Very little conveys “community spirit” as well as Neighbourhood Watch.

A group of local volunteers providing practical information about safety in houses and on the roads while building community bonds and communication with Victoria Police.

So it makes perfect sense that in a proud region such as the Bellarine that Neighbourhood Watch becomes prominent once more.

The program began in 1983 and spread quickly – at one point there were up to 12 individual groups active on the Bellarine Peninsula alone. But by 2025, only one remained active.

Rather than attempting to revive these smaller groups, local police and volunteers developed a new model that brought the Bellarine together under one umbrella.

Having launched in Indented Head last November, Neighbourhood Watch Bellarine (NWB) has already extended to include 30 volunteers who work closely with Victoria Police and Crime Stoppers to promote community safety and connection.

And to help get things rolling, the Portarlington Golf Club has contributed $3150 from its Community Contribution Fund – the largest of any single donation this year.

The group has predominantly used the funding to buy polo shirts for volunteers and other branding tools necessary to let the community know they’re up and running.

The funding also covers student activity books as the groups engage with the region’s schools to spread their safety message.

Rhonda Rotherham, Wayne Francis and chairman John Gibbs (front) show the golf club’s Mark Hayes their sparkling new Neighbourhood Watch uniforms.

Upcoming activities planned by the group include pop-up neighbourhood barbecues, “safe plate” swap days and meet the police sessions, each spread around the peninsula.

NWB chairman John Gibbs was overjoyed by the golf club’s donation, saying it had propelled forward the group’s plans.

“I'm really very, very happy and pleased that you've done this for us. It gives us a clearer picture - something to stand out in the public – so people can recognise us and approach us readily,” John said.

“It is greatly appreciated and helps us with other funding areas where we could purchase more products to use to help spread our messages of safety and community.

“Really, that’s what we’re trying to do … help connect the community by focusing on simple things (such as) changing number plate screws … and giving product information on safety for your house, your bikes, road locks, all those sorts of things, plus have days when you can come and have a coffee with the police and get to know them and what they do, too.

“I had it many years ago when my children were younger … but having found it again, I think it's just exponentially more important than it’s ever been before in our community, that we're more together and we all keep safe and aware of what's going on around us.”

Portarlington Golf Club chief executive Michael Phillips was delighted the club has been able to play a part in what he said was a “great community project” from which everyone can benefit.

“One of the key aspects in determining who receives our grants is the impact they have on the broader community and helping NWB take flight ticks all the boxes we could find,” he said.

“We intend to help further whenever possible to help make our community stronger and safer in partnership with NWB.”

The grant is part of a total of $12,500 to be distributed by the 2026 CCF, spread among seven successful applicants.

It means that in the past six financial years, the Portarlington Golf Club has given charitable support directly to the community of more than $180,000.

In that time, the CCF component has become the biggest single source of community initiatives with more than $60,000 in such grants alone.

The CCF was established to support not-for-profit community or sporting organisations to make positive improvements that will, in turn, benefit the wider community.

This year, highlighting just how much the CCF means to these institutions, the club received a record 32 grant applications totalling in excess of $100,000.

“We really think these donations have become incredibly important within our community, as evidenced by the number of people asking for assistance,” Phillips said.

“So we’re delighted that so many projects will come to fruition as a result of the grants and, in particular, that so many of them will help fulfil a broader community need.”