Facebook-based neighbourhood groups spreading positive community spirit in Brunswick and Coburg

GOOD karma is spreading through neighbourhoods via Facebook pages in Melbourne’s inner northwest.

Nerina Papanastasiou, left, with Cassandra Chapple and baby, Raquel Cutajar and Angela Rule, building community through a Facebook group. Picture: David Smith

GOOD karma is spreading through neighbourhoods in Coburg and Brunswick.

The groups, formed in January this year, are Facebook-based and have the aim of spreading positive community spirit.

The Brunswick group has more than 700 members and the Coburg version more than 630.

The Coburg’s group administrator Nerina Papanastasiou decided to form the local network after her sister experienced a version in Kensington.

“It’s about community spirit and neighbourly connection. It’s very fulfilling. I’m lucky to have a really good relationship with my neighbours on both sides, but not a lot of people know their neighbours. They may live alone or in share houses,” Ms Papanastasiou said.

“The network provides the opportunity to offer assistance, knowledge and skills to those in need, with no expectation of anything in return. It’s also a place to encourage community sharing, for example, swapping fruit and vegetables or unwanted household items.”

Buoyed by its success, the network was about to set up a household appliances “library”, she said.

“It won’t be kept in one central place, but people will be able to borrow household items from each other, such as breadmakers, ice-cream makers, food processors — the sort of things some people have and use occasionally.”