Being Neighbourly
Neighbour Day
The annual day of action for Neighbours Every Day is called Neighbour Day – celebrated on the last Sunday in March.
Relationships Australia has been leading Neighbour Day, Australia’s annual celebration of community, for over 20 years. The day encourages people to connect with those who live in their neighbourhood with the aim of fostering strong personal connections that last the whole year round.
There are many ways to participate in Neighbour Day – whether big or small! Every little gesture contributes to building respectful relationships, sustainable connections and helps reduce loneliness in our community.
Previous Neighbour Days
Neighbour Day 2023
The theme for Neighbour Day 2023 was Create Belonging.
Congratulations to the following winners:
- Harry from Aitkenvale
- Alanna from Annandale
- Anat from Annandale
- Ruth from Bohle Plains
- Nicole from Burdell
- Tony from Bushland Beach
- Giina from Cranbrook
- Meibao from Cranbrook
- Deb from Douglas
- Robert from Heatley
- Sebastian from Horseshoe Bay
- Arabella from Jensen
- Cassandra from Kelso
- Dorelle from Kelso
- Karen from Kirwan
- Laura from Kirwan
- Heather from Mount Louisa
- Holly from Mount Low
- Merilyn from Oak Valley
- Leanne from Pallarenda
- Roy from Pallarenda
- Catherine from Townsville City
- Lucia from West End
- Maryanne from Wulguru
Neighbour Day 2022
The theme for Neighbour Day 2022 was Connecting Communities.
Congratulations to the following winners:
- Harry from Aitkenvale
- Beth from Alice River
- Arthur from Annandale
- Teresa from Annandale
- Josie from Belgian Gardens
- Jacob from Burdell
- Ricky from Burdell
- Christine from Condon
- Kerrie-Anne from Deeragun
- Carol from Hyde Park
- Debbie from Kelso
- Linda from Kirwan
- Mel from Mount Louisa
- Chris from Mundingburra
- Merilyn from Oak Valley
- Michelle from Pallarenda
- Hilary from Pimlico
- Celeste from Thuringowa Central
- Clair from Wulguru
How to be a Good Neighbour
Learn the art of building great relationships with those living near you. It only takes a few simple steps to ensure that we are considerate towards our neighbours. In turn, you may be surprised by your neighbours’ appreciation for your kindness!
A great neighbourhood is one that is caring, cohesive, safe, and welcoming. It is also where neighbours are proud of their street and take ownership of the neighbourhood they live in.
Having good neighbours can make a big difference to our lives, and goes a long way to creating a happy, healthy and peaceful environment for all. If we all play our part, we can build lasting friendships and strong communities in our neighbourhoods.
Let’s be neighbourly Townsville, as a stronger, safer community starts in our own backyard!
Here are some hints on how to be a good neighbour:
Get to Know your Neighbours
Some tips to help you get to know your neighbours:
- Introduce yourself to your neighbours
- Invite your neighbour to a barbecue or morning tea
- Make an effort to familiarise yourself with your neighbour's lifestyle, such as their hours of work or whether they are out of town a lot for work.
Make a Difference in Your Community
You can make a positive difference in your community:
- Be kind – think of others, consider your actions, show compassion
- Reach out – call your neighbours and loved ones
- Show support – especially to the elderly, vulnerable and isolated
- Share information – make sure it’s from credible sources
Check In on Your Neighbours
Want to check in on your neighbour and don’t know how?
Townsville City Council has created a postcard that you can fill out and place in your neighbours letterbox. You might be thinking about how you can help your immediate next door neighbour, an elderly resident that lives across the road or the single parent family that lives on the corner – this is how you can reach out.
Download your free postcard below (you could even print a few out for your workplace):
- Pink G'Day Neighbour Postcard (PDF, 54.2 KB)
- Yellow G'Day Neighbour Postcard (PDF, 53.0 KB)
Help your Neighbours
Some tips on how to help your neighbours:
- try to assist your neighbour/s, especially the elderly, with anything they might struggle with, such as bringing in their bin on rubbish day, or collecting their newspaper for them
- help your neighbours out with dog walking or collect their mail when they go away
- keep an eye on your neighbour's property when they are out of town.
Be Considerate of your Neighbours
Some tips on how you can be considerate of your neighbours:
- consider your neighbours when you play loud music, operate power tools or complete renovations on your property
- be responsible for visitors to your property
- ensure you adhere to local noise and environmental pollution laws.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Some tips on how to be a responsible pet owner:
- consider others when leaving your pet at home for long periods of time
- ensure your pets are securely locked in your yard when you are not at home
- register your pets with Council.
For more information visit Be a Responsible Pet Owner page.
Maintain your Home
Some tips on how to be neighbourly in your home maintenance:
- keep your garden tidy and ensure trees on the fence line are kept trimmed away from neighbouring properties
- if you have a pool, keep it clean and ensure fencing meets government guidelines.
Participate in your Community
Some tips on how you can participate in your community:
- host a Neighbours Party in your street as a way of getting to know your neighbours
- get together with your neighbours and prepare your street for the disaster season
- hold a combined garage sale to get rid of excess clutter in your street - why not sign up for the Garage Sale Trail?
Managing Neighbour Disputes
The Dispute Resolution Branch was established by the Queensland Government to provide a free, confidential and impartial mediation service to the community.
The Dispute Resolution Centre provides an alternative way of settling disputes before they get to court. This means savings in time, legal fees and court costs, not just for the individuals involved, but for the whole community.
The Dispute Resolution Centre provides free mediation services available to everyone in the community, to assist in a range of disputes, including conflict between neighbours involving issues such as trees, noise, boundaries and children.
Contact the North Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre:
- Phone: (07) 4417 8141
- Fax: (07) 4417 8137
- Regional area toll free phone: 1800 809 605
- Email: drc.nq@justice.qld.gov.au
