Dawn dances in to Neighbourhood Watch
I HAVE known Dawn Vernon for many, many years. I first met Dawn when I used to write stories about her dance school in Noble Park for the Journal.
Dawn is one of the true treasures of the Great Dandenong community.
As well as raising four children with her husband Reg, and running her own business for decades, Dawn has been the driving force behind Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong.
Dawn works tirelessly promoting safety in the community, a role I know our local police value highly.
For example last Thursday night Dawn was at Dandenong Railway Station with members of Victoria Police highlighting to commuters the dangers of leaving their cars unlocked.
Dawn is president and Reg runs the group’s website. Councillor Matthew Kirwan is secretary.
Thirty years ago Dawn was among a handful of people who doorknocked in the community to get Neighbourhood Watch off the ground in Noble Park.
She took over as president when the group looked like it might fold.
“I’d spent all those cold nights collecting money, I wasn’t going to let it fold,” she laughed.
Neighbourhood Watch Greater Dandenong desperately needs more volunteers.
Dawn said a lot of members were either moving out of the area or were getting older and couldn’t help as much as they once did.
“All I need is people to volunteer a couple of hours a year if that’s all they can spare at events like this one tonight at the station,” explained Dawn.
“When we are asked by the police or the council to help highlight a safety issue, letter drop or hand out leaflets, that’s when I need helpers.
“If you are retired and want to volunteer in the community and, particlulary if you love walking, I’d love you to join us.
“We’ve started having dine-outs together, where we gather for a meal. People have started to become friends.”
Dawn would also love to hear from anyone handy with a computer.
“Reg and I do our best, but anyone with computer skills would be a help.”
Dawn has 20 volunteers on her list at present, but numbers are dwindling.
The next Neighbourhood Watch public forum will be held on Wednesday 21 May with guest speaker Sergeant Pat Green.
Police attend all forums, which are held throughout year. Last week Dawn trialled a day forum at St Gerard’s, so that people who are unable to get out at night could attend.
“The role of Neigthbourhood Watch is to give people confidence about their personal safety. I have lived in Noble Park for 67 years and I am very passionate about it.
“The area has changed a lot and a whole lot of different cultures have come in. We want to embrace that and we want them to get involved as well.”
Anyone interested in joining Neighbourhood Watch can contact Dawn on 0407 325 030.
Dawn and Reg desperately need storage for the Neighbourhood Watch trailer, which is currently exposed to the weather in the Vernons’ backyard.
TALENT QUEST
The success of the television show Australia’s Got Talent has spawned a local spin-off, Africa’s Got Talent.
Auditions will be held at The Castle on 13 May between 4pm and 8.30pm. Organisers have put a call out for performers of African descent to get up on stage and showcase their talents.
Doesn’t matter if you sing, act, dance, have a comedy routine, perform poetry or play an instrument, everyone is welcome.
The finals will be held at the Fitzroy Town Hall on 24 May in front of judges of the calibre of Deni Hines, who will also perform, Stephanie Kabanyana and Lamine Sonko.
This is a wonderful initiative to harness the energy of Greater Dandenong’s young people. For more information go to www.facebook.com/pages/Africas-Got-Talent
