Neighbours every day

Whether they have lived in the neighbourhood for 10 years or two, a group of Believe Housing Australia tenants are proving that you do not need to wait for Neighbour Day to be neighbourly.

The neighbours, who live in an over-55s Believe Housing Australia complex, stay connected in their own way, whether it is catching up for a cuppa or heading out on an outing.

“We are here for each other,” Maureen said.

“Whoever wants to have a coffee can come over and we will sit out the front together.”

“In the past, we have had parties for birthdays, Christmas Eves, and New Year’s Eve. We also carpooled to Believe Housing Australia’s Christmas event last year.”

Making people feel welcome in the complex extends far beyond just those who live there – grandchildren and children of neighbours, past and present, are also included.

“One of our neighbours has passed, but we still see her sons and they come around for cups of tea and coffee,” Maureen said.

They have even found a way to include their dogs in the neighbourly love.

The group said they have a dog groomer who visits every eight weeks, and they all meet in the middle of the complex with their dogs.

Acts of kindness that seemed small or inconsequential to the group of neighbours, like taking in each other’s bins, checking in on someone, or sharing takeaway food, had quietly become ingrained in building community connection.

Jayne has been living in the complex for more than three years and said her neighbours had made her feel welcome and included.

“I have settled in well and have become part of the complex,” she said.

“It was the best choice I made – I love living here and I feel safe.”

As Neighbour Day, Australia’s annual celebration of community, approaches for 2026, Maureen said what made a good neighbour was thinking of others.

“We help each other and make sure we are okay,” she said.

“You have got to be kind to each other.”