The Shire of East Pilbara has been recognised for creating environments that protect and support the health of children.
The Western Australian shire is the largest Local Government Area in the country and one of the most remote. It was recently recognised for creating environments that protect and support the health of children at Western Australia’s sixth annual Local Government Children’s Environment and Health Awards, Environments Promoting Physical Activity category.
The Awards, auspiced by the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA with support from Healthway, the WA Local Government Association (WALGA), the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA (CCYP) and The Cancer Council WA were presented by the Vice President of WALGA Mayor Tracey Roberts, Acting Healthway Executive Director Maree DeLacey and Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit.
Dr Melissa Stoneham, Director of the Institute said, “The Children’s Environment and Health Report Card is awarded annually through the Institute, and showcases local governments progress towards improving children’s environments and health within communities.
“So many local governments are doing great work to promote child health and many are asking children for their ideas before planning services and programs. “We call it a report card because, just as you did as a student at school, we provide feedback via a report card, complete with grades.”
The Awards were presented to 26 local governments, recognising achievements across fifteen categories including the areas of Environments Promoting Physical Activity, Nature Play, Healthy and Safe Food and Planning Healthy Communities, amongst others.
The Shire of East Pilbara prioritises the needs of the younger population despite being a very remote location.
The Council is committed to providing Youth Recreation Centres, young people support groups, alcohol and drug free skate parks, aquatic centres and a variety of smoke free sporting grounds and recreation areas in all of its towns.
