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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.

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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
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1995
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2005
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2010
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2013
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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

2006 - Building Healthy Men Project

Building Healthy Men, Healthy Ageing and Coniston Men’s Shed

2007

HIV & Related Services Program (HARP)

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

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

Lance Barrie

Deputy Chair

Kelly Andrews

Secretary & Public Officer

Andrew Mastroianni

Franca Facci

Mary-Anne Land

Vicky Wallace

Katie Singh

Lina Engelen

Strategic Advisor

Ambassadors and Advisors

Sandra McCarthy OAM

Ambassador

Prof Patricia M. Davidson

Ambassador

Amy Duggan

Ambassador

Brett Connellan

Ambassador

Margaret Biggs

Ambassador

Staff

Kelly Andrews

Kelly Andrews

CEO

Margareta Saveska

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

Dr George Takacs

Active Transport Taskforce Coordinator

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.

  1. A clean, safe physical environment of high-quality (including housing quality).
  2. An ecosystem that is stable now and sustainable in the long term.
  3. A strong, mutually supportive and non-exploitative community.
  4. A high degree of public participation in and control by the public over the decisions affecting their lives, health, and well-being.
  5. The meeting of basic needs (food, water, shelter, income, safety and work) for all the city’s people.
  6. Access to a wide variety of experiences and resources, with the possibility of multiple contacts, interactions, and communication.
  7. A diverse, vital and innovative city economy.
  8. Encouragement of connectedness with the past, with the cultural and biological heritage, and with other groups and individuals.
  9. A city form that is compatible with and enhances the above parameters and behaviours.
  10. An optimum level of appropriate public health and sick-care services accessible to all.
  11. High health status (both high positive health status and low disease status).

We support and promote the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

#11 Sustainable cities and communities

Our evidence-based programs are aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Our programs
#17 Partnerships for the goals

We work in partnership to deliver meaningful health and wellbeing outcomes for our community.

Partner with us
#3 Good health and well-being

You can support our mission and help us tackle health’s biggest problems in the community.

Support us