The Good Living project will be launched by the Federal Member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus, QC, at 3pm on Thursday 19 July 2012 at Melaleuca Community Centre, 31 Melaleuca Drive in Clarinda. Light refreshments will be provided.

The project will involve the delivery of a range of preventative health initiatives relating to physical activity and healthy eating that aim to reduce the risk of chronic disease in the following key target groups:

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people;
• Unemployed/underemployed people;
• Older adults; and
• People at risk of chronic disease.

The objectives of the Good Living Project are:

1. To increase the proportion of people in the key target groups who engage in informal and formal physical activity;  
2. To increase the proportion of people in the key target groups consuming the recommended daily intake of two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables;
3. To increase the community’s capacity through training to deliver healthy eating and physical activity programs;
4. To build Kingston and Bayside Council’s capacity to promote health and wellbeing through urban planning and policy development; and
5. To strengthen partnerships between local government, non-government organisations  and community groups to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

The Project will focus programs in three of the most disadvantaged communities in Kingston and Bayside:

1. Hampton East and Highett;
2. Clayton South and Clarinda; and
3. Chelsea, Bonbeach and Carrum.

The Good Living Project will involve the implementation of the following programs:

• Community kitchens;
• Community gardens;
• Heart Foundation Walking Groups;
• Community Cycling Education;
• Lift for Life;
• Linking the unemployed to the State Emergency Services (SES) and local gyms;
• Linking in with Divisions of General Practice/Medicare Local;
• Installation of adult exercise equipment at Namatjira Park, Clayton South; and
• Community Education Workshops.

For further information on programs please contact the Good Living Project Coordinator: Elizabeth Casey: Elizabeth.casey@kingston.vic.gov.au