Promoting Healthy Living

This award recognises projects encouraging people to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing. Promoting good health and the prevention of disease is vital for primary health care.

Activities that promote healthy living could include, but are not limited to:

  • Encouraging healthy behaviours in all areas of life, such as school, the workplace and at home.

  • Projects designed to increase health literacy, empowering people to access, understand and act on health information and services to make appropriate decisions about their health.

  • An awareness of the social, cultural, and environmental factors which cause chronic disease

  • Projects aimed at reducing in hospital admissions.

Criteria:

  • Describe the activity and its direct link to promoting a culture change towards healthy living.

  • How does the activity encourage healthy behaviours?

  • To what extent is the program evidence-informed?

  • What results have been achieved because of the activity?

Click here to see the judging criteria.

Submit a nomination

Past finalists of this award

(2025)

Winner: Dance4wellbeing 

In August 2024, a new dance-based mobility program came to life across Young, Harden, Cootamundra and Temora. Created for older adults in community, aged care and online settings, Dance4wellbeing is about moving more, feeling better, and ageing well. Through gentle movement and the power of music, participants build strength, balance and confidence – while connecting with others and having fun. With themed sessions and evidence-based falls prevention at its core, the program supports physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing.  

Finalist: H.E.R – Harden’s Exercise Revolution 

Harden’s Exercise Revolution is bringing movement and connection to people over the age of 60 in Harden, Murrumburrah and nearby communities. Building on the success of local aqua and dance classes, the program offers four weekly sessions to build strength, balance and confidence in everyday movement. Each class promotes healthy habits through peer support, practical tips and plenty of laughs. With evidence-based exercises designed to manage chronic conditions and support ageing well, it’s as much about friendship as it is about fitness.  

Finalist: In Motion Fitness – Lungs in Action 

Wagga Wagga’s In Motion Fitness provides the Lungs in Action community exercise program to people living with chronic lung disease, lung cancer and heart conditions. Through safe, evidence-based classes, participants build strength, manage breathlessness and connect with others who understand their journey. The program has expanded to offer four free weekly sessions – plus Golden Warrior, a fitness class for over-60s focused on strength, balance and mobility.  

2024

Winner: Health in Your Hands

he Deniliquin LHAC launched the Health in Your Hands project to align with MPHN and MLHD priorities and address health needs in the Edward River Local Government Area. Over 12 months, the project focused on repeated messaging about how lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce chronic disease risks. Community talks were held on nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation. Anecdotal feedback suggests that participants are positively engaging with the initiative and believe that committing to lifestyle changes can improve their health outcomes.  

Finalist: Dr Trudi Beck – Mums and Bubs

Nova Health Co.’s Mums and Bubs program is a multidisciplinary initiative designed to support women and babies during the postnatal period and improve health outcomes as they transition to parenthood. Co-facilitated by Dr Beck, the five-week program includes shared medical appointments for up to eight women and their babies, addressing recovery challenges and common parenting experiences. The syllabus follows the First 1000 Days Framework and the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums) framework, promoting cued-care and responsive parenting. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported over 470 participants.  

2023

Winner: Making Friends With Food by The Root Cause (formerly known as The Children's Health Program)

A total of 1,668 children, in addition to teachers and parents, participated in the interactive 12-month program aimed at fostering positive and lifelong relationships with food among children. This comprehensive nutrition education program was delivered to 11 primary schools in the Murrumbidgee region including St Michael’s Parish School, Rand Public School, Finley Public School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Sturt Primary School, Ashmont Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School, Wallendbeen Primary School, Stockingbingal Primary School, Corowa South Public School, and Cootamundra Public School.

Finalist: EMPOWER

This was a free 12-week virtual program promoting healthy eating for those living in the Murrumbidgee region with or at risk of obesity. It offered interactive sessions, expert-led workshops, and resources on mindful eating, portion control, meal planning, and physical activity. More than 100 people benefited from the program, which successfully encouraged healthier eating practices.

Finalist: Frontline Emergency Distress and Trauma Counselling

This project aims to enhance mental wellbeing, resilience, and community support, particularly in the aftermath of disasters like bushfires. Trauma counselling, stress management, and education on the impacts of trauma, plus emergency hampers and housing support was provided through 161 outreach visits across three regions. Notably, 83 per cent of participants reported significant improvement in psychological support.

2022

Winner: Marathon Health ITC program

The ITC program delivered by Marathon Health aims to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic disease and complex health care needs. In 2020-21 the program supported 270 indigenous people and delivered 5,362 occasions of service improving access to health services and information in a bid to improve and support self-management and health literacy and reduce unplanned hospital admissions.

Finalist: Active Ageing

Active Ageing is a weekly exercise group for over 65s run by local accredited exercise physiologists Emily Carroll and Brodie Palmer. Active Ageing is evidence informed and targets individuals who aren't currently meeting physical activity guidelines. Through supported sessions participants are exposed to a gym environment, developing the confidence to exercise independently and form good exercise habits.

Finalist: Positive Living Skills

The Positive Living Skills program is a teacher led, evidence-based early prevention and intervention program for primary schools. The program offers teachers a suite of flexible lessons, resources, and professional development supporting them to teach mental health, social and emotional skills in the classroom. Teachers identified the accessibility, flexibility and organisation of the materials supported ease of implementation.

2021

Winner: 2021 Youth Mental Health Forum, headspace Wagga Wagga

The 2021 Youth Mental Health Forum was held at the Wagga Wagga Christian College and involved over 120 students and 20 teaching staff from 16 regional high schools. The aim of the forum was to empower young people to address mental health problems being faced by the individual, peers, family or broader community networks. The forum also aimed to build capacity within the school environment to effectively bring about change regarding mental health and wellbeing.

Finalist: Sunflower House, Wagga Wagga

Sunflower House is based in Wagga Wagga and provides psychosocial support to members on a one-to-one and group basis. The organisation’s Mental Health Support Workers understand the relationship between mental and physical health and create a nurturing and supportive environment to facilitate a progressive recovery. Members' engagement in healthy living is evident through regular face-to-face interaction, which enhances the nurturing and respectful environment at Sunflower House.

Finalist: Dietary Intervention Program, Dr Heba Azer, KRS Health, Wagga Wagga

The Lifestyle Dietary Intervention program implemented by Dr Heba Azer utilises motivational interviewing and health promotions to deliver dietary and lifestyle advice using a low carbohydrate approach. The target group are patients who have experienced struggles with weight management or have shown biochemical evidence of metabolic syndrome such as prediabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This approach demonstrated great benefit for those newly diagnosed as well as established type 2 diabetics.