In the latest Industry Talk session held on 23 August, we were joined by Michelle Attard, Evaluation Project Officer at Victoria University and Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, to explore the work that they are doing via their Sons and Daughters of the West Program. With a special focus on the programs delivered in partnership with Maribyrnong City Council, we also heard from Participation and Events Officer, Grace van der Merwe, from Maribyrnong. This program winning the PLA (Vic/Tas) Community Based Initiative of the Year Award for 2023.
Thanks to all who attended the webinar and took part in the discussion. Of course, a big thank you must also go out to our presenters, Michelle and Grace, for their time and expertise. You can find the full webinar recording at the link below.
About the project
Delivered in partnership between the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Maribyrnong City Council, and Victoria University, the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Sons and Daughters of the West programs provide the opportunity for community members to learn more about their health, get active, and build connection with their community in a gender sensitised and culturally safe environment.
This has included Council collaborating with Western Bulldogs Community Foundation to deliver 10 week health and wellbeing programs comprising health education and physical activity 2 hours per week for Vitenamese women and men and East African women. In the programs, participants develop their understanding of topics such as mental fitness, nutrition, and heart health, with content delivered in a mixture of participants’ first language and English. The “What’s in Your Backyard? sessions showcased local health/ recreational services such as Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, Council services and Cohealth, creating awareness of active opportunities to encourage participants to embrace health and wellbeing as a part of their everyday lives.
About the Awards Each year, Parks and Leisure Australia acknowledges excellence in our industry through its prestigious Awards of Excellence. These annual awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding initiatives and innovative efforts of ‘the people behind the places’ which promote good use of leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community. The Community Based Initiative of the Year Award is designed to recognise the combined effort that is required to successfully plan, organise and manage effective initiatives, projects, programs, events and/or festivals which promote and enhance leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community. Read more on the award winners HERE. |
Thank you to our presenters
Dr Michelle Attard (PhD)
Project Officer, Victoria University and Western Bulldogs Community Foundation
Grace van der Merwe
Participation and Events Officer – Maribyrnong City Council
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