About Healthy Cities Australia

Our Mission

Our mission is to reduce the prevalence of disease and prevent hospitalisations by improving health and wellbeing outcomes in communities that need it most.

38% of illness, disease and early deaths can be prevented.
80% of an individual’s health is caused by factors outside of the health care system, such as in the communities where we live, work and play.
Disease prevention reduces the cost of ambulances, emergency and hospital admissions, returning $14 for every $1 invested.

Our Values

Integrity

We develop evidence-based programs, which work to prevent and control chronic ill-health and disease in humans. We adhere to the principles of the WHO Healthy Cities Movement.

Collaboration

We are active members of the WHO Alliance for Healthy Cities. We partner with government and private organisations as well as grass roots community groups to prevent and control ill-health and disease in humans and protect our environment.

Equity

We participate in the development of public policy to effect change for population health outcomes. We aim to reduce inequity by building capacity. We recognise the diverse needs of our communities.

Inclusivity

We aim to foster social connection and inclusion of all those who are marginalised in our communities.

Our Organisation

Reports and Resources

We have evolved from our roots as Healthy Cities Illawarra – Established in 1987, we are 38 years young.

We are the Secretariat of the Australian Chapter of the Alliance for Healthy Cities since 2007.

We are Steering Committee members of the Alliance for Healthy Cities and subscribe to the framework of Healthy Cities initiated by the World Health Organisation, that is, that the social, economic and physical environment is the key to the health and wellbeing of our citizens.

We are a health promotion charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.

We are an incorporated association administered by NSW Fair Trading.

We have deductible gift recipient status (DGR) with the Australian Taxation Office.

In 2025, our organisation comprised:

20 staff

143 active volunteers

6,137 volunteer hours

53 community programs

633 participants

1563 program delivery hours

Board of Directors

Dr Lina Engelen
Chair
Dr Lance Barrie
Deputy Chair
Kelly Andrews
Secretary & Public Officer & CEO
Catherine Moyle
Andrew Mastroianni
Franca Facci
Dr Mary-Anne Land
Vicky Wallace
Katie Singh

Ambassadors and Advisors

Korin Koutsomihalis
Prof Fran Baum
Prof Evelyne de Leeuw
Dr Trevor Hancock
Sandra McCarthy OAM
Brett Connellan
Margaret Biggs

Staff

Dr George Takacs
Active Transport Taskforce Coordinator
Margareta Saveska
Business Manager
Kelly Andrews
Secretary & Public Officer & CEO
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
Dr Alexander Brown
Asthma Projects Coordinator
Grace Potter
Fair Food Coordinator