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
National Families Week
Families Australia
National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your immediate family, make contact with your extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family time.
National
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.
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.
Macular Degeneration Awareness Week
Macular Degeneration Foundation
Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Australia. Macular Degeneration Awareness Week is an annual event designed to raise awareness of Macular Degeneration and to encourage those most at risk, people over 50, to have their eyes tested and macula checked. A free Macular Degeneration information pack is available from the Foundation.
National
Suite 902, Level 9
447 Kent Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
447 Kent Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
National Smile Day
Humour Foundation
Smile day is The Humour Foundation's annual fundraising campaign. It is the one day of the year we ask the public to get involved in raising funds to help sick children SMILE in hospitals around Australia. Together we can discover the power of a smile!
National
1300 HUMOUR (486 687)
Gold Telethon
Sydney Children's Hospital Founation
Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation is the principal fundraising body for Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
Gold Telethon is our major annual fundraiser, an all-day broadcast on Channel Nine.
NSW
1800 644 336
Locked Bag 2005
RANDWICK NSW 2031
RANDWICK NSW 2031
National Diabetes Week
Diabetes Australia
Each year Diabetes Australia celebrates National Diabetes Week to raise awareness about diabetes in Australia. The campaign aims to educate Australia of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and how type 2 can be prevented.
National
White Ribbon Night
White Ribbon
Join communities across Australia to unite in support of bringing an end to violence against women by having a night in to get the word out. You can invite two people or 2,000 to your movie night, games night, dinner party, watch the footy with mates... the possibilities are endless!
National
02 9045 8444
Schools Tree Day
Planet Ark
Each year around 250,000 Australian school students participate in Schools Tree Day - a special National Tree Day event just for kids. It's a great opportunity for children to learn about nature, get outside and have fun at the same time. This Schools Tree Day, all schools and their students are encouraged get involved and plant some trees for a healthier planet!
National
World Breastfeeding Week
United Nations
World Breastfeeding Week aims to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need.
International
Dental Health Week
Australian Dental Association inc
Held on the first week of August, Dental Health Week raises awareness of how to best look after your and your children's teeth.
Great Northern Clean Up
Clean Up Australia
The Great Northern Clean Up, an event of Clean Up Australia, takes place during the months of August, September and October - a time of year which is more suitable
for communities living in the tropical North.
Since the campaign started in 2009 more than 30,000 volunteers have removed the equivalent of 1,800 ute loads of rubbish from 813 sites north of the Tropic of Capricorn. This year the event is taking place during the months of August-October when an estimated 3,851 volunteers have already removed around 277 ute loads of rubbish from 126 sites across northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
Since the campaign started in 2009 more than 30,000 volunteers have removed the equivalent of 1,800 ute loads of rubbish from 813 sites north of the Tropic of Capricorn. This year the event is taking place during the months of August-October when an estimated 3,851 volunteers have already removed around 277 ute loads of rubbish from 126 sites across northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
National
02 8197 3412
Amnestea
Amnesty International Australia
Gather your friends, family or colleagues to share a cup of tea and raise money for human rights. Over the last 53 years Amnesty International has exposed thousands of human rights abuses. Thanks to people like you, wrongly imprisoned people have been freed and the guilty have been brought to justice.
National
Save the Koala Month
Australian Koala Foundation
Save the Koala Month aims to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of wild koalas and their habitats.
National
Biodiversity Month
The Department of the Environment and Heritage
Biodiversity Month is held in September each year. The Department of the Environment and Heritage provides support throughout the year with a variety of resources for local groups promoting biodiversity.
National
Big Heart Appeal
Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue our lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.
National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is held throughout September.The national event is used to raise awareness of the importance of mens health, and regular prostate checks.
National
Dementia Awareness Month
Alzheimer's Australia
Dementia Awareness Month is the national flagship month for Alzheimer's Australia's community awareness activities. There will be events and activities held around the country to broaden understanding of dementia-friendly communities during Dementia Awareness Month.
