Relationships Australia NT is encouraging Territorians to
get to know the people around them and living in their street this Neighbour
Day.
Neighbour Day is an annual celebration of community held on
the last Sunday of March, falling on Sunday 30 March this
year.
The Day was founded by Australia Day Ambassador Andrew
Heslop in 2003 after the lonely death of Mrs Elise Brown, who was left unfound
by family, neighbours and friends for up two years after passing away in her
home.
“Neighbour Day is a timely reminder for us all to get know
the people living next door, across the street or working in the same
building,” Relationships Australia NT CEO Marie Morrison said.
“We can’t underestimate the value of community and a simple
hello.
“As we age and build online communities, our connections
with the people around us are lessening.
“On this Neighbour Day make sure you take the opportunity to
say hi to your neighbours, host a get together for the people in your street or
offer to give one of them a hand with something.”
Relationships Australia was
handed the baton from Andew Heslop on 1 January 2014 to grow and manage
Neighbour Day in Australia after a national expression of interest process late
last year.
“We plan to build upon the strong
legacy of Mr Heslop, who has carefully grown and developed this wonderful event
over the past ten years,” Ms Morrison said.
“Relationships Australia shares the vision and values of Neighbour Day and
firmly believes that our communities are only as strong as the people who live
in them.
“Helping individuals, couples and families build stronger relationships has
been the fundamental aim of Relationships Australia for 60 years.”
Darwin Lord Mayor Katrina Fong
Lim and local Alice Springs resident Jonathan Pilbrow will help spread the
message of Neighbour Day in the NT after signing on as Ambassadors.
Mr Pilbrow, a long-term
social worker and Territorian, said he will celebrate Neighbour Day with an
open barbeque in his front yard.
“Neighbour Day is important because it encourages
neighbours to take a break from their busy lives, and take the time to connect
and reconnect, with each other," Mr Pilbrow said.
"I think that good neighbours and good
neighbourhoods are one of the keys for a healthy and happy society.
“Good neighbourhoods can help break down social
isolation, and improve public safety, with people keeping an eye out for each
other, and they can also help to address local issues and problems."
Mr Pilbrow and others have been
hosting fortnightly get-togethers with friends and people that haven’t yet met,
in Larapinta Park since 2012 and more recently added a street Christmas Party.
People can connect with Jonathan
on the ‘Friends of Larapinta’ Facebook group.
For more information on Neighbour
Day visit www.nt.relationships.org.au
or follow them on Facebook
and Twitter.
