Sharon Hamilton has spent 12 years keeping watch over her community.
The dedicated Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) volunteer and winner of the 2024 Stan Wells Memorial Award for commitment to community safety was honoured at the City of Logan Safe City Awards on Wednesday.
Ms Hamilton helped establish the Woodlands Neighbourhood Watch group in 2012, taking on the roles of both secretary and treasurer.
Since that time, Ms Hamilton has actively contributed to community safety by readily offering practical advice and emotional support to local families.
Ms Hamilton joined the NHW Queensland State Community Advisory Committee in 2020 and was named the Logan District's Community Member of the Year in 2023.
She is also a passionate volunteer with the Logan Dementia Alliance Choir, which performed at Wednesday's awards ceremony.
City of Logan Mayor Jon Raven thanked Sharon for her commitment to the community.
"I'm so grateful to Sharon and her fellow Neighbourhood Watch volunteers across our city - they're the reason Logan is such a great place to raise a family," Cr Raven said.
"Community safety is a team effort and volunteers like Sharon are our MVPs."
Other awards presented at the ceremony include:
Innovation in Community Safety/Crime Prevention
- Winner: Project Booyah, Queensland Police Service: Project Booyah is a 16-week mentoring program for disconnected young people. The program helps participants to boost their self-worth and build resilience through adventure-based learning. Participants are also encouraged to develop their leadership and social skills and taught functional literacy and numeracy.
- Runner up: 'Art In Action', initiated by Multicultural Police Liaison Officer Peiman Mirzaei: Students at Harris Fields State School were supported to create artwork conveying community safety messages, to be shared with their family and friends.
- Special mention: 'Shifting Gears', Wheelnutz Garage: The Shifting Gears program supports vulnerable youth at risk of entering the youth justice system. It includes mentoring, coaching, social activities and engagement initiatives.
Safer Community Places and Spaces
- Winner: Eridani Park Redevelopment, Logan City Council Parks Design Team: Community feedback was used to create a more inviting, accessible, and enjoyable space.
- Runner up: Logan Gardens lighting upgrade, Logan City Council Public Lighting Team: New lighting between the carpark and park entry points allows both vehicles and pedestrians to move more safely through the area.
Collaboration in Community Safety/ Crime Prevention
- Winner: Riverdale Park, Logan City Council Parks Design Team: Council staff worked with year 9 students from Loganlea High School to select and develop the park's unique dinosaur theme. The new playground has become a popular community feature and increased natural surveillance by drawing more visitors to the area.
- Special mention: 'A Van for Nan', Defenders for Hope: Defenders for Hope's 'A Van for Nan' program provides lockable, refurbished vans to women over 50 who are experiencing homelessness. The Logan Village charity also works with program participants to help them find long term accommodation.