National
National Health and Physical Education Day
The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) Inc
National Health and Physical Education (HPE) Day has been designed to raise awareness of, and advocate for, a greater focus of HPE in our schools. If you are a teacher, why not take your class outside for a lesson or organise a PE-related excursion? Schools, why not plan a fun run or walk for your students? If you are a parent, why not walk home with the kids or take them to a nearby park for some play time after school?
National
(08) 8352 3288
National Op Shop Week
National Op Shop Week seeks to raise awareness of the important role of charity op shops in our community and
- boost donations of quality clothing and household goods to charity op shops
- boost charity op shop sales
- recognise the tremendous work of the volunteers and staff dedicated to supporting their charity op shop.
National
International Day of Older Persons
United Nations
The International Day of Older Persons is a celebration of the older people in all societies, and a reminder to continue developing a society for all ages.
International
International Coffee Day
Apart from recognising the enjoyment of coffee right around the globe, World Coffee Day is also used to promote fair trade coffee and to raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers.
World Vegetarian Day
World Vegetarian Day, October 1, is the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month. Make a difference this October by informing others about the benefits of vegetarianism.
International
Be Kind to Animals Week
Edgars Mission
Be Kind to Animals Week is a nation-wide initiative to encourage and inspire people of all ages to be kind to our furry, feathered and finned friends. Take our fun pledge and receive a free postal pack and a daily email to provide inspiration with simple ideas and delicious recipes.
National
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Week
Australian BPD Foundation
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental illness characterised by unstable and varying emotions, that can lead to volatile relationships and self-harm which can include suicide or suicidal ideation. Our aim is to raise awareness that BPD is a treatable illness with appropriate therapies and supports.
Our Awareness Week was ratified in the Australian Parliament on 1 Oct 2014 and is celebrated nationally every year. It is coordinated by the Australian BPD Foundation, and for the last 2 years has been funded by the National Mental Health Commission.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Tasmanian Health Service
A call to action to encourage women over 40 to make an appointment for a FREE screening mammogram with BreastScreen Tasmania to help find breast cancer early.
TAS
Girls' Night In
Cancer Council
Cancer Council's Girls' Night In is the ideal reason to get your girlfriends together to celebrate friendships that matter for a cause that matters. By bringing the ladies in your life together for this special event you will be raising much needed funds to help beat women's cancers.
Great Cycle Challenge Australia
Children's Medical Research Institute
Great Cycle Challenge encourages people of all ages and fitness levels to get on their bikes this October and ride to fight kids' cancer!
Right now, cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in Australia. Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week.
Right now, cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in Australia. Over 600 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, 3 die every week.
Lupus Awareness Month
Lupus Foundation
The first month-long observance for lupus awareness occurred when President Reagan signed Public Law 99-365, designating October 1986 as Lupus Awareness Month. It marks the occasion to highlight the need for more awareness and financial support for a potentially fatal disease that affects close to 6 million world-wide.
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Code Read Dyslexia Network Australia Ltd
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and every year many events take place during October including the National Awareness Event, Light it Red for Dyslexia, which started in 2015.
Light it Red for Dyslexia is an annual event that is administered by Code Read Dyslexia Network Australia on behalf of the national Dyslexia Support Groups. Throughout the month of October significant monuments and buildings around Australia are lit up in the colour red for Dyslexia Awareness.
Foot Health Month
Australasian Podiatry Council
Foot Health Month in October is a time to look after and love your feet.
National
VIC 3057
Ocsober
Life Education
Ocsober is a fundraising initiative that encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of October. Ocsober supports Life Education and Life Education's iconic mascot Healthy Harold who, for 30 years, has been empowering Aussie Kids to make smart, healthy life choices free from the harms associated with drug misuse.
National
Pink Ribbon Breakfast Campaign
National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
October is international breast cancer awareness month and NBCF's biggest fundraiser is the Pink Ribbon Breakfast Campaign.
Whether you hold a morning tea, a big breakfast event in your community or a get-together in your office, the donations collected will make a difference to people with breast cancer.
National
Injury Free Day
K.I.D.S Foundation
Simply nominate a day during October to promote safety and the importance of injury prevention.
The KIDS Foundation Injury Free Campaign is an annual event which highlights the importance of safety and injury prevention. The campaign runs during October, Community Safety Month. Schools can register their involvement, receive free resources and show their commitment to safety by encouraging their students and staff to be safe at school, at home and within the community.
