HLC are excited to announce the fantastic initiatives we will be delivering this year, in collaboration with our community partners, aiming to encourage physical activity and healthy eating across Greater Bendigo, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Loddon, Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander Shires, including:
- Introducing the popular parkrun to Kyabram.
- Building on the successful Cooking for Change! program and expanding into Campaspe.
- Increasing veggie consumption with Very Veggie April in the Macedon Ranges.
- Supporting physical activity with a range of projects for all ages and abilities being delivered through Active Loddon and Active Mount Alexander.
- Partnering with Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to cook and eat healthy meals.
HLC is delivering the following projects in each of our six LGAs:
Campaspe Shire
👨🍳 Cooking for Change! with Bendigo Foodshare: We're partnering with Bendigo Foodshare to expand their hands-on cooking program into Campaspe. This project will include a train-the-trainer model and pilot sessions with secondary schools, empowering young people with practical cooking skills and healthy habits.
🏃 Kyabram parkrun: Parkrun is a free, weekly community event where everyone can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or cheer! Together with the Kyabram community, we’ll establish a local Parkrun, creating a sustainable, fun, and inclusive activity every Saturday morning.
🏊♀️ Multicultural and First Nations Swim with Campaspe Aquatics: In partnership with Campaspe Aquatics, this project will provide introductory swimming lessons for multicultural families and culturally safe lessons for First Nations babies and toddlers. We’re working to close local gaps in water safety and build confidence for all families.
Central Goldfields Shire
🧑🌾 Central Goldfields Healthy Eating Project: Expert Eats will deliver Cooking Together Workshops, focusing on upskilling local organisations to deliver community cooking sessions. Following the workshops, partner organisations will be supported to run their own community cooking sessions.
🏃 Central Goldfields Physical Activity Project: We're continuing the momentum from 2024/25 to help residents of all ages get active in local recreation spaces.
This project will:
- expand sports equipment libraries
- run beginner friendly skills sessions
- continue lighting parks in the early morning and evening
- build on the existing Walking Basketball program
- introduce social sports such as pickleball and walking netball
- deliver Walk This Way
City of Greater Bendigo
🥗 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Meals with Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative: We are partnering with Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative to deliver the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Meals project. The project is centred around the introduction of a welcoming, simple and flexible drop-in space at BDAC, fostering the skill development and consumption of healthy meals.
Loddon Shire
🧒 Active Loddon:
🏓 Pickleball Activation – Transforming underused tennis courts; complete with a free Sports Equipment Library!
💪 Train the Trainer Program – Building local fitness leaders and creating employment pathways in health and wellbeing.
🛶 Community Canoeing – Explore the beauty of the Loddon’s waterways while getting active outdoors.
🧘 Tai Chi for Seniors – Gentle movement to support older residents' balance, wellbeing, and social connection.
🏊 Early Morning Swims at Pyramid Hill Pool – Perfect for kids and busy adults looking to start the day with some laps!
Macedon Ranges Shire
🥕 Very Veggie April: In partnerships with the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group, this project aims to increase vegetable consumption across the Shire. The project will focus on promotion and participation in the Edgy Veg Awards, provision of Edgy Veg vouchers, development of recipe cards, cooking workshops and farmers market tours.
🧑🌾 Early Years Growing in the Ranges: Through the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, local kinders are learning to grow and cook fresh vegetables. Families will receive support to create home gardens, access workshops and enjoy recipe cards.
🏃 Healthy Sports Venues: This initiative incorporates healthy eating and physical activity components to activate council sports venues.
Mount Alexander Shire
🏃 Mount Alexander Physical Activity Project: This project is creating more opportunities for older residents to get moving! By using public spaces and facilities, we’re building confidence, social connections, and physical activity skills.
🥕 Mount Alexander Healthy Eating Project:
✅ Growing in Mount Alexander: Families at local childcare centres will learn to grow veggies in portable containers at home and at the centre! Recipe cards and education sessions will help boost veggie consumption.
✅ Multicultural Healthy Eating: Working with Pacific Islander communities to reduce reliance on takeaway and increase access to nutritious foods.
✅ Edgy Veg: A celebration of local food innovation! Venues will create delicious veg-based dishes, showcasing regional produce and supporting local growers.
✅ Cooking for Change: Bendigo Foodshare is bringing hands-on cooking sessions to Castlemaine Secondary College, teaching students teamwork and healthy meal prep.