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National crime and violence prevention award won

Latrobe City has won a national award for its work carried out with the Churchill community to improve the facilities and amenity of Glendonald Park.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 24th November 2004 - Back to News

The award recognises the significant sense of community that has been generated through a park project and a reduction in crime rates in the Glendonald Estate in recent years.

Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Darrell White, who has been involved in the Glendonald Park project since its inception, expressed his delight with the award.

"While Latrobe City is proud to accept this award, the credit must go to the Glendonald community and the Glendonald Park Advisory Committee headed by current secretary Peter Hainsworth. It is really the people of Glendonald who are receiving the recognition they deserve for their continued efforts in improving the amenity of their neighbourhood," Cr White said.

"When the project commenced in 1999 there was acknowledgement that there was a lot of work to do in building relationships between various interested parties and the broader community of Churchill and the redevelopment of Glendonald Park became a critical focal point in accomplishing this," Cr White said.

"There have been many people involved over the past few years, such as the Churchill and District Lions Club, Monash University and Quantum Support Services. Some contributed to the development of the master plan for the Park, others came along to working bees, served on the former Churchill Community Development Committee and are now active members of the Glendonald Park Advisory Committee. All will be feeling very proud that their initiatives and work has been recognised with this award," Cr White added.

Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, said that prior to implementation of the Glendonald Park project, there were very few facilities or trees in the park. Trees that had been planted over the years were invariably either damaged, destroyed or disappeared.

"The crime rates were also high. All of this has been turned around in a relatively short period of time, which is a real credit to all those involved, including the Churchill police who have provided strong support for the community and built positive relationships with residents," Mr Buckley said.

"The present situation is that there is virtually no damage in the park and surrounding areas, and residents continue to play a key role in maintaining and developing their facility."

The success of the project is largely due to the high level of commitment and voluntary efforts of residents and the ongoing support Latrobe City has received from the State Government, especially through the Department of Human Services Neighbourhood Renewal Program.

Some of the physical changes include construction of a toilet block and barbeque shelter, a large ball court, garden and tree beds, shade sails and shelters, a cricket pitch, pathways and upgrading of the BMX track.

Latrobe City acting manager Community Planning and Safety, Kay Jellis, who accepted the award in Canberra of behalf of Latrobe City, said that the project had delivered significant improvement in the facilities. "These are highly valued and well used by residents, instilling a greater sense of pride and satisfaction," Ms Jellis said.

"The park is increasingly being used as a place for family gatherings, community activities and celebrations which benefits the whole of the community," Ms Jellis said.

The award carries with it a sum of $10,000 which will be used for ongoing development of local assets and amenities.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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