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John Harkin regularly gives up his time to support the local community.
Community minded, in Cranbourne
At Dacland, we are thrilled to
sponsor this award because it
encourages residents in our
communities to get involved in
community sport and contribute
to their local community. The
Club Person Award is given to
a club member who goes above
and beyond, in their efforts to
contribute to the club.
Whilst there were several
contenders, who have contributed
to creating a great community
at the Cranbourne Football Club
this season, John Harkin received
the award for volunteering his
time to support the club and
local community. John regularly
takes time during the week and
on weekends to help support the
players, taking on several roles and
responsibilities at the club. Dacland
Assistant Delivery Manager, James
Mitchell believes that this award is
an excellent initiative.
“At Dacland, we strongly
encourage our residents to
get involved with their local
community. Getting involved with
a local sporting club is a wonderful
way to form new connections. This
reward is a great initiative because
it can go to anyone at the club and
thanks them for their contributions
over the season,” said James.
As the club turns its attention
to the 2017 Cricket season, we
encourage residents to get involved,
even if it’s from the sidelines.
When Brett and
his family, joined
Dacland’s King’s Leigh
community they were
determined to create
a connected and safe
neighbourhood to
call home.
Upon purchasing their lot in 2015,
the ex-security guard created a
Facebook group to start forming
connections with other residents in
the community whilst he waited for
his land to settle. As the neighbours
became residents, Brett became
concerned after seeing posts from
his new neighbours who had items
taken during their build process.
He decided to act by creating a
Neighbourhood Watch group with
the support of Dacland.
“Being amongst the first
residents in our community, we
were determined to make our
new homes a safer place to live.
After discussing our concerns
with the local police and Dacland,
we decided to set up our own
Neighbourhood Watch group that
would help connect the community
and inspire neighbours to look out
for one another,” said Brett.
“Whilst it is in its early days,
Neighbourhood Watch has already
successfully encouraged residents
to share unusual activity in the
community and we have noticed
a decline in the amount of
unrecognisable vehicles in
the area.”
To raise awareness and make
it easy for everyone to contribute,
Brett has created a Facebook page
consisting of both current and
future residents in the King’s Leigh
community. The page was only
created a few weeks ago, but has
already reached 125 members.
“Our neighbours have responded
really well to the initiative, we’ve
been able to connect with families
in not only our street, but a few
blocks away,” said Brett.
As part of creating connected
and safe communities, Dacland has
partnered with Neighbourhood
Watch to establish groups in each
of our communities. Dacland
General Manager of Delivery, Marc
Akkerman believes the initiative
will help support both residents
who are currently living in our
communities, and reassure future
residents who will soon join the
community.
“At Dacland, we want to provide
support for residents in our
community to help them feel safe
and connected. We are extremely
proud of Brett’s efforts to establish
the King’s Leigh neighbourhood
watch group and believe the
initiative will help residents to feel
safe whilst they wait for the rest
of their community to be built. It
is also a great vehicle for them to
form neighbourly connections,”
said Marc.
Chief Executive Officer of
Neighbourhood Watch Victoria,
Bambi Gordon, is also onboard
with the initiative and supporting
Dacland with the rollout of the
initiative.
“We are thrilled to be working
with Dacland to help them build
connected communities across
their new developments,”
said Bambi.
“Neighbourhood Watch has
been around since 1985. It has
been built on the core foundation
of communities coming together
to help, educate, and motivate each
other. Our volunteers don’t just
meet up face to face but we also
reach out on social media, forming
new friendships and connections.”
The partnership is still in its
early days, but already is successful
in providing reassurance for King’s
Leigh residents. Brett is currently
working with Rhonda Rotherham,
who is a long-term Neighbourhood
Watch volunteer and a member of
the Board, and Dacland to create an
established group for residents and
hopes to hold his first meeting later
this year.
“It is humbling to have the
support of both Dacland and
Neighbourhood Watch to help us
create a place, that we can be proud
to call home,” said Brett.
Neighbours watch out for each other at King’s Leigh
Last weekend, John Harkin received the Club
Person Award at the Cranbourne Football
Club’s official presentation night.
Brett is determined to make his new community a safe place to live.
Page 10 ~ Spring 2017
Published On Behalf Of Dacland Pty Ltd