Neighbour Day – an easy way to say g’day

Relationships Australia is encouraging people to reach out to each other on Neighbour Day this year.

Neighbour Day, on Sunday 31 March 2019, is Australia’s annual celebration of community, inspiring people to connect with those who live nearby and reach out to the vulnerable and lonely members of their community to create a connection.

This can be as simple as a few friendly words across the back fence, inviting your neighbour in for a cuppa, organising a community get-together, or stopping for a chat when you’re walking the dog.

“In our close-knit community, we understand the importance of neighbours,” said Borough of Queenscliffe Mayor, Cr Bob Merriman.

“Good relationships are at the heart of our involved and caring community. Social connection helps prevent loneliness, isolation and depression,” said Cr Merriman.

The 2019 Neighbour Day theme is ‘Loneliness – what neighbours can do to create connections’.

Loneliness is experienced by people across the age and social spectrum, including young people, people living with their families, and even people surrounded by others in the workplace.

Neighbour Day is all about reinvigorating our communities, getting people to connect with their neighbours, and putting a dent in loneliness. Neighbour Day activities can be as big or small as you’d like. You can organise an event on your own or work with a group of neighbours.

Make a pledge to yourself to introduce yourself to a new neighbour or have a yarn to someone you haven’t spoken to before in your street. You may just drop off a kind note to neighbours with a young family, or invite them over for a cuppa.

You can never have too many friends around you and your note or invitation may make a significant difference to the life of your neighbour.

To find out more about Neighbour Day, subscribe to the monthly Neighbour Day e-Newsletter, and register a Neighbour Day event, visit www.neighbourday.org.au.

Neighbour Day is brought to you by Relationships Australia, a national not-for-profit organisation that works to improve relationships in all their forms. Visit www.relationships.org.au for more information.