By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Bonny Burrows
Rough diamond, salt-of-the-earth and selfless – they don’t make them like Jennifer Baird anymore.
Remembered as the driving force of Neighbourhood Watch Casey, the grandmother of five died with family at her side on 22 January.
Few could match her kindness and her ferocity in standing up for the community she cared deeply about, NWC co-founding member Raph Even-Chaim said.
“She really exuded that level of strength.”
She founded the group in 2010, forming it from the plethora of small street-based Neighbourhood Watch groups such as her local Lynbrook branch.
She led it as chairwoman, secretary and treasurer and still chipped in despite ill health in the past two years.
Ms Baird and the group won Casey volunteer awards and were recognised by the state Neighbourhood Watch body.
But she wasn’t in it for the trappings, Mr Even-Chaim said.
“She genuinely believed you need to work hard to get a better community.
“If anyone deserves the individual accolades, it’s Jen.”
No one could match her passion and commitment, earning the respect of Casey Council and Victoria Police, Mr Even-Chaim said.
“She could be absolutely terrifying at times but it was always for the right reasons,” Mr Even-Chaim said.
“She was one of the good ones. It’s devastating that she’s gone.”
At Ms Baird’s instigation, the group ran two massive family-fun days at Cranbourne Racecourse and lobbied hard for safer streets in Doveton.
Ms Baird and daughter-in-law Sharon Wallace created the award-winning KC Dog which brought well-received ‘Stranger Danger’ lessons to Casey kindergartens.
It is now Neighbourhood Watch’s state mascot.
The watch-group was Ms Baird’s baby but above all, she cared for her family, Ms Wallace said.
As a single mum, she raised three kids. She also ran a theatrical-costume business from her garage where her sewing machines and fabrics still dwell.
“She was always dealing with men and would stand eye-to-eye with them. She was respected for that,” Ms Wallace said.
“If you ask her a question, you get a straight answer.”
Long-time friend Rita Hartney said she and Ms Baird were like “Thelma and Louise” during regular outings in the car.
“We never stopped laughing.
“She made me feel young again. It doesn’t seem right that I’m still here and she’s gone.
“I’m going to miss her terribly.”
Ms Baird often appeared on her friend’s radio show Hot Topics with Rita, spruiking Neighbourhood Watch.
When Ms Hartney was Casey’s Senior Citizen of the Year in 2015, without fail Ms Baird would drive her elder friend to functions.
Once an opera singer, Ms Baird had a fine singing voice, Ms Hartley said.
Through both of their ill health, the pair had seen little of each other in the past two years.
“Doctors told her to take walks so I told her that when she walks to the park near my house, ring me.
“And I’ll walk in the park and meet you.”
But those hopeful rendezvouses never happened, she said.
CNW chair Rob Ward says he often turned to Ms Baird for advice after taking the stewardship of NWC.
“Without her, there would be no Neighbourhood Watch Casey,” Mr Ward said.
“If we had more Jennifer Bairds, the community would be a much better place.
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon said Ms Baird was “one of the nicest, hard-working and constructive people” you could meet.
“I think we’ve lost such a wonderful community contributor and a very valued friend.”
Cardinia Shire Council took a moment to reflect on Ms Baird’s contributions at its 22 January meeting.
Councillor Jodie Owen received word of Ms Baird’s passing via text message during the meeting and was visibly upset by the news.
Cr Owen said Ms Baird was instrumental in assisting Cardinia Shire form its own Neighbourhood Watch group.
Her loss would be greatly felt within the Cardinia community, he said.
“My deepest condolences to her family and friends,” Cr Owen said.
Ms Baird’s funeral will be held at the Boyd Chapel, Springvale Botanical Cemetery at 12.30pm, Tuesday, 30 January.
