At Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, we are putting the pedal to the metal to share some exciting news… Our new online application, NHWConnect has officially launched! To celebrate the release of our new community initiative and to spread the word across Australia, The President of Neighbourhood Watch Australasia is preparing to set off on a gruelling, solo marathon bike ride across the nation.

Combining a passion for cycling and a passion for community safety is what has driven Bernie Durkin to undertake the biggest personal challenge of his life. Cycling solo across Australia to promote the importance of keeping Australia safe. Bernie Durkin is the President of Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, and Executive Manager of Community Engagement for Western Australia Police and Director of the state-wide Neighbourhood Watch program.

Bernie has volunteered to put his body on the line, cycling from Perth to Sydney, encouraging people to get online, using NHWConnect. The app is a digital, community lead safety and awareness program, run by everyday people in their immediate communities. People just like you! NHWConnect allows residents interested in safeguarding their communities to join local closed Neighbourhood Watch groups to exchange ideas and information.

You can make a difference in your local neighbourhood too, with NHWConnect:

Connect with your local community groups to chat to one another;

Feel more connected within your community;

Prevent crime and reduce fear of crime;

Work together for safer, connected and inclusive neighbourhoods.

Bernie hopes a six-week awareness campaign, “Ride to Connect – Keeping Australia Safe,” will assist everyday Aussies to take advantage of the app in their local communities; to share their views and concerns via the Internet when it’s convenient for them.

Bernie’s itinerary will be updated regularly via the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, here. You can keep up-to-date with all of his movements across the Nullarbor in real time too, via NHWConnect! The current plan is to leave Scarborough Beach in Perth on Saturday 25 February and arrive in Sydney by Saturday 8 April.

“Along the way, I’ll be able to interact with scores of communities, big and small, meet residents in person and urge them to get on board via the NHWConnect app. I’ll also be maintaining a blog, capturing images of our rich and wonderful landscapes as I encourage Australians to help protect this beautiful country through online engagement. It’s not your usual Neighbourhood Watch campaign but we’re about communities and there’s nothing like meeting people face to face to spread the word about this new initiative,” said Bernie Durkin.

At Neighbourhood Watch, we are all about neighbours coming together – it’s about community. Neighbourhood Watch groups work together to learn how to reduce crime as well as to increase the safety, security and quality of life for everyone in your local neighbourhood. What are you waiting for? Make a difference in your community today!

Join us to farewell Bernie at 8:00am from Scarborough Beach, WA on Saturday 25 February. If you can’t make it to Scarborough, stay up-to-date with Bernie’s progress via social media and the NHWConnect app. You can follow Bernie via the NHWA Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter – share stories with #journeywithbernie #ridetoconnect2017 #nhwkeepingyousafe

Inspire your community today – join NHWConnect