TWO health programs tackling southwest Victoria's obesity problems will be highlighted at a forum this week in Warrnambool.
The forum, hosted by the Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, comes after new data showed about 35 per cent of men and 27 per cent of women in Warrnambool were overweight.
Greater Green Triangle research fellow and Get Active Glenelg2Grampians project coordinator Nathalie Davis said the health programs were trying to engage people in high-risk groups to become active.
"We are trying to improve the physical activity levels and healthy eating of people with a disability, carers, Aboriginal people, and those from low-socio economic status backgrounds," Dr Davies said.
"One of our goals is to encourage sporting organisations to be more inclusive and to assist at-risk people to become involved."
Eat Well Be Active Southwest Victoria program manager Clare Vaughan said activities included community walks, bike rides, low-intensity group exercise classes and planning for a community garden.
Leeton agreement formalised
SHEPPARTON, in the heart of Victoria's Goulburn Valley, and Leeton, in NSW's Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, have signed an agreement to strengthen their relationship and share ideas.
The joint venture agreement, signed in Tocumwal last week, formalises their working relationship to bring businesses and local groups together to improve their communities.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Michael Polan said the regions had similar economic profiles and much to learn from each other.
"We face similar challenges in our various sectors and (need to) adapt to take advantage of opportunities as well," Cr Polan said.
"The regions are distant enough that they do not compete for market share, so it creates a great opportunity to share ideas."
The Leeton and Greater Shepparton chambers of commerce have already met, with relationships developing between harness racing clubs and art and youth groups.
Pavilion to boost clubs
SPORTING clubs and the Mandurang CFA celebrated the opening of the community's new pavilion yesterday at the Mandurang Recreation Reserve.
Greater Bendigo Mayor Alec Sandner said the project, worth almost $700,000, had been made possible with community support and was a great asset.
The building features a scorer's box and a viewing balcony.
The new pavilion has been designed with accessibility and sustainability in mind and includes a chair lift, wastewater treatment plant, water tank, ventilation system and sustainable light.
Key users of the new pavilion will be Emu Valley Cricket Association, Mandurang Cricket Club, Bendigo Junior Football League, and the Mandurang CFA.
Young Czech out theatre
YOUNG performers from Swan Hill will journey to the Czech Republic and London in July as part of a two-week exchange program.
The group will travel to Zlin to work with amateur theatre group Mala Scena before travelling to London to work with Greenwich and Lewisham Young People's Theatre.
Tour organiser and Swan Hill Rural City Council performing arts director Adrian Corbett said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for some of our young people. We hope to take between 10 and 15 young people from the Swan Hill region on the exchange."
Most of the trip is funded. Students will be billeted out with local families. The Mala Scena group plans to travel to Australia next year and will stop in Swan Hill.
High ropes, high hopes
SCOUTS are navigating a new high ropes course at Gilwell Park Scout Adventure Centre after a $440,000 funding boost from the State Government.
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the upgrade to Gilwell Park was only part of the Government's $5 million election commitment to Scouts and Guides.
Scouts Victoria chief commissioner Bob Taylor said the Gilwell Park upgrade would allow more activity-based camps to be held at the site.
He said the new facilities would also be available to schools and youth groups.
