CEO Quarterly Update December 2024

Dear Friends,

2024 has been another busy year for Healthy Cities Illawarra and we have worked with our many partner organisations to keep health & wellbeing and a longer-term vision for it, as a key priority for the region. First, a heartfelt thank you to our outgoing Chair, Catherine Moyle, whose leadership has been instrumental in navigating significant governance changes while bringing invaluable cultural insights as a proud Kamilaroi woman. We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Lina Engelen as our new Chair, alongside the continued dedication of Dr. Lance Barrie as Deputy Chair.

Our 2023-24 Annual Report showcases many milestones, but it’s the unspoken connections, strengthened relationships, and renewed energy from in-person engagements that truly stand out having been afforded more face to face interactions this year. Colleagues have made mention of the absolute, practical and tangible benefits that being together in a room can bring. The beauty of inter-sectoral collaboration is not only the reach of our collective impact to vulnerable members of our community who need it, but the peer support within a sector who are constantly battling fatigue; fighting for funding to keep their valuable programs and services going, and trying to keep their own personal resources and resilience intact.

This update, therefore, is dedicated to the passionate community and public health professionals of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. Together, we’ve achieved so much in the spirit of social justice and our shared mission for health equity.

An example: The pedestrian bridge at the Mount Ousley Interchange stands as a shining example of how diverse perspectives and passionate voices can drive meaningful policy and practical change for the betterment of the community, now and into the future. Originally included in the $390 million project funded by the Federal (80%) and State (20%) governments, the bridge was removed in the final design sign-off in March this year. This decision ignited an extraordinary wave of community advocacy, sparking organized meetings, strategic communication, and direct engagement with key representatives, including Alison Byrnes MP, Paul Scully MP, Ryan Park MP, Fulton Hogan, Transport for NSW and Wollongong City Council.

Thanks to the determined efforts of groups such as the Keiraville Residents Action Group, Neighbourhood Forums 4 & 5, Illawarra Bicycle Users Group, Mount Ousley Save Our Trees, Aboriginal Cultural Company, Illawarra Greens, and Healthy Cities Illawarra, the pedestrian bridge is once again a priority. This collective advocacy demonstrates the power of collaboration across diverse groups and viewpoints, highlighting how a united community can influence decisions to ensure long-term benefits.

This result not only restores a critical piece of active transport infrastructure but also reinforces the importance of listening to community voices. Special thanks to Alison Byrnes MP for brokering so many conversations.

One of our key pillars is “Community Wellbeing” – enhancing health and wellbeing by sharing skills and resources, fostering social cohesion and community participation. I think the following highlights of the past few months demonstrate what this looks like in real life:

1. Community Wellbeing in Action
We’ve expanded Play Illawarra with a new feature for free community events. Beyond being a regional Playground Finder with over 270 playgrounds, it’s now a hub for discovering free, healthy, and active events in our region. Have an event to share? Make sure to list it, it’s never been easier to connect with your community. Huge thanks to Vivo Digital for bringing this to life!

2. Building a Wellbeing Economy
On October 30, over 120 people gathered at Wollongong Town Hall for a thought-provoking discussion led by Warwick Smith of the Centre for Policy Development. The evening explored the transformative power of a wellbeing economy, one that values health, people, and the planet above profit. A big thank you to our esteemed panelists Xuan Deng, Alfredo Paloyo, and Elijah Hurley for enriching the conversation. Join the Wellbeing Economy Alliance to add your voice to this growing global movement!

3. The Illawarra Edible Garden Trail
The second annual Illawarra Edible Garden Trail drew over 520 participants across 30 gardens from Helensburgh to Windang on November 9–10. From balconies to community plots, this event showcased how growing local food supports physical and mental health, sustainability, and even your wallet! A heartfelt thank you to the garden hosts who generously shared their spaces and expertise. Interested in opening your garden in 2026? Email Anna Jane at gardentrail@foodfairnessillawarra.org.au.

Looking Ahead to 2025
We’re excited for what’s to come:

• A Fresh New Look: In collaboration with Vivo Digital, we’ll unveil our reimagined website in early 2025. Stay tuned!
• School Lunch Pilot Program: In partnership with Berkeley Public School, University of Wollongong, and ISLHD Health Promotion Service, we’re piloting a nutritious cooked lunch program for Year 1 students in Terms 2 and 3. Inspired by global successes in Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Finland and Sweden, and championed domestically by Tasmania, this initiative will explore its impact on health, education, and community wellbeing.
• Healthy Urban Environments Community of Practice (HUE CoP):  Urban planning and design are public health issues. The design and construction of our suburbs and streets influences the way we move about, connect with other people and services, and experience wellbeing. Healthy Urban Environments encompass all of these challenges, from the air we breathe to how we seek shelter from extreme weather. Building on from our work at Food Fairness Illawarra and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Active Transport Taskforce, we are working with a small group of subject matter experts to establish a new Community of Practice. The HUE CoP is planning its first quarterly meeting in 2025 with a focus on working with local government. Contact alexander@healthycities.org.au for more information.

How You Can Help

1. Support Our Programs: Buy a raffle ticket to win a $1,000 Jetstar voucher, just in time for summer! Drawn on December 16. https://rafflelink.com.au/healthycitiesraffle
2. Volunteer With Us: Join our events, initiatives, or projects. Contact Ingrid at ingrid@healthycities.org.au.
3. Sponsor Our Work: Align your brand with ours by sponsoring an event or program. Reach out to Loreto at loreto@healthycities.org.au.

Thank you for taking the time to read my quarterly report. Your support fuels our mission to create a healthier, fairer future. In 2025, we will replace these quarterly CEO reports with informative monthly newsletters.

Kind wishes for a joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy 2025.

Thank you for taking the time to read my quarterly update.

Healthy regards,
Kelly