Due to the high demand for space, the Our Community calendar is used only for nationally significant events. Submissions for the calendar should be sent to service@ourcommunity.com.au.
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617 community events listed
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Australia
Parkinson's Australia is the national peak body and charity representing more than 80,000 Australians living with Parkinson's. Parkinson' Australia advocates for the Parkinson's community, promotes best practice models of service delivery, works to increase awareness of Parkinson's and provides information and education on Parkinson's symptoms, diagnosis, causes and treatments.
VIC
02 6180 2817
Unit 8, 2 Phippes Close
DEAKIN ACT 2600
DEAKIN ACT 2600
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) originated in the USA in the 1980s as a week-long awareness raising event. SAAM is now an internationally recognised campaign held every April.
International
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Greyhounds are very gentle dogs, but unfortunately the racing industry breeds far too many every year. They are exploited and mistreated by the racing industry which only has use for them while they run profitably.
If the greyhound is not profitable it is most likely killed. It is a sad fact that only a fraction of the approximately 20,000 greyhounds bred each year is alive to be re-homed.
Greyhounds need little exercise and generally spend about 18 hours a day sleeping, making them very suitable for people little in apartments.
Greyhounds need little exercise and generally spend about 18 hours a day sleeping, making them very suitable for people little in apartments.
International
Leo Club Awareness Month
April is Leo Club Awareness Month - an opportunity for Leos and Lions to raise awareness about the importance of engaging young people in the community through the Leo Club Program.
Adenomyosis Awareness Month
QENDO
April is #AdenomyosisAwarenessMonth. Adenomyosis is a disease of the uterus, and it can cause debilitating pain and severe menstrual bleeding for some women. Help raise awareness of this debilitating disease, and minimally invasive treatment.
International
1800 367 96636
PO Box 336
STONES CORNER QLD 4120
STONES CORNER QLD 4120
White Shirt Day
Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
Ovarian cancer is an insidious disease, often known as a "silent-killer" as symptoms are vague and often strike without warning. By wearing a white shirt or t-shirt on this day you will be showing your support for women and their families impacted by ovarian cancer along with the OCRF's vital research.
National
World Health Day
United Nations
World Health Day is a commemoration of the founding of the World Health Organisation. It functions as an opportunity to focus on health issues that affect the international community.
International
Day of Rememberance of the Victims of the Rwanda Genocide
United Nations
This day commemorates the deaths of 800,000 people who were murdered during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, central Africa.
International
Run for the Kids
Herald Sun/CityLink
Herald Sun / CityLink Run for the Kids will see people run or walk set courses - all people participating in this event play a part in raising money for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
VIC
03 9292 2901
World Allergy Week
World Allergy Organisation
World Allergy Week aims to raise awareness of the impact of allergy in our communities. The Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia and ASCIA (as a member society of the WAO) are supporting this initiative in Australia and New Zealand through our new 'wear a spot of red' campaign. This campaign encourages our supporters to help raise awareness and funds to support research into allergy, by wearing a spot of red or holding an event in their home, school or workplace.
Meet Us On the Street: Anti-Street Harassment Week
Meet Us On the Street: International Anti-Street Harassment Week is an opportunity to collectively raise awareness that street harassment happens and that it's not okay.
Kidney Health Week
Kidney Health Australia
1 in 3 Australians is at increased risk of kidney disease. Kidney Health Week (encompassing World Kidney Day on 9 March) is a national, community campaign to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys, and to shine a light on prevention and early detection of kidney disease, which affects an estimated 1.7 million Australians - 90% of whom don't know they have it. Visit www.kidney.org.au for more information and to become involved.
National
VIC
Passover
Probably the best known Jewish holiday, Passover commemorates the story of the exodus, where the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery.
International
Riot Grrrl Day
April 9 is Riot Grrrl Day, in honor of Bikini Kill/The Julie Ruin/Le Tigre's Kathleen Hanna. Riot grrrl is an underground feminist hardcore punk movement that originally started in the early 1990s and served as an inspiration for a musical movement in which women could express themselves in the same way men had been doing for the past several years.