National
Dogtober
Assistance Dogs Australia
Dogtober is a way to get involved with Assistance Dogs, have some fun and help train another 25 super pups to help people with physical disabilities.
You can help by creating your own doggie themed event or being sponsored to undertake a challenge which will raise much needed funds and awareness.
National
Buy Nothing New Month
Buy Nothing New Month is the global movement for collective, conscientious consumption. It's about thinking where our stuff comes from (finite resources) and where it goes when we're done (often landfill) and what are the fantastic alternatives out there to extend the life of our 'stuff'.
International
Mental Health Month NSW
Mental Health Association NSW
Mental Health Month NSW is part of a national mental health promotion campaign held throughout October each year. The timing of the campaign centres on World Mental Health Day, which is marked each year on October 10.
NSW
NSW 2011
Nude Food Day
Nutrition Australia
Nude Food Day is a nationwide initiative developed to encourage kids and parents to eat well and live well, and eliminate all unnecessary packaging and wrapping that goes into schools. Nude Food Day can be celebrated any day (or everyday!) in October.
Sexual Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc
Sexual Violence Awareness Month is held each October to encourage Queenslanders to show their support for ending violence of this nature and inform those affected about the help available.
Crime Prevention Month QLD
QLD Police
Crime Prevention Month is about educating the community about strategies they can use to reduce their chance of being a victim of crime. Through simple steps members of the community can take part in reducing crime and can increase their personal safety. Crime Prevention Month is an opportunity for members of the community to learn these steps.
QLD
National Safe Work Month
Safe Work Australia
In Australia, October is National Safe Work Month - a time to make your commitment to improving safety and health in your workplace.
This year's theme, Work Health and Safety through COVID-19, acknowledges and reflects the wide-reaching impacts of COVID-19 on Australian businesses, employers and workers.
Walktober
Physical Activity Australia Inc
Physical Activity Australia have renamed October, 'Walktober' - Australia's walking month! It's the ideal time to celebrate walking. October is that time of year when you feel a 'spring' in your step; the weather is warming up and it's a great time to get outside.
Join the Walktober Challenge and take steps to make sure that this generation of kids are active and healthy. Commit to 31 days of activity for a minimum of 31 minutes. At the same time, we raise funds to enable Bluearth and its programs to have a presence in more schools across Australia.
National
International Day of Non-Violence
United Nations
Celebrated on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi the International Day of Non-Violence aims to disseminate education and understanding of the positive effect of non-violence.
International
World Farm Animals Day
WORLD FARM ANIMALS DAY, observed on (or around) October 2nd, is a time dedicated to exposing, mourning, and memorializing the needless suffering and slaughter of the more than 55 billion cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens, and other sentient land animals in the world's factory farms and slaughterhouses. It is a time for all to speak out against the atrocities and brutalization of animals raised for meat, eggs, and dairy.
International
World Day for Farmed Animals
Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM)
World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA), founded in 1983, is dedicated to exposing the needless suffering and death of sentient animals raised and slaughtered for food. World Day for Farmed Animals hopes to continue until animals are no longer seen as commodities, raised for their flesh and by-products.
International
World Smile Day
Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation
World Smile Day is celebrated on the first Friday in the month of October every year. The idea of World Smile Day was coined and initiated by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts. He is known to have created the yellow Smiley Face in 1963. The World's first World Smile Day was held in the year 1999 and has been held annually since.
International
World Animal Day
World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
International
World Space Week
United Nations
Who didn't want to be an astronaut when they were a kid? This week celebrates the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition as well as every child's imagination.
International
Mental Health Week
Mental Health Foundation of Australia
Mental Health Week is an annual national awareness event held in October every year. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the wider community, to increase community awareness and education about mental health issues and to encourage participation in life enhancing lifestyles
National
National Amputee Awareness Week
Limbs 4 Life
Limbs 4 Life empower amputees with knowledge and support to make a real difference, because no one should have to go through limb loss alone.
They provide information and support to amputees and their families while promoting an inclusive community.
