The Hastings Police with the assistance of the Hastings Police and Community Consultative Committee have worked together with some dedicated volunteers to introduce a pro-active Police/community strategy for the purpose of promoting confident and secure living among our elderly citizens.

The service is free of charge and registration is voluntary. One of the projects is to maintain a secure computer database at the Hastings Police Station which contains personal details of applicants with details of their next of kin, doctor and any medical history which they may wish to declare, together with details of a relative, friend or neighbour who has a key to their home.

A laminated identity card is issued to all persons on the register, with their name and a specific identification number. The identity card also lists the telephone number of Hastings Police Station with ISD code, so that any Police Officer or Emergency Service personnel having to attend to the card holder, anywhere in the world, can contact Hastings Police Station. This will enable Police or Emergency Service personnel to obtain any information which may be of assistance to that particular emergency service should an emergency occur.

All volunteers involved in this project are subjected to Police probity checks, to ensure that they are of good character.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REGISTER

To make elderly people feel safer.

To create a closer relationship between police and elderly people.

To have ready access to the personal information of clients if necessary.

To have regular contact with the elderly on the register.

To minimize the fear of crime amongst the elderly.

To eradicate the abuse of the elderly.

To increase the awareness of the elderly for their own safety.

To minimize the concerns of family for the welfare of their ageing relatives.

To inform elderly people of pro-active policing initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch programmes.


VOLUNTEERS

The Senior' Register comprises of Senior Constable Des BUTT and Ray JONES being the head co-ordinator, together with fourteen other volunteers. The register is under the supervision of the Hastings Police Station Commander, Senior Sergeant Don Wilson.

All volunteers have undergone a voluntary Police probity check, before being accepted as a volunteer. If you are a senior citizen with communication or administrative skills and want to participate in this worthwhile project then please contact the register at Hastings Police Station and pick up an application form.


IF VOLUNTEERS NOT ON DUTY

In the event that none of the volunteers are on duty at the Police Station when you phone in, please ask that your message or inquiry be entered in the Senior Citizens' message book located in the watch-house.

ATTRIBUTES YOU NEED TO BE A VOLUNTEER:

  • be reliable
  • respect confidentiality
  • carry out the job you have agreed to
  • be accountable
  • be committed to the organisation
  • ask for support when you need it
  • value and support other team members
  • carry out the work responsibly and ethically
    • (Courtesy of Volunteering Victoria Inc.)

     

    Enduring Power of Attorney

    A recent inovation which has been included on the database, is provision for inclusion of the name and address of a client's Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA). It has been said that many people are under the mistaken belief that their "Last Will and Testament" takes care of everything for them. Well this is not so because a "will" only comes into effect once you die and simply deals with goods and chattels that are left behind when you die. Put simply, a power of attorney gives someone else the authority to act for another person, in all or specified legal and/or finacial matters, should this become necessary due to ill health or some other physical problem.

    An Enduring Power of Attorney authorises another person, to act on a person's behalf as an agent or ‘attorney'. The document is only acted upon when it is needed or requested. It is called ‘enduring' because, unlike other types of attorneyships, it continues to have effect even if a person becomes incapable of managing their financial affairs through illness, disability or accident. An attorney can do such things as pay rates, hospital, medical and other personal and household accounts (gas, telephone, electricity), look after personal banking, manage real estate and other investments and perform a range of other administrative tasks as required. Income can be collected, including dividends from shares, rents, pensions, entitlements and interest from bonds, debentures and other investments.

    Many large stationers carry stocks of Enduring Power Of Attorney forms or kits which are fairly simple to fill in, and then have witnessed. The forms are self explanatory. An EPA must be witnessed by two adults. If you are uncomfortable with filling in forms, then a solicitor can help you.

    Under an EPA, the authority to act on your behalf will not end if you become mentally or physically incapable of managing your own affairs.


    The decision to include the details of a client's Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) on our register, was the result of a suggestion made by an 84 year old lady, who applied to be included on our register.

    The Volunteers

    ??? Len Butcher (C) ?????
    Ruth Daff Peter Jackson Danielle Hake
    Denise Palmer Russell Daff (Sec/Treas) Fay Preston
    David Wischer Moira Wischer Ted Pearce
    Linda Nelson ??? ???

    Please contact or call at the Hastings Police Station, 137 High, Street, Hastings, Victoria, 3915, to collect an application form.


    For further information please telephone

    Hastings Police Station, (03) 5979 7033

    This site is maintained by S/C Will JONES. For further information please contact the Senior Sergeant at Hastings Police Station.




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