Sixty-five point six per cent of Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) residents visit their neighbour, topping the State average of 62.3 per cent.

The result comes from a NSW Health survey released yesterday that asked 861 people in GWAHS, “How often have you visited someone in your neighbourhood in the last week?”

Yesterday was Australia’s sixth annual Neighbour Day and the Stevens and the Ryans came together, as they often do, to demonstrate how important it is to look out for your neighbour.

Neighbour Day was inspired by the tragedy of an elderly woman who was found dead in her suburban Melbourne home in 2003 - she had been forgotten for two years.

Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre manager Kathy Hanchard believes the philosophy behind Neighbour Day is always useful.

“It’s nice to know that if you were in an emergency your could call on your neighbour,” Ms Hanchard said.

“We are not saying that you should be in each others pockets, but it’s important to keep in touch and say hello once in a while,” she said.

The NSW Health survey showed the 65 to 74 years age bracket had the greatest percentage of neighbour-visitors in both GWAHS and NSW.

Neighbour Day involved four easy steps that can be carried out any time;

n Say “g’day” to your neighbours;

n Make a special effort to introduce yourself to older residents in your street and anyone who lives alone;

n Leave your mobile and home telephone numbers for their use in an emergency; and

n Agree to keep in contact.

For more information on Neighbour Day visit

www.neighbourday.org