Shining the spotlight on health promotion

Victoria’s most accomplished health promotion heroes were celebrated during the 2022 Victorian Health Promotion Awards at The Capitol Theatre.

In total, nine organisations and individuals received awards for their extraordinary efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the state.

Among the winners were a water safety surf program for First Nations’ Australians, a community-led campaign sparking life-saving conversations about family violence, plus two inspiring community members pioneering change and promoting inclusion within their communities.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas thanked all the award recipients and finalists for their innovation, passion and hard work.

“Congratulations to all our finalists and award winners for helping to inspire more Victorians to be healthy and happy, while giving them the tools to do so,” Minister Thomas said.

“Your work is inspirational and vital. Thank you for the passion and commitment you show every day in improving the health and wellbeing of Victorian communities.”

VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said the Awards highlighted the importance of investing in prevention to support Victorians to live longer, healthier lives.

“Nothing is more important than our health and wellbeing.  Our award nominees are making a huge difference by keeping us connected and preventing issues that cause chronic disease,” Dr Demaio said.

“Congratulations to all the Victorian Health Promotion Award nominees. We were blown away by the calibre of nominations, Victoria is certainly a healthier place to be thanks to your efforts.”

The recipients of the 2022 Victorian Health Promotion Awards are:

Outstanding Health Promotion Award: healthAbility -Baby Makes 3 - Supporting familes to thrive

Focused on education and social change for gender equality in parenting, Baby Makes 3 provides support to new parents. Shaping attitudes and social norms by challenging outdated gender expectations of becoming a parent.

Building Back Better Award: Brophy Family & Youth Services - STOKED Surf Therapy

STOKED is a surf therapy program for young people aged between 14 to 25 years. The program aims to teach surfing as a coping strategy for mental health, connect young people to community, deliver education on mental health and wellbeing and provide exposure to the healing powers of the ocean.

Driving Health Equity Award: Transomatics - Arts Gen

The Transomatics podcast supports the trans community to connect with their bodies through gender-diverse, inclusive content focused on breathing and movements.

Future Healthy Award: Surfing Victoria - Victorian Indigenous Surfing Program

The Victorian Indigenous Surfing Program is one of the longest running Indigenous engagement programs in the country. Moving into its 25th year, the program utilises surfing as a vehicle to connect Indigenous Victorians with the ocean, their community and nature whilst learning new skills, water safety knowledge and healthy habits.

Community Legend Award: Annie Vickers-Willis
Annie Vickers-Willis spends between 30-35 hours every week organising and inspiring other women to walk through her passion project 'Women on Walks'. The Facebook group is home to more than 7,000 participants who connect via a shared passion of walking.

Leading Health Promotion Research Award: Bendigo Health -Bendigo Health -Making every consultation count

Bendigo Health’s research looked at cost-effective methods to integrate preventative health advice into routine hospital visits, where surgeons talked to patients about their physical activity levels, providing advice and referring them to a telephone coaching program.

Outstanding Media Reporting Award: Zain Nabi, SBS News -The Disruptive Companion
SBS podcast 'The Disruptive Companion' shed a light on eating disorders, where journalist Zain Nabi spoke to more than 50 people, advocates and experts. Stories featured those with lived experience, including those from CALD and Indigenous communities, with key parts translated into 12 languages.

Stephen Walter Excellence in Health Promotion Marketing Award: DPV Health - Let’s Bring Change Together
A co-designed and community-led campaign created for South Asian women in the Whittlesea community to highlight the issue of family violence, motivate discussion and promote the importance of feeling safe.

Future Changemaker Award: Krushnadevsinh Ravalji

Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji is an independent youth and diversity advocate, focused on young people and multicultural communities to promote inclusion, healthy living and physical activity.

For information about the Victorian Health Promotion Awards, please visit www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/awards