Healthy Cities Australia

Healthy Cities Australia We champion the WHO’s Healthy Cities initiative in Australia to build healthier, happier communities, ensuring a better future for generations to come.

Healthy Cities Australia (HCA) is a community-based non-profit, non-government organisation that receives core funding from the NSW Health Department. HCA is a recognised member of the International Healthy Cities movement, which was started in 1985 by the World Health Organisation in response to the need for a more holistic, community-centred approach to public health. HCA was established in Nove

mber 1987 and operates throughout the local government areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from local government, health, environment, education, and community sectors. HCA has a proven track record of working in partnership with the community, business, and government to deliver projects on a wide range of health, social, and environmental issues, including children's health, community safety, environmental health, physical activity, nutrition education, and food security. Other focus areas include community cultural development, healthy ageing, active transport, HIV/AIDS prevention, and to***co control. With an experienced workforce and strong governance, HCA has established itself as a well-managed, credible, and committed organisation. It is recognised for being at the forefront of innovative health promotion practice. The Healthy Cities philosophy is that our health is shaped by environmental, economic, social, mental, and physical factors. Addressing these complex issues requires collaboration across all sectors of the community to create a healthier society. We encourage individuals, groups, and businesses to join us in working towards healthier, more connected communities across Australia. To learn more about Healthy Cities Australia, visit our website at www.healthycities.org.au

Come dance, yoga and / or chill in the beautiful Wollongong Botanic Garden this week with us for their EPIC Nature Shake...
03/09/2026

Come dance, yoga and / or chill in the beautiful Wollongong Botanic Garden this week with us for their EPIC Nature Shake event! With lots of activities and the beautiful surrounds, it a go-to event in Wollongong for all ages!

Date: Saturday, 5th September
Time: 12-4pm
Cost: FREE!

More information: https://wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au/events/nature-shake

See you there!

Day 2 of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities was one to remember!Highlights from yesterday inc...
02/09/2026

Day 2 of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities was one to remember!

Highlights from yesterday included:

✨ Two thought-provoking plenary sessions:
• From Local Action to Collective Impact: The Power of Networks
• Politicians' Roundtable: Governing for Wellbeing - Political Leadership for Healthy Cities
🎓 Four dynamic parallel sessions, including a dedicated postgraduate student session and an interactive "walkshop"
🎤 12 oral presentations showcasing innovative healthy city initiatives
⚡ Four engaging lightning talks
🌇 A Barangaroo site visit for conference dignitaries
🥂 An unforgettable Alliance for Healthy Cities Conference Dinner at the Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring MC Tim Ross and a powerful Wambuul Traditional Aboriginal performance.

Another incredible day of sharing ideas, strengthening partnerships and advancing healthier, more liveable communities worldwide.

Day 3 is about to commence - see you soon!

UNSW Cities Institute
📸 Maria Boyadgis

The offical Day 1 of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities has officially wrapped up, and what a...
02/09/2026

The offical Day 1 of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities has officially wrapped up, and what a day it was.

We explored important issues shaping the future of healthy cities through inspiring conversations, shared experiences and innovative ideas.

The program included:

• Madjawa Maangi, a First Nations exhibition - on daily
• E-poster displays and exhibition booths
• 13 workshops led by experts and practitioners
• A Traditional Smoking Ceremony on Bidjigal land and official Opening Ceremony
• Our first plenary session, Leaders Forum on Healthy Cities: Featuring Planetary Health
• The Healthy Cities Awards Ceremonies

Today's sessions sparked meaningful discussion and provided plenty of valuable insights to take back to our communities.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a memorable first day. See you tomorrow for more learning, collaboration and inspiration!

UNSW Cities Institute

1 in 5 Australian women live with asthma. Yet many don't know that hormones can influence their asthma symptoms. This As...
01/09/2026

1 in 5 Australian women live with asthma.

Yet many don't know that hormones can influence their asthma symptoms. This Asthma Week (1–7 September), Healthy Cities Australia is supporting Asthma AustraliaAustralia to raise awareness of the connection between hormones and asthma, to help more women recognise changes in their symptoms and get the care they need.

