She had been dead in her home for two years before she was discovered. She had been forgotten by her neighbours, friends and family.
The first Neighbour Day was born out of a letter to the editor the ABC broadcaster, community activist and social commentator had printed in ifThe Melbourne Agenf.
The first was held on Sunday, March 30 that year.
Since 2003, Neighbour Day has progressed from a reminder to connect with elderly neighbours to an annual celebration of strong communities and friendly streets.
Neighbour Day has since been endorsed by the Prime Minister, state Premiers, Lord Mayors and local government ministers, and in 2008 Mr Heslop spoke at the United Nations in New York about the development of Australia’s annual celebration of community.
This week he’ll give a similar presentation to the Murray River community, as its Australia Day ambassador.
Mr Heslop will be the special guest at the Moulamein community breakfast, which will be held at the The Triangle from 8am.
There will be a community breakfast, presentations and a flag raising ceremony.
Other Murray River Council celebrations are as follows:
● Moama – Kerrabee Soundshell, 7.30am breakfast and presentations.
● Mathoura – Soldier’s Memorial Park, 8am breakfast and presentations.
● Barham – Riverside Park, 7am breakfast, 8am ceremony.
● Wakool – Wakool Hall, 10am breakfast and ceremony.
● Tooleybuc – Mensforth Park, 7.30am breakfast and ceremony.
The 2022 Australia Day award recipients, announced last week, will be presented with their awards at the ceremonies in their home towns.
Seven individuals and groups have been honoured for their contribution to the local community:
● Citizen of the Year – Kevin Barnes of Caldwell.
● Young Citizen of the Year – Dottie Wilson of Mathoura.
● Young Sportsperson of the Year – Ryan Domaille of Tooleybuc.
● Sportsperson of the Year – Heath Moloney of Moulamein.
● Community Event of the Year – Echuca Moama Apex Club for the Sunday Session at Kerrabee Soundshell.
● Community Group of the Year – Moulamein Community Development Inc.
● Arts and Culture Award – The ACRE Project.
