Simone

I had mixed feelings about voluntary redundancies. Was an employee smart to accept a payout, or ‘deadwood’? And in accepting one, would a stigma follow me?

Some called me brave. But I’d had health issues — an MRI to eliminate dementia — and rationalised accepting a payout made sense. I’d lost the taste for work; I’d write. Like ‘The Alchemist’, the universe was leading me to my heart’s longings!

When the writing expectations joined forces with the shame, the paralysis arrived. I couldn’t write. I struggled to do anything.

Of course, no one could know. So, I’d head off to my cafe, like I had it together, swapping lazy adjectives for nouns with grunt, wrestling with voices saying I didn’t deserve to spend my fixed income on an editor because my writing was crap. I was in a bind. I couldn’t will myself forward, and I couldn’t go back.

I stood perfectly still, taking shallow gasps.
Without work, this world was lonely, surrounded by neighbours I’d ignored. Easier to rush, head down, from driveway to door.

The thing gladdening my heart was my succulents, forcing me to use my hands, choosing design, colour, pattern. I did with my succulents what I couldn’t with my writing, longing to display it. After all those COVID years out back, something drew me towards the front garden. 

I followed my nose, joining my local ‘buy nothing’ group, collecting pots, demanding cuttings, dragging a table out front.

And one day, I decided to invite my neighbours over.
The entry price? Succulent cuttings!

I talked myself into adding my mobile number to the invites, brushing off the neighbours’ texts: ‘Sorry, busy’. I breathed deep, baked a cake and dressed the table. Even if just me, it’d be worth it.

But I was never so relieved as when the first of seven households arrived, in our street of twenty.
Tibetan nun Pema Chodron writes that ‘hot’ loneliness keeps to itself, feeling shame, wanting no one else to see your insides, while ‘cool’ loneliness accepts what is, creating space for other lonely souls to enter.

There is no shame in ‘cool loneliness’. Only the hope that a loneliness warrior following their nose might, in the next breath, encounter another lonely warrior.

And guess what? The nation’s capital, Canberra — my home — records the highest levels of loneliness in Australia.   Breathe deep, fellow loneliness warriors, for we have work to do.

Mel

I settled in St Marys, and felt right at home,
The neighbours are so friendly, I never felt alone.
After a short time here, I was invited over for dinner,
A cup of coffee, some good chats- I was a winner.
Neighbours brought me gifts to help me when starting out,
Some household things and food. Kindness, without a doubt.
It’s a place where people truly care,
You don’t feel like a stranger, there’s always a friendly smile being shared.
The suburb’s alive, full of nature’s splendour,
Butterflies flit around, so pretty and tender.
Everything feels easy, the pace is so kind,
I’m grateful for this place, what a gem to find!
St Marys, you’ve wrapped me up in your arms,
A fresh new start, full of warmth and calm.

Trudi

Jose Quatro was a soldier defending his own country of Italy, when he was captured by the enemy. After being processed he was sent 16,000 kms to Tasmania, Australia, far from his mother and country, he was 21 years old.  He joined hundreds of other young men facing the same fate, prisoners of war.

Sent to farms to work, the enemy’s instructions were clear. These young men were to work for, and be fed by the farmer, and housed outside of the family’s home. This was how Jose, and many others were to live for the next 2 years.

But Jose would not have to work hard or sleep in outbuildings. He lived as one of the family, ate with them at the dining table, and slept in their house, like a guest, not a prisoner. The farmer and his wife had a son, Bobby, who was 6 years old the year Jose joined their family.

The extended family welcomed him and kept him happy, healthy and safe. Family photos were taken during that time including all the family from the district with Jose as one of them.

When World War 2 ended, Jose had to leave. For seven decades Bobby recalled how Jose was so happy, but he was so sad to lose his beloved Italian brother. He told his 3 children the story regularly, of how he had a brother from Italy for 2 years. More often than not he would cry when he spoke so fondly of his treasured memories at Golden Valley and Jackey’s Marsh hunting and farming with his mother and father, and Jose. He often said he hoped he had made it home to his country and found a beautiful woman to marry.

Seventy years passed; lives were lived. The farmer couple had died, along with their parents and siblings. Facebook had been invented and penetrating information around the world at the touch of a screen. A message was sent to an Italian Prisoners of War Facebook page in Tasmania from Jose’s family in Lecce. They were looking for the Dixon family of Golden Valley.

Jose had died and had asked his family to find his Australian family to thank them for their kindness. Bobby died the following year knowing for sure that Jose had got home to Italy safely, married and had a family that were happy and grateful.

Bobby was my father.

Edna

"Our Little Library"

As a prolific reader and an advocate of lifelong learning I successfully negotiated with my Councillor for the installation of a Little Street Library in our local parkland. The premise for these facilities is to "borrow a book and donate a book".

The Councillor was onboard and approached the local Men's Shed who constructed and carried out the installation by mounting it to the wall of the amenities block in the park. This block had been painted by another local volunteer with a whimsical backdrop featuring books.

This facility has been embraced by the neighbourhood. People of all ages borrow and donate novels, children's books, and magazines. Young mothers often sit with a borrowed book on the nearby bench seat whilst their children enjoy the playground equipment. Older folk have taken ownership of the Little Library and visited on a regular basis in order to tidy, and the children are always excited to find something new to read, particularly over the school holidays. Real Estate agents are even using photos of our Little Library in the Park on their propaganda material to attract sales!

