There’s less than one week to go until National Buddy Day on Friday, 1 June 2012.

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.

All Better Buddies primary schools across the country are encouraged to show your support and get involved in National Buddy Day.

A National Buddy Day ‘toolkit’ has been developed for schools and includes a range of activities which encourage students to work together with their ‘buddies’.

Schools can participate in special buddy-based activities that highlight the importance of friendship by visiting www.buddyday.org.au

Schools can also utilise these activities to help fundraise for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to help keep Australian children safe from violence.

As part of the National Buddy Day activities, students all around Australia are being encouraged to do the ‘Buddy Handshake’ on Friday, 1 June. The special ‘kids only’ handshake has been developed by NAB and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to unite all children in a nationwide gesture of friendship. Children can learn the steps of the Buddy Handshake by visiting any NAB branch or downloading the handshake instructions from the National Buddy Day website.

National Buddy Day will culminate at the Richmond vs St Kilda clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday, 1 June. To celebrate the day, NAB is giving six little footy fans the chance to hit the Etihad turf as part of the half time NAB AFL Auskick grid game. Entry is simple and can be done by completing the entry form at www.nab.com.au/buddydayauskick

For more information about National Buddy Day, visit www.buddyday.org.au or ‘Like’ The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Facebook page to follow our National Buddy Day activities.