Acknowledging the neighbour - the first step to building community

Jesus asked “Which of these do you think was a neighbour?"

He was telling the story of The Good Samaritan.

This story has an in-built capacity to shock.

It has the ability to ask of ourselves "What about me? What am I doing?"

We need to know what it means to be a neighbour

and to whom we should and must be a neighbour

before we consciously begin to build community.

Community can be an anywhere, anyhow sort of thing -

but it is always inclusive, open-handed, and open-hearted.

It can be built on little, unnoticeable things.

It can be built on major interventions and inputs.

To me this poster encompasses the actions involved

in neighbourliness and community building.

If you are not on the journey to community formation yet,

please make a start to-day.

Creswick Neighbourhood Centre shared Give a Shit about Nature'sphoto.

Neighbour, neighbour - let's share the 'hood

Call out for The Neighbour Project (Melbourne Sharehooders only) Could your neighbourhood do with a community composting hub? What about curb-side edible street gardens? A car-pool or car-share system? An organic food co-op? Or maybe a baby-sitting co-op? Or have you got another idea in mind? The Sharehood is trying something new this year, and we hope you'll join us. We're keen to put our experienced community facilitators to work by helping one neighbourhood somewhere, anywhere, in Melbourne to make their dreams come true*. Sharehood participants can nominate their own neighbourhood as the location for The Sharehood’s exciting and innovative Neighbour Project by following the link below. What we'll do The Sharehood will facilitate fun and creative community conversations to help residents in your neighbourhood identify what could be done together to make your neighbourhood a happier, healthier and more sustainable place to live. And then we'll work together to get the project rolling. Simple, really. What you'll do To make this project work, we need a pledge from at least one (but the more the better) enthusiastic resident to do a letterbox drop so we can connect with other residents in the neighbourhood. We do also hope you’ll remain engaged and active throughout the project. If you're interested in having The Sharehood come to you, click on this link beforeMarch 10 and write some short answers to some short questions to paint us a picture of your neighbourhood. The location of The Neighbour Project will be announced on March 15. If you have any questions, feel free to email contact@thesharehood.org or phone Asha on 0468 794 235. *within reason

Wyndham Interfaith Network : Know your neighbours community information sessions

The Wyndham Interfaith Network
In partnership with Wyndham City and
Wyndham Community and Education Inc presents…

Know your Neighbours Community Information Sessions 2012

Africa - Democratic Republic of Congo

Thursday 6 September, 7.00 pm to 9.00pm

Council Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee

Toi Haka Iwi Maori Community

Thursday 27 September, 7.00 pm to 9.00pm

Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi!

Council Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee

Polynesian and Pacific Islander Community

Thursday 18 October, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Council Civic Centre, 45 Princes Highway, Werribee

Africa - Sierra Leone Thursday 1st November, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Wayaperri House, 106 Duncans Rd, Werribee

All are welcome

For more details contact David Lukudu on 9742 8124, 
or e-mail 

David.lukudu@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Wyndham Interfaith Network
Social Development

National Neighbour Day - drop on by and say g'day

Next Sunday is Neighbour Day here in Australia.  A great time to say g'day and build community right on your doorstep.  In Ballarat, there are events planned:

The City of Ballarat is inviting residents to support National Neighbour Day either by participating in organised activities being held at local community/neighbourhood houses or putting on their very own neighbourhood party.

National Neighbour Day, Sunday 25 March, is a day for all Australians to celebrate community connectedness. This initiative aims is to raise awareness of the issues of isolation, security and the benefits of having connections within our communities.

National Neighbour Day offers a unique opportunity for the people of Ballarat to do something with their neighbours; simply say g'day, invite them over for a cup of tea, host a BBQ, chat over the fence or organise a street party.

Council supports National Neighbour Day each year and is once again encouraging the simple concept of neighbourliness by asking local residents to play their part in creating a safe, healthy and happy Ballarat community.

Organised events to support National Neighbour Day, 2012 include;

Wendouree West Community House:12-14 Violet Grove, Wendouree

Monday 19 March, 1 - 2.30pm. Scone baking demonstration at 1pm and preserving demonstration at 1.30pm. Drop in for a cup of tea and chat. For more information contact 5339 5069

Ballarat North Community House:  6 Crompton Street, Ballarat

Thursday 22 March, 10 - 11.30am. Nearby residents are invited to join a "Neighbours around the Corner" morning tea. For more information contact 5329 1101

Ballarat East Community House:507 Eyre Street, Ballarat

Saturday 24 March, 10am - 1pm. Join members of your community and Miss Jane from Power FM, the CWA, Breaze Local Food Group and the Ballarat Permaculture Guild for a morning of fun. Activities include: Veggie Patch Blitz, Scones, Breaze Local Food demonstrations and a Winter Veggie Garden workshop. For more information contact 5331 4107

Delacombe Community House:102 Leawarra Crescent, Delacombe

Sunday 25 March,10am -12pm. Polystyrene box gardening competition. Grow locally, learn to recycle and meet your neighbours, $3 entry.  For more information contact 0407 360 214