8 February 2009
We are glad to announce that the following 20 preventative health initiatives have been awarded funding as part of the Healthy Communities grants scheme.
Albury City Council
Building Healthier Communities for All
Focussed on Older people; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income; People in disadvantaged urban areas; People who are blind/vision impaired; Men who are widowed or living alone.
The program includes four projects:
- A cooking and exercise program for men to be offered at Mirambeena Community Centre;
- A community garden for Mirambeena for use by Bhutanese, African and other refugee communities to access fresh fruit and vegetables ad learn how to prepare nutritious food for their families;
- Tai Chi programs for the vision impaired and legally blind to improve strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness and confidence;
- The Good Sports program for sporting clubs within the Albury community, to reduce barriers to participation through alcohol and smoke-free area management.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Maralee Vogel
Team Leader Community Development
Tel: 02 6023 8272
Email: mvogel@alburycity.nsw.gov.au
Auburn Council
Healthy and Active Auburn Program
Focussed on Older people; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income; People in disadvantaged urban areas; Young people at risk.
This program will:
- Deliver six accessible lifelong learning and fitness programs which promote physical activity and healthy weight among the older population;
- Deliver two ‘Stepping On’ physical activity programs for older people to promote falls prevention among Auburn’s ageing population in community-based settings; and
- Facilitate two Responsible Service of Alcohol training courses and group work sessions for 40 local unemployed young people aged 18-24 in partnership with the Police and community organisations to increase young people’s awareness of the risks associated with alcohol and to increase their employability.
Grant sum awarded: $11,000
Brooke Endycott
Community Development Officer - Research and Programs
Tel: 02 9735 1316
Email: Brooke.Endycott@auburn.nsw.gov.au
Campbelltown City Council
Elders on the Go!
Focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 45 years of age, the program will develop and implement a healthy lifestyles program in partnership with Elders, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and South Western Sydney Area Health Service to provide information and resources to make significant lifestyle changes to address growing overweight/obesity related issues such as diabetes, smoking and poor diet.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
James Flinn
Tel: 02 4645 4877 or 0427 489 188
Email: james.flinn@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au
Canterbury City Council
Active in Canterbury and Bankstown
Focused on Older people; People from a non-English speaking background; People in disadvantaged urban areas.
In partnership between Bankstown City Council and Canterbury City Council, the Active in Canterbury and Bankstown program aims to develop and support sustainable and integrated community-based fall prevention programs for older people, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the area. This project will encourage and support the training of educators and physical activity leaders and also support new programs, increasing the capacity within the community to make falls prevention programs accessible to a variety of older people.
Grant sum awarded: $75,000
Semra Tastan
Community Worker Aged Services
Tel: 02 9789 9459
Email: Semrat@canterbury.nsw.gov.au
Carrathool Shire Council
Prevention = Better Health
Focussed on Older people; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area.
This program will:
- Raise awareness of harm reduction strategies and the importance of responsible alcohol consumption in young people in rural communities; and
- Improve access and increase awareness of preventive measures and information relating to falls prevention initiatives for older people (55+) in rural and remote communities, and to train community champions to deliver these initiatives. This program will be delivered in partnership with will be Griffith City Council and Leeton and District Shire Council.
Grant sum awarded: $80,000
Maryanne Mitchell
Community Development Officer
Tel: 02 6965 1306
Email: mmitchell@carrathool.nsw.gov.au
Coonamble Shire Council
Coonamble Health Kick
Focussed on Older people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People on a low income,;People living in a rural or remote area.
Coonamble Health Kick is a holistic health initiative targeting at risk groups in the community including Aboriginal residents, the elderly, low income families and young people in Coonamble. The initiative will incorporate the planning and delivery of four preventive health programs underpinned by an effective process of community consultation and engagement. The health programs are:
- Feeding the Family – improving nutrition through balanced meals and healthy alternatives to high fat, sugar and salt products;
- Stepping On - falls prevention in older people through physical activity;
- Gone Walkabout – a weekly walking program in culturally significant locations, for Aboriginal people over 40 years; and
- Brain Gym – to support frail aged and Aboriginal residents to increase self esteem, motivation, body and personal space and tools for creativity.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Lee O'Connor
Economic Development Manager
Tel: 02 6827 1917
Email: edo@coonambleshire.nsw.gov.au
Forbes Shire Council
Fag Free and Fab in Forbes
Focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area; Pensioners.
