A local non-profit has been recognised nationally for its work promoting health across the New England North West.

HealthWISE has been named as one of three finalists in the Rural and Remote Health Innovator of the Year category at the National Rural and Remote Health Awards, set to be presented in Canberra on November 5. The nomination highlights three local health promotion programs – Students As Lifestyle Activists (SALSA), Nutrition Education Skills Training (NEST) and the Menopause is Not A Dirty Word event series.

“I’m very proud of the work undertaken. Being shortlisted for this national award recognises the importance of health education and providing people with the tools they need to lead a healthier life,” HealthWISE chief executive officer Fiona Strang said.

“This reflects our board’s decision to invest in making a stronger social impact,” she added. Ms Strang believes the programs have made a significant impact on participants’ lives and said they allowed HealthWISE to build rewarding partnerships with other organisations.

Menopause is Not a Dirty Word was developed on a grassroots level after HealthWISE staff noticed a lack of education around menopause. Held in Gunnedah, Armidale, Tamworth and Moree, each event featured a range of local health professionals including physiotherapists, general practitioners and women’s health nurses.

“We decided that rural and regional women need access to solid information, the latest research and treatment options, support, and to get together and share their stories,” HealthWISE health and wellbeing officer Emma Knights explained.

Previously only available in metropolitan areas, HealthWISE was the first to bring both SALSA and NEST to the country. Since 2023, SALSA Regional has reached more than 750 high school students across the New England North West with peer education on healthy eating and

exercise.

Designed by OzHarvest, NEST is a hands-on program that teaches healthy cooking on a budget.

HealthWISE has hosted eight six-week workshops across North West NSW and Southern QLD, including one in Gunnedah last year.

“Food insecurity often leads to less nutritious diets. NEST can help by improving confidence and self-efficacy to budget for, buy and make affordable nutritious meals that are both tasty and easy to prepare,” Ms Knights said.

HealthWISE research and partnerships manager Louise Ingall said she hopes the Australian government invests more in preventative health, which reduces the burden on services by encouraging people to take proactive steps to live healthier lifestyles.