Celebrating our Safer Suburbs champions

The Gold Coast’s most outstanding citizens have been recognised in the biennial Safer Suburbs Awards.

Mayor Tom Tate said the Awards honoured the people with true community spirit, who were committed to making our city more safe and connected. 

“We had 23 nominations and every entrant is making a genuine difference to the safety of our city,” he said.  

“These awards highlight the incredible work within our community to make the Gold Coast the safest place to live, work, play and raise a family.”

The winners in each category are: 

Individual Category – Kathleen Vlasic

Coordinator of Rosies drop-in centre at Southport, Kathleen supports our most vulnerable residents by arranging everything from food donations and meals, to haircuts. Kathleen also coordinates the daytime and evening outreach support program for Rosies.

Not-for-profit Group Category – RizeUp

RizeUp provides practical and positive support for families experiencing domestic and family violence. Their support includes providing items to create a comfortable new home for families, school essentials including uniforms, and through their partnerships with other organisations, they arrange experience days for Gold Coast families to enjoy.

Project Category – First Drinks: First Impressions, Queensland Police Service – Gold Coast District

An initiative of the Queensland Police Service, this project is conducted on Friday and Saturday nights in the Surfers Paradise entertainment precinct. It involves breathalysing precinct visitors and providing them with feedback regarding their blood alcohol content. Evaluation indicates the project has contributed to a significant reduction in assault rates and fewer victims of crime.

Business Category – Halcyon

Halcyon was instrumental in the creation of a new bridging accommodation facility in the northern Gold Coast for families affected by domestic and family violence.  The project is the first of its kind, with Halcyon collaborating with local organisations and stakeholders to deliver a facility that offers a safe environment for families. 

Meritorious Award – Street C.R.E.D, Queensland Police Service - Gold Coast Cross Cultural Liaison Unit

Street C.R.E.D (collaborate, re-engage, empower and deter), led by the Queensland Police Service in collaboration with government and non-government services, builds positive relationships with young people who may be experiencing homelessness or engaging in antisocial behaviour. The weekly program aims to connect young people with services that provide health and wellbeing support and to assist them to re-engage in education or employment pathways.