VicHealth

VicHealth Focused on promoting good health. VicHealth acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government Welcome to VicHealth’s page.

We’re the world’s first health promotion agency, and we’re here to help improve the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. When using this page, you agree to comply with the Social Media Community Guidelines. They’re available to read here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/about-us/social-media-community-guidelines

This page is managed and moderated by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). We’re online during business hours (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday). We’ll do our best to respond to all queries within 3 business days; however, we may take longer during busy periods. We appreciate your patience. All health promotion advice shared on our platforms is general in nature. We are unable to offer specific or personalised advice in any health situation. Questions relating to the Victorian Government, the Department of Health, or other government bodies may be referred to the relevant Department for a response. As an independent statutory authority, VicHealth remains politically neutral and does not participate in political discussions.

Open gates = active kids, stronger communities 🏃‍♀️🌳 In Heathmont in Melbourne's outer east, lots of families are lookin...
12/03/2026

Open gates = active kids, stronger communities 🏃‍♀️🌳

In Heathmont in Melbourne's outer east, lots of families are looking for access to large, well-equipped parks and ovals that are nearby, close to home and easily accessible. These spaces are crucial, giving communities somewhere to be active and come together.

Heathmont East Primary is a standout example of what’s possible when school grounds are opened up for community use – beyond school hours, you can catch individuals of all ages stepping on the running track, scoring on the courts or even enjoying a family movie night!

That’s why Heathmont was highlighted as a school of best practice in our ‘Opening the Gate’ resource, designed to support more schools to keep their gates open for their communities.

‘Opening the Gate’ not only supports more schools to keep their gates open for their communities. It also informed a Victorian Government pilot where 41 schools opened their gates. This shows how local, practical solutions can lead to broader policy change.

Want to help your school open its gates?
Click here https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/resources/resources-download/opening-the-gate

12/03/2026

AFL great Sam Mitchell knows leadership is about more than performance. It’s about the culture you create.

In Victoria, sport brings us together and boosts our health. And for many of us, our sporting journey begins at a local club.

These clubs can be powerful places to build connection, good health and belonging.

But when racism and exclusion shows up — people can be pushed out of sport and lose the amazing health benefits it offers.

That’s why we launched ‘Set the Standard’ — a campaign that gives coaches and club leaders practical tools to build culturally safer, more welcoming clubs.

Because small everyday actions can make a real difference to whether someone feels they belong.

🔗 Explore the free tools and join the movement at the link in bio.

We’re big believers in making the healthiest option, the easiest option. But for many, the environment around them make...
11/03/2026

We’re big believers in making the healthiest option, the easiest option.
But for many, the environment around them makes this harder than it should be.

When fast-food outlets are everywhere but fresh, affordable food is harder to find - choosing fresh, nutritious meals becomes tougher.

And when neighbourhoods don’t have safe footpaths, parks or bike trails, staying active isn’t always easy either.

These patterns aren’t random — they’re shaped by how our neighbourhoods are designed.

That’s why we’ve supported Dr Cindy Needham from to create the Food Retail Outlet Monitoring Tool, and why we’re supporting initiatives across the state that help Victorians stay active, healthy and connected.

Want to learn more about our work?
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-focus/neighbourhood-built-systems

Water is everywhere in Victoria. From beaches and rivers to local pools and backyard summers, so much of our social life...
10/03/2026

Water is everywhere in Victoria. From beaches and rivers to local pools and backyard summers, so much of our social life happens around water.

But for many women, not having access to swimming lessons or pools earlier in life means missing out on these moments and the confidence, connection and health benefits that come with being in the water.

Through Splash Together, supported by VicHealth through a long-standing Regional Sport Partnership with Leisure Networks more women are diving into swimming, gaining essential water safety skills in culturally safe and inclusive spaces.

With a closed women-only space, tailored coaching and culturally appropriate swimwear, women learn in a culturally safe environment and at their own pace.

The program is helping women build confidence, support their physical and mental health, and strengthen social connection — with skills that last a lifetime.

It’s a strong example of what long-term partnerships can achieve: creating opportunities that lead to healthier, stronger and more connected communities.

Read more about Splash Together:
https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/dive-into-culture-and-community

Swimming Victoria Leisure Networks Barwon Health

It’s officially autumn harvest season, and we’re excited for March to bring the goods. Think crunchy carrots, juicy toma...
09/03/2026

It’s officially autumn harvest season, and we’re excited for March to bring the goods.

Think crunchy carrots, juicy tomatoes, and delicious zucchini (also bananas, which are plentiful all year around) 🍅🥕.

Bake them into these deliciously simple muffins or cook them into a hearty soup and let the seasonal produce do the heavy lifting.

Thanks Eating Healthy with No Money No Time and Healthy Eating Advisory Service for the inspo!

Full recipes here: https://nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/banana-and-carrot-muffins and https://heas.health.vic.gov.au/recipes/vegetable-and-tomato-soup/

We know sport plays a pivotal role in supporting the physical, mental and social health of women and girls — building co...
06/03/2026

We know sport plays a pivotal role in supporting the physical, mental and social health of women and girls — building connection, belonging and wellbeing.

At St Kilda City Football Netball Club, girls have long been able to start their footy journey at the Peanut Farm. But until now, they couldn’t keep playing together at a senior level.

Without the resources to field a team in the region’s women’s comp — and with the local Victorian Football League Women's side folding six years ago — the pathway simply wasn’t there.

And pathways matter. Because having local opportunities to be active that are safe and inclusive, leads to healthier more connected communities.

In 2024, the club applied for a Growing Healthy Communities grant to help make senior women’s footy possible. The funding now covers uniforms and registration costs for new and returning players — removing one of the biggest barriers to participation.

