HealthWISE has been named one of three finalists for the Rural and Remote Health Innovator of the Year award at the National Rural and Remote Health Awards.
This recognition celebrates the incredible work our teams have done through three standout health promotion programs: Students As Lifestyle Activists (SALSA), Nutrition Education Skills Training (NEST), and the Menopause is Not a Dirty Word event series.
“I’m very proud of the work undertaken. Being shortlisted for this national award recognises the importance of health education and providing people with the tools they need to lead a healthier life,” HealthWISE CEO Fiona Strang said.
She said the award reflects our board’s strategic decision to invest in making a stronger social impact through prevention and health promotion. She’s proud of the significant partnerships we’ve formed and the impact we’ve been able to make on the lives of participants.
Being shortlisted for this national award recognises the importance of health education and providing people with the tools they need to lead a healthier life.
Previously only available in metropolitan areas, HealthWISE was the first to bring both SALSA and NEST to the country. Since 2023, SALSA Regional has reached over 750 high school students across the New England North West. With the help of university student educators, high schoolers become peer educators, teaching younger students about healthy eating and exercise, and designing broader health strategies for their schools.
Designed by OzHarvest, NEST Regional has supported participants to cook nutritious meals on a budget, addressing food security across our footprint. We’ve hosted eight six-week workshops across North West NSW and southern QLD since early 2024.
“Food insecurity often leads to less nutritious diets. NEST can help by improving confidence and self-efficacy to budget for, buy and make affordable nutritious meals that are both tasty and easy to prepare,” HealthWISE health and wellbeing officer Emma Knights said.
A true grassroots effort, our menopause events developed from water cooler conversations about the lack of information available, and have since provided valuable education in Tamworth, Moree, Armidale and Gunnedah. Each event featured a range of local health professionals including physiotherapists, general practitioners and women’s health nurses.
“We decided that rural and regional women need access to solid information, the latest research and treatment options, support, and to get together and share their stories,” Emma explained.
HealthWISE research and partnerships manager Louise Ingall hopes the Australian government will invest more in preventative health. Currently only 2% of the federal health budget is allocated to preventative health, well below the 5% target of the Australian Preventative Health Strategy. However the Productivity Commission recently recommended a national framework to support government investment in health prevention/promotion.
“The HealthWISE health promotion initiatives that were delivered in local communities across the New England North West are innovative examples that could be replicated across rural communities if stable and ongoing funding was available,” Louise said.
Hosted by Rural Health Pro, the awards will be presented at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra on November 5.