Good Friday Appeal
The Good Friday Appeal is a unique fundraising activity that brings together people from all parts of the community in a very special way. The common goal is to raise money for The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a religious holiday primarily observed by Christians commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
World Parkinson's Day
World Parkinson's Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition, while also raising funds to continue research into a possible cure. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. Twenty-five Australians are diagnosed every day, with approximately 80,000 Australians currently living with the condition.
International
International Day of Human Space Flight
United Nations
12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. The General Assembly expressed its deep conviction of the common interest of mankind in promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space, as the province of all mankind, for peaceful purposes and in continuing efforts to extend to all States the benefits derived there from.
International
Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion.
International
Undiagnosed Children's Awareness Day
Syndromes without a name (SWAN) Inc
According to current estimates, 1 in 20 children are born with a genetic disorder, yet we only hear about the most common syndromes, or the ones that receive the most funding or have the biggest lobby groups. Of those children who present to geneticists with syndromic features, 60% may not ever receive a diagnosis.
National
Wear Green for Premmies
L'il Aussie Prems Foundation
The 'Wear Green for Premmies' campaign is a day where thousands of people wear green to show their support of the 25,000 babies born prematurely in Australia each year. The day raises awareness of premature birth whilst highlighting the trials and hardships that families face after an early arrival.
Baisakhi - Sikh
The harvest festival of North India, the beginning of the solar year. For Sikhs, it represents the founding of the Khalsa, a Sikh brotherhood. Baisakhi always falls on 13th or 14th April and this is also the Hindu New Year for North India.
International
World Creativity & Innovation Week
Each year International Creativity and Innovation Week is a celebration of new ideas, imagination and anything that has made the world a better place.
International
National LSVRO Prevention Awaress Day
Georgina Josephine Foundation
The Foundation supports families directly affected by Low Speed Vehicle Run Over (LSVRO) incidents. The National LSVRO Prevention Awaress Day promotes the advocacy and educational work of the Georgina Josephina Foundation, and the support of families affected by LSVRO. Prevention is through simple measures - Supervise, Separate, See!
National
World Haemophilia Day
Haemophilia Foundation Australia
World Haemophilia day raises awareness of the inherited bleeding disorder.
Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD)
National Youth Coalition for Housing
Youth Homelessness Matters Day aims to raise awareness and public discussion about youth homelessness so that we can develop sustainable and innovative solutions for not only supporting the needs of homeless youth, but supporting the dreams of homeless youth.
Nature Play Week
Kids in Nature Network
Nature Play Week celebrates initiatives of all shapes and sizes that reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors.
The week is filled with over 40 Nature Play experiences for kids and their families facilitated by dozens of wonderful local organisations, parents and schools across Victoria, and beyond.
World Heritage Day
World Heritage Day is an opportunity to appreciate heritage monuments and sites for the international community. The day offers an opportunity to raise the public's awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as draw attention to its vulnerability.
International Mother Earth Day
United Nations
The proclamation of 22 April as International Mother Earth Day is an acknowledgement that the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance. It also recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.
Earth Day
Earth Day Network
Earth Day is a celebration of the environment we all share. It also acts as a day of conservation awareness.
World Book and Copyright Day
United Nations
Celebrated on a day when many great authors have died, including Shakespeare, World Book and Copyright Day is a world-wide tribute to books and authors. It also encourages people to discover or rediscover the pleasure of reading.
Ramadan - Islam
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
International
World YWCA Day
YWCA Victoria
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) celebrates women's leadership and acknowledge their own part in a global movement of women working for justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment.
World Malaria Day
United Nations
World Malaria Day - which was instituted by the World Health Assembly at its 60th session in May 2007 - is a day for recognizing the global effort to provide effective control of malaria. It is an opportunity:
International
World Penguin Day
A celebration of one of the world's most beloved creatures and a call to action for their conservation.
International
Anzac Day
ANZAC Day is more than a commemoration of the day ANZAC troops landed on the beach at Gallipoli in 1915, it is a day of remembrance for all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
World Intellectual Property Day
United Nations
World Intellectual Property Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact daily life. It also aims to increase understanding of how intellectual property protection helps promote creativity and innovation.
