Ideas from around Australia

Posted by Andrew on Feb 9, 2011 in | Comments Off

Australians have been getting to know their neighbours since 2003 in many different ways. Whether it’s a simple cup of tea and a slice of cake with an older neighbour, hosting drinks and nibbles with the people next door or having a party for everyone in your street participation is easy.

In the WA goldfields town of Kalgoorlie neighbours have fired up the barbie on the front lawn so all the residents could celebrate together … just like the residents of Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast and in the Sydney suburbs of Turramurra, Narrabeen, Meadowbank and Sadleir.

There are major council-sponsored festivals in Unley, SA and Mosman Park, WA; community events in Mackay, Qld and celebrations for public housing residents in NSW and Queensland.

On the Gold Coast a residents association organises a major festival with opera singers, hip-hop, belly dancers and magicians with food and refreshments donated by local retailers and suppliers.

The City of Banyule in Victoria has launched a Neighbourhood Smile Zone and a Neighbourhood Street Party Kit. Leichhardt Municipal Council has the ‘Good Ideas Coffee Cart’ for residents to borrow and The City of Melbourne has provided free bbqs, street cricket sets and other items so neighbours can get together and meet.

Within Docklands a series of community ‘open house’ events organised by Lend Lease and the City encourages residents in the precinct’s apartment towers to meet and discover the local facilities and attractions.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges, an area devastated on Black Saturday, has developed a Neighbour Day Resource Kit for residents containing flyers, invitations, posters and introduction cards. Frankston City Council and Peninsula Health mail all residents with a Neighbour Day information card with details of local services and community programs.

Get your free Neighbour Day kit with posters, invitations and name tags – everything you will need for a successful event at your place.