$450,000 funding announced for Health Promotion Sponsorships

The ACT Government will provide $450,000 in funding to support the promotion of priority health messages by sporting and recreational, and arts and cultural organisations. The funding is part of the 2008/09 ACT Health’s Health Promotion Sponsorship Funding Round.

$450,000 funding announced for Health Promotion Sponsorships - ACT Minister for Health

The ACT Government will provide $450,000 in funding to support the promotion of priority health messages by sporting and recreational, and arts and cultural organisations,

The Minister for Health Katy Gallagher MLA was pleased to announced the funding as part of the 2008/09 ACT Health’s Health Promotion Sponsorship Funding Round.

This round of funding saw 48 applications submitted, with 18 health promotion sponsorships being successful following an extensive assessment process. Funding was open to all ACT sporting and recreational, and arts and cultural organisations with an interest in promoting good health and wellbeing through their activities. Sponsorships were available for up to a two year period of funding starting in July 2008.

“The goal of the Health Promotion Sponsorship Funding Round is for sponsored organisations to deliver a priority health message to their participants,” Ms. Gallagher said.

“Sponsored organisations are also expected to work towards becoming a health promoting organisation which can be achieved by a commitment to raise the awareness and implementation of ACT Health’s priority health messages and by supporting healthy lifestyle choices through the creation of healthy environments,” she said.

Each applicant was required to clearly demonstrate how their organisation planned to use the funding to deliver targeted promotions to participants and spectators during their activities and events of one of the following key health messages:

§ smoking reduction;

§ physical activity;

§ healthy eating; or

§ sun protection.

Successful organisations include:

- The AFL Canberra Umpires Association who promotes the game of Australian Rules Football by fostering umpiring and improving the general standard of umpiring. Sponsorship of the ‘Find 30’ physical activity message will be used for uniforms, training, development and recruitment programs.
- The Canberra Youth Theatre which is the longest established youth theatre in Australia. This sponsorship will be used to incorporate long term organisation and behaviour change in its members and audiences through the adoption of smoking prevention and healthy lifestyle policies and practices.

• The Royal National Capital Agricultural Society which continues to deliver the ACT’s largest three day event – the Royal Canberra Show. The organisation has a commitment to a variety of health messages, with a priority focus of smoking prevention and healthy food choices.

The ACT Health Promotion Grants Funding Program supports and promotes healthy lifestyle choices, improved health outcomes for people experiencing the greatest disadvantage, promotes positive self-image, strengthens and enhances community support networks, provides for safe and supportive environments, reduces health risk factors and influences public policy.

For a full list of the successful recipients, please email angie.drake@act.gov.au

Statement Ends

Date: 15 June, 2008

Media Contact: Angie Drake Ph: 6205 0139(w) 0408 092 016(m)