Lock it or Lose it catching on in Bundaberg

In Bundaberg anyone who can open an unlocked car door could become a thief – no special skills required.  So the call went out for ideas to encourage the locals to lock their cars because too much stuff was being stolen. Enter one Sue McIntosh, whose idea was to create a slogan to remind people to lock their car

The judging panel which selected her idea as best last December, decided the slogan idea would be expanded into a jingle to be played on air for everyone to catch on, hum or sing along to and form a security habit of locking their car.

This is where the talented people of the local radio station come in. The jingle, “Lock it or Lose it” was written by Bundaberg Broadcasters’ Brendan Egan and Peter Hurren along with local artist Matthew Baker and produced by Brendan Egan. 

Bundaberg Broadcasters’ General Manager Trish Mears said it was a real team effort.  “Brendan and Pete took Sue McIntosh’s idea and ran with it,” Trish said.  “The very talented local performer Matthew Barker then came in and did a great job on the vocals and Brendan put it all together very effectively”.

A/Inspector Erwin Hoffmann said the jingle is a very effective way of getting the message across. “We wanted to get across the message that a step from your car is way too far – lock it or lose it” he said.  “From the moment we heard the jingle, we had people humming it, so we know it will effectively promote this important message”.

The jingle launch at Hinkler Central Shopping Centre was compered by 4BU’s Billy Healy, who first thought of running a campaign to increase car safety; and attended by the winner Sue McIntosh ,the jingle makers, Police and community leaders.

Bundaberg Motor Group have provided a car for the day, to show some of the “main targets” and Bundaberg Police will be checking cars on the day to remind motorists that “A step from your car is way too far. Lock it or lose it – it only takes a moment”.


Below: Vocalist Matt Barker, Bright Idea winner Sue McIntosh and Hitz 939’s Brendan Egan with the new jingle