Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)

David Booth's (aka artist Ghostpatrol) mum was a volunteer with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. So it’s only fitting that he was the artist to bring to life drawings done by kids at Debney Meadows Primary School in Flemington as part of this beautiful new mural at the Queen Victoria Market. Debney Meadows Primary School is one of hundreds of Victorian schools where the Kitchen Garden program runs, giving kids the opportunity to get hands-on with their food from start to finish. You can check the mural out in Shed A at the Queen Victoria Market, facing Victoria St. And if you do – tag us in your pics!

Would you believe it if we said that Australian food manufacturers are on track to miss their self-imposed target of having Health Star Ratings on 70% of eligible products by November this year? How about if we said that they’ve already missed the November 2024 target – and the November 2023 target, too? We’re not falling for the old “it’s too hard to update the labelling on our packaging” trick. Learn more about why we’re so passionate about Health Star Ratings here: https://lnkd.in/gMv849CS

In outer Melbourne, the average distance from home to a fresh food store can be up to 14km. That’s why the work of organisations like The Community Grocer is so important. They help make high-quality and culturally appropriate food available at below supermarket prices for people living in these “food deserts”. And last Friday, we joined them to celebrate the launch of their newest market site in Melton. This market has been set up in a community hub, alongside a primary school and a high school – making it convenient for parents and carers to drop in as they go about their day. It’s also staffed by locals, helping strengthen community bonds even further. We’re proud to be supporting their work alongside the Melton Food Systems Collective, City of Melton, Western Public Health Network and Western Health through our Growing Healthy Communities grant program. Find out more about The Community Grocer, and how you can help here: https://lnkd.in/gryCvCVE

Have you got opinions? Are you aged 12 to 25 – or know someone who is? Minister for Youth Anne Aly and Youthgovau are looking for seven young people from around the country to join the Youth Steering Committee. They’re looking for people who can represent the diversity of experiences, thoughts, and feelings that make up our community. Each term lasts for two years. Applications close on 1 April 2025. Find out more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gBBFdwTH

We’re looking for a Lead to join our Strategic Communications team on a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract. This role acts as a conduit for all marketing and communications projects and campaigns, solves problems and plans projects to ensure they’re delivered on time and to budget. Applications close Monday, 24 March. You can find out more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g7CVHzZ9

We’re joining forces with Deakin University to launch a world-leading research translation centre. It’ll investigate the connections between the economy, commercial enterprises, and our health. We’re really excited about it – and to celebrate, we’re hosting an event with our current crop of research fellows and Dr Francesco Branca, the outgoing Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the World Health Organisation. It’s free – but registration is required. Check out the link for more info and to register: https://lnkd.in/gkzcyKE3

2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year. VicHealth is working with organisations from across the state to turn strategy into action. From investing in research and programs, to finding solutions with communities – we are building on our big ideas to create lasting systems change for a healthier, fairer Victoria. Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming up - and you can find out even more here: https://lnkd.in/gHtyNJWk

A healthy life starts with healthy habits – and the best time to develop those healthy habits is when you’re young. That’s why we’ve rolled out 84 grants around the state to organisations dedicated to helping young people get the best start in life. In Kyneton, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health and Kyneton High School have teamed up to revolutionise Kyneton High School’s kitchen garden. More than 200 students will be involved in the project. They’ll get hands-on experience planting a food forest and an orchard and building a pizza oven and bench seating – enjoying growing, cooking and eating together. They’ll also see the impact of their work on the broader community. Crops of garlic, daffodil bulbs and flowers will be grown for sale, and meals cooked from the garden shared with Kyneton Community House for locals experiencing food insecurity. We couldn’t be more excited to support this project – and last week, our Acting CEO Kristine Cooney joined local member Mary-Anne Thomas MP to see how the garden is coming along. Thanks for having us, Kyneton High School – we can’t wait to come back for a meal. Learn more about Growing Healthy Communities here: https://lnkd.in/gv42MU2K

Future Active: 103,932 young people got moving with Future Active last year.  That’s more than enough people to fill the whole MCG. Future Active saw us join forces with 16 local governments across the state and a co-design group of 246 young people. We asked them all one big question – how can we transform spaces in communities to be safer, more inclusive and more inviting?  From outdoor yoga to geocaching challenges – Future Active supported more young people to do the activities they enjoy, in spaces they feel comfortable in.     We are excited to see Future Active continue into 2025 and transform more spaces across the state.  

You’ll never catch us gatekeeping what we’ve learnt over the last seven years of This Girl Can.   From welcoming committees to kid-friendly sessions, our This Girl Can community has some incredible tried and true ways to make movement safer, more accessible, and more fun for women of all ages, shapes and sizes.|   Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/ej_AqYxa