Former Heidelberg mayor takes out Banyule Citizen of the Year

Heidelberg Neighbourhood Watch founder and former mayor John Dowdle has been named the Banyule Citizen of the Year. The Rosanna man, who has helped the community for the past 50 years, says its all about making the area a better place to live.

John Dowdle is the Banyule Citizen of the Year for 2019.

A former mayor and founder of a community crime prevention group has been named Banyule Citizen of the Year.

Rosanna’s John Dowdle was bestowed the honour for his “outstanding commitment to community service over the past 50 years”.

Mr Dowdle founded the Heidelberg Neighbourhood Watch group 30 years ago — now known as Banyule Neighbourhood Watch — and served as a councillor and mayor for the then City of Heidelberg in 1991-1992.

Each year he leads the delivery of more than 100,000 Neighbourhood Watch newsletters and hosts crime prevention events with the group.

Notably, they hosted an event at Greensborough Plaza in collaboration with Greensborough Police on providing the community with one way screws for their car number plates to curb plate theft.

The Neighbourhood Watch group has grown to 500 members.

Mr Dowdle was presented the award at the Banyule Community Ball at La Trobe University on October 12.

Mr Dowdle said he was ‘flabbergasted’ to receive the award and that his passion for community involvement stemmed from his teen years.

“I gained a Queens Scout Award when I was 18, it involved a lot of training and I got so much out of it,” he said.

“It turned me around and inspired me to offer my skills to make a better and safer community to live in.”

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Mr Dowdle also was a board member of the YMCA and involved in the Scouts for more than 55 years.

Mr Dowdle had a career as an electrical engineer and gained his private pilots license ‘just for fun’.

Banyule mayor Wayne Phillips said Mr Dowdle's selfless service to the community was contagious and inspired all to give back.

“It is only right we honour and celebrate the work John has done, all of which has benefited and enriched our community and he is certainly deserving of this award,” Cr Phillips said.

To join Banyule Neighbourhood Watch email [e-mail]

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