Love thy neighbour

We’ve been told to ‘love thy neighbour’ – and that’s exactly what Australia did last Sunday (25 March 2012) when celebrating its annual Neighbour Day.

Founder of Australia’s annual celebration of community, Andrew Heslop, said the national day has become more popular since it first began in 2003.

“Every year more Australians are getting together with their neighbours and deciding to do something big,” he said.

“Bringing everyone in the street together strengthens the community and directly connects every resident, while at the same time helping to break down the barriers of loneliness and isolation – particularly in elderly people.”

Neighbour Day has grown from a simple idea in a Letter to the Editor in The Age following the lonely death of an elderly woman, Elsie Brown, who had died alone in her home in 2001 but was not found for two years.

“No matter where you live – in the city or the bush, in a house, an apartment or on a farm – knowing who your neighbours are creates a community. When you are connected with the people who live nearby you care about what happens locally and are directly helping to ensure your suburb or town is safe, friendly, resilient and sustainable,” Mr Heslop added.

Australians have embraced Neighbour Day by organising street parties, morning teas, community barbecues and attending council-run festivals, fairs, major events and open days in parks and other public spaces.

Neighbour Day aims to:

• Strengthen communities and build better relationships with the people who live around us.
• Create safer, healthier and more vibrant suburbs and towns.
• Promote tolerance, respect and understanding.
• Break down community barriers.
• Protect the elderly, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

Share your opinions on the importance of neighbours – particularly to the elderly – by commenting in the box below. Visit the Neighbour Day website for more information.