Get to know your neighbours and live longer

Do you know your neighbours or the people living across the street? What about the people that you share the work elevator with?

This Sunday 30 March marks national Neighbour Day and the coming together of neighbours and people who’ve never met.  

“It’s about connecting with the people around us and fostering a sense of community,” Relationships Australia NT CEO Marie Morrison said.

“We all lead busy lives and have precious spare time, but Neighbour Day reminds us to pause, look around and get to know the people next door or in the same street.”

Ms Morrison said getting to know your neighbours isn’t only the foundation of a healthy community, but it will make you happier and help you live longer.

“Evidence says that connecting with your neighbours increases your happiness and longevity,” Ms Morrison said.

“For example, a study by Duke University in the USA found that people aged 55 to 80 who trusted their neighbours lived longer on average over the next 14 years than those who didn’t.

“Other studies have found that interacting with your neighbours lifts your mood, reduces your stress and instils a sense of belonging.

“The better you get to know your neighbours the more likely you are to trust them and the more you stand to gain in health and wellbeing.”

Relationships Australia said it’s holding a morning tea with Neighbour Day Ambassador and Darwin Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim for the businesses at 43 Cavenagh St on Wednesday, 26 March.

The community service organisation is also encouraging all locals to get behind the cause.

“Why not hold a BBQ, say a simple hello or head to one of the publicly registered morning teas and barbeques in your area,” Ms Morrison said.

Neighbour Day public events in your area on Sunday 30 March:

·         Jonathan Pilbrow BBQ, Larapinta. Connect with ‘Friends of Larapinta’ Facebook group

·         Kylie Adams BBQ, Sadadeen

·         Allan Mitchell BBQ, Anula 

·         Alice Springs Town Council BBQ, Frank McEllister Community Park, 10am to 2pm

Please call Relationships Australia and ask for Tracey for all the details on 8923 4926 or visit www.nt.relationships.org.au/

For media enquiries please contact Domonique Young on 8941 9169 or email domonique@creativeterritory.com. 

Get to know your Neighbours this March

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.