Twenty-two volunteers and police officers from around South Australia received accolades at the 2024 Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Awards held at Kooyonga Golf Course on 16 November.

Nominations were sought from across the NHW program and the winners were chosen by a panel comprising members of the South Australia Police NHW team and the NHW Volunteer Association of South Australia (VASA) Inc. Board of Management.

The Honourable Dan Cregan, Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services presented the volunteer awards and commended all the volunteers present for being the glue that holds a community together. “It’s so important to remember to thank our volunteers,” he said.

Two long-serving volunteers received the top honours for the day, with Jan Criddle from Kingston SE NHW receiving Volunteer of the Year and George Holroyd from Woodcroft NHW taking out the President’s Award.

Four police officers received the Award of Merit from Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott who said he was particularly interested to hear what made a police officer worthy of a NHW award. Some of the words used in the nominations to describe police representatives included proactive, supportive, respectful, professional, sincere, committed, available, encouraging, diligent, enthusiastic and dedicated. “Hearing of these qualities in our police officers is incredibly gratifying for me and makes me feel very proud to work for SAPOL,” Assistant Commissioner Parrott said.

Volunteer of the Year – Janice Criddle

Janice is a long-serving member of Kingston SE Neighbourhood Watch and is a great contributor to meetings and projects.

Her contributions have included involvement in projects such as bin sticker distribution in Kingston SE, Rosetown, Wyomi and Pinks Beach, a security camera initiative, bike and tool engraving and provision of hi-viz vests for gopher drivers.

More recently, Jan has assisted with the organisation and running of the very well attended scam forums for seniors in Kingston SE and Robe.

Jan puts together 200 lolly bags for children who visit the Neighbourhood Watch stall after the Kingston District Council’s annual Christmas pageant. So, she is appreciated by members of the Kingston SE community of all ages.

President’s Award – George Holroyd

George is a long-standing member of Neighbourhood Watch in South Australia.  He joined Woodcroft Neighbourhood Watch in 2003.

George is the Area Coordinator and Treasurer of the Woodcroft Neighbourhood Watch group and was instrumental in merging two Woodcroft groups in 2021.

George is also Treasurer of the Southern District Group, a current member of the Neighbourhood Watch State Council and Treasurer of the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteer Association of South Australia Board of Management.

George handles the accounts at several different levels of Neighbourhood Watch; supplying financial reports and balancing bank accounts against records. This requires a high level of expertise, integrity and transparency.

George is passionate about the future of Neighbourhood Watch. He regularly shares ideas and initiatives to support Neighbourhood Watch areas statewide to promote the program, recruit members, prevent crime and create connected communities.

Award of Merit

• Jenny Crook, Volunteer - Kingston SE NHW
• Sandra Keane, Area Coordinator – Golden Grove/Wynn Vale/Greenwith NHW
• Elizabeth Power, Area Coordinator – Seacliff NHW

Certificate of Commendation

• Murray Amos, volunteer – Valley View NHW
• Morag Barker,  Secretary and Treasurer – Goolwa NHW
• Jennifer Evans, volunteer – Hectorville NHW
• Dianne Harvey, Area Coordinator – Reynella NHW (awarded in memoriam)
• David McNabb, Area Coordinator – Aberfoyle Park NHW
• Angela Moffa, Volunteer - Hectorville NHW
• John Nemcic, Area Coordinator - Hectorville NHW
• Ronald Packer, Volunteer - Kingston SE
• Norman Paterson, Volunteer - Murray Bridge NHW (awarded in memoriam)
• Bronwyn Pederson, Area Coordinator – Erindale NHW
• Jeffrey Sammells, Volunteer - Woodcroft NHW
• Ann Sinclair, Volunteer - Hectorville NHW
• Tolley Wasylenko, Volunteer - Royal Park/Hendon NHW

NHW Police Awards

Award of Merit

• Senior Constable David – Police Coordinator for Murray Bridge NHW
• Senior Constable Deborah – Police Coordinator for the Limestone Coast Crime Prevention Section
• Senior Constable Randal – Police Coordinator for Gawler East NHW
• Inspector Michaela – Police Coordinator for Redwood Park NHW