Health and Wellbeing
The Golden Plains Shire Health and Wellbeing team is a partnership initiative between Golden Plains Shire Council, integrated living Australia, Barwon Health and Ballarat Community Health.
This Girl Can Week grants are now open. Click here to find out more.
Funded by the Department of Health, the Health and Wellbeing Team has a commitment to working in partnership to enhance and promote the overall health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across Golden Plains Shire.
The key priorities for the Health and Wellbeing Team include:
- Healthy eating and active living
- Access to local health and community services
- Healthy and sustainable environments
- Connected communties
- Family violence and gender equity
Learn about Health and Wellbeing services:
-
Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan
-
Factsheets
-
Children's Storybook 'The Super Veggie Four'
-
Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Grants
-
Community Walking Groups
-
Walk to School
-
Take the Lead - Women' Leadership in Sport
-
Connecting with Community
Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan
Our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan and Wellbeing Action Plan 2017-2021 sets the overarching framework for all of the policies and partnerships that must be in place if people in the Shire are to enjoy good physical and mental health in great communities. For more information click here.
Golden Plains Shire factsheets
Council has produced a range of factsheets to provide statistical information and facts about a range of factors and themes affecting the health and wellbeing of Golden Plains Shire residents. These factsheets aim to provide accurate, up to date and easy to understand information for a wide audience including Golden Plains residents and other interested stakeholders.
The following factsheets are currently available:
- Physical Activity
This list will be updated as and when new factsheets are released to the community.
Children's Storybook 'The Super Veggie Four'
Designed to portray vegetables as fun, exciting, and super, this storybook was shaped by families and children from across Golden Plains Shire. It tells the story of three local children from Rokewood, Smythesdale and Cape Clear, who are visited by ‘super hero vegetables’ and helped in their journey to change traditional family meals from ‘ordinary to rainbow,’ discovering delicious and healthy vegetables.
‘The Super Veggie Four’ is part of a concerted effort from Council to empower community members, and shift the public perception of eating vegetables to one that is fun for children. Woven throughout the book are simple tips to help support families to make vegetables a fun and attractive choice for children, rather than pressuring children to eat them. Council’s work and messaging aligns closely with a collaborative approach in both the G21 Geelong Region Alliance and Central Highlands region to increase vegetable consumption through a combined partnership approach to health and wellbeing
Download 'The Super Veggie Four' here
Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Grants
‘Healthy Eating and Active Living’ grants were launched in 2018, and are available for community groups to apply for all year round.
EAT WELL!’ AND ‘BE ACTIVE!’
There are two different funding categories which groups can apply for, ‘Eat well! and ‘Be active!’.
The ‘Eat well’ category includes a wide range of initiatives which contribute to promoting healthy eating and drinks, such as increasing intake of fruits, vegetables and water.
‘Be active’ activities encourage community members to be active and get moving, such as initiatives focusing on moving more and being physical activity. Program may focus on regular physical activity (walking or exercise programs), as well as sporting programs, gardening groups, and outdoor activities.
For more information on our HEAL grants, click here.
Community Walking Groups
There is a number of walking groups across the Shire led by community volunteers.To find out more and join your local walking group contact the walk leaders listed below.
| Township | Day | Time | Location | Contact |
| Bannockburn | Tuesday | 10.00am | Meet at Shire Hall | Gail 0400520874 |
| Berringa | Tuesday | 9.30am | Meet at Community Hall | Dianne 53422250 |
| Dereel | Tuesday | 8.30am | Meet at Community Centre |
Lucy 53461521 |
| Inverleigh | Thursday | 10.00am | Meet at Sonny Cafe | Jen 52671200 |
| Linton | Wednesday | 9.00am | Meet at Rotunda near takeaway | Sharon 53447500 Barbara 53447280 |
| Rokewood | Tuesday | 9.00am | Meet at Hesse Health | Jen 52671200 |
| Smythesdale | Thursday | 10.00am | Meet at The Well | Justine 5321150 |
Trailblazer Walks
The Golden Plains Shire Health & Wellbeing Team lead monthly walks along paths and trails in Golden Plains and surrounding areas. Walks are 5 to 6km in length and all fitness levels are welcome as a support vehicle is on hand with pick up points along the walks. Bring along water, snacks, any important medication and wear suitable clothing. To find out more contact Customer Service (03) 5220 7111 or enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au
Walk to School
Every October VicHealth's Walk to School program encourages Victorian Primary School kids to walk, ride or scoot to and from school. The aim of the program is to encourage students and their families to consider ways they can incoporate walking, riding or scooting to school into their regular routine. It's a great way to help students learn healthy habits and achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day. To find out more about Walk to School in 2019 https://www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au/
This Girl Can
This Girl Can Week is from 23 to 29 March 2020, so get involved! This Girl Can grants are open now!
This Girl Can is a Victorian State Government led campaign promoting physical activity for women. The campaign is dedicated to encouraging more women to give physical activity a shot. Whether that is trying something new, returning to a long-lost activity, or visiting your local activity providers or clubs for a friendly catch-up.
Funded by Vichealth, Council will support community groups/clubs/organisations to run physical activity initiatives in their local communities during ‘This Girl Can Week’. Grants of up to $300 are available for not-for-profit sporting/recreation clubs and community groups, to run initiatives which support women and girls to get physically active. Applicants are required to match funding in the form of either in-kind or financial contributions. Part of the activity must be run during ‘This Girl Can Week’ (23 to 29 March).
Grant applications close 4pm, Friday 7 February. Apply now by following this link https://goldenplains.smartygrants.com.au/2020TGC
Visit https://thisgirlcan.com.au/ for more information on the campaign.
Take the Lead - Women's Leadership in Sport
The Golden Plains Rural Women’s Network in partnership with council were successful in applying for a $5,000 ‘Change Our Game Community Activation grant’ from Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Funding is being utilised to develop and deliver programs and resources, which will build the capacity, skills and confidence of women to undertake leadership roles within sport and recreation clubs.
Three case studies have been developed with four local women taking on leadership roles within their club, case studies focus on governance, coaching and increasing participation.
Case Study 1 - Participation at any age
Connecting with Community
Our Community Centres offer a range of opportunities for community to connect and participate in health and wellbeing programs, cultural activities and further education.
Northern Community Centre, Haddon
396 Sago Hill Rd, Haddon. Ph. 5342 7000
The Well - Smythesdale Business, Health and Community Hub
19 Heales St, Smythesdale. Ph. 5321 1500
Swamp Rd, Dereel.
27 High St, Bannockburn. Ph. 5220 7260
For information about the current activities and services offered at these community centres please contact using the phone numbers above.
Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 results
Results from the latest Victorian Population Health Survey 2017 were released recently. This survey, published by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides an assessment of the health and wellbeing of Victorian adults. These results are reported against several health and wellbeing indicators including fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity. These indicators closely align with Council's MPHWP priority areas. A snapshot of the Shire's performance in VPHS 2017 can be found here.
For additional information on any of the activities or services provided, please contact the Health and Wellbeing Team Leader.
Follow the links below to find out more about the agencies involved in the partnership:
