Children and young people in regional South Australia will benefit from an investment of $750,000 in their health and wellbeing through the latest round of the Marshall Liberal Government's SA Healthy Towns Challenge.
Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the Marshall Government is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of rural and remote South Australians, having already invested almost $1 million through four previous rounds of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge since the 2018 election.
"The four successful organisations in the inaugural round of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge – Partnering for Children's Wellbeing 2021-23 will each receive up to $250,000 in grant funding through Wellbeing SA," said Minister van Holst Pellekaan.
"Investing in community facilities for our children is not only important for their health but encourages families to move to and continue to live in our regional towns.
"These projects include building bike and walking trails, nature play areas, sports and recreational facilities, and the renovation of a mother and child health service building to support positive parenting skills, early childhood nutrition and healthy developmental play"
"I congratulate the four successful applicants and the children and families who will benefit for years to come from these investments in their towns," said Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade.
"The four community-led projects all displayed a shared interest in creating healthy environments for children and young people to have the best start in life and are given the best chance to thrive."
Wellbeing SA Chief Executive, Lyn Dean, said 30 organisations applied for this inaugural round of the Healthy Town's Challenge.
"Wellbeing SA has a focus on supporting the healthy development of South Australian children, and by partnering with communities through the SA Healthy Towns Challenge, we can contribute to building supportive environments where children can grow healthy, be physically active, and stay strong and connected to their communities, families and culture," Ms Dean said.
"Our panel had a very difficult job narrowing down the successful recipients who best demonstrated a focus on children's wellbeing and we are looking forward to seeing what they achieve in the years to come."
The projects will start in December 2021 and be completed by December 2023.
At the end of this round of the SA Healthy Towns Challenge, an award will be given to the project that achieves the most improvement towards children's wellbeing in their community.
More information on the SA Healthy Town's Challenge and the latest grant recipients can be found at wellbeingsa.sa.gov.au/HealthyTownsChallenge.
The four successful projects in the SA Healthy Town's Challenge – Partnering for Children's Wellbeing 2021-23 are:
Project Name |
Applying organisation |
Town/s |
Overview |
Woodward Park Upgrade focusing on Early Years Wellbeing |
Uniting Country SA Limited |
Port Pirie |
Upgrade of Woodward Park will encourage young children to enjoy outdoor physical activity. This includes developing a nature play area that will be co-designed with children and their parents/carers, a bike track for young children, and a half-court basketball facility. |
Connecting Bute's Outdoor Play Spaces |
Barunga West Council |
Bute, Port Broughton, Alford, Kulpara, Paskeville, Snowtown, Lochiel, Kadina Wallaroo |
Develop Bute's outdoor play spaces that will improve and connect Bute Lions Fauna Park, Hummock's Walking Trail, a playground, a skate park, a new road safety bike track, and a silo art viewing area. The areas will be connected by a shared walking and pedestrian track. |
Aboriginal Children and Primary Carer's Wellness Centre |
Umoona Tjutagku Health Service Aboriginal Corporation |
Coober Pedy |
Build a fit-for-purpose premise that is a culturally safe and positive space for Mother and Child Health services for mothers/caregivers and children. Renovation of the Healthy for Life building will include an equipped kitchen, indoor and outdoor play areas and seating areas. |
Strong Soul Living = Happy Soul |
Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation |
Point Pearce |
Construction of a new playground, and equipment with shade structures for Aboriginal children and young people to increase their opportunities to participate in interactive physical and recreational activities and build social and cultural connections. |