In the early days it was necessary for me to visit the Little Library on a twice weekly basis to ensure all was running smoothly. My constant attention is no longer required as the community has taken over the responsibility of maintaining its upkeep with a regular supply of new reading materials. It has provided a common interest, and our Little Library is an asset to our neighbourhood.

Residents and staff of Whiddon’s Residential Care homes across NSW
Families and friends of our residents. Local community volunteers and high school students in some regions.

"Floral Frenzy"

In Oct – Nov 2024 Whiddon set an 8-week springtime gardening challenge to their residential care homes. With an aim to brighten up and reinvigorate a bland area in their gardens but also to bring people together. 

Floral Frenzy was launched! 17 out of 22 homes participated in the competition and the level of engagement was amazing. The challenge brought out the competitive nature in the residents (and the staff!) and we had high levels of participation, even from some people who don’t often leave their rooms!

The homes were surprised with additional support from families, volunteers and local high school students to help with the digging and heavy items. The residents had multiple trips to garden centres, craft sessions to add sparkle and pizzaz to their designs, as well as gardening. The resident’s cooking club joined in by providing refreshments – it was an all of home effort.

We had an overall winner- Whiddon Mudgee along with 4 regional winners, judging was a tough job. We were overwhelmed by the level of community engagement and resident participation and for many homes the gardening club has continued. We plan to run this again this year to bring our teams back for a return challenge!

This competition brought our residents, employees, families and volunteers together as well as connecting our homes across rural, regional and metropolitan NSW and QLD as they shared their gardening story. It also increased our residents’ sense of belonging and being a part of their team, giving them ownership of their home.

View the video here.

The Historic Leyburn Sprints Committee

During the 2020 COVID 19 Pandemic, so many people were impacted by illness, isolation and social disruptions.

Moving to the small rural town of Leyburn at the end of 2020, I became a part of something special where social isolation did not seem to exist. I joined a volunteer committee. The Historic Leyburn Sprints Inc. and soon realised it was something special.

Not just an ordinary committee dedicated to their annual motor racing event, rather dedicated to their community and the people residing in it. Each year the Historic Leyburn Sprints Inc holds free community events, to bring people together, nurture community spirit and create a space of friendship, collaboration and respect.

In March, a free neighbourhood event is held, with an invitation extending to all members of the Leyburn community and beyond. In 2023 the neighbourhood event was a BBQ lunch in the local free campgrounds, it extended to campers passing through the town, making them feel included in the community if only for a brief moment.

In 2024 the neighbourhood day (Neighbour Day) was an Easter brunch and egg hunt at the local RSL sub branch bringing together children, families, seniors and other community groups and volunteers. In 2024 the Historic Leyburn Sprints Inc collaborated with the Leyburn and District Progress Association and the Leyburn Rural Fire Brigade to hold a community Christmas party.

The event was free for the Leyburn township and surrounding communities and included a sausage sizzle, gifts for the children, Santa arriving on a fire truck and Karaoke for all to enjoy singing along to Christmas carols. It is magical how a group of 10 volunteers can have such a profound effect on community connection, support and inclusion.

Pasadena and St Marys Action Group

"It started with cups of tea"

A Poem to celebrate Neighbours In St Marys and Surrounds and the Pasadena and St Marys Action Group

We should get together
Maybe we could write a letter
Invite the neighbours
Then brew some tea
We will make it very friendly
The tea was drunk
We made connections
And every month
There's much affection
Later on
We wanted action
Greener streets
And got some traction
So then we planted
Grew some plants
Established gardens
Opened hearts
Now we stop to meet for fun
To drink more tea
And get stuff done
Ideas are welcome
And all together
We've made our community
So much better!

Mehrad, Mansoor, Naser and Basira

"Building an Intercultural Community: Neighbour Day, End of Ramadan and Eid Festival 2024"

Last year, my family organised a Neighbour Day in our home to build connections and foster intercultural discussions. The event was inspired by my late father's wisdom, who always emphasised that 40 houses around you—10 in each direction—are your true neighbours.

In preparation, my sons Mehrad (7) and Mansoor (12), and I, Naser crafted invitations and posted them to the 40 neighbours in our area two weeks in advance. We also engaged with our neighbours directly, and our children discussed the event with their peers. Basira, my wife, prepared the food and decorated the house. Out of 15 confirmations, seven families attended, each bringing a dish from their culture.

Mehrad began the day by reading the Acknowledgement of Country, and I spoke briefly about Neighbour Day in my culture and its history in Australia and the importance of building a supportive community.  I talked also about Ramazan and Eid Festival. As an author of 10 children's books, Mehrad also set up a table where neighbours could read his works.

The culinary variety was a highlight, featuring dishes from Scotland, India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. Each food had its own color and taste, and each person explained how they cooked their dish. This diversity set the stage for rich intercultural conversations. We introduced ourselves, discussed local issues, and brainstormed ideas to continue this initiative annually.

We all agreed to hold the event in an open space next year, inviting more people to promote neighbourhood values and strengthen relationships, ultimately contributing to a better, intercultural Australia. I shared this idea with other parents in the playground and created a WhatsApp group to coordinate this year's event at Casey Field Playground and to co-design the program for the day.

Mehrad and Mansoor have already rallied other children to form a group for performing the national anthem of Australia and to decide what they want to do on the day. We'll soon organise a meeting to finalise the details and ensure that this year's event is even more inclusive and impactful.

Our Neighbour Day initiative exemplifies how genuine connection, inclusivity, and respect for everyone's unique contributions can foster a strong sense of belonging within a community. We will work with others to develop a flyer which we will use top promote the event widely in our community.