Grateful Neighbour Day connections
Samantha Pretorius is one of those special people you’d love to have as your neighbour.
The fitness coach is among many throughout the City of Logan making a difference to others in their everyday lives, with an ideal story to share for Neighbour Day on 30 March – an annual day of action about building community connections to help everyone feel like they belong.
Samantha’s neighbourly contribution this year of leading fitness sessions 3 times a week for her community members is not only encouraging the well-being of others, but enhancing Samantha’s enjoyment of calling Greenbank’s Covella estate her home.
‘The sense of community here is truly special – neighbours are friendly and welcoming, and there’s a real connection among residents,’ Samantha says.
‘When I drive into our entrance after being out or away, I get the feeling of coming home – there is just a very real sense of community for me.
‘We look out for each other and that is what makes me the happiest.’
Samantha draws on her expert skills as a personal trainer to lead the fitness program for her neighbours in the estate’s park around the corner from her street, which features an open-air gym.
She even had a recent end-of-year celebration session with acai bowls, ice baths and yoga.
Above: A Covella fitness session bringing people together.
‘Running the Covella fitness sessions has been an incredible journey for me as a personal trainer,’ Samantha says. ‘I feel so grateful to be part of something that brings people together.
‘It’s not just about the fitness – it’s about the sense of community we’ve built together. I’ve made so many friends along the way.’
Neighbour Day is part of Relationships Australia’s Neighbours Every Day campaign to encourage people to increase social connections in their local area – not just on the appointed day of 30 March, but all year round.
Many Neighbour Day events across the City of Logan are organised, including at Samantha’s estate.
Covella will be celebrating Neighbour Day this year with its fifth annual Long Table Dinner, hosted in Heartland Central Park, with an aim to bring neighbours together to foster new friendships and enjoy an evening of catered food and live entertainment.
There is a list of other community events on Logan City Council’s Neighbours of Logan website page in the Neighbour Day section, such as a Community Games Morning at Loganlea Community Centre on 3 April, and Fireside Stories and Dinner at Jimboomba Community Garden on 5 April.
Recognised as a ‘Very Neighbourly Organisation’, Logan City Council also has website information about the benefits of knowing your neighbours, and many tips to help neighbours get to know each other better.
For Neighbour Day events near you visit Neighbour Day – Logan City Council.
Photo at top: Covella estate residents have become good neighbours and improved their fitness with trainer Samantha Pretorius, in the front row on the left.