Media Releases
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NEIGHBOURS URGED TO BECOME GOOD FRIENDS IN 2009
From the Minister for Community Development
Friday, 20 March 2009
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor has urged Victorians to
get to know the people that live around them during Neighbour Day on
Sunday, 29 March.
“Neighbour Day is a great initiative designed to encourage all Australians to develop better relationships with the people living in their community,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The recent bushfires have highlighted the role neighbours and the local community can play, both during the emergency and through the recovery process.
“There were the most amazing examples of people surviving only because someone stopped to check on them and people have continued to support their neighbours long after the fires have been put out.
“It’s a wonderful example of how people in strong communities treat one another and these ties will continue to be important as communities rebuild.”
Neighbour Day was initiated in 2003 following the tragic discovery of Elsie Brown, an elderly Victorian woman who died alone in her home but whose body was not found for two years.
“In our busy world, often people haven’t had the time to meet their neighbours and I’d encourage people, whether they live in the country, the city or the suburbs, to introduce themselves to a neighbour they haven’t met yet,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Getting to know your neighbours can help create caring communities.
“Neighbours can help to look after the vulnerable and isolated members in our communities, especially those who live by themselves.
“It is very reassuring for people who live alone to know they can call on a neighbour in an emergency or personal crisis, or to know someone will check in on them from time to time.”
To find out more about Neighbour Day visit www.neighbourday.org
“Neighbour Day is a great initiative designed to encourage all Australians to develop better relationships with the people living in their community,” Mr Batchelor said.
“The recent bushfires have highlighted the role neighbours and the local community can play, both during the emergency and through the recovery process.
“There were the most amazing examples of people surviving only because someone stopped to check on them and people have continued to support their neighbours long after the fires have been put out.
“It’s a wonderful example of how people in strong communities treat one another and these ties will continue to be important as communities rebuild.”
Neighbour Day was initiated in 2003 following the tragic discovery of Elsie Brown, an elderly Victorian woman who died alone in her home but whose body was not found for two years.
“In our busy world, often people haven’t had the time to meet their neighbours and I’d encourage people, whether they live in the country, the city or the suburbs, to introduce themselves to a neighbour they haven’t met yet,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Getting to know your neighbours can help create caring communities.
“Neighbours can help to look after the vulnerable and isolated members in our communities, especially those who live by themselves.
“It is very reassuring for people who live alone to know they can call on a neighbour in an emergency or personal crisis, or to know someone will check in on them from time to time.”
To find out more about Neighbour Day visit www.neighbourday.org
