Buddy Day

2 - Unnamed The countdown is over, National Buddy Day is here! Today primary school children across Australia are doing the ‘Buddy Handshake’ to celebrate the importance of friendship.

National Buddy Day is a joint initiative of NAB and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation which addresses how children can help their peers learn positive behaviour to help reduce instances of bullying.

A range of exciting National Buddy Day activities are planned right across Australia today.

In Sydney our National Buddy Day ambassador, Jesinta Campbell, will kick start celebrations where she will visit Santa Sabina Primary School to visit the children who are going to show her the ‘Buddy Handshake’.

During her visit Jesinta will talk to the students about the importance of friendship and share her personal experiences from her school days.

Also getting into the Buddy Day spirit is Better Buddies School, Berwick Lodge Primary School in Victoria. As one of National Buddy Day’s biggest supporters, the school is today encouraging all of their students to wear purple clothing, the official colour of Buddy Day.

National Buddy Day activities will culminate tonight at the Richmond vs St Kilda clash at Etihad Stadium.

The NAB AFL Ausckickers will be wearing special purple and yellow uniforms during the half time break in celebration of the day. As a proud partner of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, the Richmond Football Club players will don National Buddy Day warm up gear in preparation for the match.

Scan the grandstands and you will notice that Buddy Day activity is not limited to the field. Two hundred lucky supporters including students from the Better Buddies schools will be sitting in a purple ‘buddy bay’. The kids will all be wearing purple to cheer on their favourite football stars and will certainly stand out from the crowd.

So practice your Buddy Handshake and show your support.