That’s what building health into local places looks like:

- More opportunities to move
- More connection
- More belonging

This , we’re celebrating the clubs and communities creating more opportunities for girls and women to get active, build confidence and belong in sport. 💜

Read more about this initiative here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-health/be-healthy-blog/boosting-womens-participation-in-sport

Fooooooooty is back for a new season 🙌 And whether you’re at the ‘G or parked on the couch, good tucker is part of the r...
05/03/2026

Fooooooooty is back for a new season 🙌

And whether you’re at the ‘G or parked on the couch, good tucker is part of the ritual.

We’ve paired Victoria’s fave clubs with healthy snack options that aren’t just tasty, but actually fuel you for all four quarters. Because barracking for your team is easier when your energy doesn’t fade halfway through the third.

So here’s to big marks, nail-biters and snacks that go the distance. 💚

Find your club’s ultimate game-day bite and tag the mate who’ll need it to survive Round 1 👉

04/03/2026

Every sporting club can shape what safe, inclusive, and welcoming spaces look like.

That’s why we’ve launched our new campaign, Set The Standard to help prevent and reduce racism in community sport. It gives coaches and clubs practical tools to make community sport safer and stronger for all Victorians.

Anti-racism advocate Jamal Elsheikh knows that when racism happens, how we respond matters. Not just in the moment, but for the long-term health and wellbeing of our clubs and communities.

As founder of Reflect Forward – a Set The Standard campaign partner, Jamal shares steps that anyone can take to address racism in sport:

✅ Ask why the person said what they said, and what they meant by it
✅ Educate the person and see if there is a way to rephrase what they said
✅ Call out the behaviour and make it clear discrimination has no place in sport
✅ Report the behaviour following racism policies and procedures in your club, and to relevant bodies if needed, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Victoria Police, Australian Human Rights Commission and eSafety Commissioner
✅ Delegate to coaches or trusted leaders
✅ Check in on the person who experienced discrimination afterwards
✅ Make sure you also look out for your own safety

When people feel safe and welcome, they’re more likely to participate in sport and be active, healthy, confident, and socially connected.

By stepping up in these moments, we create sporting environments where everyone can thrive, on and off the field.

Find out more about Set The Standard: https://setthestandard.vic.gov.au/

Read more insights from Jamal: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-health/be-healthy-blog/stronger-clubs-healthier-communities

It's Australasian Parks Week (2-9 March) and we're celebrating all the different ways Victorians enjoy our incredible pa...
03/03/2026

It's Australasian Parks Week (2-9 March) and we're celebrating all the different ways Victorians enjoy our incredible parks!

Which one are YOU? Swipe to find out (let's be honest... you're probably a bit of all of them 😄)

Whether you're there for the views, the vibes, the dopamine, or the four-legged friends, every visit to our parks is good for your health and wellbeing.

Through our partnerships with and , Victorians are being supported to get outside and connect with nature. From guided programs to outdoor fitness, walking groups to wildlife spotting – there's something for everyone.

👉 Which park personality are you? Tell us in the comments!

Check out your local council’s socials or website for Parks Week events near you

Yesterday was full of moments we won’t forget 💚 We stood alongside sporting legends, community leaders and partners to l...
27/02/2026

Yesterday was full of moments we won’t forget 💚

We stood alongside sporting legends, community leaders and partners to launch Set The Standard, our new campaign to prevent and reduce racism in community sport.

The message was simple but powerful: Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome at their local club.Because when racism shows up it pushes people to the sidelines, harms their health and takes away opportunities to build connection and confidence.

⭐ Set The Standard gives coaches and club leaders simple, practical tools to take action.

If you’re involved in a club (or know someone who is), join the movement and help us set the standard:

👉 setthestandard.vic.gov.au

Let’s make local sport safer and stronger for all Victorians.

25/02/2026

Sport is powerful – it can boost belonging, connection, confidence, helping us to feel healthy and happy. 🏆

But when racism happens, it can push people out to the sidelines and harm their health.

That’s why today, we’re so proud to launch our new campaign, Set The Standard to help prevent and reduce racism in community sport.

With some of Australia’s most respected sporting figures, we’re calling on coaches and community club leaders to step up – and speak up – when racism occurs.

Set The Standard gives coaches and clubs practical tools to make community sport safer, stronger, and more welcoming for all Victorians.

Because when every Victorian feels safe, welcome and respected, everyone wins.

Learn more: setthestandard.vic.gov.au.

Huge thanks to Lauren Elizabeth Jackson, Sam Mitchell, Kyah Simon, Meg Lanning, Dean Vickerman, Darcy Moore, Melissa Barbieri, Christian Welch, Simone McKinnis, Sharin Milner and Kayla Morrison, and to our partner organisations No 2nd Place, Reflect Forward Welcoming Australia Football Victoriaand Basketball Victoriafor being part of this important movement. 🙌🏽

25/02/2026

Stuck for lunchbox ideas? We've got you: Veggie fritters. 🥕🌽

They're packed with nutrients, easier to make than you'd think, and kids love being involved. Plus, they keep in the fridge for days.

The one thing that makes all the difference: squeeze the grated veggies in a clean tea towel first before mixing everything together. It gets rid of excess moisture so they're firm with a crispier texture kids actually like and aren’t wet and mushy. Game changer!

Use up leftover veggies for endless flavour options. Zucchini and corn one week, sweet potato the next. Serve with dip, or just on their own.

Takes 10 minutes to prep, makes 12 fritters.

Full recipe here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-health/be-healthy-blog/tasty-easy-vegetable-fritters-for-school-lunchboxes 💚

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Health Futures Australia The Community Grocer National Nutrition Foundation

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