VicHealth

27/11/2025

24 hours. Hundreds of hands. One brand new farm for Colac Secondary College.

We’re delighted to be part of this incredible project led by Colac Otway Shire Council Colac Secondary College and Farm My School with support from Australia’s favourite green thumb Costa Georgiadis Official 🌱

In just 24 hours, hundreds of locals turned bare ground into more than 2km of thriving garden beds. It’s a powerful reminder of what communities can achieve together!

We were inspired by everyone who picked up a shovel, donated, organised or cheered from the sidelines. We can’t wait to see Colac’s new school farm grow.

Learn more about how we’re supporting this project: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/local-partnerships-for-food-first

27/11/2025

Today, we've launched a new report alongside VicHealth that explores how companies harvest and draw on millions of pieces of personal data to track, profile and target people with hyper-personalised online ads.

This type of marketing can be particularly harmful when it comes to addictive products like alcohol.

When people experiencing alcohol dependence or gambling addiction want to seek support, it can undermine their efforts to get well.

We need a strong regulatory response to address the harms associated with the data-driven marketing of harmful and addictive products. This report outlines some of the steps to get there.

25/11/2025

Each week in Melbourne’s west, women are coming together to learn sewing, tie-dye and batik, a traditional art using wax and dye to create colourful patterns ✂️

But it’s about so much more than new skills. Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment Inc workshops help boost confidence, spark creativity and build lifelong friendships.

They’re a welcoming space where culture, community (and dancing) are celebrated 💛

Organised by Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment Inc, the program is empowering women to connect and create, one stitch at a time.

We’re proud to support this initiative alongside Living Hope Disability Services AU and the Australian African Foundation of Retention and Opportunity, through our Growing Healthy Communities grants.

👉Learn more about this and other exciting projects we fund on our website:
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-health/be-healthy-blog/stitching-together-connection-and-creat…

24/11/2025

🥭 Mango lovers rejoice. Mango season is here!

In season from September to April – but at their juiciest and most delicious in December – mangoes are the ultimate summer snack.

Try them:
✨ Fresh on their own
🥣 Sliced over yoghurt
🍹 Blended into a smoothie
🍧 Pureed and frozen for a cool treat.

Tasty and packed with vitamins, what’s not to love! ☀️

20/11/2025

Don’t walk away empty-handed like Gretchen Wieners.

Sports clubs have the power to bring us together – there's so much joy in kids getting the chance to shine on the field while families connect on the sidelines.

However too often, companies selling harmful products like alcohol, sugary drinks, and gambling sponsor local clubs and sport facilities. They then use this as an opportunity to target young people with their marketing – which is so not fetch.

That’s why we’re cheering on the legends at the City of Ballarat who’ve introduced a Harmful Industries Declaration and Sponsorship Guide. The guide makes it easier for clubs and organisations to add harmful industries to the burn book.

It also helps clubs to find better sponsors – ones who care about health and wellbeing. How much do we love this? The limit does not exist.

Know a sports club that wants to make a change? Tag them below and see how Ballarat is making it happen here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/city-of-ballarat-healthy-sponsorship-guidelines

20/11/2025

New research alert: Did you know some packaged toddler foods contain as much sugar as marshmallows or gummy bears? New research conducted by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) in partnership with us and Food for Health Alliance has revealed toddlers are regularly eating these products from an early age.

The survey findings reinforce the need for policy and regulatory action to improve how these foods are made and marketed to protect parents and families.

Want to learn more about the findings? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giSPVZkv

Most toddler food products sold in Aussie supermarkets do not meet nutrition standards set by the World Health Organization.

Now a largest-of-its-kind survey of more than 7,000 parents has exposed just how often these foods being eaten by young Australians.

According to the landmark research by Murdoch Rese, 8 in 10 (80%) children aged 18 months to 4 years ate packaged toddler foods in the month of the survey.

Nearly half (43%) consumed packaged toddler foods on five or more days per week in the last month.

This data makes it clearer than ever that regulation around these foods, including how much salt and sugar can go into them, must be prioritised to protect young children's health.

Read the full media release: https://bit.ly/4o2oaIg

18/11/2025

14/11/2025

Health Star Ratings were meant to be on 70% of products by today… but only 37% have them.

Australians deserve clear, simple info to help spot healthier packaged foods in the supermarket, no detective work required. 🕵️‍♂️⭐

Let’s make Health Star Ratings mandatory, so everyone gets the info they need to pick the healthiest food for their families.

The George Institute for Global Health Food for Health Alliance

13/11/2025

🥗 Big news for 62 Victorian primary schools!

In partnership with Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, we're supporting these schools with grants to deliver hands-on, inclusive food education through the Kitchen Garden Program.

From tackling food insecurity to rebuilding school gardens, these communities are creating nourishing learning environments that help kids thrive.

Over the next two years, students will grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh food — building confidence, food literacy and lifelong skills.

Congratulations to all 62 successful schools across the state! 🌱🍅🥕🍓

10/11/2025

Avocados are synonymous with Aussie breakfasts – and for good reason.

They’re delicious smashed on toast or even blended into a smoothie. They’re also versatile and pair well with other ingredients like cherry tomatoes and eggs.

Avocadoes aren’t just yummy, they’re also made up of the good stuff. Think vitamins and nutrients, including healthy fats.

So, the next time you’re doing a food shop, do yourself a favour and grab some avocados – your body and taste buds will thank you!

06/11/2025

We’re still buzzing from the launch of our major initiative ‘Shifting the Playbook: Towards Cultural Safety and Equity in Victoria’.

It was wonderful to be joined by key partners Football Victoria (soccer), Basketball Victoria, Music Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, Ausdance Victoria and Reclink Australia alongside other change makers from across government, sport, arts and recreation for a morning of conversation, connection and exchange.

A special thank you to our presenters, Jamal Elsheikh, Chris O’Neill and Ranee Wannasit, for sharing their leadership, lived experience and wisdom in guiding communities to be more welcoming and culturally safe.

From here, we will be supporting locally-led projects that foster cultural safety, prevent racism and strengthen community wellbeing – creating fairer, safer and more welcoming spaces where every young person can belong.

Because when we shift the playbook, we change the game for everyone.

👉Want to learn more about the initiative? Visit https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/funding/shifting-the-playbook

31/10/2025

Halloween is better together 🎃

Whether it’s trick or treating with mates, chasing little monsters down the street, or getting to know your neighbours, social connection is one of the best treats you can give your wellbeing.
So get out there and enjoy the night 🧡