Learn more at www.asthmaweek.org.au

Today kicked off our first day of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities with pre-conference prog...
31/08/2026

Today kicked off our first day of the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities with pre-conference programming:

🌳 Site Visits: these **sold out** curated visits showcased Sydney’s leading work in urban parks, green spaces, active transport, community health, and climate-health initiatives. Delegates got to visit the Greenway, Centennial Park, Waterloo and the Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct (UNSW).

💬 Healthy Cities Networks Information & Networking Session: we heard from representatives from Healthy Cities networks in Japan, Republic of Korea and the Philippines, sharing their experiences of establishing and sustaining national Healthy Cities networks.

🇦🇺 Welcome Reception: welcome to Sydney! An evening of networking, connection and culture, plus a tour of the newly opened UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH).

Healthy Cities Australia and UNSW Cities Institute look forward to welcoming our delegates to the official start of the conference tomorrow at the spectacular UNSW!

In December, our Active In-Betweens participants at Warilla joined a focus group with UOW researchers understand the nee...
31/08/2026

In December, our Active In-Betweens participants at Warilla joined a focus group with UOW researchers understand the needs of children and families in Shellharbour plus a community wide survey with Shellharbour's families. The research was commissioned by Barnardos Australiain order to plan for future programs in the area. The report will be released next week and all invited to join.

📅 Thursday, 3 September
🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm
🔗 To register: https://bit.ly/4yc6Jup

Report will be launched at the online meeting and available for download after.

Healthy Cities Australia — part of the global Healthy Cities movement — is seeking two new Board Directors to help power...
30/08/2026

Healthy Cities Australia — part of the global Healthy Cities movement — is seeking two new Board Directors to help power its next phase. We're looking for people at the intersection of finance and business acumen, partnerships and public influence: people who can think strategically, open doors, shape the public conversation on healthy communities, and make sure every dollar works hard. It's a voluntary role (~1–2 days/month) on a warm, ambitious board with a freshly renewed governance framework.

Applications close Friday 25th September. Full brief: https://healthycities.org.au/careers.

Questions welcome — contact Dr Lina Engelen at [email protected].

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest campaign to end overdose. It is observed on August 31...
29/08/2026

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is the world’s largest campaign to end overdose. It is observed on August 31 by communities in more than 40 countries worldwide. In Australia, an average of 7 people die from a drug overdose every day, more than the number of people who die on Australian roads. Overdoses are preventable.

The Illawarra and Shoalhaven Community Drug Action Teams have organised two events for IOAD:

💜 Monday, 31 August | 6.00pm to 8.00pm | Flagstaff Point Lighthouse, Wollongong
The Wollongong Lighthouse will be illuminated purple to honour those affected by overdose and to raise awareness of overdose prevention. Join for a smoking ceremony, speakers, and a hot drink.

💜 Tuesday, 1 September | 1.30pm to 3.00pm | Nowra Library Meeting Room
Join for a community afternoon tea with speakers and information
More information https://www.overdoseday.com

28/08/2026

THREE DAYS TO GO!!

Healthy Cities Australia and UNSW Cities Institute are busy putting the finishing touches on 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities and are ecstatic to welcome 400 delegates to Sydney in just three days. 🎉

Our site visits are fully booked but we have limited spots are available for:
- the 3-day conference
- the conference dinner
- the Pre-Conference Networking and Information Session

Don't miss out - secure your seat now:

https://healthycities2026.com

https://events.humanitix.com/pre-conference-networking-and-information-session

Farewell & thank you to our incredible Ambassadors!Today we acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions of tw...
27/08/2026

Farewell & thank you to our incredible Ambassadors!

Today we acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions of two of our Healthy Cities Ambassadors, Korin Koutsomihalis and Brett Connellan, as they step down from their ambassador roles.

Through their passion, leadership and unwavering commitment to healthier, more connected communities, Korin and Brett have inspired countless people across Australia. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy and advocacy they have shared with Healthy Cities.

Thank you, Korin and Brett, for being such valued members of our journey. We wish you both every success and happiness in the next chapter, but we know we will continue to collaborate wherever possible. 💚

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6-10 Princess Highway
Berry, NSW

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