Horsham Rural City Council is joining forces with VicHealth through the new Partners in Place initiative to create healthier communities across our region.
Through Partners in Place, Council will work alongside local organisations and community members to improve the everyday conditions that support health and wellbeing, making it easier for people to be healthy, active and connected.
Through VicHealth's Partners in Place funding program, Council is delivering the Food V.I.B.E.S project, a place-based initiative designed to improve healthy eating and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years.
The project focuses on increasing access to healthy food, supporting vulnerable families and addressing barriers that impact health, while strengthening local partnerships, youth participation and community leadership. The grant funding of $500,000 over five years will also help build long-term, sustainable approaches to improving food equity and wellbeing across the Horsham municipality.
Mayor Cr Klowss said the partnership would help build on the strengths and ideas already within the community.
"This partnership with VicHealth brings young people, community organisations and local leaders together to shape solutions that reflect what matters most to our community," Cr Klowss said.
"Whether it's making healthy food easier to access, creating more opportunities for children and young people to be active, or strengthening social connection and belonging, these are the kinds of changes that help communities thrive."
Partners in Place brings together 23 councils and community coalitions to support healthier places right across Victoria.
The initiative combines long-term investment, evidence and practical support to help communities create lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.
VicHealth Chief Executive Officer Professor Anna Peeters said good health starts long before people need medical care.
"Hospitals and clinics play a vital role in keeping Victorians healthy, but the biggest opportunities to improve health are found in the places where people live, learn, work and connect with others. That's why lasting change starts with communities themselves."
"Communities know what will make the biggest difference because they live it every day. By backing local leadership, sharing what works and building strong partnerships, we can help more communities across Victoria create healthier places where everyone can enjoy better health and wellbeing."
About Partners in Place
Partners in Place is VicHealth's long-term place-based prevention initiative, supporting communities to create healthier places where people can thrive. VicHealth will partner with 17 rural and regional councils and six community coalitions across Victoria to address the local conditions that shape health.
By combining long-term investment with prevention expertise, practical support and evaluation, Partners in Place helps communities develop solutions that reflect local priorities while building evidence that can strengthen prevention across the state.
