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This year’s finalists include advocacy groups, arts organisations, councils, health care providers, sporting bodies and universities. 

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the standard of entries was inspiring and reaffirms Victoria as a world-leader in health promotion.

“We received an incredible spread of nominations across 10 categories this year, from projects making it easier for school students to access fresh fruit and vegetables, to new digital tools for preventing harm from alcohol, and the development of a choir that creates a sense of community and improved wellbeing.

“It’s great to see so many organisations working with communities to help people to not only be free from disease, but live in a state of good physical and mental wellbeing,” Ms Rechter said.

2015 also sees the return of a category to recognise the importance of journalism on health promotion issues.

“At VicHealth, we want to acknowledge the important role the media plays in health promotion. Well-informed and considered reporting on critical issues gets the attention of thousands of Victorians every day. From evening television news to weekly regional newspapers, there are reporters and media outlets across Victoria making a huge difference."

Finalists will join international and Victorian dignitaries in government and health promotion at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 1 December, where the winners will be announced. 

 

The finalists in each category are:

Promoting healthy eating

• Alexandra District Health – The Triangle Food Op Shop

• Melton City Council – Healthy Children Growing Together

• Mildura Rural City Council and Healthy Together Mildura – Activation of Mildura’s Food System

• The Good Foundation and Jamie’s Ministry of Food

 

Encouraging physical activity 

• City of Melbourne – Good Wheel Program

• Mars Petcare – Life - Stand Up For Your Health

• Maribyrnong City Council - The Active Maribyrnong Spring Into Summer Series

• The Big Issue – The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program

 

Preventing tobacco use

• Alfred Health – Start the Conversation

• City of Melbourne – City of Melbourne Smoke-free Areas Project

• Quit Victoria – Just Say AAH for a Smoke-free Smile

• Tobacco Free Portfolios – Tobacco Free Portfolios 

 

Preventing harm from alcohol 

• Cancer Council Victoria and the Alcohol Policy Coalition – Victorian Alcohol Policy Roadmap Project

• Mercy Health – An Enhanced Response to Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment in Wyndham

• Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre – Alcohol’s Burden of Disease in Australia 

• Youth Support and Advocacy Service – A Digital Alcohol and Drug Tool for Young People

 

Improving mental wellbeing 

• cohealth Arts Generator – Sisters and Brothers

• Creativity Australia – The With One Voice Program and Sing for Good 

• Darebin City Council – Darebin Says No to Family Violence

 

Communications in health promotion

• Cancer Council Victoria – LiveLighter social marketing campaign

• Inner East Primary Care Partnership – Chasing the Luck

• Monash City Council – Enough Pokies

• Rethink Sugary Drink Alliance – Aboriginal Rethink Sugary Drink Social Marketing Campaign

• Women’s Health in the North – For Love or Money

 

Building health through sport

• Gymnastics Victoria – Gymnastics Victoria Inclusion App 

• Maribyrnong City Council – Maribyrnong She’s Game: Gender Equity in Sport

• Starfish Nippers at Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club – Fostering Inclusiveness and Diversity at your Life Saving Club

• The Huddle – North Melbourne Football Club – Sisters Through Sport

• The Pride Cup – The Pride Cup 

 

Building health through art

• City of Great Dandenong – Cultural Threads

• Ilbijerri Theatre Company – Tanderrum

• Merri Community Health Services – The Safety Zone Project: You’re not alone

• Victorian Major Events – White Night - I Could Have Danced All Night

 

Research into action

• EACH Social and Community Health – Reimagining a Healthy Workplace

• Federation University and Victoria University – Sport and Recreational Spatial

• La Trobe University – Dancing with Parkinson’s

• The Social Research Centre – National Community Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women Survey

• University of Melbourne – National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Excellence in Healthy Liveable Communities

 

Outstanding journalism on health promotion issues

• Emily Rice – Channel 9

• Mark Smith-Briggs – Maribyrnong Leader 

• Miki Perkins – The Age

• Sam Lane – The Age

• Shepparton News 

For more information about the 2015 VicHealth Awards, visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/awards