ABN 458 484 906 50
June 2015
Incorporated Number A0049036P
Issue No. 34
Hello to all our Registrants,
Are you rugging up for winter? We certainly are!
A cold snap across Victoria has us retrieving heaters from hibernation, increasing the risk of
house fires. Winter is the highest risk period for residential fires and heating equipment
including electric heaters, gas heaters and wood fires contribute to this risk. We need to be
aware of basic fire safety and personal safety in our homes. Having your heaters checked
and in good working condition, together with careful and correct use will greatly reduce the
danger these appliances present. A poorly maintained gas fire can cause deadly carbon
monoxide poisoning. If you have an open fire or use an electric bar, or radiant type heater
please make sure that you make it safe or turn them off when you are not home. Why?
Well, for a start it is so easy for a piece of paper to drift off a table or shelf and onto the
heater, and boom, you have an unwanted fire which could possibly burn your house down.
Secondly, it’s a waste of money to heat an unused room.
We tend to ‘cocoon’ during winter by locking ourselves in our homes and hardly venturing
out. If you do lock yourself away, just remember that in case of fire there’s smoke, and if
you haven’t left your key (particularly in the case of dead-locks) in the lock while you are
home, then you may have difficulty finding the key in the dark and the smoke to be able to
let yourself out, and a fatality may ensue.
Benefits of membership of BPCSR 1. Our telephone “care call” service. If you would like to receive a
regular phone call from us just to check that you’re okay, then all you have
to do is phone us on 5255 3968 and we’ll make it happen for you. The way
it works is that we will give you a couple of options as to what day we’ll call you, and
then as regular as clockwork we’ll be on the phone to say “Hello”. If you don’t answer,
we call you again the next day, and then once more the next working day, and then if
you still haven’t answered on that third day we try to contact your emergency contact to
ensure that everything is alright with you. If we also can’t contact your emergency
contact we then advise the Officer in Charge of the Police Station who will most likely
despatch a police crew to make sure that everything is fine. This is also when it comes in
handy for them if we are able to tell them where your spare door key is located so that
they don’t have to break a window to get in to make sure of your safety. So please
ensure that we are kept up-to-date with your details, emergency contact information, and
especially your spare key location.
We’re keeping an eye out for our Bellarine Peninsula residents,
especially those living on their own –
Are you a bike rider? Lots of our members are part of the cycling community
and carry their ID card when riding. In the event of a problem on the road, your
emergency contact information is easily accessible.
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ! ! !
Woman discovers friend trapped in roof for four days – Yahoo…
https://au.news.yahoo.com/../woman-discovers-friend-trapped-in-roof-f...
Feb 20, 2014 – Woman trapped in roof for four days 7News Friend Sheila said it was
“lucky” she popped by. She helped alert emergency services after hearing …
Woman trapped in her roof for four days rescued –
www.theguardian.com > .… > World news > Victoria
Feb 20, 2014 – Firefighters rescue a woman who became stuck in her roof in Geelong for
four days, with no water or food ….
BPCSR is a State Government approved community organisation based in the Bellarine
Police Station in Ocean Grove. If you have a neighbour, friend or family member who could
benefit from our service, all that is required is that they fill out a confidential application,
available by calling us on 5255 3968 or visiting our website www.bellarineregister.org.au
Travel tips for Seniors……
If you have a spare pair of prescription glasses, ensure you pack them just
in case you lose your main pair on the trip…Nothing worse than not being
able to see that great scenery or read your tickets (depending if you are
long or short sighted). If you don’t have a spare pair, at least take a script so you can
purchase some replacements in case of emergency.
Be sure to take a week’s worth of essential medication in your carry-on luggage just in case
your checked luggage is lost or delayed. This way, you won’t have any concerns about
taking your medication. If you are carrying medication, it is also recommended that you
obtain a letter from your doctor outlining the names of each medication, and dosage. This
may alleviate potential issues at the airport or it may just be handy if you were to become ill
during your travels.
Are you a pet owner?
Ocean Grove based charity, Cherished Pets Foundation (CPF) has launched its
Community Care pilot project in our area. The project will see elderly people who own pets
and people with a disability who are pet owners living independently in our community,
matched with volunteer Community Pet Carers. The goal of this project is to provide inhome pet care support to enable elderly and people with a disability to enjoy the many
benefits of companion pets with support provided when required. CPF is currently seeking
elderly people who own pets and people with a disability who are pet owners living
independently in our community to participate in this pilot. For more information please
contact Anne Dylan on 0456 154 851 or email [email protected] or
look at website www.cherishedpetcare.com.au
House numbering
Is your house number clearly visible?
Working out which house is which can cost precious minutes during an emergency.
Can we find you?
Stand across the street from your house on a dark night, leave the front light off. Can you
easily locate your house number? Can you easily make out each digit? Can you see the
number from all angles or do trees, bushes or shadows from the verandah or porch obscure
it? Think about asking new visitors to your house how easily they could find you.
Think about how easily the Ambulance, Police and Fire Brigade can find you…
HELP THEM TO HELP YOU –
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Make the numbers stand out! Consider contrasting colours for the numbers and the
background they are placed on (light on dark or vice versa).
Numbers should be located at the boundary of the property (on the gate or
fence/post near the road) or on the front façade of the house.
Place the numbers in a location that is not shadowed at night.
Locate the number at eye height.
Choose numbers that are at least 10cm tall.
Consider reflective numbers.
Keep bushes and trees well clear on all sides.
Make sure the house numbers are visible from across the street, day and night.
Make sure your house number is in good repair.
Encourage your neighbours and local businesses to number their properties – we
can find your house quicker if their houses are also clearly numbered.
Paramedics, Police Officers and Firemen encourage all residents to be prepared for
emergencies by regularly checking that they have visible house numbers – you never know
when an emergency will occur. Clearly numbering your house should be done as part of
planning for the safety and well-being of your family. Rural Ambulance Victoria is
encouraging residents living in rural areas to resolve the problem by using reflective
numbers painted on a post at the front of their property.
Courtesy of “Pillow Talk” an Ambulance Victoria Publication
Thank you! We would like to say an extremely big and appreciative thankyou to all those
wonderful people who make donations to our funds. If it were not for you kind and generous
people we would not be able to continue our FREE service.
Congratulations! Our founding sponsor Bellarine Memories recently celebrated its 10th
anniversary with an afternoon tea well attended by friends, business associates and
representatives from community organizations. We value our ongoing relationship and wish
them continuing success for the future.
We are also supported by …
Portarlington Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank
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BELLARINE POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT REGISTER INC
PO Box 819 Ocean Grove VIC 3226 Tel: 5255 3968
www.facebook.com/bpcsrinc
Email: [email protected] Website: www.bellarineregister.org.au
DONATION FORM
NAME: ........................................................................................................................
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ADDRESS: .................................................................................................................
ID NUMBER: ...................
I ENCLOSE A DONATION OF:
$5
$10
Please circle the appropriate amount.
$20
$100
Other $ ..................................
All donations of $2 and over are income tax deductible. Receipts will be issued only on request.
Please tick the appropriate box. YES  NO 
Donations will be accepted at any Bendigo Bank Branch in the Geelong Region. Our account details
are: BENDIGO BANK Branch 633 108 Account 127715209. Receipts will be issued only on
request.
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If undeliverable please return to:
Bellarine Police Community Support Register
PO Box 819
Ocean Grove Vic 3226
Feel safe – Feel secure – Have peace of mind