An innovative Pathlinks Program set up by Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula Shire provides access to 77km of new trails and pathways for 42 different communities. It was named as the overall winner of the 2005 Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards at the National General Assembly of Local Government.
The aim of the award program is to recognise Councils nationwide for their work in promoting and supporting heart health through good nutrition, physical activity and smoke free environments.
The awards also encourage Councils to continue initiating sustainable structural changes and collaborate with like minded, community based organisations on local heart health initiatives to reach local communities.
The awards offer a pool of $35,000 which is distributed among the winners in each of the seven categories. The Peninsula Pathlinks program was named as overall winner of the Awards in addition to winning the category for Recreational Infrastructure Facilities. Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will receive $10,000 from the Heart Foundation through the support of Kellogg, a commemorative plaque and a perpetual trophy.
The Pathlinks program won the top award for the holistic approach it showed in encouraging a diverse range of community members to incorporate an active lifestyle into their daily routines.
Other national winners
National Healthy Nutrition Project
Frankston City Council (Victoria) – Frankston Community Kitchens Project – a community kitchen that promotes healthy cooking.
National Policy for Healthy Communities (joint winners)
Lajamanu Progress Association & Katherine West Health Board (NT) – Lajamanu Food and Nutrition Guidelines – food and nutritional guidelines developed for a food outlet servicing an Indigenous community; and Kiama Municipal Council (NSW) – Kiama Public Health Plan 2005-2008, Healthy Communities – Town Country and Coast Council Health Plans which incorporate ‘food gardens’ and a walking school bus program.
Physical Activity Project
Brisbane City Council (Qld) – Active Parks program – a no cost, physical activity program accessible through parks and suitable for all fitness levels.
National Project by a Community Organisation
Walungurru School and Walungurru Council (NT) – Learning through Food program for children within an Indigenous community.
National Project with Limited Resources
City of Whittlesea (Victoria) – Women’s Aquatic program – a women’s only aquatic program designed specifically to encourage Islamic women to learn to swim and promote general physical activity.
Small Rural and Remote Community Project
Shire of Lake Grace (WA) – Aquatics and Recreation in the Community – a physical activity program designed to increase participation rates within a small rural and remote community.
Each of the category winners had previously won the same State or Territory category and as a result became eligible for the national award.
Representatives from the Heart Foundation, Kellogg and the Australian Local Government Association judged this year’s awards based on the entrants ability to create, deliver and promote opportunities for heart healthy lifestyles in their community. Each category winner had won the State or Territory award to be eligible for the national award.
