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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576 community events listed
Year of Lifelong Learning #YOLL2018
Adult Learning Australia
Join with us in celebrating 2018 as the year of lifelong learning! #YOLL2018
Celebrate the power of people continuing to learn throughout their lives. We know from research both in Australia and internationally that when people take an active approach to learning in their adult years they develop the skills, confidence and courage to live independently, find new work and to shine at new skills. Taking time for learning as an adult is the key to a healthy and active life, to staying connected in communities, as well as to finding new or better work - it's a lifechanger!
We are encouraging communities to put a focus on adult learning as a lifelong activity throughout 2018. To coincide with this we are calling on the Australian government to adopt a formal policy on lifelong learning as an essential feature of an inclusive, healthy, equitable and sustainable future for Australia.
National
info@ala.asn.au
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
United Nations
A non-self-governing territory is defined as a territory "whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government. This week of solidarity is used to show support for these territories.
International
Go Blue for Autism
Autism QLD
Each year on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, iconic buildings across Australia and the world turn their lights blue to promote autism awareness. In support of this global initiative, Autism Queensland asks people Go Blue for the month of April to help raise awareness and funds to help us support Queenslanders of all ages living with ASD and their families.
National
07 3273 0000
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.
Supermarket Free Month
Go Supermarket Free this April to support local business, farmers and suppliers. Change your habits and buy local!
National
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
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
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
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 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 Advance Care Planning Week
Advance Care Planning Australia
Advance care planning is invaluable because it ensures your voice is heard if medical decisions have to be made for you. Having a plan means your friends, family and doctors aren't guessing what's important to you or what an acceptable outcome is for your life.
Get the conversation started in your community during National Advance Care Planning Week by hosting or attending a local event.
National
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 Penguin Day
A celebration of one of the world's most beloved creatures and a call to action for their conservation.
International
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day of Remembrance for all Vicitims of Chemical Warfare
United Nations
This commemoration will provide an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism.
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.
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
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
Irabina Superhero Fun Run
Irabina
Walk or run 4km or 8km around the Tan Track, Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens.
Join Irabina Autism Services and mascot Spectro as we raise funds to support those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Adults $45, Children (Under 16 years) $25, Infants (Under 5 years) FREE.
VIC
03 9720 1118
Tank Track - Botanic Gardens
MELBOURNE
MELBOURNE
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
Cancer Council
May is Australia's biggest Morning Tea month. Thursday 23rd May is the official day but you can host an event anytime throughout May or June. It's simple, fun and best of all for a great cause! All you need to do is set a date, brainstorm some morning tea ideas, invite your guests and raise money to help support the fight against cancer.
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
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.
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
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 Midwives Day
May 5 is the International Day of the Midwife. The aim of the day is to celebrate the importance of midwifery.
International
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
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
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.
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
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
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
National Volunteer Week
Volunteering Australia
National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 6 million Australians who volunteer.
National
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.
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
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
Missing Orangutan Mothers
Orangutan Outreach
Orangutan mothers and babies have an incredibly close relationship. Baby orangutans don't have a support network around to give them the many lessons of finding food, building nests and other survival skills. Because of the growing demand for palm oil, though, more and more orangutan mothers are being killed every year on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Wow Day
State Emergency Service (SES)
A day of recognition and appreciation where the dedicated work of State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers is celebrated across Australia.
The focus of WOW Day is to encourage the community to show their support in a very simple but highly visible gesture by wearing the colour orange. This is the colour worn by SES volunteers.
International Nurses Day
Every year International Nurses Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. It is a day to celebrate the role nurses play in the care of their communities.
International
International Awareness Day
May 12th has been designated as International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) since 1992. The diseases included in CIND include Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), Gulf War Syndrome(GWS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS)
May 12th was chosen as it is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She was believed to have suffered from ME/CFS.
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
1800 060 687
Mother's Day
Mothers Day is the annual celebration of mothers and the hard work they do.
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
Food Allergy Week
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia
Food allergy continues to increase at alarming rates. Whilst researchers across the world try to understand more about food allergy and the increase, those in the Australian community live with the challenge of managing risk whilst maintaining a good quality of life.
National
Schizophrenia Awareness Week
The focus of this event is the physical health of people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. This is an area of enormous need: by way of illustration, the life expectancy of people living with a severe mental illness has been shown by research to be as great as 25 years less than that of the general population.
National