Youth project a state finalist

Horsham Rural City Council’s Youth CAN – Changing Alcohol Norms – Project is a finalist in the 2019 Vichealth Awards.

The Vichealth Awards, presented at a December 3 ceremony, are the state’s highest accolade for health promotion, recognising efforts of grassroots projects through to state-wide campaigns.

Horsham Rural City was one of eight Victorian councils that received money to assess alcohol culture and identify potential ways to reduce alcohol consumption for young people in the Wimmera.

Youth services planning and engagement officer Annie Mintern said hundreds of teenagers were involved in the Youth CAN project across the past 12 months.

She said parent support groups, theatre programs, basketball tournaments, colour wars and the development of marketing content and standard alcohol education in Horsham school curriculums contributed to Youth CAN’S success.

“The Wimmera’s young people have genuinely bought into this program and have been fantastic to work with,” she said.

“It’s certainly nice to have their enthusiasm recognised.”

Vichealth chief executive Dr Sandro Demaio said 2019 had the most finalists ever in Vichealth Awards, with an increase of more than 50 percent in the amount of nominations received.

“I commend every one of the finalists for making it to this stage, and I can’t wait to acknowledge and celebrate with all the finalists at the Vichealth Awards Ceremony on 3 December,” he said.