[Our Aims] [Ambassador] [Operational Format] [Local Committees] [Regional Committees] [State Council]
To deter undesirable people from coming into an area and
approaching children and other community members whilst travelling in
the community.
To provide personal safety skills education to Senior Groups and other
organisations. To provide personal safety skills education to children
in participating schools.
To provide a network of Safety Houses throughout the community for children
and other community members to use whenever they are feeling frightened
or unsafe, regardless of the reason.
To maintain community awareness of the problems faced by children, teenagers,
adults and the elderly and to increase the level of protection within
the community.
The Safety House program is a community based program run entirely by volunteers. The Safety House Association of Queensland
Incorporated is a three tiered Association consisting of:
(a) Local Committees
(b) Regional Committees
(c) State Council
Local Committees are formed from caring members of a community to implement and maintain the program in their area. Through their efforts, and with the co-operation of school administration, children attending affiliated schools are given valuable advice on personal safety skills for when they are travelling in their community. Additional personal safety education sessions may be conducted at Senior Citizen Groups and other organisations within their area.
Local Committees are also responsible for establishing a well maintained network of Safety Houses throughout their areaand to promote the program where possible.
Regional Committees are formed from representatives of neighbouring Local Committees. The main functions of a Regional Committee are to support the Local Committees from which it is derived and to promote the Safety House program to the wider community.
Regional Committees support their Local Committees by facilitating ready access to, and the sharing of, knowledge and experience of the program and assistance when requested. By drawing on the combined "person power" of all its Local Committees, a Regional Committee can promote the Safety House program at large functions such as festivals, parades, agricultural shows, etc.
The State Council is the Board of Management and consists of up to fifteen volunteers, who are also members of Local Committees, and are elected to various State Council positions at the Annual General Meeting. A representative from the Queensland Police Service also participates in an advisory capacity (State Police Liaison Officer).
One of the most important tasks of State Council is to ensure the uniformity of the program throughout Queensland.
"IMA" - THE SAFETY HOUSE
Rick Woodyatt, father to IMA, decided that some sort of ‘gimmick’ may help to attract much-needed publicity for the program. He had always been attracted by the ‘smiling house’ which formed part of the Safety House logo and he was keen to bring that character to life. An officer from Police Public Relations introduced Rick to David Napier, a puppeteer involved with Channel 9 children’s television. David created the larger-than-life costume replicating that ‘smiling house’. Rick called the character “Homer” – as in ‘make your home-a Safety House’ , and quickly realised that, as well as a publicity gimmick, this cuddly character would be a hit with kids of all ages.
"Homer" attended the official launch of the Safety House Association of Queensland which was held at Springwood Road State Primary School on November 4, 1984 and was an immediate success.
A minor controversy about the name “Homer” resulted in a competition being held to find a new name. The winning entry was, of course, "IMA" (as in I'M-A-Safety House).
Children need to have a positive feeling about Safety Houses. This is where IMA is such a wonderful ambassador. For young children, IMA makes a great promotional tool when it comes to publicizing the Safety House Program. He’s large, yellow and friendly.
© Copyright Safety House Association of Queensland Inc.
