AFTER more than 25 years in operation the message from Tarnagulla’s Neighbourhood Watch founder Barry Condick remains the same: “We do it for the community.”
Founded in 1998, Tarnagulla Neighbourhood Watch is the last remaining neighbourhood watch in the Loddon Shire. Bridgewater, Wedderburn and Inglewood groups were created around the same time but since folded. 
Barry started the group at the request of the local police officer. He was already heavily involved in the community and was happy to take on the challenge.
“We started from nothing and became a very involved community group soon after,” Barry said. 
While Barry has retired from his position as area co-ordinator, he is still an active member of the group. “My only problem now is age, but that’s how it goes. I have more time now than I used to but unfortunately, I don’t have the energy I had then.” 
Last month Barry received a long service certificate from the Neighbourhood Watch for his 27 years of area co-ordinator. Another four members of the group were also awarded certificates.
“We’ve all been consistently involved since it started, we all do it for the community,” Barry said. 
Tarnagulla Ward councillor Nick Angelo presented the certificates. 
The neighbourhood watch primarily focuses on crime prevention, “everyone looks out for each other, if someone sees something suspicious or unusual it’s reported,” Barry said,
“I believe it keeps the local crime rate down, people know that we’re out there looking out for our community.”
While they make many reports, Barry says they don’t always find out the outcome but that isn’t a bad thing. 
“We report it to the police and that’s as far as our responsibility goes, we let the police do their job from there. Knowing the results of our reports isn’t what’s important, it’s that we helped the community feel safer with our work.” 
The group meets every two months and produces a community newsletter that focuses on new methods of crime prevention based on reports received from local police. 
It also runs several fundraisers and events throughout the year. 
On Father’s Day is the annual raffle which was started by Barry more than 20 years ago and is the group’s main source of income.
“It’s been running for more than 20 years now which is impressive. It’s the sort of thing that doesn’t just happen, someone has to step up and organise it and I’m glad we’ve been able to keep it going,” he said. 
The group is planning a Connect to Your Community Day on September 6h to familiarise new residents with the available services in the community. 
In addition to the Neighbourhood Watch, organisers are hoping to involve local police, CFA, SES, Ambulance Victoria, the local school and the historical society in the day to raise awareness of everything available for residents. 
Neighbourhood Watch secretary, Sue Bordon says, “we are still planning the event now, but we will keep everyone updated as things progress.” 
Overall, Barry views the group he began 27 years ago to be a success.
“We’re still fairly active even now compared with other groups. We still get things done,” he said. 
- RUBY HYLAND