Shellharbour City Council is encouraging residents to celebrate their neighbourhoods and the people that make them great by nominating a person or street for the 21st Annual Good Neighbour Awards.

The awards will be held in conjunction with National Neighbour Day on Sunday 27 March. Neighbour Day has been connecting communities for 21 years.

Neighbour Day aims to increase positive and sustainable social connections between people and communities throughout Australia and helps to address loneliness across our country and communities, one relationship at a time.

Shellharbour City Council is proud to be recognised as a “very neighbourly organisation” by the Neighbour Day Organisation. Council holds the annual Good Neighbour Awards to recognise and celebrate the community members who reach out, support and help care for the people in their neighbourhoods.

Children can also get involved by entering in the drawing competition, which will be displayed during the awards in May.

Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer said the awards were a great way to recognise and thank those in the community who show kindness, efforts and willingness to lend a hand.

“Social isolation and loneliness has increased throughout the pandemic and Neighbour Day reminds us to reach out and connect with our community and the great people in our neighbourhoods,” Mayor Homer said.

“Building connections between residents within neighbourhoods is important. It strengthens communities, allows us to feel safe and connected and provides comfort.

“Even the simple things are appreciated, such as checking in and having a chat, taking out the bins, looking after pets. The support that good neighbours can provide is priceless,” he said.

Nominations and drawing entries for this year’s awards close 4.30pm on 1 May 2022. Winners will be announced at the Good Neighbour Awards event.

Nomination forms are available at Shellharbour Civic Centre or online at https://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/living-here/good-neighbour-awards

For more information about Neighbour Day visit: neighbourday.org/

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.