February 2024

Sunday 31st March is Neighbour Day – the National Day of Action for the year- round “Neighbours Every Day” campaign.  Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community and encourages people to build connected communities and reduce loneliness. This year, it aligns with Easter Sunday, creating an opportunity to place even more emphasis on the importance of connecting with our community.

Relationships Australia Tasmania launched the Neighbours Every Day community grants where communities could apply for up to $1,250 to support neighbourly activities that create social connection and address loneliness in their community.

This year, the grant round received over 80 applications, 53 of which were successful, with over $60,000 in funding provided.

Proposed neighbourly activities ranged from picnics, street libraries, community barbeques to seed swaps. These events and activities will not only be taking place on the day of action but within the next three months.

For media wishing to cover Neighbour Day activities on Sunday 31st March, below are a list of the activities being held across the state.

Port Sorell Community Open Day
When: 31^st March 2024, 11am – 4pm
Where: Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club
Port Sorell are hosting a free community event with live music and a BBQ to help bring the locals together. There will even by a community amazing race!

Community BBQ & Booklet Launch
When: 31 March 2024 12:30PM – 2PM
Where: Great Lake Community Centre
Join us for a community barbeque as we launch a booklet showcasing local activities and services to connect residents and promote community involvement.

Other events and activities taking place over the next three months are listed below:

South

Party in the Park
The West Moonah Neighbourhood House is planning a “Party in the Park” to foster community engagement. The event will feature a free BBQ, diverse cultural and street food, and activities for both adults and children.

Bringing Bagdad Together Fun Day
Southern Midlands Council plans to organise a Fun Day at Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary in Bagdad, open to all residents with a goal of bringing the community together.

Friends of Chippendale Lane
Friends of Chippendale Lane are hosting a tea party and building a street library to enhance neighbourly connections and foster community pride.

Know your Neighbours – New Norfolk
Know Your Neighbours New Norfolk aims to combat isolation and mental health issues by bringing the community together in a shared garden event, promoting friendship and support.

Nipaluna Nursery – Growing Neighbourly Action
Nipaluna Nursery is organising an event with the goal of enhancing neighbourly connections through hands-on sessions focused on plant propagation and care. This community gathering seeks to provide practical skills to participants.

Carlton Park Community Open Day
The Carlton Park Community Open Day at the Surf Life Saving Club invites residents to learn about water safety, connect with neighbours, and strengthen community bonds.

Warrane Community Garden Festival
Warrane Community Garden Harvest Festival brings the neighbourhood into the garden with plant & produce stalls, childrens’ activities, live music, garden weed identification, workshops, bbq, coffee and more.
The festival is an opportunity to introduce the community space to newcomers and build awareness of the activities available to learn new skills and connect with others in the community.

Love Thy Neighbour
Love Thy Neighbour event will include lunch and a workshop with culturally and marginalised women, aiming to enhance health and wellbeing outcomes, empower them with skills and resources, and foster a sense of community.

Albuera Street School Community Picnic
The Albuera Street Primary School Association will host a community picnic that offers a chance for families to meet new people and connect with the broader community.

Chilling on the Lawn
The RSL Sub Branch will host an event aiming to promote community wellbeing through social connection, relaxation, music, and food, fostering unity and support.

Dance for your Dinner!
The Eureka Clubhouse plans to host a dance workshop with a free BBQ to bring people together and boost mood.

Chalk it up! A Day of Community Connection at the Blackmans Bay Skate Park 
The Blackmans Bay Community Association will transform the skate park into an inclusive space with art, music, and a BBQ.

Deep South Blues: A Festival in the Minor Key
The Southport Community Centre will host a festival celebrating local talent and allowing for the community to come together and connect.

Love your Neighbour- Stories of Social Connections
The Hobart Playback Theatre will deliver a performance aimed at connecting Hobart’s migrant community and promote respectful relationships.

Rokeby Community Connection Day
The Rokeby Neighbourhood Centre will deliver an event aimed at community members of all ages. The event will focus on fostering relationships and community engagement.

Neighbourhood Day on Mt Nelson
The Mount Nelson Community Association will host a community meal event to welcome newcomers and combat isolation, connecting residents with local groups.

Ouse Old Fashioned Country Picnic
The Central Highlands Council will host a picnic that aims to unite the community, showcasing local organisations and activities while providing fun for all ages.

Community Kick Off – Building Bonds Beyond the Soccer Field
Cygnet Sea Dragons Soccer Club will host an event which aims to foster community connections with fun-filled activities and pizza.

Nugent Neighbour Day
Nugent Community and Sports Association Inc. will host a family day/night inclusive of lunch,  line dancing workshops, healthy produce sharing stands and a game of ‘get to know your neighbours’.

Huon Valley PCYC Eat Play Chat Day
Huon Valley PCYC aims to bring the community together with a fun-filled open day that incorporates a free BBQ lunch, sports, games and networking.

Strengthening the Upper Plenty Community Bonds through a Community BBQ
Upper Plenty Action Group seeks to revitalise community spirit with a BBQ event that aims to bring their diverse community together.

Goodwood Twilight Market and Goodwood Community BBQ
Goodwood Community Centre aims to bring residents together with two events—a twilight market and a community BBQ.

Seed for a Feed
Seed for a Feed will provide free seeds to the Bridgewater, Gagebrook and Herdsman’s Cove residents, and host a small event to promote community connections.