This initiative will run at the Forbes Community Health Centre and the Yoorana Gunya Cultural Centre to provide:
- Culturally appropriate support for nutrition and healthy weight, including through the use of music and activities;
- Smoking cessation support by providing access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy, support and advice;
- Budget cooking and menu planning for participants; and
- Subsidised gym entry for physical activity.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Kristy Hartwig
Manager, Communication and Development
Tel: 02 6850 2319
Email: kristyha@forbes.nsw.gov.au
Lane Cove Municipal Council
Being Active, Staying Safe
Focussed on Older people; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income.
Together with Willougby City Council, Lane Cove Municipal Council will organise seminars to promote the awareness and significance of engaging in activities to reduce falls, and a series of specially designed exercise class activities to decrease the risk of falls for older people liveing in the community. Participants will be supported with a resource to aid ongoing exercise in the home. Classes, transport and resources will be provided at no cost.
Grant sum awarded: $38,000
Carol Sinclair
Community Development Officer - Seniors and Disability Service
Tel: 02 9911 3593
Email: csinclair@lanecove.nsw.gov.au
Moree Plains Shire Council
Think the Drink and Secondary Supply
Focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area.
Working with the Moree Liquor Accord and community representatives with an interest in promoting the responsible use of alcohol and deterring secondary supply of alcohol with a view to supporting community health and wellbeing, Council policies will be reviewed with a focus on how they support health and wellbeing. The ‘Think the Drink’ program will work towards reducing harm and injury caused by irresponsible use of alcohol and service of alcohol. This health promotion initiative will work in partnership with local licensing Police, targeting the secondary supply of alcohol to under 18s.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Kylie Kerr
Road Safety Officer
Tel: 02 6757 3284
Email: kylie.kerr@mpsc.nsw.gov.au
Nambucca Shire Council
Drink? But Don’t Sink – A Joint Responsible Drinking Youth Initiative
Focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area; Young people.
Together with Bellingen Shire Council, Nambucca Shire Council will run the Drink? But Don’t Sink – A Joint Responsible Drinking Youth Initiative, an interactive youth driven initiative towards educating and providing young people with skills that promote the responsible use of alcohol. The project targets youth aged 14 to 17 years, establishing local youth peer support networks that reduce the impacts of alcohol use.
Grant sum awarded: $80,000
Vicki Fernance
Youth Development Officer
Tel: 02 6568 0254
Email: vicki.fernance@nambucca.nsw.gov.au
Orana Regional Organisation of Councils
Sharing the Load to Shed the Load
Focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area.
Orana ROC’s initiative is aimed at empowering local communities with a number of ways to implement proven weight loss strategies by:
- Using a regional network to encourage communities to take up best practice in achieving healthy weight;
- Presenting solutions from communities elsewhere in NSW for achieving healthy weight.
Orana ROC has the following councils as members: Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Narromine, Walgett, Warrumbungle, Warren, Wellington.
Grant sum awarded: $30,000
Belinda Roberts
Executive Officer
Tel: 02 6889 9986
Email: oroc@narromine.nsw.gov.au
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
The Rural Health Outreach Program
Focussed on Older people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area.
Run by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, together with Bunyah and Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Councils, this program aims to deliver a broad range of preventative health initiatives including, falls prevention, sustainable exercise programs and community service outreach into local communities.
Programs include:
- Stepping On program - falls prevention in older people through physical activity such as Tai Chi;
- Healthy Weight – through Heart Moves programs, Heart Foundation Walking Groups and Tai Chi, as well as links with healthy eating programs in the community;
- Preventive Health Expos – free and easy access to health professionals for health checks including hearing, blood pressure, eyesight, diabetes and breast screening.
- Circus Sport programs in four rural primary schools - Rolland’s Plain, Comboyne, Long Flat and Telegraph Point – and the Lands Councils where each child will be given a skipping rope, juggling balls and large ball.
Grant sum awarded: $80,000
Maya Spannari
Community Development and Projects Officer
Tel: 02 6581 8545
Email: maya.spannari@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Queanbeyan City Council
Healthy Play in Queanbeyan
Focussed on Older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, People from a non-English speaking background, People on a low income, People in disadvantaged urban areas.
