Working together to keep Australia happy & healthy
Award applications are open until 8 November 2019 at 5pm. The Healthy Towns awards will be made available for applications based on the following category awards:

Connections
Between People

Supporting projects that bring people together, increase social connections and provide a sense of belonging and self-worth within the community.

This award is based on the ability of community groups to bring people together, increasing social connections and providing a sense of belonging; resulting in a socially inclusive community. Social inclusion and exclusion lie at two ends of the same continuum. Social inclusion builds connections, relationships and trust, the essence of a healthy community. Culturally inclusive projects and will be highly regarded.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL RECIEVE $1000.00 FOR THIS AWARD
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Connections
with Place

Supporting projects that will provide equitable access to resources and services that enhance and celebrate a sense of place, are culturally inclusive and build community pride.

This award recognises that being healthy in any town means having easy access to resources, healthy and inclusive environments and the ability for community members to be empowered and to participate in decision-making. This award emphasises the importance of people feeling connected to their community, proud of their town and empowered to instigate change where needed. The award endeavours to promote spaces that are inclusive and where people are accessing the range of services available to them.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL RECEIVE $1000.00 FOR THIS AWARD
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Connections
with Greenspace

Supporting projects that are environmentally friendly and will have a positive environmental impact on their town.

This award recognises the community’s commitment to their towns’ environment by acknowledging programs led by community groups specifically promoting environmentally friendly activities.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL RECEIVE $1000.00 FOR THIS AWARD
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Award Funding

Successful award applicants for Connections Award categories will receive $1000. The recipient of the major Health and Happiness Award will receive $5000 to support future projects and programs to improve local people’s health and happiness.

Eligibility Criteria

PROJECTS MUST:

  • Be non-discriminatory and aim to improve the health and happiness of the community
  • Demonstrate working towards sustainability
  • Work with one (1) or more populations where there is greatest need
  • Demonstrate learning, connecting and sharing
  • Be a not for profit incorporated entity or under the auspices of an organisation that is
  • Maintain, as a minimum, $20,000,000 public liability insurance and such other insurances would reasonably be required by an organisation undertaking the proposed project

Terms and Conditions

All applicants who participate in the Healthy Towns program must agree that:

  • Sunshine Coast Health Network trading as Healthy Towns is not liable for personal injury and loss or damage due to participation in the program.
  • Members of the Healthy Towns Finalists Selection Panel have the final decision of all aspects relating to the awards assessment process associated with the Healthy Towns program.
  • Award recipients agree to share their successes, publishing stories and photographs.
  • This program is open to residents (minimum 18 years of age) within the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie region only. This will be reviewed annually.
  • Award recipients agree to contribute to the overall Healthy Towns evaluation as required.
  • Applicants (or a representative) must be available to attend the awards event
  • By participating in this program, participants agree to these conditions.

Review Panel

A Healthy Towns review panel will be formed from local and national health professionals, and government and community representatives. The panel will review all nominations to ensure the terms and conditions have been met and the projects are in line with the Healthy Towns Criteria.

The review panel will choose the recipient of the Major Health and Happiness Award from among all the applications submitted.

Projects will be reviewed within one month. During this time the review panel and/or Healthy Towns Project Officer may visit the community groups to observe activities and listen to locals’ stories of new connections and improved health.

Evaluation

The Healthy Towns evaluation will focus on assessing changes in participating towns’ health and happiness, and with connections for people, green space, local community and populations in greatest need.  Evaluation of the Healthy Towns program has commenced and is being conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast and Griffith University public health academics.

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Healthy Towns acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.