Serving up neighbourly goodwill on the barbie

Six barbecues were held over a recent weekend in various streets throughout Narre Warren and Berwick and more than 160 residents have been catered for so far this year as part of the program that allows residents to apply to have a barbecue cooked in their street for free.
The City of Casey supplies the barbecue trailer, sausages, onions, bread, sauce and staff to cook the barbeque.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Shar Balmes said about 50 residents in her Narre Warren North street thoroughly enjoyed their barbeque at the weekend.
“We had such a good day. There was some neighbourly networking going on. It was very uplifting. I think it’s a wonderful initiative,” Cr Balmes said.
“I feel very confident knowing if my children needed anyone they could knock on the door of any one of these homes and I would feel comfortable.”
Cr Balmes said in her mother’s generation your neighbours were your friends and support network.
“Nowadays the majority of people might know their next door neighbours but nobody beyond that.”
She said it was important to know your neighbours in the event of an emergency.
Mayor Geoff Ablett said it was a great way for residents to meet for the first time or get to know their neighbours better over a free lunch.
Some of the residents had planned to organise a further Christmas catch up for their street as a result of meeting at a recent barbecue, Cr Ablett said.
To apply to have a barbeque see the council’s website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/bbq