This initiative will engage the community to encourage people to use parks, playgrounds and sporting ovals more frequently to support physical activity, social interaction and community capacity. Up to 500 people will be consulted about activities to increase use of parks, playgrounds and sporting fields and to explore barriers to participation.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Philippa Moss
Manager Family Services & Community Development
Tel: 02 6298 0202
Email: philippa.moss@qcc.nsw.gov.au
Sutherland Shire Council
Youth Outreach Program
Focussed on People on a low income; Young people at risk.
This program will use a street based outreach model. Workers will be hired and trained to expand an existing successful partnership approach to addressing binge drinking and other health issues, with information, support and appropriate referral.
Grant sum awarded: $10,000
Carly Tremble
Community Development Officer, Youth Services and Projects
Tel: 02 9710 0152
Email: CTremble@ssc.nsw.gov.au
Shoalhaven City Council
Better Balance
Focussed on Older people; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area.
The program will provide low cost exercise classes to aged residents in isolated villages in the southern Shoalhaven, to assist in falls prevention. Transport will be provided for participants.
Grant sum awarded: $6,000
Alan Blackshaw
Coordinator Community Development
Tel: 02 4429 3446
Email: blackshaw@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Tai Chi Program
Focussed on Older people; People living in a rural or remote area.
A new Tai Chi program to prevent falls in older members of the community of Upper Hunter Shire will offer 100 session of Tai Chi to be delivered on Council owned parks and grounds. Senior members of the community may experience an improvement in their general wellbeing, a reduction in feelings of isolation and be more likely and motivated to participate in physical activity when involved in exercising in a group. Tai Chi is a well known activity to prevent falls in older people, a leading cause of injury among this age group.
Grant sum awarded: $18,000
Donna Rea
Manager, Community Services
Tel: 02 6540 1141
Email: drea@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Wagga Wagga City Council
Wagga Wagga Aboriginal Alcohol Management Strategy
Focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This initiative will:
- Develop a coordinated Council staff, stakeholder and community member team to undertake needs analysis and develop an early intervention and prevention strategy;
- Identify the preferred community early intervention and prevention strategies to address alcohol harms in the local Aboriginal community;
- Obtain commitment to the strategy as a community owned and developed plan.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Sue Wilson
Social Planning Coordinator
Tel: 1300 292 442
Email: Wilson.Sue@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Willoughby City Council
Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Pilot
Focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This pilot will address and prevent health decline within the Aboriginal community within the region through facilitating access to culturally appropriate services by a broad range of health and wellbeing professionals. The services are aimed at preventive health measures and generating wellbeing and resilience within the local community. The pilot will be delivered in partnership with the following councils: North Sydney Council, Hunter Hill Shire Council, Mosman Municipal Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Ku-ring-gai Council, Manly Council, Pittwater Council, Warringah Council, Ryde City Council.
Grant sum awarded: $80,000
Meredith Harrison
Policy and Projects Officer
Tel: 02 9777 7970
Email: meredith.harrison@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
Wollongong City Council
Walkability Index
Focussed on Older people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income; People in disadvantaged urban areas; People with a disability.
In partnership with Shellharbour City Council, Wollongong City Council will develop an easy to use guide to walking in local areas to promote physical activity among the population. Improvements to suburbs with lower ease of walking could create greater opportunities to engage in physical activity.
Grant sum awarded: $63,000
Tracy Venaglia
Coordinator Community Development and Social Planning
Tel: 02 4227 7017
Email: tvenaglia@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Yass Valley Council
Healthy Ageing – Still Standing Strong
Focussed on Older people; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; People from a non-English speaking background; People on a low income; People living in a rural or remote area; People in disadvantaged urban areas.
Local residents aged 65-75 years will be approached to help identify risks and strategies to reduce the incidence of falls and promote the importance of healthy exercise. A locally produced falls prevention resource will be developed in consultation with the community and distributed to all residents in the Yass Valley LGA.
Grant sum awarded: $20,000
Cathy Campbell
Community Development Manager
Tel: 02 6226 9285
Email: Cathy.Campbell@yass.nsw.gov.au