Pay it Forward Day
Based on a concept from a Catherine Ryan Hyde novel, Pay It Forward Day urges people around the world to commit random acts of kindness. It is a day to do good deeds, and instruct the recipient of your good deed to 'pay it forward', and return the good deed to another person.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
United Nations
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.
28 April has also for long been associated with the world's trade union movement's commemoration of the victims of occupational accidents and diseases.
Heart Week
Heart Foundation
Each year the Heart Foundation uses Heart Week as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the problem of heart disease and to help improve the heart health of all Australians.
National
International Guide Dog Day
Guide Dogs Victoria
International Guide Dog Day is a day to celebrate the important role that guide dogs play in helping the blind and vision impaired enjoy safe and independent travel.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
The Chase and Tyler Foundation
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is Australia's national awareness week dedicated to raising consumer awareness on gas and fuel-burning appliance safety and preventative methods people can use to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
With numerous stakeholders coming together for this year's CO Awareness Week, the message about the dangers of CO will again be heard again throughout Australia via a range of events, media and other distribution channels.
The Chase and Tyler Foundation is a not-for-profit charity that raises awareness on gas and fuel-burning appliance safety, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and energy poverty. We do this via education, awareness, advocacy, research and services.
National
International Jazz Day
United Nations
In November 2011, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed 30 April as "International Jazz Day". The Day is intended to raise awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people. Many governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens currently engaged in the promotion of jazz music will embrace the opportunity to foster greater appreciation not only for the music but also for the contribution it can make to building more inclusive societies.
International
Email Debt Forgiveness Day
It's easy to forget, to delay, to decide it takes too long to sit down and write down whole sentences of thought in our multi-platform, hyper-distracted culture. But Email Debt Forgiveness day is an awesome motivation to catch up on those emails you've meant to send or are anxiously avoiding.
Together, we can all make our inboxes less stressful for another year.
Kiss Goodbye to MS
MS Australia
Wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbe to MS.
Throughout May you can get involved in Kiss Goodbye to MS events and activities taking place across the country. By taking part you will be helping support people with MS through funding vital research into the cause, cure and better treatments for the disease. Our vision is to create a world free of MS.
Beltane
Beltane was a traditional Gaelic harvest festival, and was popularised as the 'Celtic new year.' It traditionally marked the beginning of summer.
International
National Youth Week
National Youth Week is an annual, weeklong celebration of young people (12 to 25) throughout Australia. National Youth Week encourages youths to share ideas, attend events, discuss youth issues, showcase their talents and even have a bit of fun.
IAIM One-in-Five Challenge
International Association of Infant Massage
One in Five... is the number of Australian two-year olds who have already developed identifiable, clinical and serious indicators of mental health difficulties. That's around 200,000 babies and young toddlers every year who are facing mental health issues, before even starting pre-school. The IAIM invite you to participate in the One-in-Five Challenge to help reduce this number, and to give all babies and children a better shot at life-long mental health.
65 Roses
Cystic Fibrosis Federation Australia
The National Cystic Fibrosis 65 Roses Campaign is hosted during the month of May. Each year the National Office in conjunction with its State and Territory associations host many awareness initiatives and fundraising events through May.
For the last couple of years we have encouraged people to participate in a challenge themed around the number 65. Supporters have embraced this concept with many wonderful ideas for challenges.
Crohns & Colitis Awareness Month
Crohn's and Colitis Australia (CCA)
Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month aims to bring attention to Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, which affects more than 5 million people.
Art for Epilepsy
Epilepsy Action Australia
Art for Epilepsy brings together the talented Australian artists in support of those impacted by epilepsy in an online auction. A broad range of artists take part to provide something to suit all tastes and budgets. Each work contains the colour purple, the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, and are auctioned off through our website. Grab yourself an original piece of art for a great cause!
National
Mercy May
Mercy Ships Australia
This May, join with Mercy Ships to help women in Africa by hosting a Mercy May event. Helping is easier than you think! Just get your friends together for a good time and raise money for a great cause in the process. There are so many ideas for the kind of Mercy May event you can hold. All you have to do is pick one.
Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month
The aim of Neurofibromatosis Month is to provide information to the community and to healthcare and educational professionals, so that they will better understand what Neurofibromatosis (NF) is. This will enable them to accept and provide support to those affected by NF.
Dine With Heart Month
Sacred Heart Mission
EAT GOOD. DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. Victoria's homelessness crisis now affects almost 23,000 people. Throughout May, participating restaurants, cafes and bars join will forces with diners to raise money to support Sacred Heart Mission's Meals Program, which provides hearty, free meals every day for up to 400 people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and social isolation.
National
Ehlers-Danlos Awareness Month
The Ehlers-Danlos Society
The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are a collection of thirteen multi-systemic, heritable disorders affecting connective tissue, the most abundant tissues in the body. With the exception of the hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, each type is a distinct entity defined by mutations in a single or small set of genes. Common features among the types include joint hypermobility, skin fragility, chronic pain, and fatigue. More severe types, such as Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can be life-threatening, as fragile blood vessels and internal organs can spontaneously rupture.
For more information, go to ehlers-danlos.com
International Respect for Chickens Month
United Poultry Concerns
May is International Respect for Chickens Month celebrating chickens and protesting the bleakness of their lives in farming operations.
International
Mindful in May
Mindful in May
Mindful in May brings the benefits of meditation together with an opportunity to help bring clean water to those living in the developing world. Your donation and fundraising will be used by Charity Water in its mission to solve the water crisis. When you register and donate, you'll receive a one-moth meditation program.
National
Miracle Month of May
Miracle Babies Foundation
To raise awareness and funds for premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.
National
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month
Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month is held during May each year to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities.
National
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Victoria
Prader-Willi syndrome is a lifelong condition and although lots of research is being carried out, to date there is no cure. There are no known reasons for the genetic accident that causes this condition, but we are learning more about PWS everyday, and there is hope. Hope that, through increased knowledge, we can help all people with this condition to live a fuller life despite their limitations.
Throughout May, we aim to raise awareness of Prader-Willi Syndrome to help boost the possibility of finding a cure.
International
0451 797 284
Supermarket Free Month
Go Supermarket Free this April to support local business, farmers and suppliers. Change your habits and buy local!
National
National Family Day Care Week
Family Day Care Australia
National Family Day Care Week offers a chance for the family day care sector to unite and celebrate the amazing work of educators and approved services in shaping the lives of more than 142,400 children around the country.
National
World Press Freedom Day
United Nations
World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to:
- celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
- assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
- defend the media from attacks on their independence;
- pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
International
Starlight Day
Starlight Children's Foundation
Since being formed as an Australian children's charity in 1988, the Starlight Children's Foundation has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families, throughout Australia.
On May 2, Starlight need your help to raise money for sick kids.
International Respect for Chickens Day
They are the closest living relative of the tyrannosaurus rex and they outnumber humans on this earth by more than 6 to 1. Yet for the 43 billion chickens on this planet, so few are ever seen. Described as inquisitive, intelligent, affectionate and fun loving, these creatures have their special day on May 4th, which is International Respect for Chickens Day!
International
International Star Wars Day
May 4 is called Star Wars Day because of the popularity of a common pun spoken on this day. Since the phrase "May the Force be with you" is a famous quote often spoken in the Star Wars films, fans commonly say "May the fourth be with you" on this day.
International
Play Outside Day
Australian Conservation Foundation
Many of us don't get out into nature much. We're too busy, plugged in to screens and rushing through our busy lives. But nature is crucial to our health and wellbeing - and to the health of our planet.
Nature is our life support system. It underpins our communities, our economy and our livelihoods. We all need clean air and healthy rivers, yet our politicians seem determined to exploit and damage the environment. But when nature is diminished, so are we.
That's why we're holding Play Outside Day. Let's reclaim nature and grow our connection with each other and the places we love!
National
Ride to Cure Diabetes
JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
The Ride to Cure Diabetes creates a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for type 1 diabetes.
