Hope Valley & Highbury Neighbourhood Watch SA group (3, Area 222) celebrated its 30+1 anniversary yesterday with a celebratory dinner at the Highbury Hotel. The official 30^th birthday was in May last year but due to COVID restrictions the group was unable to celebrate. They did so in style late yesterday with over 45 invited guests, volunteers and community members in attendance.

The active Neighbourhood Watch group, which has nine of its original members still with the group to this day, reached the milestone after forming in May 1990. During the celebrations, the original members were presented with certificates by Superintendent Matt Nairn from SA Police’s Eastern District.

Neighbourhood Watch SA is South Australia’s largest community crime prevention program. It brings neighbours and police together to solve local issues, develop safer neighbourhoods and create connected and inclusive communities.

Over the years, the Hope Valley & Highbury group has contributed to its local community through a variety of initiatives and programs, notably staging ‘Big Day Out’ fundraiser events, providing local residents with personal safety tools such as card protection sleeves and initiating the annual Outstanding Community Service Award for Highbury Primary School students which has an $100 prize for the winner.

After 30 magical years a special occasion was necessary and with a cake cutting, speeches from special guests and some delicious food it was exactly that.

Phil Tavender, Area Coordinator for Hope Valley & Highbury said: “When the group was formed in 1990 it was really well attended and so from that amazing start we’ve always had big ambitions, but reaching 30 plus years is really special and we’re so proud.

“The group is still getting a lot of engagement and attendance at our monthly meetings which is great to see. I think it helps that we have such a good core group of volunteers; even during the COVID shutdown we were still producing our monthly NHW newsletter.

“I’d like to thank everyone that has been involved with the group over the years, the nine originals that are still with us to this day, plus everyone else. We wouldn’t have reached this milestone without you!

“It was a fabulous evening, a great way to top off a brilliant 30 years, bring on the next 30!”

If you’re interested in joining the Neighbourhood Watch SA find your nearest group here and get in touch!

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