Welcome BBQ for New Doctors and Families
The rural town of Dover will host a community BBQ to welcome new doctors and their families to the town, fostering connections and improving medical access.

Community Connections – Sea Rescue Tasmania Open Day
Sea Rescue Tasmania seeks to strengthen community ties by hosting a community open day, promoting safety at sea and community engagement.

Great Lake Community BBQ & Booklet Launch
The Great Lake Community Centre will host a free BBQ event to launch a booklet showcasing local activities and services in the area to connect residents and promote community involvement.

Kwirky Kids Easter Meet
Kwirky Kids plans an inclusive Easter event with activities and a BBQ for families with neurodivergent children.

Glenorchy Neighbourhood Watch Recruitment Day
Glenorchy City Council and Neighbourhood Watch aim to recruit volunteers through a BBQ event to increase community involvement in crime prevention.

West Winds Brew & Bake: Connecting Generations, Building Community
The West Winds Community Centre is planning a series of workshops and a volunteer appreciation event aiming to unite youth and community members.

Howrah Fun Activity, All Ability
The Howrah Sunshine Tennis Club will host an inclusive event for people with disability and their families, promoting inclusion and physical activity.

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North

Fun in the Beaconsfield Men’s Shed
The Beaconsfield Men’s Shed will host a fun open day for both men and women. This event will foster inclusivity and social connection encourage community participation.

Ringarooma Community Morning Teas
The Ringarooma Community Cultural Heritage Association will host a series of morning teas to combat loneliness in an older community without cafes.

Cuppas and Connections
Headspace Devonport and Burnie plan a free coffee drive to connect young people aged 18-25 in Ulverstone.

Ukrainian Connections: Building Relationships and Strengthening Wellbeing
The Association of Ukrainians in Tasmania plans to host an event to strengthen connections between members across regions. The association plans to hire a bus to transport members to the Cataract Gorge where lunch will be supplied.

Reaching Out to Neighbours in Westbury
Westbury Health Inc. plans a morning tea event to combat isolation among older community members.

 

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North-West

Picnic in the Park
The University of the Third Age in Wynyard will host a traditional picnic afternoon tea at the showgrounds for residents aiming to increase social connections within the community.

Waratah Men’s Shed Community Pot Luck Dinners
Waratah Men’s Shed will continue to host a series of community dinners, providing a social outlet and replacing kitchen supplies.

Connecting over Projects
Live Well Tasmania is partnering with the RESEED Centre to host pizza oven workshops and backyard makeovers to increase community involvement and combat loneliness.

Art in the Garden at Low Head
The Low Head Community Garden Group will host a garden art workshop facilitated by a local artist. All artwork created by community members will be on display in the garden.

Mending Circle at the Repair Café Devonport
The Repair Cafe plans social workshops to promote community connections through repairing items together.

Port Sorell Community Open Day – Feeling Beaut by the Beach!
The Port Sorell Surf Lifesaving Club are hosting a free community event with live music and a BBQ to help bring the locals together. There will even by a community amazing race!

Neighbourhood Connections through Vegetable Gardens
Farm It Forward Tasmania plans to promote food security and community connections through gardening workshops and produce sharing.

PALM Community Walkabout in Penguin
The Lion’s Club and community organisations will welcome Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme workers with a progressive dinner, promoting social interaction and community integration.

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East Coast

Oldies But Goodies High Tea
The Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network will host a high tea event aiming to combat loneliness in an ageing community and fostering connections through shared memories.

Autumn Harvest Festival & Citrus Grove
The St Helens Neighbourhood House will host a free festival for all community members with the aim of increasing community connections.

Bring Ya Neighbour
Triabunna’s Tivoli Theatre plans a family-friendly film night to unite neighbours. The event will be inclusive, with transport provided, healthy snacks, and free admission.

Supper for Our Choir Family
The One Voice Break O’Day Choir will continue providing nutritious supper for the choir, fostering connections among its diverse members.

Mary & The Elephant Film Night Take 2
The film night will return to St Marys, promoting community engagement and local businesses.

Here We Are POP UP Café
Bicheno Community Health Group plans a pop-up cafe to combat social isolation, offering brunch and community connections.

Celebrate Neighbour Day with Music & High Tea
Friends of Buckland Church aim to unite the community with music, afternoon tea, and transport for isolated residents.

St Helens Community Open Day
The St Helens Marine Rescue Association will host a community open day, aiming to educate residents about maritime safety and encourage community connections.

 

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Statewide

Long Lunch – Foster Carers and Volunteers
RSPCA Tasmania plans to thank foster carers and volunteers with a long lunch, promoting social connections and appreciation.

Outreach & Communication Opportunities for Retired Police
The Retired Police Association of Tasmania will host a barbeque aimed at strengthening connections within the RPAT community.

Special Note: Dr Michael Kelly, CEO of Relationships Australia Tasmania will be available for media interview

-ends here-

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Media Contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732

About Relationships Australia Tasmania

At Relationships Australia Tasmania we provide families, couples, individuals, older people, children and communities with tools and strategies, so that they have healthy, positive lives. We help more than 8000 Tasmanians every year to transform and change their lives through counselling, mediation, dispute resolution, support and training.

Our focus is on:

• healthy relationships, conflict resolution, parenting, cultural issues and mental health
• We offer people the services and support they need, when they need it to assist them when life presents challenges.
• Services are available to all people regardless of cultural background, family structure, economic situation, religious beliefs, gender or sexual orientation.

More information about the services and support we offer can be found on our website www.tas.relationships.com.au