment.
If you receive an email about an un-deliverable package, don’t open any attachments or download files – delete it straight away!
Find out more at Scamwatch.gov.au
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28 November, 2016 | State News
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Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest, has welcomed the announcement that new Plain English Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO) will roll out statewide on 3 December so perpetrators have no excuses for not understanding the orders.
“These new ADVOs use clear and simple language so there is no excuse for a domestic violence perpetrator to breach an order.”, Mr Provest said.
“We have removed all the complex legal jargon and spelled out a defendant’s obligations in Plain English, so they can no longer claim they didn’t understand the meaning or consequences of the ADVO.”
“The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found that one in five ADVOs are breached, and the NSW Government is making it clear – any breach is an unacceptable risk.”
“The new ADVOs are designed to put a stop to violence, intimidation and harassment through a clear explanation of what a perpetrator can and cannot do under the order.”
The new ADVO is also being translated into 29 different languages to assist people whose first language is not English.
In addition, the penalties for breaching an order, including up to two years in prison, have been moved to the top of the document so it’s now the first thing perpetrators see.
Chief Executive Officer of White Ribbon Australia, Libby Davies, welcomed the introduction of Plain English ADVOs as a critical step to strengthen the safety of women.
“ADVOs are powerful tools but must be easily accessible and understood to ensure they are effective. We commend the NSW Government on this initiative,” Ms Davies said.
In addition, the NSW Government’s recent changes to ADVOs means final ADVO applications can be determined even if the victim doesn’t come to court, they will protect a victim’s current partner if they are being harassed by the victim’s ex-partner, and will stop self-represented defendants from personally cross-examining child witnesses during ADVO applications.
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