The McGowan Government, through Healthway, is providing $400,000 to the Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation to deliver health-focused programs and activities across remote communities in the Kimberley region.
The Smarter than Smoking Active Communities Project will be available to approximately 15,000 children and young people from 37 Kimberley communities.
The grant will fund a range of activities, including sports carnivals, leadership camps and workshops promoting and building skills to support smoke-free and healthy lifestyles.
The Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan Aboriginal Corporation will be working with local organisations, including the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service, to deliver the programs.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries will also play a key role through delivering the sporting and recreation activities.
The McGowan Government has a strong focus to promote healthy lifestyles and support health promotion initiatives. Healthway is one of only a few government organisations nationally that delivers grants specifically for this purpose.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
“This is a terrific community project providing opportunities for Kimberley kids to participate in activities and programs that support their health and get them active.
“Sport is such an important tool for promoting community health and encouraging young people to be active and healthy.
“This is part of an important strategy in reducing smoking rates and improving overall health and wellbeing.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
“Sport will be as important as ever post COVID-19 as we aim to reconnect communities and get people moving again.
“It is critical we continue initiatives like this that encourage kids to participate in sport, which helps to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Josie Farrer:
“Promoting healthy lifestyles has positive flow-on effects to the health and wellbeing for everyone in the community.
“This program will reach so many kids across the region and will help provide them with the skills and tools they need to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Sport not only improves our physical health, but our mental wellbeing too.”
