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Celebrating our annual Health Promotion Awards 2025

Posted at 1:50pm on 5 December 2025 in Health Promotion news by

On 23 October, more than 80 finalists, guests and partner organisations, including Cancer Council Victoria, enliven and local councils, came together at Cranbourne Golf Club to celebrate the 2025 Health Promotion Awards. 

The event was officially opened by Professor Rhonda Stuart, Director of Public Health and Infection Prevention with awards presented by Matthew Yates, Operations Manager of Public Health and Priority Populations, alongside representatives from Sport and Recreation Victoria, Quit Victoria, the Healthy Eating Advisory Service and Monash Health. 

We celebrate the valuable contributions of all our finalists and winners. Their passion, innovation and commitment to health promotion have made a meaningful impact in their communities and continue to inspire positive change across the region. 

2025 winners and their achievements

We’re proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Health Promotion Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to community health and wellbeing: 

Sports Clubs 

  • Achievements:
    Sonya has introduced a new policy about healthy eating  and a healthier club menu based on feedback from under-19 players following an education session. Sonya is proud of the fact that by working with the Monash Health team, the club is becoming a healthier environment both physically and mentally for all of their players, support staff, committee members and spectators.  

Alternate Leisure 

  • Achievements:
    Doug and Diana have created an inclusive gym environment by partnering with local children’s groups and WeFlex to support clients with diverse abilities. Their tailored workouts and focus on mental wellbeing have helped children and adults with special needs feel safe and confident while staying active. They also collaborated with ECG College and Monash Health to deliver a 6-week health and fitness program for students. 

Community Champion 

  • Achievements:
    Izabela and Jacki have transformed a cultural women’s group into a welcoming, multicultural space offering free exercise, healthy snacks, and health education. The program supports social connection, especially for women from diverse backgrounds and provides a safe, inclusive environment for women and children to thrive. 

Early Years 

  • Achievements:
    The Bridgewood team has embedded a whole-service approach to health and wellbeing, completing both the Mental Health and Physical Activity priority areas. Initiatives include weekly physical activity sessions, a colour run, Kindergarten Olympics, and staff walking challenges, alongside mindfulness, yoga, and emotional regulation tools to support children’s mental wellbeing. 

Schools 

  • Achievements:
    Jessica has led updates to the school’s SunSmart and smoke/vape policies, including refreshing signage across the site. She’s now expanding efforts to promote physical activity beyond PE classes, helping embed health and wellbeing into everyday school life. 

Outside School Hours Care 

  • Achievements:
    Sajani has enhanced the OSHC menu through Vic Kids Eat Well by introducing healthy recipes and sharing them with families via newsletters. She promotes daily physical activity through planned outdoor games and has received positive feedback from families about the children’s engagement in cooking and active play.

Health Area Awards

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Healthy Eating 

  • Achievements: 
    Paul and Glenis have created an inclusive kitchen garden program where students grow and cook their own produce, fostering joy, connection, and cross-age friendships. Their work through Vic Kids Eat Well, including four completed small bites and a partnership with Myuna Farm, has strengthened community ties and supported their breakfast club and healthy eating initiatives. 
4

Physical Activity

  • Achievements:
    Colleen has embedded health and wellbeing into the service’s daily practice, earning recognition for Physical Activity and Movement through the Achievement Program. Her efforts include policy updates, active transport promotion, and enhanced play spaces, with strong partnerships extending these benefits across local community groups and producing measurable improvements in engagement and wellbeing. 
1

Reducing Tobacco and Vaping Related Harm 

  • Achievements:
    Nicole has led a proactive approach to vaping harm minimisation by updating signage and policies and offering supportive one-on-one sessions for students. Her approachable style has made the nurse service a trusted space, with students referring peers and engaging positively in quitting or reducing vaping. 
3

Inclusion 

  • Achievements:
    Radmila and Cheree have championed inclusion by building a sustainable pathway for women and girls in football, launching women-only training, and forming a full team. Their work includes equity-focused policies, health campaigns, and practical supports like sanitary bins, resulting in over 30% female participation and a welcoming, discrimination-free sporting culture. 

Congratulations to all our 2025 Health Promotion Award winners. Your dedication to creating healthier, more inclusive communities has truly made a difference. From championing physical activity and healthy eating to promoting mental wellbeing and inclusion, your efforts are inspiring and impactful. We celebrate your achievements and look forward to continuing this important work together to build a healthier future for all. 

Find out more about how our Health Promotion team supports organisations to improve health and wellbeing.