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This article was published on Friday, 21 March, 2014. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Celebrate Neighbour Day

Act-Belong-Commit is about encouraging people to stay mentally healthy through three easy steps: There are three distinct campaign messages:

The ‘Act’ component of the campaign encourages people to be physically, socially and mentally active.

The ‘Belong’ component encourages people to join a group such as a book club, walking group, sporting club and the list goes on.

The ‘Commit’ component encourages people, once they have joined a group to take on a role within the group like secretary, president etc.

Neighbour Day is on the 30^th March and it is about encouraging people to get to know their neighbours and the Act-Belong-Commit campaign messages are in line with the concept behind Neighbour Day.

Mayor Jenny Houlihan would like to congratulate the following residents who have won the Greater Shepparton City Council $100 BBQ pack to assist celebrating Neighbour Day next Sunday Julia Barnes, Lynda Harcoan, Judy Matthews, Tegan Johnson and the Dhurringile community.

Mayor Jenny Houlihan said “This is the perfect excuse to get together with neighbours for a picnic and a game of cricket or hold a street barbeque. You can get to know those who you have never spoken to before or just say ‘thanks for being a great neighbour’ to those you already know”.

“Bringing neighbours together fosters a sense of community, breaking down barriers to loneliness and isolation. Knowing those who live around you creates a sense of community, making people feel safer, friendly and resilient”.“Creating a mentally healthy community is important and it is, as simple as walking next door and offering to fix the neighbour’s sprinklers or taking their bin out whilst on holidays, or having a casual chat over the fence, you can even suggest going for a walk down to the local park. It all starts with a little thoughtfulness!” said Mayor Jenny Houlihan.

Murchison Neighbourhood House is celebrating neighbour Day by inviting residents of Impey Street to come together for an afternoon tea on March 30.

To be held at 2:30pm in the Wybalena Community Room in Impey Street, Murchison, it is a chance to celebrate the diversity of Impey Street - a blend of service providers and residential homes.

"It is a great idea to get to know people a bit better. As someone who works in Impey Street, I might say g'day or wave to some, but this will be a chance to get to know people a bit better over a cuppa" said Neighbourhood House Co-ordinator Jenny Lister.

"I hope by reading this, others will get inspired to come together on March 30. I am happy to lend support to those organising an event, and would encourage interested people to go to the Neighbour Day website, http://www.neighbourday.org/

"South Shepparton Community Centre will celebrate a little earlier on Friday 28^th March from 4pm-6pm at ‘Party in the Park’ in Lions Park, South Shepparton.The South Shepparton Community Centre will have BBQ, stalls, face painting, petting zoo and ‘Sing Australia’ for entertainment.

For more information about the Act-Belong-Commit campaign contact: Jessica Orr, GV Health on 58323727.

For more information about what you can do for Neighbour Day contact: Amy Jones, Greater Shepparton City Council on 5832 9700