Neighbour Day - celebrating communities

• Neighbour Day celebrated nationally on March 25
• West Australians urged to celebrate with their neighbours

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney is encouraging all West Australians to take the time to acknowledge their neighbours this weekend by participating in Australia's biggest celebration of community, Neighbour Day.

Neighbour Day takes place on Sunday March 25 and is celebrated nationally each year.

"By simply saying hello to the person next door or across the road, West Australians can keep their neighbourhoods safe, create opportunities to help each other and, importantly, make new friends," Mrs McSweeney said.

"Whether it's a barbecue, a morning tea, a street party, or a chat over the fence, Neighbour Day is a good way to make your community a better place to live.

"West Australians have a strong history of helping members of their communities in times of need which is even more reason to build community spirit and get to know your neighbours on a day like Neighbour Day." 

Neighbour Day was conceived in 2003 by Melbourne man Andrew Heslop after he was deeply concerned by the discovery of an elderly woman's remains in her home. She had been dead for two years.

The Department for Communities has developed a Neighbour Day Western Australia webpage featuring ideas for celebrating Neighbour Day in your street, including '100 words to say hello', neighbourly ideas for businesses and community organisations and other practical resources to help make the most of the day. 

For more information on Neighbour Day Western Australia visit the Department for Communities' website at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au 

      Fact File

• Information on planning a Neighbour Day event can be found here: http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/ndwa
• 2010 survey of 2,100 Australians by That's Life magazine found 59 per cent of respondents never speak with their neighbours and 38 per cent do not know their neighbours at all.

Minister's office  - 6552 6500