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This page was last updated October 2007

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Area Co-Ordinator's Column

 

Dear Residents,

 

The festive season and holidays are now behind us, the grass is green, and life is back to normality. Congratulations to the many families who gave us so much enjoyment with their Christmas Lights and decorations. Your displays were outstanding, and gave many people great pleasure. Thank you.

 

Sgt Terry Mayocchi’s report for us indicates that, overall in the Watch area, criminal activity was, comparatively, very low, but even 1 crime is 1 too many, especially for the victim of some senseless action by another.

 

Wilson Esplanade – 8 December - 1.30am Saturday night – 3 homes suffered from vandals – outside security light pulled down and smashed, patio chair removed but found several houses away, letterbox smashed.

 

Cameron Ct – 14-16 December – letterbox stolen.

 

In addition to the above two, there seems to be a growing tendency (late night early mornings, possibly after a “party”) of young people moving in mobs of about 100. Residents have informed me of two occasions that this has happened – one at the corner of Colburn/Pt O’Halloran Road, where a young woman, after returning from a business meeting in Brisbane, turned in to Pt O’Halloran Road and found herself in the middle of about 100 young people who had made the area their own, and were obviously under the influence of something. The lady was naturally scared out of her wits being surrounded by such rabble.  Mobs, rabble, packs, gangs – call it what you will – but it’s certainly something that none of us want in our area. The mob mentality trend is very, very dangerous.

 

JP SHOP  ...  The JP Shop at the Shopping Centre provides a very necessary free service to local residents on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. In 2007, 2,515 clients took advantage of the service, with 6,500 documents being witnessed in that time. Co-ordinator Brian Lloyd is to be complimented on organizing willing JPs into rosters, arranging seminars with the Justice Department, and keeping all volunteers up to date with requirements of witnessing. Well done Brian and your team.     

 

Most cyclists using the Esplanade paths ring their bells to let us know they’re on the path. They ride at a sensible pace, and are considerate of walkers.  We all appreciate your care and thoughtfulness. On the other hand there are a couple of male ‘super-riders’-   dressed in their racing gear - who speed along the path regardless of anyone else. They must think they’re  heading for the line in the “Tour de France.”  Yes, they ring their bell, but their speed is such that evasive action is impossible. I must remind riders that pedestrians have right of way on shared paths.   

 

WILSON ESP – SLOWDOWN – KOALAS CROSS  AT NIGHT

 

Scams, scams & more Scams: I’ve spent some time recently in the Department of Fair Trading’s website – www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au – to see if there were any new ‘scams’ we should be aware of. Fair Trading has a link to another qld gov site “ScamWatch.” Both sites are a ‘must read.’  “Scams” are known by many names – swindle, rip-off, cheat, con, trick, sting etc. There are so many scams listed on this website that it is impossible to list them here. Some scams are easy to spot, while others may appear to be genuine. The best way to avoid being ripped-off is to know how to recognize common scams.

 

BE WARY OF -

 

Offers that appear too good to be true – they usually are:

• Unsolicited offers or requests for money or your bank details. Legitimate financial institutions eg banks will never request banking details by phone or e-mail;
   

• Personalised emails, texts, letters or faxes from people or businesses you don’t know;
   

• Mail-order goods you haven’t ordered;
   

• Prizes from competitions or lotteries you haven’t entered;
   

• Overseas sweepstakes, contest lotteries of promotions (especially those requiring you to pay money to claim the prize);
   

• ‘Official’ requests for money from ‘government agencies (Govt agencies do not solicit);
   

• Operators using a PO Box or Suite No. but don’t have a street address (making it harder to track down);
   

• False invoices for goods or services you did not order;
   

• Operators who insist the offer can’t wait till tomorrow;
   

• Letters or emails asking for your help in exchange for large sums of money;
   

• Unsolicited doorknockers wanting to fix your roof, driveway or something they just ‘noticed’ needs repair; and
   

• Earn up to $$$$$$ a week from home.

Be Vigilant

Dell

 

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“The greatest factor in crime prevention is a good watchful neighbour!”

 

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ENJOYING YOUR PRESENTS?

 

Most of us received Christmas presents that we would hope to enjoy for some time. I know we might also have received some that we may not miss, but we will ignore those for now.

 

To help ensure your more expensive presents, even if you bought them for yourself, are better protected, contact your friendly Neighbourhood Watch Blockie and arrange the loan of an engraving set so you can inscribe your unique code on your valuable items.

 

If they are stolen, your engraving could facilitate their return, particularly if they are stolen and presented at a second hand shop.

 

The use of the engraver is free and comes with instructions on appropriate identification markings and how to register your protected items.

