Safety of our community begins at our own front door

By Angela Carey
Updated November 2 2012 - 3:58pm, first published March 28 2011 - 11:23pm

"I AM only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."So said Edward Everett Hale, a US preacher who died in 1909. Even though his words were spoken more than a century ago, their meaning still rings true.We should never underestimate the power of one to make a difference in our community.This was obvious at Sunday's celebration of National Neighbour Day in Ballarat.More than 400 residents — most of them connected to Victoria Police's Neighbourhood Watch program — joined the festivities at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts.One of the highlights of the day was the presentation to octogenarian Joan Shannon of the annual Good Neighbour Award.Mrs Shannon is highly regarded in her neighbourhood for her thoughtfulness and for the care she shows to those around her. They have dubbed her "the fairy godmother" of their small community.She watches out for those who live nearby, even going so far as to instigate a public garden on a an otherwise unused reserve in the neighbourhood — a fine display of pride in her community.The quality of the entries in the award this year was very high, proving that this community is full of good people doing good deeds for others. Of course, we new that already.Mrs Shannon's story is typical of that of many residents of Ballarat who go about quietly and unassumingly helping others.The Good Neighbour Award is just another way of recognising that.National Neighbour Day is an initiative designed to encourage people to take an interest in their neighbourhood and to watch out for those who live nearby.While police, councils and other authorities play an important role in making our community safe, it is not a role that falls to them alone.Those at Sunday's celebration were reminded that each and every one of us can do our bit to ensure Ballarat remains a safe place for all of us to enjoy.The safety of our community really does begin at our front door.Joan Shannon is a shining example of that.

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