Held in the Barossa Valley, Riders choose to challenge themselves on one of three professionally run courses of 35km, 80km or 160km. Some people come for the day while others stay for the weekend commemorating their great achievements with superb food and wine and fantastic accommodation.
SA
Live Below the Line
Oaktree Foundation
From 4-8 May, thousands of Australians will eat on $2 a day for five days. Feeding yourself on $2 a day is the equivalent of living below the extreme poverty line. It's a way to raise much-needed funds for Oaktree's overseas partners, as well as gain a unique insight into some of the challenges faced by those living in extreme poverty.
Sydney to Surfers
Rotary Club of Engadine
Sydney to Surfers Charity Ride - raising much needed funds for Father Chris Riley's Youth off the Streets.
National
World Asthma Day
National Asthma Council Australia
World Asthma Day (WAD) takes place each year on the first Tuesday in May. Initiated by the Global Initiative for Asthma in 1998, the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) embraces WAD and marks the occasion to highlight the need for ongoing care and vigilance in managing asthma.
International
Shine a Light on Road Safety
Road Trauma Support Services
Victorian drivers are being urged to turn on their headlights as a simple, free and highly visible gesture, to remember those impacted by road trauma and show their commitment to road safety.
VIC
International Composting Awareness Week
Centre for Organic & Resource Enterprises (CORE)
International Composting Awareness Week is a week of activities, events and publicity to improve awareness about the importance of this valuable organic resource and to promote compost use, knowledge and products.
International
International No Diet Day
Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria Inc.
International No Diet Day (INDD) celebrates body acceptance and diversity. It encourages everyone to have a healthy and balanced relationship with food, exercise and their body, no matter what size or shape they are.
International
Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week
Tourette Syndrome Association of Vic.
The aim of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Week is to spread knowledge of what Tourettes is, as well as ask for understanding and acceptance in the community and to undo the social stigma created by misinformation.
National
International Midwives Day
May 5 is the International Day of the Midwife. The aim of the day is to celebrate the importance of midwifery.
International
National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day
National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day is a day to remember those who have died and the ones left behind due to domestic and family violence.
National
International Tell Your Crush Day
International Tell Your Crush Day was hatched out of a simple and honest desire to see more people be open and honest about the world around them.
International
Vesak - Festival of Light
The Great Stupa Bendigo
Millions of Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day, an officially recognised United Nations (UN) holiday that celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
World Red Cross Day
Australian Red Cross
Celebrated on the day the Red Cross founder, Henry Dunant (1828-1910), was born World Red Cross Day celebrates the important work done by the staff and volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements.
International
National Amyloidosis Day
Adam Gardiner Fund Inc
National Amyloidosis Day intends to raise funds and awareness for Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which abnormal protein, known as amyloid fibrils, builds up in tissue.
International Thalassaemia Day
Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which inadequate or abnormal haemoglobin is produced. Patients with this condition suffer from anaemia amongst other complications due to inadequate red blood cells. International Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year to commemorate patients who are no longer with us as well as raise awareness of the condition to improve patient care and research.
International
03 9888 2211
333 Waverley Road
MT WAVERLEY VIC 3149
MT WAVERLEY VIC 3149
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War
United Nations
An international time to remember those all those who lost their lives during the Second World War, regardless of what side they fought on.
International
UN Global Road Safety Week
United Nations
Particularly targeted at young drivers, Road Safety Week aims to increase awareness of the dangers present on the roads.
International
Mothers Day Classic
National Breast Cancer Foundation
An annual tradition, the Mother's Day Classic fun run and walk provides the community with a great way to celebrate Mother's Day and raise funds for breast cancer research.
National
03 8677 3849
Mother's Day
Mothers Day is the annual celebration of mothers and the hard work they do.
International
World Lupus Day
International Lupus Congress
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that may cause abnormalities in the function and structure of such vital organs as kidney, brain, lungs etc. World Lupus Day raises awareness about this disease.
International
World Migratory Bird Day
United Nations
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 and is a global awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and to help raise awareness around a specific theme.
International