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Coming soon to a community near you, ‘Neighbour Day’, is an annual celebration of the efforts we make to connect to others in our community. Now in it’s 13th year, Neighbor Day was created to encourage people to build better relationships with their neighbours, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.
Neighbour Day was founded in Melbourne in March 2003 by community activist and social commentator, Andrew Heslop, after the remains of an elderly woman, Elsie Brown were found inside her suburban home, nearly two years after her death. Andrew suggested a ‘National Check on Your Neighbour Day’ in a Letter to the Editor of The Melbourne Age in 2003.
In January 2014, Andrew handed responsibility for Neighbour Day to Relationships Australia but he remains an ambassador for the campaign to raise awareness of the annual event.
This year’s campaign was officially launched today, 29 February 2016. Following today’s launch, people are being encouraged to access Neighbour Day signage here, take a photo of themselves or ask a mate to take a snap and send it to Twitter: @NeighbourDay, Facebook: facebook.com/neighbourday or Instagram: @NeighbourDay. But remember to use the tag #NeighbourDay when you post your picture.
“Our plan is to flood the internet with messages of support for neighbourliness and connected communities,” said Alison Brook, National Executive Officer for Relationships Australia.
Neigbour Day will take place on Sunday 27th March 2016. However, as this year’s Neighbour Day falls on Easter Sunday, many people are choosing to celebrate on a weekday or, on another weekend. The supporting theme this year is “Every day is Neighbour Day”, so people can choose to connect with their community on whatever day suits them best.
Like in previous years, neighbours, local councils, businesses, and community groups are being encouraged to organise barbeques, street parties, morning teas and community gatherings, in an effort to get to know the people around them.
The Neighbour Day website includes all the information needed to get involved in the Day and to register an event. The Tell Us Your Story competition encourages people to submit a 500 word story about a great neighbour or an extraordinary neighbourly act. To enter go to neighbourday.org to be in the running to win cash prizes.