About us
We believe prevention is the best cure. We aim to address the underlying social, economic and environmental causes of health inequity and are committed to taking action to deliver meaningful health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.
Guided by our core values of integrity, collaboration, equity and inclusivity we work in partnership with local government, health care providers and other community organisations to prevent and control diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, asthma, dementia, depression and anxiety. We do this by:
- Creating healthy environments.
- Enabling healthy choices.
- Addressing social, economic and environmental causes of health inequity.
- Striving to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Designing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based, cost-effective programs.
- Achieving meaningful health and wellbeing outcomes.
Our logo represents people and environment: three figures holding ‘hands’ representing community, connection and belonging. The figures are also a nod to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven escarpment of mountains meeting the sea. Colours chosen are obvious to their nature: green mountain and red earth, blue sea and the yellow sun looking down upon everyone; our community and environment.
30+ years of Healthy Cities and Healthy People.
1987
Healthy Cities Illawarra Pilot Project
1988
Heart Health and Nutrition Taskforce Cholesterol Screening Van
1989
Clean Up Lake Illawarra Project
1990
QUIT Action Team (later Smoke-Free Illawarra)
1991
Child Injury Prevention Task Force
1992
Transport and Environment Taskforce
1992
Community Gardens (Berkeley + Bellambi)
1995
Road Safety Bicycle Park Warilla
1997
Refugee Communities in the Illawarra
2005
Food Fairness Illawarra
2006
Illawarra Active Transport Taskforce
2006
Building Healthy Men, Healthy Ageing and Coniston Men’s Shed
2007
HIV & Related Services Program
2007
Child Safety Advocate Project
2010
Stir it up!
2011
Child Friendly By Design (2528 project)
2013
Active In-Betweens
2014
5×5
2015
Cook Chill Chat
2016
Hidden Harvest
2016
United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals
2016
TALK
2018
Winner – AFIA Award for Creative Developments in Healthy Cities Achieving SDGs through Healthy Cities Programs
2019
The Caddyshack Project
2020
Active Connections
2021
Active Holidays
2021
Safe and Active Routes to School (SAARTS)
2021
Play Illawarra
2022
Wollongong Online Farmers Market
2022
The inaugural International Women’s Day of Dance & Culture
2022
More Than A Cyclist – Illawarra
2022
The Dinner Table Project
2023
Awarded IWIB Outstanding Charity / Not for Profit 2023
Our people
Healthy Cities Illawarra is governed by an elected Board of Directors who bring great skills and governance to Healthy Cities Illawarra.
Board of Directors
Ambassadors and Advisors
Staff
Kelly Andrews
CEO
Margareta Saveska
Business Manager
Ingrid Ferguson
Volunteer and Engagement Officer
Linda Milling
Health Promotion Officer Food Sustainability & Community Nutrition
Manami Henderson
Health Promotion Officer Food Sustainability & Community Nutrition
Michelle Barry
Team Leader – Children’s Health Promotion
Loreto Medina
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator.
Alexander Brown, PhD
Asthma Projects Coordinator
Grace Potter
Fair Food Coordinator
Karel Strooband, PhD
Health Promotion Officer
Our team also expands to include a highly qualified and dedicated team of casual employees and volunteers who make our programs shine.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Healthy Cities Illawarra commits to the provision of safe and friendly environments for children and young people.
Guided by our core values of integrity, collaboration, equity, and inclusivity, we will ensure that our people and programs provide opportunities for all children regardless of social background, ethnic origin, gender, or ability level.
We will embed the interests of the child throughout our core business and within our policies and procedures.
We will ensure they are understood and practiced by all – so that children and young people are safe, feel safe, and are supported to maximise their social, physical and mental health outcomes.
Healthy Cities Illawarra is part of an international movement initiated by the World Health Organisation in 1986. The WHO Western Pacific Region supported the development of the Alliance for Health Cities in 2003.
Healthy Cities have spread rapidly across Europe and other parts of the world. In the Western Pacific Region there are over 130 city members of which Healthy Cities Illawarra is one.
The Australian Chapter of the International Alliance for Healthy Cities was formed in 2007 and there are currently 5 member cities/organisations.
- A clean, safe physical environment of high-quality (including housing quality).
- An ecosystem that is stable now and sustainable in the long term.
- A strong, mutually supportive and non-exploitative community.
- A high degree of public participation in and control by the public over the decisions affecting their lives, health, and well-being.
- The meeting of basic needs (food, water, shelter, income, safety and work) for all the city’s people.
- Access to a wide variety of experiences and resources, with the possibility of multiple contacts, interactions, and communication.
- A diverse, vital and innovative city economy.
- Encouragement of connectedness with the past, with the cultural and biological heritage, and with other groups and individuals.
- A city form that is compatible with and enhances the above parameters and behaviours.
- An optimum level of appropriate public health and sick-care services accessible to all.
- High health status (both high positive health status and low disease status).
