Hope Valley/Highbury NHW group’s founding member, Gunter Vogel has sadly passed away, aged 94, on 20 March 2022.

Known affectionately as ‘Mac’, he was dedicated to the ideals of Neighbourhood Watch, starting the Hope Valley/Highbury group in 1990.

As the group’s Secretary he performed many jobs and tasks to maintain the group. He managed the collection of resources, visiting NHW SA head office to gather everything required to start up and maintain the NHW Area.

He marked all the house numbers on the street curbing for the whole Area, a practice that has shown to help in emergency scenarios.

He coordinated newsletters, folding nearly 1,000 A3 sheets and sorting them into boxes for Zone Reps, 10 times a year.

He was also head of the Area’s graffiti team, keeping the neighbourhood clear of graffiti for almost 30 years.

Due to his drive and dedication towards NHW, various accolades were bestowed on Mac along the way and in 2019 he was presented with the NHW SA President’s Award in recognition of his outstanding service to Neighbourhood Watch SA.

Phil Tavender, Area Coordinator for Hope Valley/Highbury knew Mac for almost 32 years:

“I’ve known him for a long time and I loved our friendship. We would often sit down and have lengthy talks, putting the world to rights. He will be incredibly missed, not only by me but by the whole NHW community.”

His funeral service was held on 5 April 2022 in the Main Chapel of Berry’s Funeral Home. Mac’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Mac be posted to Dementia Australia.