October is Community Safety Month, an opportunity to focus on the issues affecting us here in Boroondara and acknowledge the work of organisations such as Victoria Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Ambulance Victoria and the SES. They do much to keep us safe, but there is also a great deal we as individuals can do to look out for our fellow community members.
Research tells us that Australians are losing more money than ever to scammers. Some victims have lost all their savings, a single mistake changing their lives forever.
If you have vulnerable friends, family members or neighbours who may not be aware of scammers and their tactics, take some time to bring them up to date. The National Anti-scam Centre has lots of straightforward advice on the Scamwatch website. Council’s Community Safety Advisory Committee recently hosted a guest speaker from the National Anti-Scam Centre. Her presentation was a sobering reminder of how clever and persistent scammers can be, but by keeping community members informed, all of us can help thwart these criminals.
You may have noticed some new 40km/h speed zones appearing in our suburbs recently. There is one at Greythorn Village in Balwyn North, and another on Toorak Road and Camberwell Road in Hartwell. They join existing 40km/h zones protecting vulnerable community members including school children. Please take care to slow down in these zones, and keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists wherever you are driving. Patience goes a long way when driving around Boroondara, particularly when traffic is at its peak. Again, it is up to all of us to keep our community safe.
I encourage you to read more about Community Safety Month, and events including our Emergency Services Family Fun Day, in this issue of the Bulletin.
Mayor of Boroondara