Seacliff’s Shelley loves a street party

If you have ever wanted to host a street party, now’s the time to apply to be part of our Summer Street Meets series – which Seacliff’s Shelley is looking forward to.

For the past few years, Shelley has been her street’s Street Meet organiser and says it’s an easy, simple and fun way to build community spirit.

“It was great – the street loved it, everyone who came loved it, and in fact, that first year really connected all the kids on the street, and some have been friends for five or six years now,” said Shelley.

Applications are now open for the summer Street Meets series, which starts in December and continues into February next year.

With a Council-obtained permit, residents can close their street for a designated time on a particular day to hold a street party. Street Meets aim to foster a sense of community, connecting neighbours, improve wellbeing and provide a space for families and children to play.

“It’s really easy for us to organise,” she said.

“The Council dropped off all the things we needed, like signs, and we watched a 10-minute video that was very easy to understand.

“At 3 o’clock the street gets cut off, someone bring out a BBQ, someone rolls out a basketball backboard, there’s cricket stumps, bats and balls and Council also provided a basket of activities last year which was amazing.

“Everyone brings a plate of food and it’s great, the kids love it.”

Shelley says the street parties mean all the neighbours now know each other.

“It builds community, and everyone on our street says we love our street because we know our neighbours,.. we know pretty much everyone in this section of Acacia Street.”