Watch work award

By Tania Martin
AN EMERALD man’s aim to keep the community safe has led to him receiving a State Award of Honour for his work with Neighbourhood Watch.
Alan Kaye, 81, has been a part of the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) since 1984 when he joined the Belgrave branch, which he continued his association with when he moved to Emerald in 1991.
Acting as Emerald’s zone leader, Mr Kaye has organised many letter box drops throughout the area and offered advice to the local community.
He has also acted and is currently sitting in the position of area coordinator, often receiving phone calls from residents regarding safety issues and concerns.
Mr Kaye said he first got involved in NHW after he retired in 1984 as he had plenty of spare time and that NHW had always appealed to him as a good community based organisation.
“The general concept of NHW is to maintain the safety of the community and helping people to help themselves,” he said.
Mr Kaye said he also had a close bond with the local police officers.
Although Mr Kaye has been working with the NHW for more than 20 years now, he was pleasantly surprised when he was awarded the State Award of Honour at a regional conference recently.
He said the award was unexpected and that he was very honoured to receive such an accolade.
“On reflection this award is not just for me personally, but for the whole Emerald NHW area,” he said.
NHW Dandenong Division treasurer Lyn Hall said Mr Kaye was always there to lend a hand and on many occasions has gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Mr Kaye said he will continue his work with NHW until he moves into a retirement village some time next year.