Their vision is to ensure that no amputee goes through the process of limbs loss alone.
VIC
1300 782 231
Building 97, 45 GIlby Rd
MOUNT WAVELREY VIC 3149
MOUNT WAVELREY VIC 3149
International Tenants Day
Tenants Queensland
The International Union of Tenants (IUT) has therefore chose these themes together with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal number 11, Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable as the recommended themes when Tenants celebrate the International Tenants' Day around the world.
International
World Habitat Day
United Nations
United Nations has designated the first Monday in October each year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
International
World Teachers Day
UNESCO
World Teachers' Day held annually on 5 October is a UNESCO initiative, a day devoted to appreciating, assessing, and improving the educators of the world. The real point is to provide a time to look at and address issues pertaining to teachers. Strangely one of the most central, vital professionals to society does not receive the respect it deserves in some parts of the world.
International
World Cerebral Palsy Day
World CP Day is a global innovation project to change the world for people living with cerebral palsy and their families. It is designed to gather ideas from people around the world and make the best of those ideas a reality.
The project is led by a group of non-profit cerebral palsy charities, and supported by organisations in over 30 countries. We welcome new countries and partner organisations.
International
Navaratri (Hindu)
Navaratri is the hindu festival that translates to "nine nights". It is a festival for followers to invoke the energy of the Universal Mother.
International
World Sight Day
WHO
World Sight Day seeks to raise public awareness on low vision. Blindness and low vision are critical issues in Australia, especially with an ageing population. World Sight Day is a global initiative providing an opportunity to raise the profile of the causes of blindness and vision impairment and the preventative measures.
International
Odd Socks Day
Grow
Odd socks day is a light-hearted approach to reminding people that anyone can have an odd day.
Stigma is undoubtedly still one of the biggest barriers to people seeking help and recovery from mental illness.
National
World Post Day
United Nations
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.
Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.
International
Queensland Mental Health Week
Queensland Mental Health Commission
Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) is an annual event that aims to shine a spotlight on what all of us can do to look after our mental health and reach out to those who need support.
The event is linked to National Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day, which is held on 10 October every year.
QLD
1300 640 709
World Homeless Day
The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to homeless people's needs locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness.
International
National Hat Day
Australian Rotary Health
Hat Day is the fun-draising day where you wear a hat and make a donation to help shine a light on mental illness in Australia. Register a Hat Day event with your workplace, club, sport team, friends, or family to support mental health research and reduce stigma.
Hat Day is an initiative of Australian Rotary Health, one of the largest non-government funders of mental illness research in Australia.
World Day Against the Death Penalty
The World Day Against the Death Penalty aims at raising awareness on the inhumane living conditions of people sentenced to death..
International
World Mental Health Day
Community Council for Australia
Aimed to again shed a positive light, and raise the visibility and awareness of mental health in a community.The campaign encourages people to make a #MentalHealthPromise and shed a more positive light on mental health in a bid to reduce stigma for the one in five Australians who are affected by mental illness annually.
International
International Day of the Girl Child
United Nations
The Day of the Girl is about highlighting, celebrating, discussing, and advancing girls lives and opportunities across the globe. When girls come together to talk about what really matters to us, we can teach other people-grownups, boys, girls all across the world-a new way of thinking about issues like gender stereotypes, discrimination, and opportunity. October 11 is not just a day but a movement. 11.10 is bigger than one issue, one organization, or even one country.
International
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Week
Haemophilia Foundation Australia
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity for haemophilia foundations and other organisations, as well as individuals and families, to fundraise and take part in a campaign and activities to raise awareness about haemophilia and related inherited bleeding disorders throughout Australia.
National
National Carer's Week
Carers Australia
Carers Week recognises and celebrates the 2.6 million Australians who are carers in our communities. Carers Week events across Victoria provide opportunities for carers to get together and support one another, exchange ideas and information, and spread awareness about caring.
National
Anti Poverty Week
Anti Poverty Week
Anti-Poverty Week aims to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia; and to encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.
National
National Nutrition Week
Nutrition Australia
National Nutrition Week encourages Australians to learn about making healthy food and lifestyle choices.
National