By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Many of Casey’s youngest would be familiar with the exploits of KC Dog.
The giant Dalmatian – worn by Debbie Medley – and her handler Maureen Fowler spread a warmly delivered safety advice to kindergarten kids in Casey every week.
Their efforts as well as scores of other worthy volunteers in Melbourne’s South East were recognised at a function at Government House on 17 May.
The event hosted by Governor Linda Dessau and Premier Daniel Andrews made the KC Dog collaborators feel special, Ms Fowler said.
More than 2000 kids are expected to hear KC Dog and Ms Fowler’s well-honed message this year.
Ms Fowler, a former teacher, sits down with a story-book describing what KC Dog does when she’s lost from her parents at a park.
According to the story, KC Dog doesn’t run out into the car park where she could be hit by cars, but elects to stay where she last saw her family.
Children are also alerted to the risk of going with unidentified strangers at this point. KC Dog is instead helped by a passing police officer.
Ms Fowler says part of the program’s aim is to build children’s trust in police officers – partly filling the void of the long-axed Police in Schools program.
“Even with the Safety House program gone too, kids need to know some strategies.”
KC Dog is run by Neighbourhood Watch Casey, and founded by the group’s late, great matriarch Jen Baird.
“This is Jen’s baby,” Ms Fowler says.
“And we’re happy to keep it going.”