 

 

MINI BIKES AND SCOOTERS

 

Christmas time must have been a bonanza for retailers selling mini motor bikes and powered scooters, if the increase in the number of these vehicles using the foreshore pathways is any guide.

 

Apart from the possibility of contravening Council by-laws regarding the use of such vehicles on the pathways, the riders are leaving themselves expos-ed to possible personal injury and legal liability.

 

Seldom are riders seen wearing any form of protection, including helmet, and the speed at which these machines can travel offer a serious risk of injury if an accident were to occur.

 

Probably more worrying is the operation of these bikes and scooters in the vicinity of people using the paths, often in the company of children and pets, both of whom can be very unpredictable in their movements when enjoying the foreshores.

 

It is not only children who ride these machines; frequently they are operated by people old enough to appreciate the danger they pose.

 

The licencing and registration of this type of machine is complex and vague.

 

However the legal implications associated with injuries caused through the operation of these bikes and scooters are not so vague and many of the legal fraternity make a reasonable living pursuing such matters.

 

WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU

 

Various emergency services have received some adverse publicity in the media in recent months. However, as our family recently discovered, when it comes to action at the coal face, they are extremely competent and caring.

 

We had occasion recently to use the services of 000 and, we are happy to report, everything happened exactly as advertised.

 

The 000 operator was excellent, giving advice, monitoring the circumstances, advising on the progress of the ambulance and stressing that we maintain the connection until the vehicle was nearly on our doorstep.

The Paramedics conducted their response in a most courteous and pro-fessional manner, quickly connecting their monitoring equipment, assessing the situation, easing our concerns, pro-viding pain relief – all in a measured and reassuring fashion.

 

The local hospital staff, although extremely busy, conducted themselves as only dedicated professional people can.

 

Emergencies requiring the response of emergency services can be quite traumatic – but isn’t it comforting when the carers respond so readily and provide such high levels of service.

 

If you think the occasion warrants it, never hesitate to dial 000. It could save a life – even your own.

 

LOST YOUR WALLET?

 

A recent edition of Senior News con- tained an article on what to do if you lose your wallet – or it is stolen!

 

They advise –

 

File a police report immediately at the nearest police station to where you lost your wallet. This proves to credit providers you were diligent and is a first step towards a possible investigation.

 

Call your bank immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. This means that any company checking your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorise new credit.

 

Cancel your credit cards immediately – but the key is having the toll free number and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call.

 

To this end, photocopy the contents of your wallet. Do both sides of each licence, credit card, Seniors card, pension card, etc and store in a safe place.

 

Then you will know what you had in your wallet and all the account numbers and phone numbers to contact and cancel. Also photograph your passport when travelling and keep in a separate spot to your passport.

 

Some useful numbers to record:

 

Visa Card Australia	1800 621 199
Visa card International	1800 450 346
Lost Travellers Cheques	1800 127 477
MasterCard Global Service	1800 120 113
Medicare	132 011
Centrelink Fraud	137 230
Seniors Card	1300 364 758
Passport	131 232

 

(Please note. These numbers have not been verified and potential users should personally confirm before noting)

 

SPECIAL OFFER:

Point Halloran Neighbourhood Watch is offering residents, in the Watch area only, a special service for February only.  We will photocopy your licence, credit cards, etc, as recommended in the article above - free of charge.  Call 3207 8385 or 3207 6612

 

 

SUPPORT STRUGGLING POETS

 

The following were submitted by the “Vicky Point Poet”. Thanks, Geoff, but don’t give up the day job.

 

They say that fleas have other fleas,

Upon their backs, to bite ‘em.

Those other fleas have smaller fleas

And so on ad infinitum.

 

Will the Ship of Government sail a smooth sea,

Now that it has a new rudder?

Meanwhile we will hope maybe

To have no cause to shudder!

 

 

SMILE-A-WHILE

 

Three aspiring psychiatrists, from three leading universities, were attending a class on ‘emotional extremes’.
 

'Just to establish some parameters,' said the professor to the student from UCLA, ‘What is the opposite of joy?'
 

'Sadness,' said the student.
 

'And the opposite of depression?' he asked the young lady from Clemson.
 

'Elation,' she said.
 

'And you, sir,' he said to the student from Texas A&M 'What is the opposite of woe?'
 

'Sir, I believe that would be giddyup'.

 

 

Cheers for now and stay safe - Ken

 

 

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Thank you for visiting - since 26 July 2003.

 

 

The NHW Cleveland 6 Point Halloran website is maintained by Noni.

Copyright Noni Umson 2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008 Website: http://www.nup.info