Local organisations and LGAs have partnered to deliver the latest STREETFACE project, which will also be displayed outside of Greater Geelong for the first time in the project's 12-year history.
The project has brought together G21, the City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Barwon Health, Dementia Australia, Bellarine Community Health and Humans in Geelong.
Featuring nine stories from residents across the G21 region, this year's STREETFACE shines a light on older members of our community who have experienced major transitions in their lives.
From Josie's story of moving from farmland to suburbia without knowing anyone through to Bob's experience of open-heart surgery and lymphoma, each story highlights personal resilience as well as the physical and mental health benefits of movement, not just during challenging times but as a staple behaviour for wellbeing.
This year's STREETFACE theme connects to G21'sHealth and Wellbeing Pillar and the collaborative work through its Healthier Eating and Active Living (HEAL) initiative to address barriers and enablers to health and wellbeing.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said it was great to see the STREETFACE project bringing awareness to another important campaign.
Each year STREETFACE reinforces the adage that every person has a story. Through the compelling personal narratives, we also learn some common threads and universal truths that help us to take care of our own health and wellbeing.It's exciting to see this year's STREETFACE become a partnership with neighbouring councils, G21 and other partners working together to raise awareness for active living in our community.
I encourage anyone out and about to stop by the locations and read the stories told by each community member.
The large STREETFACE decals will be on display from Tuesday 29 June to Friday 27 August at the following Greater Geelong locations:
- City Hall;
- Bus Port;
- Geelong West Town Hall;
- Leisurelink;
- Bellarine Community Health, Portarlington;
- Civic Centre car park; and
- Grovedale Neighbourhood House.
A STREETFACE decal will also be displayed at Kanyana Seniors Centre in the Colac Otway Shire.
Zoe Barnett, Director, G21 Health & Wellbeing, said the STREETFACE project shared an important message.
It's so important to support people, particularly the older people in our community, to remain physically active and especially as they go through various 'life transitions'.The significance of this came through strongly during community consultation conducted recently by member organisations of the G21 Region HEAL initiative.
So now we're spotlighting some of the people in our region who are already benefiting from being out there and active, celebrating their achievements and reminding everyone that physical activity goes a long way towards good mental and physical health and wellbeing.
As part of STREETFACE this year, community members are also encouraged to take part in the online survey, which includes a series of questions on this year's project and theme.
STREETFACE started in 2009 as a City of Greater Geelong project, with previous campaigns recognising NAIDOC Week, Refugee Week, the VALiD Having a Say Conference and National Youth Week.
To read the full stories of each STREETFACE participant, visit the Humans in Geelong website.
To take part in the online survey visit the Have Your Say page before Monday 23 August.
