Little red car’s big impact

By KATH GANNAWAY and EMMA SUN
KEEPING connected and on the move is key to police officer Linda Hancock’s role as community safety officer for Yarra Ranges.
So, getting the keys to a dedicated vehicle thanks to Rotary will ensure her work with the elderly, victims of crime and the broader community stays right on track.
The Rotary clubs of Lilydale, Healesville, Upper Yarra and Wandin partnered for the project, which involved raising $20,000.
Leading Senior Constable Hancock named the snappy red Toyota Yaris “The Little Red Car” and said the signage including the police and Rotary insignias and the Yarra Ranges police ‘Eyewatch’ Facebook address, tells the story.
“It tells what we are doing and who we are partnering with and while it has that (police) authority, it doesn’t have the overpowering ‘police are sitting outside my house’ presence,” LSC Hancock said.
Margi Sank from the Rotary Club of Lilydale said the club was very pleased to be part of the project, which they had been working on for some time.
“We have been able to achieve a great outcome,” she said.
“We are very pleased to be involved in such a wonderful community project – we see it adding to other programs that we support in making our towns such a great place to live and work.”
A fund has been set up to replace the car after three years.