Neighbour Day :: Welcome

Hawthorn Community Chest invites you and your neighbours to join us in a celebration of Neighbour Day on Sunday 30 March.

Why not get together for a backyard barbeque, garden party or picnic in the park? Say G’day and get to know your neighbours that little bit better!

If you’re interested in organising an event, simply click on the ‘next’ button at the bottom of this page and we’ll guide you through five easy steps and provide you with all the information, invitations, posters and eCards you might like to use.

Neighbour Day, in Australia, was first proposed in February 2003 through a series of 'Letters to the Editor' suggesting a day to check on your neighbours after an elderly Melbourne woman was discovered dead in her Bentleigh home. She had passed away two years earlier. Despite tell-tale signs of newspapers, letters and store catalogues piled up around the front door, she had been ignored by neighbours, family and friends. The eventual discovery of her body by Victoria Police created headlines across Australia and prompted outraged calls to talkback radio.

Growing social indifference and a lack of solidarity among local communities is a widespread problem. These days, worldwide communications seem easier than having a chat with your neighbours across the street or down the hall.

Hawthorn Community Chest hopes to create stronger neighbourhood connections between individual neighbours and their local community.

By raising awareness of the issues of isolation, security and need we hope to promote tolerance, understanding and respect for the people who live around us and encourage neighbours to get to know each other better.

We believe that Neighbour Day will create great enthusiasm and an opportunity to bring our community closer together.

Organise a Neighbour Day Event - a barbeque, garden party, picnic in the park or street party. (Follow the steps indicated to download invitations by clicking on the Next button below)
Go out and say G'day to your neighbours and maybe make some new friends!
Use the Contact Details Flyer on this website to exchange information.
Make a special effort to introduce yourself to older residents in your street and anyone who lives alone.
Leave your mobile and home telephone number for use in an emergency.
Agree to keep in contact.
Help out by collecting mail when neighbours are away and keep an eye on their property.
Try car pooling if kids go to the same school or you work in the same area.
Get fit--try jogging or walking together and encourage each other.
Get together with neighbours who have dogs and enjoy 'walkies' together!

In 2006, 6 million people celebrated with their neighbours across 22 countries in Europe.


		Neighbour Day :: Hawthorn Community Chest Hawthorn Community Chest invites you and your neighbours to join us in a celebration of Neighbour Day on Sunday 30 March. Why not get together for a backyard barbeque, garden party or picnic in the park? Say G’day and get to know your neighbours that little bit better! If you’re interested in organising an event, simply click on the ‘next’ button at the bottom of this page and we’ll guide you through five easy steps and provide you with all the information, invitations, posters and eCards you might like to use. So go ahead, say “G’day” on 30 March and celebrate! Background Neighbour Day, in Australia, was first proposed in February 2003 through a series of 'Letters to the Editor' suggesting a day to check on your neighbours after an elderly Melbourne woman was discovered dead in her Bentleigh home. She had passed away two years earlier. Despite tell-tale signs of newspapers, letters and store catalogues piled up around the front door, she had been ignored by neighbours, family and friends. The eventual discovery of her body by Victoria Police created headlines across Australia and prompted outraged calls to talkback radio. Growing social indifference and a lack of solidarity among local communities is a widespread problem. These days, worldwide communications seem easier than having a chat with your neighbours across the street or down the hall. How will Hawthorn Community Chest help? Hawthorn Community Chest hopes to create stronger neighbourhood connections between individual neighbours and their local community. By raising awareness of the issues of isolation, security and need we hope to promote tolerance, understanding and respect for the people who live around us and encourage neighbours to get to know each other better. We believe that Neighbour Day will create great enthusiasm and an opportunity to bring our community closer together. How can you help? Organise a Neighbour Day Event - a barbeque, garden party, picnic in the park or street party. (Follow the steps indicated to download invitations by clicking on the Next button below) Go out and say G'day to your neighbours and maybe make some new friends! Use the Contact Details Flyer on this website to exchange information. Make a special effort to introduce yourself to older residents in your street and anyone who lives alone. Leave your mobile and home telephone number for use in an emergency. Agree to keep in contact. Help out by collecting mail when neighbours are away and keep an eye on their property. Try car pooling if kids go to the same school or you work in the same area. Get fit--try jogging or walking together and encourage each other. Get together with neighbours who have dogs and enjoy 'walkies' together! Did you know? European Neighbours' Day began in Paris in 1999 with only 1 district. In 2001, 1.2 million people all over France joined in. In 2006, 6 million people celebrated with their neighbours across 22 countries in Europe.